Opened in 1974 with only a couple of mics and no stage, the Belly Up has become something of a touristy home for tribute and reggae and jam bands in recent years. But the intimate 600-capacity venue is still financially attractive to mid-size national touring acts. Joe Walsh debuted his solo release Analog Man there. Blues rocker John Mayall has been known to book stage time along with the English Beat, B.B. King, Leon Russell, the Black Eyed Peas, Death Cab for Cutie, Ludacris, Jason Mraz, Buddy Guy, and Chris Isaak.

Many artists have stopped by on their way up the ladder, including No Doubt, Black Eyed Peas, Mumford and Sons, and Childish Gambino, while artist underplays at the venue in recent years include The Killers, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, Jimmy Buffett, Willie Nelson, Ben Harper, Damian Marley, and Tom Jones. The Rolling Stones played a private Belly Up event in 2015.

A related record label has over 100 live recordings in the Belly Up Records catalogue, tracked during club performances.