Two unsanctioned beach parties attracting hundreds of teens are scheduled to take place in Alameda, and while they’re reportedly part of a regular tradition involving activities like water balloon and water gun fights, police warn that past events have resulted in “dangerous consequences.”

The Alameda Police Department posted on social media advising parents to discourage their kids from participating in two upcoming “beach takeover” events taking place Sunday and Tuesday at Alameda’s Crown Beach, which typically draw hundreds of teens, posing a public safety hazard.

As KGO reports, the Alameda Unified School District wrote in a message to parents that a takeover event last Saturday “resulted in fights, car accidents, and other significant disruptions on both the beach and at the shopping center,” as hundreds of teens congregated at Crown Beach and South Shore Center.

“While this may seem like harmless fun, similar games in the past have led to unintended and dangerous consequences,” wrote the police.

Additionally, KRON4 reports that beach takeover events often include “assassination-style” water balloon and water gun fights, which have led to authorities or bystanders misidentifying the guns as real weapons at past events.

Officers from the East Bay Regional Park District will be heavily monitoring the beach during upcoming events with support from the Alameda Police Department, according to the Alameda PD’s social media post.

A parent commented on the police department’s post, saying the water balloon and water gun fights are a longheld senior tradition in Alameda.

“The kids who choose to participate (not everyone does and it’s def not required) have a lot fun doing it,” wrote the parent. “There are tons of rules that they all respect. (Example: not in businesses, not on someone’s private property, etc). I’m impressed with the students who put this one and participate.”

“It’s an ongoing game that will last months … until there is one person left,” they said.

Another commenter pointed out the fact that it’s desirable for teens to get outside and be active.

“Relax, just kids going to the beach to hang out and shoot water guns at each other,” said one commenter. “This is what we want them to do. Enjoy the beach on a hot day. Oh my god.”

Others described the scene at South Shore Center mall last Saturday as chaotic and stressful.

“The whole shopping center lot on the beach side taken over by people not in cars, traveling into the mall,” said a commenter. “Fights breaking out. Shops having to lock doors early. Home Goods restrooms full of people smoking weed, among other things and likely not the only shop with issues.”

“Not a place I would have wanted my teens to hang out,” they continued. “I also would not have wanted to be in that area when it was happening.”

Consider this a heads-up for any East Bay non-teens to perhaps choose a different beach — and mall — Sunday and Tuesday!

Image: Marc Crumpler/East Bay Regional Park District

Still don't have any New Year's Eve plans and looking to lock down some tickets and get out of the house? We have a few ideas for you, at least a couple of which won't break the bank, and a couple of which might impress your new paramour.

New Year's Eve can be amateur hour at many bars around town, and restaurants will be offering special, more expensive menus geared toward couples looking to do it up in high style. But if it's just a party you're looking for, or you need somewhere to head after dinner, we've got a few options for you below with tickets still on sale, running the gamut from 1920s-style burlesque and cabaret, to modern house music and disco, with dress-up encouraged at several of these.

New Year's Eve Closing Party at The Phoenix Hotel
The one and only Juanita MORE! is hosting the last hurrah at the Phoenix Hotel before it closes for good — never to host a NYE or Pride party again. The party will feature a headlining DJ set from David Harness, as well as supporting sets from Poundcake, Subeaux, and Bugie, and a live performance by Ehra Amaya. The outdoor patio portion of the party goes until 1 am, with the party inside going until 2 am, and $30 tickets can still be had.
601 Eddy Street

Midnight Botanica at 1 Hotel
Get a front-row seat for the midnight fireworks where you don't have to be stuck in the rain on the Embarcadero at 1 Hotel's New Year's bash. The hotel and its restaurant Terrene will be decked out in winter greenhouse vibes, and guests are encouraged to dress in flora- and fauna-inspired garb. The party includes passed hors d'oeuvres, a fresh seafood station, a slider station, and a latke bar, as well as cocktails and a midnight Champagne toast. Tickets are $185, and the party starts at 9pm.
8 Mission Street at Embarcadero

Annual New Year's Eve Extravaganza at the Palace Theater
The subterranean venue in North Beach that brought you The Speakeasy, which became known also for its New Year's Eve parties, is back with a new edition this year. The event features an immersive, 1920s-themed experiences with a casino room, a bar, and performances all night in the cabaret room — featuring artists including Misfit Cabaret star Kat Robichaud, burlesque performer Banbury Cross, and aerialist Joey the Tiger — as well as light bites and cocktails. VIP tickets get you an open bar all night, meet-and-greet opportunities with the cast, and a VIP lounge with its own snacks. Tickets can be found here, with standard entry costing $249, late entry at 10:30 pm is $149, and VIP tickets are going for $399 with early entry at 8:30 pm. (Use code SECRETNYE for a discount at checkout.)
The Palace Theater, 644 Broadway

