Live music is just what the doctor ordered at this downtown Berkeley bar
A longtime Berkeley pediatrician volunteers his time booking musicians for Spats. He says music has helped him overcome “rough times.”
by Michael James Tapscott
May 4, 2026, 8:32 a.m.
On a Thursday night in April, a modern rock band plays to a sparse crowd at Spats in downtown Berkeley. A handful of people gather near the stage while others drift between rooms, lingering at the bar, circling the pool table, or taking a spin on the $11 liquor wheel.
“Business really depends on the crowd the bands can bring in,” says bartender Desiree Jessa.
Across Berkeley and the Bay Area, bars and small venues are struggling for a range of reasons, including people drinking and going out less and rising food, fuel, rent and labor costs.
At Spats, a 56-year-old guy is sweating it out on nights and weekends, volunteering his time to keep the dream of live music alive. His name is Mike Linn, and he’s a semi-retired pediatrician.
