By Molly Sanchez
There’s a lot of pressure to have a good time on New Year’s Eve. Should you tell your best friend you love them? Share a few hookers with your old army boss? Or maybe just pile a few friends in a taxi and go to Moby’s party? If you don’t have the time, money, or straight up foolishness to do any of these things, check out this list of ways to party like it’s 2014.
Parties
Kink.com Party
I feel like any party that includes the terms “absinthe hawkers,” “aerialists,” “crimson busts,” and “burlesque” is one not to be missed. As we saw this Halloween, Kink.com can throw a crazy party. Their “New Bohemia” party takes place in the historic Armory building and will include self guided tours of the Kink.com studio as well as plenty of “titillating dark corners.” Feel free to check out this party, unless you’re all tied up that night.
Clubs
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the sheer variety of club parties going on in the city on New Year’s Eve. Some have themes like Great Gatsby while others stick to straight up black and white. One even claims to feature “the biggest balloon drop the city has ever seen.” Most venues offer a complimentary champagne toast at midnight among other holiday specials.
Music
Seth Mcfarlane
Want to ring in 2015 with a man who positively can do anything to make you laugh and cry? Seth Mcfarlane will be singing a mix of “opera, pop, and soulful jazz” at the SF Symphony. No word yet as to how many songs will be about when or if he’s seen your boobs.
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings
If you’re trying to make 2015 the most swinging year yet, this event is for you. Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings will be rocking The Filmore with their jazzy, soulful jams.
Light and Sculpture with Honey Soundsystem
This combination of art and music is not to be missed. The event, now in its fifth year, will feature immersive light installations and eclectic music by resident DJs Honey Soundsystem. DJs will be spinning an eclectic mix of music to jam to while you appreciate the cool art.
The Flaming Lips
In keeping with their M.O. of doing shows on major holidays, The Flaming Lips will be rocking The Warfeild this year. This Grammy Award winning band is known to produce truly insane and spectacular concerts. Their performances have included everything from giant hamster balls to entrances from enormous vaginas. This concert promises to be an epic way to kick off the new year.
Bimbo’s
For something really off the beaten path, head to Bimbo’s for a performance by Marc & the Casuals with special guests the West Coast Spiritual Corinthians — a 22 piece gospel band that will lift your spirits high into 2015. They play with the always soulful Nick Waterhouse.
Mellow
Meditation Bonfire
New Year’s Eve is a time for reflection. Why do it at a bar or a club when you could do it in peace and tranquility? Brahma Kumaris is hosting a New Years Eve special meditation and fire ceremony where participants can come to “let go” of the old year. There will also be games and snacks.
Tea and Cookies Meditation
Do you like the idea of meditating but also like the explicit promise of tea and cookies? Dr. Alex Feng is offering guided Taoist meditation to ring in the New Year. With a ten dollar donation you can clear your mind and fill your stomach afterwards with complimentary tea and cookies.
Comedy
Doug Benson At Cobb’s
Sometimes when looking back at a year gone by you just have to laugh. These events can help you with that! Big names mix with local successes at Cobb’s when Doug Benson and others perform with veteran of the SF comedy scene, W. Kamau Bell.
Marga Gomez at Brava Theater
Brava Theater in The Mission is also hosting a show featuring sassy comedy by SF legend Marga Gomez and others. That show also includes DJs, a free champagne toast, and a holiday countdown dance party so you can show off your sweet moves and laugh until your belly hurts.
Food and Booze
NYE Bar Crawl
You can plot your own bar crawl any time, but sometimes participating in a pre organized crawl keeps things organized — and gives crawlers access to exclusive drink specials.
Prixe Fixe Dinner
For the ultra swanky people, a fancy multi-course meal is the perfect way to celebrate a year gone by. Various restaurants are offering fixed price menus, some even include wine pairings. This handy list compiles all the restaurants with deals like these under $100 and the variety is dizzying. Binge eating is the perfect way to pregame any New Year’s resolution type diets you may start in 2015.
And whatever you chose to do this New Year’s Eve, make sure to get home safe. The AAA Tipsy Tow is offering free rides home that night and MUNI and BART have extended hours (MUNI, samTrans and AC Transit are also free). Have a fun and safe New Year from all your friends here at The Bold Italic!
Photo courtesy of Flickr user, http://kevinashphotography.com
