As always, we recommend attending several parties on New Year’s Eve — just to spread your personal brand of bubbly around (and change up the scenery a bit.) Below are some recommendations for maximum impact, all of which take place the night of Fri/31. Chin chin! (Check out our Music Listings for even more.)
1984
The long-running (as in almost 20 years!) retro ’80s party is playing host to a free flashback at Mighty, in a ppreciation of, well, everything ’80s. DJs Dangerous Dan and Skip play all the faves and waves.
9 p.m.–2 a.m., free. Mighty, 119 Utah, SF. www.mighty119.com
BEARRACUDA
Calling all big, hot gay men — the fur will fly at this hairy annual affair, with DJs Steve Sherwood, dabecy of Electronic Music Bears, and Medic
8 p.m.–4 a.m., $25 advance. Deco, 510 Larkin, SF. www.bearracuda.com/NYE
BLOW UP NYE
Stylish hip-electro madness continues to reign at this monthly party, and the NYE Blow Up blowout should be pretty spectacular (and gorgeously messy). DJs Jeffrey Paradise, Eli Glad, and more help you explode.
10 p.m.–3 a.m., $18 advance, 18+. Kelly’s Mission Rock, 817 Terry Francois Blvd., SF. www.blowupsf.com
BOOTIE NYE
The outrageous mashup club teams up with Mezzanine to present this bonkers night, with DJs Adrian and Mysterious D, live band Smash-Up Derby, French rapper Grandpamini, upstairs room by Brass Tax, pirate balloon drop, and much more.
9 p.m.–late, $20–$40. Mezzanine, 444 Jessie, SF. www.mezzaninesf.com
COSMIC VOYAGE
Hardworkin’ San Diego techno DJ Donald Glaude is no stranger to SF — he’ll know exactly how to take you higher (and blow up the Funktion One sound system) at Vessel for this intergalactic jam
9 p.m.–6 a.m., $25–$65. Vessel, 85 Campton Place, SF. www.vesselsf.com
COUNTDOWN
Get down with a rockin’ reggaeton, hip-hop, and reggae new year fiesta at Club Six, with the awesome Los Rakas live (seriously, those guys are dope), Jah Warrior Shelter Hi-Fi, the Coo-Yah Ladeez, Mr. E, and more to fill all three dance floors.
8 p.m.–4 a.m., $10. Club Six, 66 Sixth St., SF. www.clubsix1.com
ECLECTIC FEVER
Cumbia, Afro-Latin funk, bhangra, reggae, flamenco, soul, and more styles take over the floor with live performances from Sila, B-Side Players, Locura, Non Stop Bhangra, and more.
8 p.m.–3 a.m., $35 advance. West Bay Center, 1290 Mission, SF. ef2010.eventbrite.com
ELECTRIC VARDO
A wonderfully global dance party with a “Palace on Wheels” theme, featuring fat Chance Belly Dance, DJs Amar and lady ra, chef Ranjan Dey’s Indian creations, and music from Bollywood to Andalusia.
9 p.m., $29–$80. New Delhi Restaurant, 160 Ellis, SF. palaceonwheels2010.eventbrite.com
“11”
Deep house master Marques Wyatt from L.A. joins our own Mark Farina, Julius Papp, and many more for a dance floor marathon, claiming to be the “longest New Year’s Eve celebration.” Whew!
8 p.m.–6 a.m., $30 advance. The Factory, 525 Harrison, SF. 11-zvents.eventbrite.com
15TH ANNUAL COMEDY COUNTDOWN
Yuck up your new year with super-hip (and mostly cute!) comedians Charlyne Yi, the Sklar Brothers, Shane Mauss, Nick Thune, Christina Paszitsky, and a ton more. Hilarious balloon drop!
9:30 p.m., $60–$120. Palace of Fine Arts, 3301 Lyon, SF. www.ticketmaster.com
G.A.W.K.
The still-spunky, 25-year-old Gay Artists and Writers Kollective is hostings its annual NYE blowout, with live musical performances and readings that attract newcomers and classic artists alike for some kollective fun.
8 p.m.–1 a.m., free and all ages. Tikka Masala, 1668 Haight, SF.
ICEE HOT NYE
Get down and wobbly as the city’s best showcase for grimy-funky new musical styles brings in the new year with London’s Bok Bok and Ramadanman, DJs Disco Shawn, Ghosts on Tape, and Rollie Fingers.