Midnight Masquerade at Bourbon Steak
It sounds like there will be a fun and festive affair by Union Square, with plenty of good food, at Bourbon Steak, Eighth Rule, and the new lobby-level Bourbon Lounge on New Year's Eve. The Midnight Masquerade features food stations, passed bites, a complimentary cocktail and Champagne toast, DJ sets, live entertainment, and more, and tickets are still available for $275 per person — with entry allowed any time between 7 pm and midnight, as your schedule permits.
335 Powell Street

WORAKLS at Audio
If it's sweeping, dramatic, French electronic music you're into, you'll want to check out WORAKLS, aka musician and composer Kevin Rodrigues, who'll be playing his keyboard and entrancing fans at Audio this New Year's Eve, while he's on tour with his new album. The night kicks off with sound designer and composer Dirtyhertz, and this is sure to be a vibe-y, specific sort of party. Tier 2 tickets priced at $70.49 are still on sale, with the price going up soon.
316 11th Street

The 96th Academy Awards are upon us, and whether you're rooting for your favorite film or simply want to see what movie stars are wearing, there's a local watch party waiting for you.

Forget scrambling to find someone's cable login to watch the Oscars — here's a roundup of five local watch parties, from budget-friendly to truly glamorous.

1. Oscars at the Balboa, Mar. 10, 2024, 3:00 p.m - 7:00 p.m., $15

Catch the pre-show red carpet madness and all the award ceremony action at the Balboa Theatre. Hosted by local actor and tour guide Reed Kirk-Rahlmann, the party promises trivia and prizes throughout the night. Seating is first-come, first-served, so get there early.

2. The Annual Knockout Oscars Watch Party Happy Hour, Mar. 10, 2024, 3:00 - 9:00 p.m., FREE

For the movie buff on a budget, head to Bernal Heights' The Knockout for their free Oscars Watch Party Happy Hour. Enjoy the ceremony on the big screen, with pizza, trivia, and drink specials throughout the evening.

3. Oscars Party at Manny's!, Mar. 10, 2024, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m., $10

Craving a low-key vibe with a touch of Hollywood glitz? Mission District community event space Manny's has you covered. Their Oscars Viewing Party offers a fun atmosphere with speciality Oscars-themed cocktails, games, and prizes.

4. Oscar Night at The Academy, Mar. 10, 2024, 3:30 - 8:00 p.m, $25

The Academy SF, the LGBTQ+ social club and event space in Duboce Triangle is hosting its annual Oscar Night viewing party. Mingle with fellow movie enthusiasts, enjoy the ceremony on the big screen, and even participate in their "Academy Award" presentation for social club members. (Members get free admission, but space is limited so register ASAP!)

5. Cinelounge Tiburon Oscars Party 2024, Mar. 10, 2024, 3:00 p.m. - on, $75 - $125

Channel your inner A-lister at CineLounge Tiburon's Oscars Viewing Party. This fancy movie theater in Marin is pulling out all the stops. Get the full awards show experience, complete with an open bar, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, and a red carpet (with a photographer!) to capture your own Hollywood moment. Tickets include the ceremony, food, drinks, and a chance to win prizes for guessing the winners.

Feature image of Hollywood, CA, red carpet at the 91st Annual Academy Awards, vis Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images.

It's time again for the city to fill up with tourists, not of the conventioneer and Alcatraz sweatshirt-buying kind, but of the latex bodysuit and leather chaps-wearing kind — and it's the annual time of year for a large swath of the city's gay community to dust off their harnesses and pretend to be leather queens for a day.

With that in mind, and given that the heterosexual kink community is privy to a world of underground parties that I am not, I bring you a brief guide to the goings-on for these high holidays for the gay segment of Folsom Street Fair fans.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Bondage a Go-Go: I know I said this would be a mostly gay guide, but here's a party for a mixed crowd of kinksters that's happening at the Cat Club, well ahead of the big events of the weekend. Expect burlesque performances by Kitty KaPowww, Barbie Bloodgloss, and Risky Ginger. And apparently they'll be giving out "kinkster discounts" on drinks in the back room, whenever announced, providing you serve up your ass to be spanked. 1190 Folsom Street, 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., $10

Kosmetik: Every Wednesday at The Stud there's this newish party for house and electro fans, which this week features resident DJs Matthew Paul and Jordee, and guests Taco Tuesday (Pound Puppy) and Siobhan Aluvalot. The Stud, Harrison and 9th, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Free before 10, $5 after

Pan Dulce!: It's the weekly Latin night at Castro club Beaux, but for Folsom Week they've got a special guest: porn star Armond Rizzo. Also, allegedly, "horny Colombia + Miami go-gos," so take that as you will. Beaux, 2344 Market Street, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., free before 9:30, $7 after

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 21

Mr. Drummer '79 Presents: Fe-Be's: To kick off the big weekend, the party folks behind Mr. Drummer '79 are paying "tribute to the famous leather bar on Folsom that inaugurated the 'Miracle Mile'," Fe-Be's, which used to be in the corner building across from Oasis, now home to Calle 11. The night, in the Lower Haight, will feature Honey Soundsystem's Jackie House, and Mr. Drummer's Matthew Paul. Underground SF, 424 Haight Street, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10

