Things to Do at Night in San Francisco

One of the best things to do at night in San Francisco is head to the theater.

With over a dozen venues and theater companies from large to small, SF offers all sorts of notable dramatic productions all year long. 

Shows range from Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals to locally written and produced plays.

The SF Theater District encompasses the Union Square and Tenderloin neighborhoods near downtown, so go ahead and make it a night out with dinner and drinks before or after the show.

Click the links below for the top Broadway shows coming soon to SF's Orpheum & Golden Gate Theaters.

A fun way to get a different perspective of the city is to take a night tour.

After dark, you'll get a totally new look at the attractions, streets, buildings, people, and everything that makes San Francisco what it is. 

Maybe you want to see the sunset behind the Golden Gate Bridge from a cruise on the bay, or maybe you want to see the nightlife of North Beach on a walking tour.

You could also visit Alcatraz when it's less crowded or go on a ghost hunt in SF's eeriest places. R

ead more about your night tour options below. 

>> Details about the top night tours in San Francisco

Not only is touring Alcatraz at night more interesting because of the sober mood and atmosphere, you'll also get a more personalized tour as the groups are smaller.

They often open parts of the prison to the public that aren't open during the day, like the medical wing or the original solitary confinement area in the basement. 

Enjoy a serene ferry ride over to the island at dusk and take advantage of not having to fight the crowds, by reserving your Alcatraz night tour ahead of time.

>> Details and tips for visiting Alcatraz at night

There are fun bars to check out all over San Francisco, each offering a different theme or atmosphere, a signature cocktail, or great drink specials. 

No matter what SF district you're in, you'll be sure to find favorite local hangouts as well as nicer bars for celebrating a night out. 

Several of my top picks offer live music, and others offer tasty menus to accompany the drinks. Click below to read the descriptions of the 17 best bars, pubs, and wine bars in the city. 

>> The best places to grab drinks at night in SF

One of the most exciting things to do at night in San Francisco is attend a sports event by one of our local teams.

Depending on what season you plan to visit, you could attend an SF Giants baseball game at beautiful Oracle Park by the water or you could head across the bay to Oakland for an A's baseball game. 

You can also check out the Golden State Warriors at the Chase Center in San Francisco from October to April (and some years into post season play in June). 

To the south, we have both 49ers football and San Jose Sharks hockey. 

All of these pro teams play at huge stadiums packed with fans, and it's a blast to be part of that energetic crowd.

>> See the schedule of upcoming Bay Area games

No matter what day of the week it is, it's never a bad idea to grab some early evening drinks at one of the many happy hours around town.

I've picked 10 of the best places in San Francisco to get drink specials, and you'll find them spread among the different districts. 

From tasty beers and sausage at Rosamunde's in the Mission, to strong cocktails at Lush Lounge in Lower Nob Hill, there is a happy hour for everyone in this city.

Read more about these top bars and pubs, including their location, hours, specialty drinks, and food menus. 

>> Ten best places to enjoy happy hour in SF

San Francisco is a fantastic place to spend a night on the town listening to live music.

Whether you decide to check out a smaller jazz club or café, or attend one of the larger concerts at SF's famous venues like the Fillmore, the Warfield, or the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, it will be a memorable experience. 

This city not only attracts big names from all music genres, it is also bursting with local talent and emerging bands. 

Click the links below for ticketing and information on these upcoming concerts in SF.

Another one of my favorite things to do at night in San Francisco is to go see a comedy show.

We have two major comedy clubs that host well known comedians like Russell Peters, Dave Chappelle, Dana Carvey, Anjelah Johnson, and others.

These are Cobb's in North Beach, and the Punch Line in the Financial District. 

In addition, there are a handful of other venues that offer stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy shows. 

Find tickets below for the best upcoming comedy shows in SF.

While in San Francisco, don't miss the opportunity to see a performance by the oldest ballet company in the nation.

Every year from January through May, the SF Ballet presents eight different programs that include favorite works like Swan Lake and Frankenstein.

In addition, each holiday season the company performs its world-famous Nutcracker Ballet throughout the month of December. 

All shows are held at the historic War Memorial Opera House in the Civic Center District.

>> See what shows the SF Ballet is offering this season