9 p.m., $15–$20. Elbo Room, 647 Valencia, SF. www.elbo.com
KIM NALLEY
The incredibly gifted and hot-to-trot blues chanteuse will “Let the Good Time Roll” with two smokin’ shows on New Year’s Eve at the wondrous Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko. Just watch Ms. Nalley go!
7:30 p.m. and 10 p.m., $35. Rrazz Room at Hotel Nikko, 222 Mason, SF. www.therrazzroom.com
LEXINGTON CLUB NYE
Spend the eve getting down with the coolest dykes on the planet (and the ladies who love them). DJs DURT and Pony Boy rock the tables, Aimee and Chandra host. Free glass of champers from 8 p.m.-9 p.m.!
8 p.m., free. Lexington Club, 3464 19th St., SF. www,lexingtonclub.com
LOOSE JOINTS NYE
The awesome funky Friday weekly party with DJs Tom Thump, Damon Bell, and Centipede is a top choice for those looking to get down.
9 p.m., $10. Make-Out Room, 3225 22nd St., SF. www.makeoutroom.com
MANGO NYE
The funky summer jam for a diverse and stylish crowd of lesbians returns to wave bye-bye to ’10. DJs Marcella & Edaj make it happen at El Rio.
7 p.m., $15–$40 advance. El Rio, 3158 Mission, SF. mango2011nye.eventbrite.com
POWERHOUSE NYE
Showering go-go boys! Muscular bartenders serving it up stiff! Yep, you’re at the Powerhouse, spraying your man-champagne into 2011, with DJ DAMnation and a $100 wet towel contest. (free towel check!)
10 p.m., $10. Powerhouse, 1347 Folsom, SF. www.powerhouse-sf.com
RENDEZ-VOUS IN PARADISE
Normally the phrase “Las Vegas’s best DJ!” sends us running to the barn for pitchforks — but this is scratch turntable legend Tina T, who is amazing. North Beach’s Atmosphere club is pretty swank, but the crowd will get down.
10 p.m., $50–$75. Atmosphere, 447 Broadway, SF. www.a3atmosphere.com
SEA OF DREAMS
This incredibly huge, longtime New Year’s Eve tradition is bursting with star power: Balkan Beat Box, Thievery Corporation, Modeselektor, Beats Antique, and tons more. Plus, a “GalaxSea” theme, for all you Neptunefish of 2011.
9 p.m.–5 a.m., $75–$135. Concourse Exhibition Center, SF. www.seaofdreamsnye.com
S.O.S. (STANDING ON STARDUST)
The fab rare disco and funky stylings of DJ Bus Station John will be on full display at this incredible-sounding shindig at Burritt Room, put on by handsome duo Bon Vivants. We hear there’ll be yummy food and a giant ice-sculpture unicorn shooting champagne, so ….
9 p.m.-2 a.m., $85. Burritt Room, 417 Stockton, SF. More info here.
SOME THING NEW
Some Thing, the weekly Friday night theatrical drag extravaganza (always full of hot altqueers), comes up with something special — drag goddess Juanita More takes the turntables with Sidekick and Stanley Frank to turn you out.
10 p.m., $10. The Stud, 399 Ninth St., SF. www.studsf.com
STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO
Infamous DJ Steve Aoki and club photographer Cobrasnake are leaving the electro hipsters behind and appearing at this fancy ball, featuring a scale replica of the city’s beloved monuments.
9 p.m., $12–$200 advance. Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion, Marina Blvd., SF. www. sanfrancisconewyear’seve2011.com
SUNSET AND HONEY
Two of the city’s smartest house and techno collectives, Honey Soundsystem and Sunset, join forces at the awesome new Public Works, with special guests Kim Ann Foxman of Hercules and Love Affair and Tim Sweeney of Beats in Space.
9 p.m.–5 a.m., $30. Public Works, 161 Erie, SF. www.publicsf.com
TEMPLE OF LIGHT
Temple’s annual luminous extravaganza goes “3-D” to delight the eyes and ears (and a third thing — feet?) with DJ Paul Hemming, Jaswho? live, Ben Tom, Soulspin, and more.
9 p.m.–4 a.m., $40–$150. Temple, 540 Howard, SF. www.templesf.com
TRANNYSHACK NYE
Good lord — Heklina and her cray-cray drag queens are teaming up with circus-themed party Big Top to wrestle 2010 out the door. Look out, shoulder pads! Tons of performances, Ejector live, DJ Omar, and an appearance by Kembra Pfaler of the Voluptuous Horror of Karen Black.
9 p.m.–3 a.m., $20. DNA Lounge, 375 11th St., SF. www.dnalounge.com