Ditch the amateurs, with their bothersome vuvuzelas and various puke puddles—and head for some non-stop dancing with more party-seasoned crowds looking to celebrate in true SF nightlife style. Here are my picks, but get your tix quick! We know it’s a bit late in the game, but there’s still plenty o’ fun to be had.
NYE GET-DOWNS
TUE/31: MIGHTY REAL X JUANITA MORE The city’s best soulful house crew teams up with the city’s most heroic drag queen to spin you around the dance floor—inside and outside (on the spacious patio) at the Phoenix Hotel. With DJs David Harness and Best of the Bay Best DJ Charles Hawthorne. Get into it. 8pm-2am, Phoenix Hotel, SF. More info here.
TUE/31: FRESH START NEW YEAR’S EVE It’s huge, its packed, and it’s at the Midway—but totally worth braving the crowds for incredible DJ Charlotte De White, Channel Tres, Clonee, plus someone called Anderson.Paak spinning under the moniker DJ Pee.Wee. 2pm-3am, Midway, SF. More info here.
TUE/31: NEW BOHEMIA NYE 2025 Have to give props to Val de Vire Society’s enormous annual celebration of all things Burning Man/circus/rave at the SF Mint. But I’m most stoked (and surprised) to see DJ Q*Bert of legendary turntables outfit Invisibl Skratch Piklz headlining. Love that they are mixing things up. 9pm-3:30am, Old Mint, SF. More info here.
TUE/31: EW YEAR’S EVE One of my favorite wee parties, EW, is filling UndergroundSF with its usual phenomenal vibe, and music from local geniuses Solar and Mozhgan. Presales are sold out, but hit the door for tickets. 10pm-2am, UndergroundSF. More info here.
TUE/31: STAMINA NYE Obviously possessing the perfect name for this endless night, Best of the Bay-winning Stamina drum and bass crew hosts DJ Sustance and Hugh Hardie from the UK, plus many more for bouncy bass goodness all night long. 8pm-3am, F8, SF. More info here.
TUE/31: EDDIE C The Canadian DJ was a big part of the original ’80s acid house scene, and has been making things delightfully wonky ever since. He’s spinning with Anthony Mansfield, Good Question, Jayvi Velasco, and more at Monarch. 8pm-3am, Monarch, SF. More info here.
SUN/31: OASIS X PRINCESS NYE A cavalcade of drag entities will be on hand (and under the table) to usher in the new with a zillion performances. Category is: Diamonds! Oasis is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a fabulous drag venue, so drape yourself in (faux) luxury. 9:30pm-late, Oasis, SF. More info here.
TUE/31: MOTHERSHIP NYE Mothership in the Mission has a great patio, terrific music selection, and hella cute staff. This LGBTQ-friendly New Year’s Eve party will rocket to the stars with Mass (Idhaz + Cherub Wya), 3:33 (Discnogirl + Dj Caro + Tom Marsi), Queermom, and Ritchrd. Laidback vibes and friendly dancing galore. 9pm-2am, Mothership, SF. More info here.
TUE/31: DANCING QUEEN ABBA GLITTER NYE EXTRAVAGANZA More than four decades ago, the Swedish disco giants wished for peace on Earth in their song “Happy New Year.” While the world works toward that, maybe, we can at least dress up in our sparkly finest and dance along to ABBA’s biggest tunes—and of course remain forever 17. 9pm-2am, Great Northern, SF. More info here.
TUE/31: SACHA ROBOTTI NYE I could just sink into Sacha’s immersive, uptempo techno for hours—and you can, too! The Belgian cutie helps ring it all in at Halcyon. 10pm-2am, Halcyon, SF. More info here.
TUE/31: MISS STREWNAVERSE Underground party powerhouse Enzyme takes over the Stud for a wild and very queer night of chaos. Compete in absurd categories like “Showboating,” Sashayology” and “Deviance Threshold” for goddess-knows-what prizes, but you’ll be filled with personal satisfaction. 9pm-2am, The Stud, SF. More info here.
COMEDOWNS ARE FOR LOSERS (NYD PICKS)
WED/1: BREAKFAST OF CHAMPIONS The mother of all classic SF NYD parties—most people sleep through the fireworks and head here for 17 full hours of raving at this huge block party. This year’s snap-crackle-popping talent? Big room house legend Danny Tenaglia, electro king Egyptian Lover, Justin Martin, Mark Farina, and my dear loves Horse Meat Disco, Doc Martin, DJ Minx, David Harness, and DJ Holographic. 4am-9pm, Great Northern, SF. More info here.
WED/1: FRESH START NEW YEAR’S DAY Don’t get too torched at their New Year’s Eve party. The Fresh Start team brings on another huge day-after banger, this one skewing a bit more young and EDM, with Chris Lake, Zhu, Disco Dom, and Justin Jay getting freaky4u. 1pm-9pm, Midway, SF. More info here.
BRASS TAX: SUPPER OF SURVIVORS XII A dozen years of NYD dancefloor madness from the Brass Tax family, whose parties are always a delightful mess (think dozens of DJs, weird costumes, and a freakin’ glitter cannon). I love them so. 4pm-Midnight, Public Works, SF. More info here.
WED/1: SUNSET SOUND SYSTEM NEW YEAR’S DAY One of our precious first rave crews is still at it, tremendously. Join them for this annual nightcapper, with big, very huge DJs Adjust Boys, The Carry Nation, C.L.A.W.S., Mozhgan, and of course our boys Solar and Galen. 8pm-3am, Great Northern, SF. More info here.
WED/1: SUNDOWN GET DOWN Too-cute local techno crew Strut brings in Dirtybird affiliate Chocolate Sushi and Wet Velvet to heat up the main room, with the SHACKLDBYLUST crew tossing hands in the back. 9pm-2am, F8, SF. More info here.
WED/1: DAY ONE WITH SPACE 92 Pump yourself up for ’25 with French DJ Space 92’s fast-paced hardcore techno pumping that magic through your veins. Hey, one of your resolutions is to work out more, right? 10pm-4am, Halcyon, SF. More info here.
