San Francisco is blessed with some of the best museums in the country. And as with most activities, they’re even more fun with a drink (or two) in hand. Here are some of our favorite museum nightlife programs. Maybe we’ll see you there?
The Exploratorium
Why not liven up San Francisco’s best hands-on science museums with a little libation? The Exploratorium offers some of the most fascinating and entertaining museum programs during After Dark, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. on every Thursday. Here’s a full list of their schedule.
Pictured above is the Exploratorium’s signature annual event — the Science of Cocktails. Taste cocktails made with dry ice and liquid nitrogen, and prepared in centrifuges or by robots. This year’s event is on February 9 from 9:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m.
de Young
Friday nights at the de Young are free (like nothing else in the city) from 5:00 to 8:45 p.m. and are hosted in the museum’s public spaces. This includes access to permanent collection galleries — but special exhibitions still require paid tickets. Events include live music, panels, artist demos and film screenings. The observation tower is also open, and there’s no better place to see Golden Gate Park at night.
Note: Friday Nights at the de Young is on hiatus until February 2018.
The California Academy of Sciences
On Thursdays, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m., the California Academy of Sciences offers a different nightlife program. All Academy exhibits are open. Open your Google calendars, because the next two months alone cover everything from Sketchfest to mushrooms (and other fungi) to the Year of the Dog to the SF Beer Fest.
The Asian American Art Museum
Pictured above are the panelists from “Reclaiming Tofu,” a night about celebrating the classic Asian food. The panelists included, from left to right, Jennifer 8. Lee, producer of The Search for General Tso; Minh Tsai, founder of Hodo Soy; Stuart Brioza of State Bird Provisions and The Progress; Brandon Jew of Mister Jiu’s; and Annie Somerville of Greens. The night began with a panel answering audience questions about tofu as well as a tasting menu featuring creations from each of these renowned SF chefs.
This is one night of Tasting Menu, a series of food-related events that are part of the museum’s Thursday-evening offerings. The museum’s permanent exhibits are also open during nightlife events.
Note: Thursday Nights at the Asian American Art Museum is on hiatus until February 8, 2018.
