Like so many other holidays these days, New Year's Eve is amateur hour for a remarkable number of people who don't know how to drink. It's also a traditional time when people in their twenties from other parts of the Bay Area take bridges and tunnels to ring in midnight in the big city, preferably at a big club, or maybe with some fireworks.
Below we bring you some party ideas for SF locals who aren't looking to drop hundreds of dollars on the evening and yet still want to have a good time, outside their homes or their friends' homes, amongst other locals. This is, indeed, possible. And, you're welcome.
(And ICYMI, here's our post from a couple weeks ago about music shows for which there might still be tickets.)
Whitechapel
Get off Polk Street and get into this glorious gin bar decorated like a secret, magical London tube station for a mellow, adult affair featuring DJ Captain Hat, complimentary fruits de mer and veggie bites (from 9 to 10 p.m.), party favors, drink specials, British bubbly, and a midnight toast. There are various options for entry or table reservations, with a basic cover of $35 for all of the above. As the event page puts it, "Come party like it’s 1899!"
Whitechapel, 600 Post Street at Larkin, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., tickets here
Swagger Like Us
This monthly hip-hop outfit leans LGBTQ, but their New Year's party in SoMa could be kind of mixed. In any case it's a cheap date option, with advance tickets just $25. If you want to spring for the open bar "happy hour" from 9 to 11 p.m., that will be $60 total, including admission, and that might be a cheaper way to get tanked in those two hours than just paying by the drink and then you can just switch to PBR to finish out the evening.
F8, 1192 Folsom Street at 8th, 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., $25, tickets here
Photo courtesy of Bar Fluxus
Bar Fluxus
The newest addition to the Madrone Art Bar family, inside the Hotel Des Arts on Harlan Place (at Grant Avenue, near Bush), boasts an intimate and well decorated space from the guys behind Tunnel Top, and cocktails from Matt Grippo (Blackbird) and Shirley Brooks (Madrone). On NYE they're doing a party with a $10 cover and DJ Vlad Simko spinning disco, mid-tempo, and deep house. Because this place is so new, too, you'll be the cool kid if you take your friends here.
18 Harlan Place near Bush and Grant, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., $10 at the door
Photo from last year's bash courtesy of PianoFight
PianoFight
The hip kids and theater nerds at PianoFight threw a NYE bash last year, and they're doing it again, with their three stages all in action one features the 10-piece soul/rock band known as the PianoFight Music Department who'll be covering the best and worst songs of 2016, another features live-band karaoke, and another will have DJs. Also there'll be two bars and snacks served. Unfortunately, the $50 early bird tickets are sold out, but you can get in for $75.
PianoFight, 144 Taylor Street, doors at 7, music at 8 p.m., tickets here
Polyglamorous's Year of the Cock
The biggest gay affair of the night will be this 13-hour dance bash at 550 Barneveld bringing together the likes of Honey Soundsystem, BAAAHS, Mystopia, Comfort & Joy, and the House of MORE, along with famed DJs David Harness, Harvard Bass, and Gay Marvine. Juanita MORE! will be helping to host alongside Grace Towers and MamaDoras Cabaret, and it should be a big affair with two dancefloors, a lounge, and an outdoor space.
550 Barneveld, 9 p.m. to 10 a.m., $40, tickets here
Madrone Art Bar
Like their new little sister Bar Fluxus, Madrone is doing a No Theme Super Dance Jam on NYE that is likely to be packed. I'd advise arriving early and securing a cozy corner, and settling in for an evening of hip kids crowding you on the dancefloor, whether or not you're a hip kid yourself. DJs Sonny Phono and Bessed Drest will be in control, and fans of this place know what to expect.
500 Divisadero at Fell, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., $10
The Stud's Champagne Poppers Party
Ring in the New Year at this, the first big event being thrown by The Stud's new collective of worker-owners. The hosts will be Leigh Crow, Honey Mahogany, and VivvyAnne ForeverMore!, with a performance by Red Hots Burlesque, and music from DJs Rolo, Siobhan Aluvalot, John Fucking Cartwright, and Marke B. There'll be the mandatory Champagne toast at midnight, and this will double as a toast to The Stud's 50th anniversary, and to the club's ongoing survival. Drag is obviously encouraged for those who do it, but no costumes are required... and this will be mostly an LGBTQ affair.
Harrison at 9th Street, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
