Whether you're on a budget or ready to make it rain this New Year's Eve, we've got a slew of amazing events to hit up on the big night. Now, it's up to you to get yourself a New Year's kiss and some resolutions to keep.
Bootie's NYE Party @ Mezzanine, 444 Jessie Street, 415-625-8880
Party like it's the end of the world...DJs Adrian and Mysterious D spin the most epic mashups of the year, but that's not all. A live mashup band will play, guest DJs will keep the party going, and at the stroke of midnight, expect a balloon drop, a champagne toast, a video countdown and even more surprises. Get tickets here.
Trannyshack & Big Top NYE @ DNA Lounge, 375 11th Street, 415-626-1409
The Bay Area's best and most notorious drag queens will congregate for a night of low-brow trash and high brow performance art. DJ MC2 spins before and after the show to keep the dancefloor crowded and sweaty, while "hot go-go boys" will be there for eye candy. And of course, a free champagne toast will ring in the new year at midnight. Get tickets here.
Fresh & Onlys and Thee Oh Sees @ Brick & Mortar Music Hall, 1710 Mission Street, 415-800-8782
There might never be a more appropriate time to experience two of SF's best, most hard-working bands. Thee Oh Sees can make even the most stoic show-goer dissolve into a dancing fool, while the Fresh & Onlys remain a captivating tour de force who are on the cusp of releasing their next hotly-anticipated album. Pair that with the party mode everyone will be in, and you'll have a heck of a night on your hands. Get tickets here.
Kreayshawn and Wallpaper. @ Regency Ballroom, 1290 Sutter Street, 415-673-5716
No one knows just how long Kreayshawn will be around, so check out this MC and her White Girl Mob while you can. Bonus: if you come ready to cut a rug, get down and dirty with Oakland's own Wallpaper., who have quite the way with chopped and screwed beats. Get tickets here.
107.7 The Bone's NYE Comedy Countdown with Bill Burr, Dave Attell & More @ Nob Hill Masonic Hall, 1111 California Street, 415-776-7457
Some of the hardest-working comedians will gather on stage for a full-on night of rib-busting laughs until the balloons drop from the ceiling. Joining the headlines are Hannibal Buress, Joe Derosa, Big Jay Oakerson, Rob Cantrell and Kelly Price. Grab tickets here.
BATS Improv NYE Special @ Fort Mason Center, Bayfront Theater, Bldg. B, 415-474-6776
If you like that on-the-edge-of-your-seat feeling, check out this show by one of the Bay Area's best improv groups. They'll enact scenes and stories from scratch, and then turn the stage into a dance floor, where everyone gets a complimentary glass of champagne. Get tickets here.
New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball with the San Francisco Symphony @ Davies Symphony Hall, 201 Van Ness Ave., 415-864-6000
They'll bring the masks, champagne and, of course, the world-class music. All you have to do is show up dressed to the nines and ready to party. Begin the evening at 8pm with the Martini Brothers in the lobby. After the concert, enjoy complimentary prosecco and desserts, dance to Tainted Love on the First Tier, or to the Peter Mintun Orchestra on the stage of Davies Symphony Hall. Get tickets here.
The Velvet Teen @ Bottom of the Hill, 1233 17th Street, 415-621-4455
If spending your NYE in a cozy dive bar is more your style, check out indie alt rockers The Velvet Teen will bang out totally danceable, exuberant rock anthems, so hold on tight to your drink, because their drums and hyper, proggy chord progressions will get your feet moving. Get tickets here.
Sea Of Dreams NYE "PropheSea 2012" @ Concourse Exhibition Center, 635 8th Street, 415-487-3293
This will be one massive sea of dancing bodies spanning five stages and complete with art installations, costumes, and other spectacles. Music from renowned artists such as Santigold, Amon Tobin, Beats Antique and many, many more. Grab tickets here.
Bob Saggeth and Black Cobra @ Elbo Room, 647 Valencia Street, 415-552-7788
Dubbed "The West Coast's Greatest Black Sabbath Cover Band," Bob Saggeth sports a girl vocalist who simply slays songs like "War Pigs," while fearlessly shredding members of local bands like Saviours, Citay and 3 Leafs who aren't afraid to attack these heavy metal legends' work head on. Get tickets here.
Furthur @ Bill Graham Civic Center, 99 Grove Street, 415-624-8900
If you're not allergic to Deadheads and are game to see music industry legends on stage, head to Bill Graham for a three-night jam band extravaganza. Furthur, as you may know, boats Grateful Dead members Phil Lesh and Bob Weir, along with fellow musicians Jeff Chimenti, John Kadlecik, Joe Russo, Sunshine Becker and Jeff Pehrson. Get tickets here.
'80s NYE 2012 @ Cat Club, 1190 Folsom Street, 415-703-8965
When you choose to dance at the Cat Club, you know you're in it for the long haul. They'll keep the best '80s jams going until 4 am in two giant rooms peppered with six DJs (and our friends Blondie K and subOctave from FRINGE!) and a ton of music videos to go along with the beats. There will be noisemakers, balloons everywhere and free champagne at midnight. Get tickets here.
The Silver Factory @ Harlot, 46 Minna Street, 415-777-1077
Reenact Andy Warhol's famous Factory days at this decadent cocktail party in which Harlot gets transformed into a giant silver globe for the occasion. Reserve a table in their specially themed tables and lounges (Basquiat, Warhol, Edie Sedgwick, etc.) and look forward to a special Midnight Countdown and tunes from DJ Sam Isaac. Get tickets here.
Bonus party on December 30th:
Portlandia: The Tour @ Mezzanine, 444 Jessie Street, 415-625-8880
Yes it's sold out, but you might want to troll Craigslist to score a last-minute ticket to this one. Party comedy show, part rock show, the stars of Portlandia stage their own Lake Woebegon-esque tribute to what makes Portland....special. Stars and co-writers Fred Armisen and Carrie Brownstein perform live music, show sneak-peek clips from the show’s second season and share anecdotes about the creation and inspiration of Portlandia and its variety of eccentric characters.
