When it comes to New Year's Eve, San Francisco is the place to be. From parties lasting well past midnight to quiet dinners to cruises and more, there's plenty going on. Here are eight ways to ring in the new year in San Francisco.
1) Passport to the World: The NYE Ball
Doors open at 9 pm
Location: Westin St. Francis Hotel, 335 Powell St, Union Square.
Highlights: This party comes with 11 different areas to get your party on; 7 rooms with music and entertainment; 17 DJs; live band; performers; live art; fashion show; Taiko drummers; and stilt walkers. Oh, yeah, and an open bar. It boasts the largest dance floor in S.F. Dress is formal attire; black tie optional.
Price tag: Tickets run from $200 general admission to $850 to secure a table for 8.
2) Top Shelf New Year's Eve Gala
Doors open at 6pm including dinner; 9pm for the party
Location: The Grand Hyatt at 345 Stockton St.
Highlights: This black-tie affair includes a champagne reception and sit-down dinner with a dinner show (for those with the dinner package) and a party with a mix of music that includes Motown, funk, soul, rock 'n' roll and jazz.
Price tag: $100 for the party package and $250 to include the dinner show.
3) Jardinere
First seating reservations from 5pm to 7:30pm; second seating from 8:30pm to 10:30pm.
Location: 300 Grove St.
Highlights: For dinner, dancing and live music, go for the second seating, which includes a five-course menu at this California-French restaurant. The first seating is a four-course menu; both include local Dungeness crab and prime NY steak.
Price tag: $175 per person for the first seating with a $75 wine pairing; $225 for the second seating with a $120 wine pairing.
4) Ame Restaurant
Location: 689 Mission St (The St Regis Hotel).
Highlights: Ame, which fuses California and Asian cuisine, will have a special five-course New Year Tasting Menu with an available wine paring. The meal includes a Maine lobster salad and grilled Wagyu NY strip steak.
Price tag: $155 per person for the first seating; $180 for the second seating with champagne. Wine pairing is $80 per person.
5) Hornblower's Premier New Year's Eve Dinner Cruise
Boards at 8pm, departs at 9pm, returns at 1am.
Location: San Francisco's Pier 3
Highlights: A celebration in the San Francisco Bay, where you'll be perfectly positioned to see the fireworks when the clock strikes midnight. The outing includes a four-course seated gourmet dinner, open top-shelf bar, and live entertainment for dancing.
Price tag: $275 per person
6) Speakeasy 2016 New Year's Eve Cruise
Check in at 7:30pm, the Fume Blanc Commodore boards at 8:30pm, departs at 9pm, returns at 1am.
Location: San Francisco's Pier 40
Highlights: Feel like dusting off your fedora or flapper dress? The Speakeasy 2016 New Year's Eve Cruise includes blackjack tables, 2 DJs, four hours of open bar and fireworks viewing. Cocktail attire a must; '20s costume a plus.
Price tag: $275 for a single admission to $2,750 for admission and a reserved VIP table for eight.
7) Seth MacFarlane
Show starts at 8 pm.
Location: Davies Symphony Hall
Highlights: Add something different to your celebration with the singer, songwriter, actor, producer and director best known for Family Guy. Seth will be bringing Broadway and jazz hits to the stage. Add the VIP package and receive Prosecco and desserts with your premium seats during intermission.
Price tag: Tickets run $300 to $332
8) The Big One
Doors open at 7 pm, show starts at 8 pm, goes until 3 am.
Location: Bill Graham Civic Auditorium at 99 Grove St.
Highlights: An extended live performance by The Flaming Lips headlines this show, which includes performances by Tycho, Geographer, Ratatat and Gramatik while music pours out of side-room stages as well. Note: You're allowed to bring hula hoops. Just sayin'.
Price tag: $95 for general admission tickets; $195 for a VIP package that includes a preferred viewing area, stage-side lounge and two drink tickets.
