NightLife at the Academy is always a fun nighttime event to hang out with friends or bring a date! Rewild the City was a special nightlife event that included an open bar and food stations. Same nightlife access with a more fancy atmosphere tonight. 4/5 - Bao Bun - An Asian inspired dish comprised of tangy sauce pickled vegetables, steamed bun, and a chicken tender topped with a sweet, spicy sauce. Super filling and my favorite dish to eat with the drinks. It was a little difficult to eat as a cohesive dish and slightly dry but make no mistake - I was still eating 2 or 3 servings of this! 4/5 - Spring Rolls - The spring rolls were actually vegetable egg rolls that were still cooked well and complemented perfectly with sweet and sour sauce. Easiest snack to walk around and eat! 4/5 - Noodles - They had a chow mein-like noodle dish that was well seasoned and had a kick of spice with their chilis. Pretty decent dish that would've definitely given you your fix of noodles if that's what you would like! 5/5 - Lemon Bars and Strawberries - The outside park had a mini dessert stand and coffee station. The lemon bars were definitely the best dish (though more hidden as it was only one station). The strawberries also tasted fresh and sweet! read more

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Really awesome place. I've been going here for YEARS. I remember the day they first opened the new location. I still have my ticket, lol. I haven't been in a long time, so decided to try out nightlife (adults-only night on Thursdays) so I could avoid all the annoying, misbehaved kids during the day. Not all kids (and parents) are misbehaving during normal hours, but a lot of them are and it tends to ruin the experience for others, which is why I tried out nightlife. I'm not a drinker, so I can't speak about any of the drinks, but the overall experience was pretty cool, with some caveats. The rainforest is only open until 7:30pm, so you have only an hour and a half to go there and see that. I suggest going there first. The rainforest is by far, in my opinion, the BEST part of the academy. So many pretty butterflies and birds to see. I love it. The macaws, however, were not there (they had to go to bed early). If you want to see the aquarium areas, it's probably best to do that during normal hours because a lot of the nighttime lighting was on, which makes the tanks dark and hard to see. I was a bit bummed about that. The living roof was cool, but had so much more potential. There are so many beautiful California native plants they could put there, but instead it was very drab and not super interesting. It was a nice quiet area to go to get away from people, though. The planetarium show was about the coral reefs, which was interesting, but short. I'm not sure if I would go to another show. I haven't been super impressed with their shows in the past, so it's probably a skip for most people. Plus, it was very cramped in there and no food or drink is allowed. We went on Filipino night (Mabuhay), which was the theme of the evening, so there was a lot of Filipino-themed food and vendors there. Honestly, though, I was not impressed with the food truck food. Super overpriced and not very authentic to Filipino cuisine, which was disappointing. $10+ for mid boba drinks... Yikes. $20 for some nachos or tacos (and the portions were very small). Yeah, I would skip the food and drinks and eat before coming here. So much of it was a rip-off. The music was SUPER loud, which I didn't like, but night life is more of a party atmosphere, so it's to be expected. At least there are places to go and chill out away from the noise. Overall it was a fun experience and I might go back. But I think to fully appreciate the exhibits, you should probably go during a normal day when everything is open and well-lit. I would probably just go on a weekday in September when school is starting and field trips aren't scheduled yet to avoid the crowds of people and kids. But I'm still glad we experienced it and we had a good time. read more

Our firm booked out the entire Academy of Science during their NightLife evening hours for a private event. It was pretty great getting to explore a good portion of the museum (they do block off certain sections in the evening), open bars throughout the event floor, and DJ's spitting out tunes in the background. It's also a different vibe in the evening with different lighting and a distinct lack of children running around. I've tried NightLife before in the past a while ago during regular operating hours and it was still fun. Although the overpriced drinks and limited bars did sour the experience a bit. Tickets are $15/pp for non-members and $12/pp for Academy members. read more

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Cal Academy in the day is incredible and Cal Academy at night is magical. Highly recommend trying it out. We had a dinner event here and got a chance to look at the exhibits without any one else there which was amazing! read more