GayC/DC: Gay AC/DC cover band GayC/DC is back for a gig at The Eagle to kick off the weekend, and they're performing with Zbornak and Fat Bottom Girls, to a crowd of hard-rock-loving homos and others. The Eagle, 398 12th Street at Harrison, 9 p.m., free

Gym Class: Cute gay locals and their friends in town will be gathering for the weekly non-sports party at Hi Tops, the Castro sports bar. There will be go-go boys on the bar, and go-go boys handing out free shots, and a whole lot of shout-talking. Hi Tops, 2247 Market Street, 9 p.m., free

JUNK, the Underwear Party: For tourists already in town and anyone who wants to start the dirty festivities early, head to the P-house for the underwear party known as JUNK, hosted by mr. Pam and Dulce de Leche, with music by DJ Rolo. 1347 Folsom Street at Dore, 9 p.m. $5

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 22

Baloney: The cheeky (sorry) all-male review that is Baloney will baring almost all for you at this Folsom edition, and the cheaper GA tickets are already sold out, so you're stuck with premium seats at $50, or chancing it at the door. Oasis, 298 11th Street at Folsom, show at 8 p.m.

Bearracuda: It's a 10th annual Folsom Friday edition of this bash for bears and their cubs and admirers, this time at Public Works. DJs include Tony Moran, Ryan Jones, and Freddy King of Pants. 161 Erie Street at Mission, 9 p.m., $20 advance, $30 at the door

Phantasmagoria: Check out the Eagle on what may be its quietest and tamest night of the weekend (though maybe not) with this party featuring DJs In Flagranti and Kelly Naughton and barber cuts from Seattle's Daddy Brock. Hosted by Nark. Eagle, 298 12th Street, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., $19 advance

Shenanigans: Magic Kinkdom: Just as they now have an annual tradition of "Mask for Masc" parties on Pride weekend, the Shenanigans crew now have a tradition of doing their Disney-themed party, ironically, on Folsom Friday. Come for the go-gos wearing Mickey gloves, stay for the room full of dudes wearing blinky mouse ears. Oasis, 298 11th Street, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., $15 advance, $20 at the door

Swagger Like Us: For a night outside the Castro or SoMa, head to this hip-hop heavy queer night at the Elbo Room, featuring DJ Joey LaBeija, and live bondage demos. Elbo Room, 647 Valencia Street, 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., $10

Steam Does Folsom: The Powerhouse will of course be doing their bathhouse-themed towel party, complete with "Power shower" go-go station, and the music of DJ MAJR. Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street at Dore, 9 p.m. $10

Black Fridays: The party for Queer people of color and everyone else will do their first Folsom weekend edition featuring DJ's Rolo & MicahTron, and performers Nicki Jizz, Militia Towers, Kay Nilsson, Rahni Nothingmore, Alotta Boutte, and more. And remember, this one goes after-hours! The Stud, 9th and Harrison, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m., show at midnight, $10

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

New Breed: The Second Coming: This fetish-y party on Sixth Street joins the Pound Puppy and Polyglamorous crews, and it's a two-level, check-your-clothes-if-you-care-to affair, and will feature seriously good music from Fabrizio Mammarella, Jacob Meehan, Mark O'Brien, Bears in Space, and more. Club Six, 60 6th Street, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., $50-$60 at the door

Big Muscle Tea Dance: This day party at DNA will be for everyone who doesn't want too much sun on Saturday, or who needs a place to start the dancing early. 100 percent of proceeds go to the AIDS Emergency Fund. DNA Lounge, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., 375 11th Street

Mother: Folsom Bash With Raja: The big SoMa drag show presents a Folsom edition with edgy LA-based Drag Race winner Raja as headliner. Also featured will be Kim Burly, Roxy-Cotten Candy, K Color, Tamale Ringwald, and LOL McFiercen. Oasis, 298 11th Street, 10 p.m., $15

Sure Thing: This Saturday fete features Japanese DJ Wata Igarashi, and is sure to draw a lot of the techno faithful. Also featured: Aaron J. The Stud, 9th and Harrison, 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., $15 tickets here

CellBloc: For Saturday the Eagle is going prison-themed, and DJs Josh Cheon and Aaron Clark. A leather/fetish/prison dress code is "strongly encouraged." The Eagle, 298 12th Street, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., $15 in gear, $20 without

Magnitude: The "official" Folsom Street pre-party is this big, shirtless, house-y affair at The Armory, featuring DJs Ralphi Rosario and Alex Acosta. And it's expensive! The Armory, 333 14th Street, 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., tickets $110 and up.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23

Folsom Street Fair: The fair kicks off at 11 a.m., and the earliest to arrive may be the ones who never went to sleep on Saturday night. You'll find some great electro music on the Main Stage later in the day from the Black Kids, Little Boots, and Austra, and there will be plenty to draw your eye all day -- as well as all the bars on Folsom will be open, and completely insane inside. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., donation at the gates

Deviants: The now annual official closing party of Folsom, Deviants, goes down at Mezzanine, and people start trickling in moreso around 7 or 8 p.m., though it officially starts at 6 p.m. right when the fair ends. Mezzanine, 444 Jessie Street, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., $40, tickets here

It's been a minute since SFist has run down the coolest lesbigay clubs and parties around town, and a few things have closed and ended and some others have popped up since we last did. So, in honor of Pride Week (see our Pride guide here), I bring you an updated look at the gay scene as it stands. The early part of the week remains kind of quiet (with one notable exception for showmos), and a number of the more popular affairs are monthlies these days. But if what you need is to dance your face off, you can generally find ways to do that as a gay person here just about any week of the year.

