There’s no packed Times Square but the San Francisco Bay Area has so many fun corners to watch the ball drop.
Some years I find myself bar crawling over the top decorated spots, some years I do Taylor Swift dance parties until Midnight, others we simply find a really nice restaurant and treat ourselves to a fancy dinner.
No matter what your vibe is, these are my favorite San Francisco New Year’s Eve things to do.
San Francisco New Years Eve Weather
Real quick – let’s chat San Francisco weather and, naturally, what to wear on our NYE bash out! December in San Francisco is very mild compared to other areas of the country, but it won’t be warm.
Expect sunshine and clear skies (the summer fog usually stays away in the winter) but evenings will be cool, sometimes in the low 40’s. Depending on the year, it can also rain a lot in December. I remember the first year I moved here back in 2014, there was a HUGE storm that flooded the streets so much I had to wade knee deep in water just to walk to work. So, if you are visiting out of town, pack an umbrella just in case.
*Lasso
Getting Around San Francisco On New Year’s Eve
MUNI will be totally free and run late, so you can plan around buses and trains. I love San Francisco, but MUNI isn’t always the most efficient in getting places, so you may have to supplement with Lyft or Uber.
The latter will very expensive right after the ball drops, so I would personally plan on keeping your party going until 1am and calling a ride home then. Or, taking the bus or planning festivities that are within walking distance to your hotel or apartment.
Epic San Francisco New Year’s Eve Events, Bars and Things To Do
Note: specific shows, menus, etc vary year by year. I’ll be trying to keep this post updated every year for you but always double check a restaurant is still open, fireworks time hasn’t moved, etc!
1. Fireworks Show On The Embarcadero
The San Francisco New Years Eve fireworks are famous – more famous than July 4th Fireworks simply because it’s always so much easier to see them. Winter usually doesn’t bring that much fog!
They are totally free to watch and a class way to celebrate New Years in the city. This is sort of like our Times Square as it’s common for locals and tourists alike to flock to the Embarcadero, set up chairs and camp out all day just to see the fireworks.
2. Arcade Bar Parties
One of the best new years events in San Francisco take place at local watering holes and there’s nothing more fun than channeling your inner kid at an arcade bar. San Francisco has a few fantastic arcade bars around the city but my two favorites are Thriller Social Club in SOMA and the Emporium Arcade Bar on Divisadero.
Thriller Social Club is having a party with confetti canons and no cover to enter. We love their secret bar hidden behind a Tron video game and how it’s literally across the street from the T line so it’s very easy to get to.
The Emporium is a MASSIVE venue that feels more like a rave meets an arcade bar. In 2024, they are having a ‘Heroes and Villains’ New Year’s Eve Party featuring DJ SpydaT.E.K. ! Emporium’s always legendary NYE party offers: 10 free tokens at entry to save the world with, New Year’s goodies for all you goody-do gooders out there, wicked drink specials and the most righteous tunes to get your night flyin’.
3. Fireworks Dinner Cruise & Party
A San Francisco New Year’s Eve Cruise is such a romantic, memorable event. Cruise under the Golden Gate Bridge, past Treasure Island and under the Bay Bridge on a special boat party. There are a few really cool NYE cruises and boat tours happening this year to check out.
Tickets are on sale starting in December and vary in price from $75-$400 per person, depending on the event.
- San Francisco Belle Great Gatsby Cruise: Open bar, casino tables, epic views of the Ferry Building, beautiful fireworks show over the bay from the rooftop deck and all the 1920’s style you could want in this epic party.
- Fireworks Yacht Party on the San Francisco Spirit: Live DJs, chef stations full of food like steaks and cakes, open bars and the biggest party on the water to catch the fireworks. Perfect for couples and tourists looking to make a bang with the new year.
- Hornblower NYE Party: A 3 course seated dinner on the famous Hornblower followed up drinks, music and watching the fireworks from the Bay.
4. New Year’s Eve Soiree at The Battery Club
The Battery San Francisco city social club is hosting its 2nd annual New Year’s Eve Celebration to ring in 2024. Jon them for an elegantly over-the-top evening that promises to take you back to the golden age of celebrations, complete with champagne and caviar.
Bid adieu to 2023 by indulging in a sinful four-course dinner and so much more! After dinner, join them on the 2nd floor for dessert and dancing! They will have a decadent dessert display in The Galley in which to indulge after your meal. Then cut a rug in The Parlor with a live band followed by a DJ in The Musto playing just the right music to get your feet moving.
5. Bill Graham Civic Auditorium NYE Shows
The Bill Graham Center always has a NYE concert or show happening. To ring in 2024, xix-time Grammy nominated singer, songwriter and producer Kaskade will be performing an epic set. I recommend you grab VIP tickets so you can have access to the VIP lounge area to make the night extra special!
