jake and niki are great people, sad to hear this place is closing down.
someone else said this already but, being mad at the upwardly mobile coffee loving jerkwads is a perpetual frustration you won't overcome living in the capital city of California. This is state worker legislative country, hence the upscale bars, lounges and restaurants.
Having indy coffee houses is cool, but for this music a house that can organize well (ideally with a basement) is going to remain the best bet for shows. Then you don't have to fret about yuppies hanging out with their laptops at the kitchen table, and you'll be healthier without that contempt.