Mystopia
A trend in gay nightlife of the last couple years has been the infiltration of Burning Man camps throwing monthly benefit parties for themselves, the organizers of which have now become some of the city's most popular party promoters. Case in point: Mystopia, which started throwing occasional, costume-themed parties in SoMa about a year and a half ago and now can fill Great Northern whenever they decide to throw one. While GlamCocks parties tend to skew a bit younger and twinkier, Mystopia attracts a range of party boys from their 20s to their 30s, a majority of whom are game for the costume demands each month, as if they were on the playa. It's also a chance for non-Burners to get a taste of what the gay parties are like out there, any month of the year. Various locations

UHAUL
Pretty much the best name for a lesbian party ever, this semi-monthly at both Oasis and F8 packs in the dykes and their admirers and pals for regular dance-fests — and they even do occasional daytime meetups with their dogs. The DJs come from New York, LA, and elsewhere, and there are always sexy go-go gals, and this is where many of the women who prefer women congregate these days now that the Lex is gone. Various locations, including Oasis

Photo: Facebook

Gym Class at Hi Tops
If you're a gainfully employed gay, and/or college educated, and/or preppy, and/or jock-aspiring, and/or an admirer of any of the above, you've likely found your way to Hi Tops on a near weekly basis. The four-year-old gay sports bar in the Castro is consistently packed on weekends and during televised sporting events, and on Tuesdays for trivia, but it's Thursday nights after 10 p.m. when the local boys congregate to start their weekends early and have a few free whiskey shots served to them by a go-go boy in a jockstrap. The sports screens all flip over to either sexy shots of athletes in singlets or wrestling. It's consistently crowded with a bunch of guys who mostly know each other, or are one degree of separation from sleeping together, and it's always more friendly and chatty than it is cruise-y. Also, the place all but clears out at midnight, because everyone who isn't going to bed goes to Beaux. Thursdays at 10 p.m. 2247 Market Street near Sanchez

Tubesteak Connection
Going strong now for 13 years, Tubesteak is the longest running gay party in town, and it's where hip kids still go late on a drunken Thursday to dance on the tiny Aunt Charlie's dancefloor to DJ Bus Station John's underground disco record collection. With its dim red lighting and dive-y charm, not to mention music no one has heard since the days of Dancer From the Dance and the Trocadero Transfer, this party is a vivid connection to the dark and sexy disco clubs of the past. Just don't sit there on your phone within Bus Station's line of sight, or he will shame you. Aunt Charlie's Lounge, 133 Turk Street, Thursdays, 9 p.m.

The new mural outside The Stud. Photo: Facebook

The Stud
Saved from a near demise this year by an energized collective of owners, The Stud has a bunch of all new programming spanning just about every night of the week and including a karaoke night hosted by a Sister of Perpetual Indulgence, burlesque nights, drag shows, and a new black queer night. Check the calendar for what's coming up, and help keep this 50-year-old institution going strong. 9th and Harrison

Grace Towers. Photo: Magnus Hastings via Facebook

Dick at Night
Outside of the Monster Show on Thursdays at The Edge and fairly regular appearances at Beaux and Lookout, the only other drag show left in the Castro is this weekly Wednesday celebration of alternaqueer, bearded drag, hosted by Grace Towers. Sometimes it's all in Spanish. Sometimes it's all spoken word. You really can't know what to expect at this party, but it gets major points for keeping the Castro weird, and on a weeknight no less. Moby Dick, Wednesdays, 9 p.m.

Photo: Gareth Gooch

Oasis
Oasis burst onto the gay scene two full years ago, and co-owner Heklina has had a bona fide hit on her hands ever since. She and fellow drag queen D'Arcy Drollinger, along with two other partners, had for years been looking for a permanent home for their regular performances and parties, like the famed Trannyshack (rechristened Mother in the name of political correctness), and their live drag reenactments of sitcoms like The Golden Girls and Sex and the City (now playing). Friday parties like Shenanigans, Swagger Like Us, and the newer Taboo on first Fridays shake up the SoMa nightlife scene with fresh energy and life. There's also their warm-weather rooftop events like Crop Top Sundays pulling in a cute crowd. Heklina and co. have been commended plenty for daring to open a nightclub at a time when so many are closing, but let me just do so again. Long may it live. 298 11th Street at Folsom

Photo: Facebook

Electroluxx Sunday Mass
Where do the kids go who need to get a little crazy at the end of a weekend (or when they don't need to be anywhere on Monday)? That would be here, to this eclectic party at the Chapel in the Mission. There's art, there's face-painting, there's wigs, there's an array of DJs and youthful indiscretion. Irregular Sundays at The Chapel, 777 Valencia Street