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It was a fun time walking around the Academy of Science at night with only adults, but it wasn't completely what I was expecting. Although it makes sense why we can't drink or eat inside, I was expecting to have cocktails while we walk around the museum. We were only allowed to purchase and consume all food and drinks outside, which is quite cold. Bring a jacket! They only had two cocktails on their menu and canned Cutwater cocktails. All for $12 each. There was a DJ and dance floor inside, but no one seemed to partake and would rather walk around the museum. The rain forrest (closes at 7:30 PM), planetarium, aquarium, living roof, sharks, fog room, and rock exhibits were all available. I don't recommend doing the planetarium show unless you want to fall asleep. It's not so much about space and stars, but instead... a documentary about Chile and their space programs there. So if you're planning to have a few cocktails, you're most likely to fall asleep. read more

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I love this idea and have wanted to go for a long time. The other guests were decked out in eclectic and awesome gala gear--which I appreciated--and everyone was very friendly and chatty. However, one of my party stood in line for the free drinks for 45 minutes, while I stood in line for tacos for 45 minutes. We were excited for the advertised caviar tasting, but it was such a crush of people, we gave up because everything had a long, long line. It was a loud, crowded nightclub but in the academy of sciences building. It WAS awesome to be able to look at the sea creatures and plants without a million kids around. read more

We have been members for years. I miss the old building/layout but understand things change and need upgrading. Have been wanting to go to Nightlife for quite awhile and finally went with 4 girlfriends. Went in at 6:00 and went right into the Planetarium for the show which was boring - very disappointing. The subject was interesting - observatories in Chile - but the show focused on the people who operate the obseratories instead of actual astronomy (stars, planets, etc). The measurements of the lenses, cleaning and operating the machinery, watching people point at computer screens - obviously I am not the target audience. After the show we went for refreshments. You cannot drink or eat inside and it's cold outside - not the way this event is promoted. There was music - loud music that can't be healthy for the animals. I googled allegators to see if noise is an issue and it is! Not cool. If you're on a date, I suppose this is something to do. Wouldn't go back to Nightlife. Best part - the staff. Super courteous and helpful. Obviously enjoy their jobs and make you feel welcome. They get 5 stars. read more

Really fun night at Thursday's night life at the cal academy. Not too crowded and masks are required. It's like the regular museum, except only people 21+ and music playing throughout the museum. There's also an outside area with food, drinks, and a dj. Not too many people dancing but felt like that could be fun too!! There's also 20/30 minute shows going on every half hour that you're supposed to make a reservation for. We didn't, but we're able to make the last show just by walking in. Totally would've loved to stay more than 3 hours! I'd say try and get there early for maximum museum time. read more

NightLife - In the tropical room - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

I have been waiting for forever to try out Nightlife and it didn't disappoint. It was a great fun and friendly atmosphere among the guests and staff. I loved looking at all the different exhibits, especially the sea life. I've read about this place and researched a little; I thought it might have been bigger than it was going to be, but not a super huge disappointment. I was with really good company so it added to my experience. I feel like If I went alone, I'd have more fun during the day exploring the entire area by myself. Drinks felt a little expensive, but that's sort of to be expected. I went during COVID, so I feel like I didn't get a real chance at trying any great food, but honestly, not a huge deal. We parked in the underground parking garage that of course isn't cheap. My friends found parking on the street and walked their way up to it. I highly recommend trying this out at least once because it's a great experience for a hang out with friends. I can't wait to come back when COVID is finally over and experience a real Nightlife. read more

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This has got to be the best thing to do in San Francisco. Thursday nights, they turn this gorgeous museum into a beautiful night club, with the best local DJs. Grab a cocktail and a seat at the planetarium. Also, don't forget to go to the Shake House where you can experience simulations of the 1906 & 1989 earthquakes. read more

NightLife - Me and my good friend enjoying the Nightlife at the museum. - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