6. The Taylor Swift Party NYE Extravaganza
I personally didn’t get enough Taylor at the Eras Tour in Santa Clara. This year, the DNA lounge is hosting a massive Taylor Swift dance party with all her eras, including the 10 minute All Too Well version.
Pull out those sparkling outfits again, this party is going to epic. Tickets start at $40.
7. Fresh Start Festival
Fresh Start Festival is a three-day outdoor music event at The Midway in San Francisco. It starts on December 30 and goes until Jan 1st, which means their Dec 31st show lands on New Year’s Eve. If you’ve ever wanted to be at a festival when the ball drops, this is your chance. Performers include Louis The Child, Elderbrook, Blu DeTiger, and more.
8. Tonga Room Dinner
The Tonga Room and Hurrican Bar inside the Fairmont Hotel is a historic and classic San Francisco tiki bar complete with a pool in the middle of the room (for vibes, not swimming).
Enjoy a New Year’s Eve celebration dinner at Tonga Room. Toast 2024 with a send-off dinner served family-style with a selection of appetizers, main courses, sides and desserts. And plenty of tropical vibes.
9. Catch A Comedy Show
Laugh your way into 2024 at one of the city’s comedy show clubs! Some notable shoes include:
- PUFF PUFF LAUGH NEW YEAR’S EVE: 4 epic stand ups and the only show were you can legally get during the sets.
- Crazy Funny Asians” Comedy Show + After Party at the Mayes Oyster House starts at just $15. They have a secret line up so come prepared to be surprised.
- THE NEW BEERS EVE COMEDY SHOW: Speakeasy Ales & Lagers has been defiantly brewing small batches of beer in San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood since 1997. Come celebrate this legacy with a special NYE pop-up comedy show w/ food pop-ups, an exclusive lineup of beers.
10. Discover A Speakeasy
On that note, New Year’s Eve in San Francisco is the perfect time to visit a famous San Francisco speakeasy. They’re hidden all over the city, a remnant of the Barbary Coast era. I’m constantly finding new spots to check out but some of the top speakeasies I love are Bar Nonnia, The Pawn Shop and the Linden Room.
11. Get Cozy At Local Restaurant
Looking for the best San Francisco New Years Eve restaurants? If you live here, I recommend you look at your favorite local spot. I bet they have a special menu, or are open late on December 31st.
I have an Italian restaurant in my neighborhood that my husband and I adore. We’ve spent New Year Eve’s there before and plan to have dinner there again this year. Sometimes it’s nice to get dressed up and just walk over to our favorite cozy spot.
12. One Market New Year’s Eve Dinner Party
The One Market restaurant is the place to be for New Years Eve! Choose from their First Seating ($135 per person, seatings begin at 5:30pm and stop at 7pm) or their Second Seating ($195 per person, seatings begin at 8:30pm and stop at 10:30pm).
Both feature a delicious four-course dinner and a glass of champagne to start for the First Seating, and just before midnight to toast the New Year for the Second Seating.
13. Mark Hopkins Top Of The Mark
The Top of the Mark at InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco has some of the best views in the entire city. On NYE, there will be dancing to the inimitable Laurent Fourgo and his Vintage Jukebox Orchestra and revelers will enjoy a pre-dinner reception, five-course plated dinner, and bottomless bubbly.
The evening culminates with a countdown, balloon drop, and midnight toast, followed by late night snacks to recharge. Formal attire is requested.
14. Redwood Room’s NYE Party
On December 31st, join DJs Yuksel, Sol Y Luna, and Vadik for a black-tie New Year’s countdown at The Clift’s Redwood Room. Featuring multiple rooms of music, two full bars, complimentary party favors, a massive balloon drop, and a live screening of fireworks, the 2024 Red Carpet Black Tie NYE Party is sure to be the hottest ticket in the city
15. ABBA Dancing Queen Glitter Disco Party
Grab your crazy outfits and relish in all of your Mamma Mia dreams, dancing to everything from ABBA to the Bee Gees to the Village People to the Grease soundtrack and plenty of 70s and 80s anthems including lots of Queen!
There’ll be a GIMME GIMME MIDNIGHT BALLOON DROP as well!! This ABBA NYE party is going to be a blast and you can find it at The Great Northern.
I hope this helps you plan a great New Years Eve is San Francisco! Depending on the year, I may be at a friend’s house in San Jose, doing a bar crawl around my neighborhood, running around Union Square finding parties, or like this year I’m simply doing a classy dinner at a local restaurant we love.
If you’re not horribly hungover on New Year’s Day, I highly recommend you throw on a comfy pair of shoes and take a walk in Golden Gate Park. It’s always a refreshing way to kick off the new year.
See you in 2024…