Photo: Facebook

Musical Mondays (and Wednesdays)
You know how I mentioned there's not much happening anywhere early in the week? Well, apart from tourists and a few restaurant industry people getting hammered at Badlands, you'll find The Edge packed with people every Monday (and Wednesday, and occasionally on other days) with Broadway and movie musicals blaring from the speakers and playing on all the screens. Yes, the queens often sing along. And yes, it's very, very gay in here. But when you don't have to be up early on Tuesday or you just need an injection of showmo in your life, this is where to go. The Edge, Mondays (and Wednesdays), 4149 18th Street at Collingwood

Photo: Facebook

Cub Cake
Every second Friday of the month is this bear party at Lone Star that often features good DJs and always features cupcakes and candy on the bar. As always at this bar, there's a scene out on the patio, and bear go-gos up on the pool table inside. Second Fridays, Lone Star, 1354 Harrison Street

Photo: Facebook

JOCK (a.k.a. Sundays at Lookout)
In the Castro, Sundays are for the Lookout, at least for a large contingent of gays. Each week there's a different sports team beneficiary getting money from the door and selling Jell-o shots and raffle tickets. And there's always a go-go on a box and dance music of various quality blaring through the room. It can lead to bad decisions, but the nice thing is it tends to die down around 8 when you ought be going home anyway. Because it's Sunday.
Sundays at 4p.m., 3600 16th Street at Noe/Market

Photo: Facebook

Pound Puppy
It's not totally fetish-y at this monthly fete at The Eagle, but kind of. There are puppy-masked go-go dancers and some of the usual SoMa daddies who haunt the patio, as well as a whole crop of other devotees who like this three-year-old affair. Pound Puppy definitely draws one of the more diverse crowds of all the events at The Eagle, which can be a good thing if you're not averse to non-leather, non-daddies. The Eagle, 12th and Harrison

Photo: Facebook

Vivvy's Grand Opening
Drag hostess Vivvyanne ForeverMORE doesn't do the weekly SomeThing anymore, but replacing it is this monthly party on second or third Fridays featuring various themes,
performances, and often the DJ talents of Stanley Frank. Vivvy knows well after all these years how to turn The Stud into a party. Fridays, Harrison and Ninth, 9 p.m. $8

Photo: Facebook

GlamCocks
Mystopia may have kicked off the Burning Man-does-gay-stuff-in-the-city trend, but GlamCocks raised the bar on the sexiness quotient, attracting an even younger crowd to throw on a costume, or maybe just some body glitter, and come dance their asses off. Like Mystopia, GlamCocks has expanded and now throws monthly parties, often at Public Works. As one friend put it, "You've got a couple hundred people showing up, in costume, every month, to dance? That's amazing. That's like the 90's right there." Various locations

Photo: Facebook

Go BANG!
Like DJ Bus Station John, but with a more contemporary vibe, veteran SF DJs Steve Fabus, Prince Wolf, and Sergio Fedasz host this monthly disco- and house-music bash that has an ardent, passionate fan base. It also happens on the historic dancefloor of The Stud, replete with the ghosts of five decades of late-night revels, from the cowboy-themed days of the late 60's, to Sugar in the early aughts. First Saturdays, The Stud, Harrison and 9th

Photo: Shot in the City

Daytime Realness
This daylight party at El Rio, on third Sundays from March to October, is always an easy-going swell time with terrific music, and a diverse crowd mixing young and old(er). Hosts Heklina, DJ Carnita (Tom Temprano of Hard French), and Stanley Frank represent a triumvirate of complementary talents, with the mix of Frank's electro and pop tracks, guest DJs, occasional soul tracks from Carnita, and Heklina's ragtag array of drag performers, who perform every hour on the half-hour. Also, they've always got Sneaky's BBQ serving up brisket in the corner, under the lemon tree, and nobody's really here to pose or get laid, though the latter may always happen. Sunday Funday at its best. 3158 Mission Street at Precita, third Sundays in spring and summer

Photo: FeFe Photography/Facebook

Beaux
The Castro isn't known for its club nights so much anymore, but Beaux continues trying to change that with an ever shifting array of parties. Weekend nights here can be a little overwhelming at times, but it is one of the only places in the gayborhood where you can count on both a packed dancefloor and hot go-go boys nearby — as well as an upstairs overlook where you can get away from it all and look down on everyone. The weekly 90's party on Thursdays has been hit with locals for at least three years — especially those who were still kids in the 90's — and responsible for a lot of Friday hangovers. And the place has been drawing crowds on Wednesdays for their Latin night Pan Dulce, and on Sundays for Big Top (featuring frequent Drag Race guests). 2344 Market Street between Castro and Noe

