Skipper's is an institution. Generations of music lovers have called themselves regulars at this classic, Old Florida-themed establishment. Not only does it provide a spacious outdoor concert area, communal benches and beachy sand add even more charm, and its restaurant serves some of the best Floridian fare in the bay area – one of the few places that serve gator tail!

It gets a bad rap for being overloaded with aging hippies, but some of the best times can be had with jolly tie-dyed boomers, shaking it to a Grateful Dead tribute band. What gets overlooked in the frantic avoidance of ponytailed dads: Skipper's is a premier concert venue, offering the biggest variety of musical styles. It's where you can catch headliners as diverse as the Avett Brothers, Black Keys, Jonathan Richman, Antibalas Afrobeat Orchestra, Duane Eddy, Dickey Betts and Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings, along with a wide variety of premier local bands such as Nervous Turkey and Rebekah Pulley and the Reluctant Prophets.

Jay Cridlin of tbt* did this wonderful piece on the 30th anniversary of Skippers. It's filled with lore and loving tributes.

Events at Skipper's Smokehouse

• Barely Pink
  • June 1, 2012 8 p.m.
• Damon Fowler Group
  • June 22, 2012 8 p.m.
  • July 27, 2012 8 p.m.
• Good Vibrations: Brian Wilson Birthday Party
  • June 16, 2012 5 p.m.
• Heavy Pets
  • June 29, 2012 8 p.m.
• Jubal's Kin
  • May 29, 2012 7 p.m.
• Paul Thorn
  • May 26, 2012 8 p.m.
• Rocket 88 20 Anniversary Show
  • June 8, 2012 8 p.m.
• Swinging Bridge
  • June 26, 2012 7 p.m.
• Tab Benoit
  • July 6, 2012 8 p.m.