1. Bastille Day at RN74: In a town that adores all things Gallic, the French national holiday gets a lot of love, with events all over town (we're listing three of our favorites below). RN74 is celebrating Bastille Day with a party featuring acrobats, contortionists, and an accordion player, as well as a menu of $1 cocktails, oysters, French pastries, and truffle popcorn. Come dressed in your best Parisian ensemble to get a free drink ticket for a special Bastille Day cocktail, and you'll also be entered to win dinner for two at RN74 or a bottle of wine. (Friday, July 13, 3-10 pm, at RN74, 301 Mission St., SOMA.)

2. Bastille Day at Grand Cafe: The folks at French-influenced Grand Cafe are also on the Bastille Day train, with parties in the lounge on both Friday and Saturday. A French DJ will spin, and guests can meet "Marie Antoinette," nosh on French cupcakes and wine, and enter to win dinner for two. Arrive in a beret or mustache, and you'll also receive a free glass of champagne. Those feeling peckish can adjourn to the dining room for dishes like petite choucroute and beer ($17.89, in honor of the year the Bastille was stormed), and seafood cassoulet with clams and octopus ($26). (Friday, July 13 and Saturday, July 14, 5:30-10 pm, at Grand Cafe, 501 Geary St., Union Square.)

3. Bastille Day at Taverna Aventine: The final stop on our Bastille Day tour is Taverna Aventine, which is throwing a block party in conjunction with Vintage415. To fuel the bash, they'll offer a bevy of Lillet drink specials, a champagne bar, and a food truck. DJs Billy Vidal and Franky Boissy will spin out in the alley, while DJ Kool Karlo will take over the downstairs parlor. More info here. (Friday, July 13, 4-11 pm, at Taverna Aventine, 582 Washington St., Financial District.)

4. Taste of Belgium Beer Event: Not feeling the French-themed parties? Head north to Belgium with the folks behind Stella Artois, Leffe, and Hoegaarden, who'll be celebrating Belgian National Day with a free event at Fort Mason. World Draught Master Champion Chris Myers will lead a beer school, there'll be boules (otherwise known as bocce) courts for competition and live music for dancing, and the discounted beer and moules frites will flow (bring cash for the brewskis). No need to RSVP; just show up. (Friday, July 13, 4-10:30 pm, at Fort Mason, Herbst Pavilion.) 

5. Half-Off Wine at Lark Creek Restaurants: As they do every July, the Lark Creek restaurant group (whose SF outposts are One Market, LarkCreekSteak, and Cupola Pizzeria) is offering 50% off every bottle of wine in their restaurants, with more than 1,000 different labels to choose from. If you're looking to throw a fun, inexpensive group dinner, consider pairing a few half-off bottles with Cupola's already well-priced "Feast of All Feasts" package, which will feed you more than amply for $30 a head. (Through July 31, at all Lark Creek restaurants; brunch, lunch, and dinner are all valid under the promotion.)