Photo: Shot In the City

Beat Pig
Powerhouse continues to be a vibrant, self-consciously sleazy SoMa outpost with an age-diverse clientele. One of their best and most consistently fun club nights is this one, hosted by Walter Gomez and Juanita MORE!, that's all about blurring the outdated lines between the fetish scene, the drag scene, and the alternaqueer scene. The monthly installments are pretty much always crowded, with plenty of heavy flirting in front and dancing in back, along with the occasional hand down the pants. Third Saturdays, Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom Street

Photo: Facebook

Shenanigans
An offshoot of Glamcocks is the Shenanigans crew, who now throw a regular monthly at Oasis — and like the bigger Glamcocks events, there's always a theme, with the costuming a little less intense here. DJs spin house in the main room, and sometimes more pop stuff in the front bar, and early arrivers will sometimes be treated to giveaways connected to the theme — a summer camp themed party included colored hankys/neckerchiefs, and a Disney-themed party included light-up blinking mouse ears. Suffice it to say: fun. Monthly Fridays at Oasis

Swagger Like Us
It's the only queer hip-hop night on this list, and it's a little more than that — there's a healthy mix of other dance tracks and stage performances thrown in. Swagger draws a younger, mixed, very diverse and very fun crowd that you can get a sample of from the video above, and it currently alternates between El Rio in the Mission, and F8 and Oasis in SoMa. Reguarly at various locations, check here.

Photo: Facebook

Honey Soundsystem
It's no longer the weekly bad decision it once was, back in its days at Holy Cow (and, before that, Paradise Lounge), but the DJ collective that goes by the nickname Honey returns regularly enough to throw its big blowouts that it remains one of the hottest tickets when it does. It's the type of thing where even if you don't see it on Facebook, if one of their Sunday night parties is coming up, and you are gay, someone is going to ask you if you're going. (They last threw one at Audio over Memorial Day.) DJs Jason Kendig, PeePlay, Bézier, Jackie House, and Josh Cheon spin a bouncing array of neo-disco, house, EDM, and whatever else you want to call it, and in-the-know homos as well as a smattering of dykes and straight girls show up in droves whenever the call goes out. (And they're throwing a post-Pride party, as they always do.) Occasional holiday Sundays, various locations

Related: The Best Gay Bars In San Francisco For Every Occasion

Hey, everybody! And a special HEY to all loyal readers of SFist: We're having a party next Thursday. Yes, SFist is now 10 years old, and we'd love for you to come get drunk with us to celebrate that remarkable fact.

SFist was founded in 2004, with the help of current Senior Editor/Emerita Eve Batey, as a scrappy offshoot of then growing and popular New York City blog Gothamist. Several hundred best-of lists and several bottomed-out tech shuttle incidents later, we're still typing, and we'd love for you — and our loyal commenter crew — to come to Blackbird next Thursday, November 20 to say hi and clink glasses with us.

You'll get to meet our current staff — Editor-in-Chief Jay Barmann, Ms. Batey herself, and newly minted Assistant Editor Caleb Pershan — and who knows who else! Also, there will be some free drink tickets, some $5 carbonated drinks on tap (the Pimm's Cup is especially good), and you can grab a hot dog from Let's Be Frank when you get peckish.

There will also be some tequila tastings, and much, much more (including free SFist-branded beer koozies and tote bags... imagine how jealous your friends will be).

Just RSVP here to make sure we can get you in the door.

Update: So, those spots went quick! Due to the capacity of the bar, tickets for this event had to be limited and it's now sold out. But we promise we'll throw another party at some point.

And again, the details:

SFist 10th Anniversary Bash
Thursday, November 20, 2014
7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Blackbird, 2124 Market Street at Church
(easily accessible from the K,L,M,T, J, and N lines)

Sponsors: Suerte Tequila, Giffard USA, and St. George Spirits

On Tuesday, a group from New York is throwing an innovative sort of party, for the kinds of people who would rather get their groove on with their morning coffee than, say, go for a jog. Or sleep in. Yes, it's a morning dance party that starts at 8 a.m.

It's called DAYBREAKER, and it's happening at Audio in SoMa on June 10. Tickets are $15-$20, and the deal is this:

• No booze
• Philz coffee
• DJs and live music
• Smoothies
• Dancing robots
• A plethora of neon jellyfish

So, you got that? It's a 2-hour, one-off, morning dance party that you can go to on your way to work. Is that weird? Yes, but it may be awesome too.

The people behind this already tried the idea out in New York. They're based in Williamsburg.