I'd heard great things about NightLife, including the themed cocktails, the delicious food, and the all-around good time to be expected. Unfortunately, I was pretty disappointed by the overall experience, and the entrance fee reduction from the daytime is pretty much moot because you'll likely be ordering one of the 13+ dollar drinks at the bar anyway. If you decide to visit, keep a close eye on the exhibit closing times. The rainforest exhibit closes at 7:30PM. We didn't even realize there was a cutoff time for any of the exhibits so we ended up missing out on one of the bigger, better (IMO) exhibits in CAS. The last Planetarium showing is at 8:30PM, which we also missed because tickets ran out early and the stand-by line was so long we didn't see a point in waiting. Not to say that there aren't some cool things to learn, and there were quite a few 'freebies' being passed out for the 'Sharktober' themed night (free face painting, spinning the wheel for prizes like free tickets, etc.). I still thought the most impressive exhibit was probably the aquarium! read more

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The Plus experience was not worth the additional cost at all. Tater tots dried out (there has to be a better option) and not really light appetizers. We were rushed from tour. Drink pours were very small. Upstairs bar closed early. Behind the scenes tour host was good, but we didn't really see very much. Learned that there was no beverages allowed on tour AFTER getting our beverage. Skip the extra ticket level and go with the standard ticket. Museum itself was impressive, however. read more

Last Thursday was the first time I got the chance to check out NightLife and my goodness I have been missing out! It's not the cheapest of nights, especially for drinks and food, but it's worth it for a night of fun imo. There was a Korean fried chicken sandwich from the café that hit the spot for me; crunch and juicy, but a little oily - works well to counter drinks. My bff and I had so much fun going around to each of the exhibits without loads of people to maneuver around. We were allowed to have drinks down stairs by the large aquarium area with seats, had an ongoing joke about having a drink with the fish and cheering any that were in front of us. There was a DJ in the middle area (a little loud when walking through), really sets the vibes for the event. It was also a night market for small businesses and artists the night I went, loved seeing laser cut wooden keychains, handmade jewelry and so many other items. The staff were all very friendly and it's definitely an amazing place for date night, get together, or just for anyone to enjoy. Got to see Claude the albino alligator scratch himself like a puppers underwater! Final Thoughts: Anyone that's a fan of the Academy would enjoy a nighttime version of it with drinks, I know I sure did! read more

Had to decide whether I should review the California Academy of Science OR NightLife, but I specifically went to a NightLife event, so it makes more sense to review this rather than the Academy itself. I'm sure the vibes are incredibly different, considering NightLife is 21+ only from 6-10PM and the regular hours are during the day with all ages welcome. First off, the $15 NightLife ticket with $3 Planetarium shows is a steal! The Academy is usually $39.95 for an adult during the week, so it's over a 50% savings. If you're not really into being around loads of kids (especially field trip groups), this is absolutely ideal. The only downside to this is people tend to be a little inebriated near the end and are a little more unaware of their surroundings, which makes navigating the Academy at a normal speed a bit more of a challenge. The Rainforest is great, with a variety of butterflies, insects, amphibians, reptiles, and even birds! Most animals are in glass exhibits, however the butterflies and birds roam around freely. You're more like to hear a bird than see one. Just keep looking up! They're there, and with patience, you'll see one! Only downside is the Rainforest closes early at around 8pm. If you're getting there on time, do this first. If you show up late, you run the risk of missing this opportunity. Next up in our night was the aquarium, which was my personal favorite part of the experience. The downstairs aquarium is expansive and has multiple areas with aquatic life from all around the globe. A handful of reptiles and amphibians can also be found down there. You're sure to find a few species you never knew existed. Prepare to be amazed as you take the elevator down, too. Going down through the aquarium itself and seeing fish (big ones, too!) swim around you and you descend is a fun experience. Once you're out of the aquarium, you'll enter the swamp portion, complete with an albino alligator. A neat treat and likely a creature you won't see in person outside of the Academy. Definitely a great photo opportunity. Outside of that, the other exhibits are fun, but underwhelming in comparison. The theme of the night (which changes every Thursday) was goats and GOATS. The goat petting zoo with Pygmy goats (one which was a three legged rescue), regular size goats, and quite possibly the largest goat I've ever seen (think Great Dane size!) were cool. The Greatest of All Time portion seemed nearly nonexistent. Or maybe just not that interesting. Outside on the other end was an animatronic dinosaur exhibit. Pretty neat, but not a lot going on. You can do it all in about five minutes, which seems like a pretty short amount of time for a featured exhibit. The cafe offers large portions at a fairly reasonable price for a place like the Academy. Slices of pizza as big as your head are available for $7-$8, and the slice I got fit in with the goat theme, featuring goat cheese, broccoli, and ham. Seemed like a weird combo, but it definitely worked. There was only one person working the cash registers as we got our food, which led to a fairly long line. Someone came in at one point to alleviate the problem, but it felt like both registers should've probably been open for the duration of the event. Finally, we went to the Planetarium for a live tour of the universe. Our host was funny and personally, and definitely passionate about the subject matter. He had answers to questions about the universe and it was fairly obvious he was educated in the subject rather than being someone employed to just run an a scripted show. The planetarium is huge and offers a lot of insight into our planet, solar system, galaxy, and the universe beyond. Overall, great experience, with some minor kinks that need to be worked out. Absolutely worth it for the NightLife portion, though I'd be apprehensive to spend the $39.95 on a day out of those kinks weren't worked out then. read more

