Where To Watch & Drink On NYE
The City by the Bay shoots fireworks over the bay on New Year’s Eve.
San Francisco celebrates the end of the old year and the beginning of the new one with a free midnight show framed by the Bay Bridge.
Called “Fireworks Over The Bay,” it takes place off Pier 14 at the foot of Mission Street and the Embarcardero.
People line up on the sidewalks on both sides of The Embarcadero between Mission and Howard Streets. Another popular viewing area is in the vicinity of Washington Street and Justin Herman Plaza.
But obviously, you can’t exactly hide fireworks, and the show can be seen all the way down the Embarcadero, down to Fisherman’s Wharf and along the seawall past Fort Mason, as well as throughout the city.
Since there is no alcohol allowed, good bars to watch the fireworks along the water include Pier 23 – and get there early, before 10 and 9 is best – and Sinbad’s, which is right next to the fireworks. Call (415) 781-2555 for information and reservations at Sinbad’s.
Another good option is to take in the fireworks by Fort Mason and after the show, head to the bars in “the Triangle” and on Union Street (about a 15-minute walk). Warm up to this with an Irish Coffee (or two) at the Buena Vista, the world’s original Irish Coffee bar (2765 Hyde Street, at Beach and the cable cars turnaround).
If you want to bring in the New Year in classical San Francisco style, then head to the legendary Starlight Room high above the city on the top floor of the .Sir Francis Drake hotel. There, you can have the city’s signature Cable Car Cocktail in the place that created it. Can’t get much more San Francisco than that, frankly, plus, you’ll have a great view of the fireworks.
Advance reservations are highly recommended, it’s going to set you back quite a few dollars and you’ll need to dress up for this place, “cocktail casual” at a minimum.
Address: 450 Powell Street, San Francisco. Tickets: www.starlightroomsf.com
NEW YEAR’S EVE IN SAN FRANCISCO TIPS & TRANSPORTATION
Top Tips: Dress warmly. It will be chilly at night, especially by the bay….LIke pretty much anywhere in the USA, open alcohol containers are illegal…Shooting off your own fireworks is also illegal.
Public Transportation: Muni public transportation and buses are free on NYE from 8 p.m-6 a.m.
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