• $12: How much cruise ship passengers used to be charged to disembark in San Francisco
• $18: How much that fee has been raised to, to help keep the project to construct a new cruise ship terminal "afloat" (good one, Examiner)
• 260,000: The number of passengers expected to disembark in San Francisco (and to pay that fee) this year
• $100 million: The cost of San Francisco's new cruise ship terminal at Pier 27
• $217,850: The amount of money "in the red" the Port of San Francisco's cruise ship operations ended up in last year (July 2012-July 2013)
• 64: The number of cruise ships that docked at "the aging, too-small and hard-to-access" Pier 35 terminal last year
• 74: The number of ships expected to dock in San Francisco this year
• 90: The number of cruise ship dockings the Port will need (in addition to 180 paid parking places and private events, see below) to break even in 2015
• $46,000: The amount, per private event at the new terminal, that the Port hopes to charge companies like LinkedIn and Salesforce
• 67: The number of private events the Port of San Francisco needs (in addition to those 90 ship dockings and 180 paid parking places) to book to break even next year
• 330: The number of days a year the new terminal would need to host an activity (event or docking) to reach their booking goals
• $1 million: The amount of money the Port of San Francisco will lose next year if only 45 events are booked, and only 70 ships visit the new terminal
• $533,000: The amount of profit the Port expects to make next year if they hit all their goals
• 9/18/14: The date the first cruise ships are expected to dock in the new terminal

All facts and figures: Port banks on parties to make cruise terminal profit, May 27, 2014, SF Examiner. You can read the entire Fiscal Responsibility and Feasibility report here.

Because nothing is too hipster for our fair town, and because we feel left out when Brooklyn gets things that we don't, I'm starting a campaign right now to get Hot Tub Cinema, a rooftop hot tub party series out of London, to come to S.F. The outfit just threw their first U.S. party, in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, last week, and it featured hot tubs on a roof, booze, and a projection screen. A winning combo if you ask me.

As the New York Observer reports:

For $55, the event featured a spot in a hot tub with 4-6 of your friends (or strangers if you’re so ambitious), access to an open bar, popcorn, and a screening of Hot Tub Time Machine, because obviously.

Hot Tub Cinema partnered with Crowdtilt on the event, and founder Asher Charman says he plans to hit some other U.S. cities, "including Los Angeles." But I think everyone reading this needs to go here and suggest he brings the party to San Francisco first. Do it.

[NY Observer]

Photo by Darwin Bell.

You guys, 2013 is almost over. How was it? Did it have a nice finish? Was it full-bodied? Crisp? As for me, not that you asked, 2013 ruled. The best year ever, if I can be frank. And as Frank, my dear, I'd like to tell you where to go tomorrow night. Let's see...

American Tripps
Allan Hough of Mission Mission brings his acclaimed ping-pong frivolity to SoMa's Folsom Street Foundry. When asked to tell SFist more, Mr. Hough revealed all: "Well, I have some pals that are in a band together and they wanted to do something really crazy for New Year's Eve, so we brainstormed, and they came up with the idea of playing nothing but Talking Heads songs! So they've been practicing constantly for the last couple months, getting great at all the best Talking Heads songs, and they've added a couple new members, including Natalie Galatzer of Bike Basket Pies on backing and lead vocals!" Also except Berlin-style ping pong all night long, some skeeball action, Nick Pal (of Mission Mission) and BFF.fm spinning power pop, DJ JustStella, DJ Elisa Rocket, and more.
1425 Folsom; 415-795-3644

Beatpig
Juanita More and Walter Gomez will host a sweaty fete at the Powerhouse. Loads of love and loads of other stuff await you at this Folsom Street party. Come for the DJing, stay for the back room antics.
1347 Folsom; 415-552-8689

Business New Year's Eve Stand-Up Spectacular
Something familiar? Something peculiar? Something for everyone? Comedy tonight tomorrow night! Local comedians Caitlin Gill, Nato Green, Sean Keane, Anna Seregina, Bucky Sinister, and Chris Thayer will all try to make you piss your pants with glee tomorrow night. Lucky you.
The Dark Room (2263 Mission); 415-401-7987

Big Queer New Year's Eve
Look at that, everything interesting seems to be happening on Folsom this year. Typical. And with that, we give you our final Folsom Street offering, a Big Queer New Year's Eve. Allow Marke B. to spill the details. Ahem: "The gorgeous House of Babes presents this pink hip-hop blowout, hosted by Kelly Lovemonster and Krylon Superstar, with tunes by DJs Pink Lightning, Rapidfire, Boyfriend, Jenna Riot, davO, and more. Get on it!"
1192 Folsom

Bars
Any place pouring booze will be open for business. You know this.

Restaurants
They'll be serving food, champagne ("champagne") toast at midnight. Call your favorite joint for details. Tip well, too.

House parties
I cannot recall, but is San Francisco still a city where one can just walk into any house party? Was San Francisco ever a city where one could do this? Maybe it was just me. Oops. Anyway, spam your friends today for good house party options tomorrow. And don't be the dick who brings the rum. There's always one at every party. Rum is gross, you monster.

80’s New Year’s Eve Dance (SOBER)
Looking for a sober event? Then head to the Castro and dance to '80s hits. From 8pm-9pm you can hit an AA/Al-Anon meeting, then from 9:30pm-1:30am you can dance until 2014 smacks you in the ass.
Harvey Milk Civil Rights Academy (4235 19th Street)

New Year's Eve Fireworks at the Embarcadero
Arrive early. For the best view, according to Fun Cheap SF, "head south of the Ferry Building along the Embarcadero for the best view. Fireworks kick of right at the stroke of midnight." Beware of crowds, people from OUTSIDE THE CITY. (Horrors!)

