Bay Area bars, restaurants and venues gear up for NYE 2025
SAN FRANCISCO - The countdown to the famous end-of-year countdown has begun. All across the Bay Area, restaurants, bars, and other venues are gearing up for New Year's Eve.
Along the Oakland Estuary, final preparations were underway Monday aboard a boat billed by Luxe Cruises owner, Toby Proescher, as the pre-eminent, "Boozy, New Year’s Eve party on The Bay."
The boat, which sets sail from Pier 40 in San Francisco at 9:45 p.m. on Tuesday, offers guests aboard a prime view of the midnight fireworks show over the San Francisco Bay.
"I mean, this is the only party on the San Francisco Bay of any kind that decorates, goes all out with the theme, casino, two DJ's, outdoor dancing. It’s one that everyone always remembers. So we have people that have been going out on this cruise for over ten years," said Proescher.
For those opting to stay on dry land, one of the prime spots to view the fireworks is just south of the Ferry Building near Pier 14 in San Francisco.
If you're looking to ring in the new year in a more low-key location, most restaurants and bars say they're stocked up with champagne, and many with a few festive cocktails added to the menu.
At the Summer Place on Bush Street near Union Square, it wouldn’t be New Year’s Eve without a little Dick Clark in your life; in this case, the liquid variety.
"Gin, cranberry reduction, sparking wine," said Brett Frost, owner of The Summer Place, who added that the cocktail is served out of its very own Times Square Ball.
Frost said his bar, which is decked out in holiday decorations, will also have plenty of party favors on hand and plans to pour a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
"All the traditional New Year's Eve trinkets, the noisemakers, the poppers, the hats. It’s just a big party," said Frost.
Meantime, Proescher is also readying to kick off work on one of his other big bashes, the 21st MOANY, aka "Mother of all New Years" Eve Parties, at the Regency Ballroom on Van Ness Avenue.
"Being on stage with the microphone, and screaming at people Happy New Year's, and pulling the balloon drop," is something Proescher says he looks forward to every year.