2018-12-17 19:18:55
San Francisco is just as vibrant at night as during the day — maybe even more so. Our nightlife scene offers an impressive mix of friendliness, innovation and inclusivity. Whether you’re in the mood for a quiet dinner followed by a world-class performance or you’re ready to dance the night away at a state-of-the-art club, you don’t have to look hard for a fun evening in San Francisco. Best Neighborhood for Cocktails: Union Square Look no further than Union Square for some of the city’s best mixology, with expertly crafted flavors and hard-to-find small batch liquors. Check out the libations at Swig, a two-story bar where you can find modern twists on classic cocktails. Travel back to the 1920s at Bourbon & Branch, a speakeasy which riffs on the Prohibition era when alcohol was outlawed. Pair excellent cocktails with singing at Society Cabaret on Sutter St., located in the Showroom at the Hotel Rex. An evening of Society Cabaret’s live musical performances is a guaranteed night of fun Best Neighborhood for Dancing: SoMa Dense with dance clubs, SoMa is one of the hottest spots for an unforgettable evening. Get your fill of electronic and house music at Halcyon, an early 1900s brick warehouse with plenty of room to dance the night away. VERSO is a more intimate space where DJs spin into the wee hours, playing trance, hip-hop, throwbacks, EDM or Top 40 depending on the night. Mezzanine offers high-intensity yoga accompanied by music on weeknights. On weekends, it continues the intensity with epic dance parties featuring pop, punk, rap and more. Head to The Grand for lavish VIP table service and two stories of spacious dance floors. Best Neighborhood for a Performance: Civic Center/ Hayes Valley If swelling arias tickle your fancy, try the San Francisco Opera, located in the historic War Memorial Opera House. This world-renowned company has been entertaining visitors since 1923. For blue notes, jazz lovers can find a range of performances at SFJAZZ Center, where both classic and experimental jazz artists play the night away. If you’re lucky to be in San Francisco between January and May, pick up tickets to the San Francisco Ballet. For some rousing musical events, head to Davies Symphony Hall to hear the San Francisco Symphony, as well as guest orchestras and a classic film series with live musical accompaniment. Best Neighborhood to Grab Dinner: Mission District The Mission District is a veritable foodie’s paradise, where all kinds of cuisines are perfected with a welcoming, unfussy vibe. Dine at the Michelin starwinning Commonwealth for modern American fare. The dining room is intimate and minimalist, and the restaurant boasts an eclectic wine list. Central Kitchen offers a menu that changes daily and is inspired by the bounty of locally sourced ingredients. Enjoy shareable plates and a carefully curated menu of wine (or bring your own for a corkage fee). For a steak dinner, try the lively Argentinean steakhouse Lolinda, where Latin American flavors combine with California sensibilities. With two full bars, Lolinda is also a great place to meet up for drinks if you have time to kill before a show.
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