Stay at home
Though we do not recommend drinking alone at home, calling it an early night could be your safest bet.

What started out in 1994 by the San Francisco Cacophony Society as a festive, charity-driven Christmas outing has since turned into a cavalcade of drunk pricks and slutty Santa garb. And public urination. Not to mention groping. (Must the disease that is modern-day Halloween infect other holidays as well!?) So much so, in fact, that its founder, who goes by the sobriquet Santa Rob, said in a recent interview with Gothamist regarding the party's NYC festivities, "I wouldn't care if New York banned it. I don't like the violence or the assholishness that happens ... go do something else."

San Francisco, please turn Santa Rob's frown upside down.

Tomorrow, Saturday December 14th, marks the annual SantaCon revelry. While we implore you to get as wacky as you wanna be, we ask you to use some decorum. Scratch that, use lots of decorum. Be joyous, not atrocious. Festivities start at noon. Meet at Union Square, prepare to give your (rad) toy to the fire truck, mingle with an array of other santas, and then head out to one of the routes.

More details:

Here’s what you need to do. Bring a toy to with you to Union Square. There will be a SFFD fire truck parked outside of the Handlery Union Square Hotel, located at 351 Geary Street. This is about five doors away from Union Square (here is a map if you need a visual aid) and conveniently just a few doors away from Lefty O’Douls.

You drop your toy off at the fire truck. The truck will be parked there from 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM so do this first, as soon as you get to Union Sq. Folks from the SFFD will be on hand to collect your toy. Cash donations are OK. Just make sure you only give cash to uniformed SFFD personnel. Here are the guidelines for toys.

1. Bring something for a kid 12 years old or under.
2. Bring a NEW toy, not some piece of crap you have lying around the house. Put some effort into it OK?
3. Don’t wrap it.
4. For girls they especially need gifts for older girls. Arts and Crafts kits and dolls are in high demand. For boys they need sports equipment. Don’t get all PC and lecture Santa about toys and gender roles. Give the kids what they want.

Also, five important points about behavior tomorow:

1. Don’t Fuck with police.
2. Don’t Fuck with kids.
3. Don’t Fuck with security.
4. Don’t Fuck with bartenders.
5. Don’t Fuck with Santa.

Have fun. Be safe. Don't be a monster. Don't abuse passersby. Don't piss on the sidewalk. Read the rules. READ THEM AGAIN. Have a Merry Christmas, kids.

Rich people. They're not like us. Take, for example, Anne Wojcicki, impending ex-wife of (dreamy) Google cofounder Sergey Brin. None too thrilled about seeing her husband leave her for a 26-year-old Google Glass marketing manager, the newest First Wives Club nominee had a helluva party the other night to celebrate her newfound singlehood.

Leah Garchik has the details:

But on Alcatraz, Anne Wojcicki, estranged wife of Google co-founder Sergey Brin, threw a party to celebrate "freedom," it said on the invitation. Perhaps this had to do with the August announcement that after six years of marriage the couple were living apart. It was said at the time that he was having an affair with Google Glass marketing manager Amanda Rosenberg. ("Sleeping her way to the top" was how one British newspaper described the Other Woman, but in light of accounts of her repeatedly texting him via Google Glass, this might be amended to "seeing her way to the top.")

Exclusive access to Alcatraz Island costs around $20,000. Around 100 people, Garchik goes on to report, attended the fete.

Brin and Wojcicki, both 40 with two kids, have been living apart for much of 2013. A spokesman for the couple told AllThingsD back in August, “[T]hey have been living apart for several months. They remain good friends and partners."

There are probably plenty of Halloween parties in your Facebook events section, assuming you have festive friends. But we'd like to point everyone to what will likely be a fun and flashy event back at the scene of Juanita More's big annual Pride party, Jones (620 Jones Street). It's being dubbed Halloween Runway Massacre, and it will involve a ghoulish/fashion-y midnight runway show with $3,000 in cash and prizes at stake.

The fun starts at 9 p.m. on Saturday, October 26, and goes 'til 2 a.m., and will likely feature a bevvy of heavily styled ladies and gays who've spent weeks planning, sewing, and practicing their makeup for the occasion. So yes, it will be a scene.

You're probably best off giving some "Dead Donatella Versace" or "Undead Leigh Bowery" at this party, but you'll probably also get away with something high concept and minimal, like, say, "My Squandered Youth" or "Donna Karan On Heroin." Or just body paint.

Music will be provided by Go Bang and DJ Robert Jeffrey, and tickets are $25. There may be some available at the door but if you want to be sure, bring some cash to Sui Generis (2231 Market Street), where they're now available.

A group of kids playing in the bushes during a birthday party in Golden Gate Park stumbled upon a a loaded handgun yesterday afternoon near the Conservatory of Flowers.

According to a witness, one of the kids did the smart thing and alerted his parents at the birthday party. The parents called the police and SFPD responded to the park just before 3 p.m. yesterday. The cops "took the gun into custody" without any further problems.

No word yet on where the gun came from or if police will be able to trace it back to an owner.

[KTVU]
[CBS5]