Sweetwater was a bar located in Mill Valley, California, with a 30-year history of live musical performances by the likes of Bonnie Raitt, Elvis Costello, Jerry Garcia, The String Cheese Incident, John Lee Hooker and Carlos Santana. There were typically at least 4 to 5 musical acts booked per week making it a popular local hangout. The Sweetwater also featured an open mike night on Mondays that occasionally featured surprise performances by well-known artists such as Gregg Allman, Train and others.
The band Hot Tuna recorded two live albums at Sweetwater in the early 1990s featuring guest performances by local figures Bob Weir and Wavy Gravy.
BBC Television shot a documentary at the club featuring John Lee Hooker, Bonnie Riatt and Ry Cooder.
In 2004, the establishment faced eviction by landlords who raised the rent to more than what the owners claimed they could pay. The bar was saved through donations, and its lease was renewed when the owners of the building offered new terms. It was not disputed that the new rent was fair, and the owners of the Sweetwater entered into a month-to-month lease.
