Some of you may be planning on spending New Year’s Eve at a private house party, or even at home with just family or roommates. Or maybe you’re just planning to wander down to your usual watering hole to ring in the New Year and the new decade. (If so, better check to see if that Tuesday trivia night has been preempted by a special event with a special cover charge.)
Most gay bars will have something planned, so check their websites or social media posts to see what’s going on.
Muni will be free on New Year’s Eve from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., according to the Bay Area Reporter. Buses will be used on cable car routes and the F Line. If you have a Clipper card, don’t use it or you will be charged unnecessarily. BART won’t be free but will be running late service until 3:00 a.m.
Here are a few special options for Tuesday, December 31, 2019:
Oasis SF
This New Years Eve marks 5-years since drag legends Heklina and D’Arcy Drollinger opened their iconic OASIS instantly transforming San Francisco nightlife and the national scene for Drag. With Heklina’s announcement that she is stepping back from day to day operations, this may be your last chance to see these two co-owners host a midnight champagne toast (included with entry fee). Don’t miss what is sure to be an epic legendary night with a stellar lineup of performances beginning at 10:30 p.m. The event follows the final night of Baloney’s end-of-year Best of Baloney run, so you could even make an entire night of it.
- When: 10:30 until closing (doors at 8:30)
- Where: Oasis SF, 298 Eleventh Street, San Francisco
- Price: $35
Afterglow NYE
Comfort & Joy — a queer community arts collective that originated with their annual trek to Burning Man — will be holding Afterglow NYE at Space 550. New Years Eve AFTERGLOW, the winter sister of their legendary pride party, is back again to offer you a glorious evening of revelry and celebration. The event includes three different rooms with different musical styles, and a free clothes check. (The event is clothing optional and affection-encouraged.)
- When: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
- Where: Space 550 at 550 550 Barneveld Avenue, San Francisco
- Price: $25 to $100
Bearracuda
Bearracuda is the largest attended bear dance party and most prolific gay dance event in the U.S. It originated in San Francisco in August 2006, and has subsequently spread to 60 cities throughout the U.S. Their San Francisco party for New Year’s Eve will be held at Folsom Street Foundry. Clothing check is available, but unlike Afterglow, underwear must be kept on.
- When: 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m.
- Where: Folsom Street Foundry, 1425 Folsom Street, San Francisco
- Price: VIP sold out, but final advanced general admission for $40 remain
MasQUEERade 2020
MANGO MasQUEERade 2020 NYE for queer women and their allies will be held at El Rio. The Bay’s original T-Dance for women and all their allies is the most packed, most affordable and most fun queer place to party on New Year’s Eve! The event will feature hip hop, R&B, trap, reggae, dancehall, reggaeton, and salsa music.
- When: 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m.
- Where: El Rio, 3158 Mission Street, San Francisco
- Price: $15 in advance, $20 at the door
New Bohemia at the Mint
New Bohemia at the Mint is back, for people looking for something (truly) special on this too easily over hyped party night. Co-created by the Vau de Vire Society & Opel Productions now in their 7th year, the event features 22 areas to explore over 6.5 hours, with over 23 music acts along with dozens of performers, dancers and characters. (Note that this is the Old Mint downtown, not the Market Street bar called the Mint.)
- When: 9:00 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
- Where: 88 5th Street, San Francisco
- Price: $40 to $109
The Commonwealth Club’s Perfect View
The Commonwealth Club of San Francisco boasts that the will have the perfect viewing spot for the City’s fireworks over the bay. As thousands of spectators watch from below, celebrate at the Commonwealth’s multi-level New Year’s Eve celebration, which includes rooftop views of the famous Embarcadero. Enjoy the perfect view while enjoying indulgent cuisine, high-end spirits, lively entertainment, and the ultimate New Year’s Eve experience. Tickets includes all-inclusive premium amenities and service with three separate party spaces.
- When: 9:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
- Where: The Commonwealth Club, 110 Embarcadero, San Francisco
- Price: $290 to $375
For other ideas of what to do and where to go on New Year’s Eve, check out the Bay Area Reporter’s event listings or your favorites bar’s social media posts.