NightLife - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

TL;DR Nightlife was cute but not amazing. I had wanted to come here for years and, after finally doing so, was a bit disappointed. Maybe I just went for the wrong Nightlife, but I wasn't as blown away as I expected to be. What does deserve 5 stars are the people who work here; they're extremely passionate folks who will just jump in with fun facts and fascinating information about things that you would probably miss on your own. Drinks and food weren't cheap, but everyone was so darn friendly that it was worth it. read more

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Met up a group for friends for California Academy of Sciences' Thursday NightLife on November 17th around 6:30pm. I went to this event once about seven years ago. It's pretty much the same, though I think they have more bars now as I remember it taking a while to get a drink when I first went. It was BiteLife that night, so they had some food demonstrations going on. I saw someone from Belcampo deconstruct a turkey and another demo on how to create a banh mi. They even gave out everything they made, so a friend of mine got some turkey and we both got to sample the vietnamese sandwich. They also had different booths with info about food products. I stopped by the Bitty table and sampled some chips made with cricket flour. Admission to NightLife is only $15 versus the $34.95 general admission during the day. Totally worth it for me as I love exploring places with drink in hand. Not sure what's not accessible at night versus day, but you can still go to two of my favorite sections: the Aquarium and the Planetarium. I didn't end up going to the Planetarium this time, but I did go to the Aquarium. Still colorful and eye catching. You must be 21 or over to do NightLife, so if you want to explore the academy of sciences, this is a cheaper way to do it. Drinks are a little pricey. I got a Bulleit Bourbon on the rocks for $11, but it's still a fun night. A good way to quench my never ending thirst while roaming around this natural history museum. read more

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I went for the lunar new year themed night life event and this is just my personal experience but it was not worth going. I've been to Cal academy during regular times and had fun but night life is an entirely different experience. First off, tickets sold out for this event so I assumed the crowd would be limited. Nope. We got there at 7pm and the line to get in with tickets took about 30min. Fyi rainforest stops letting people in at 730p. After getting in, I noticed people are moving around almost shoulder to shoulder so I couldn't even enjoy any of the exhibits. Don't come hungry. I saw this event advertised to have a night market with food options but all the bakery/candy stands were sold out and the one actual food stall sold small rice bowls (about a third of a portion size) for $9. Line was absurdly long but I wanted to get something for dinner and it was getting late. Lines for cocktails and canned beer were long for $17 drinks. They had led lion dancing but again, with the crowd I couldn't really see the two lions dancing at all. Parking was difficult and the lot near the academy is closed at night. I probably won't be voluntarily visiting again for night life. read more

"I would never bring a date here" is what I said about an hour into Spotlight 8/30. But if you're living it up as a 20-something tech wageist or it's your College Friday on one of the theme nights, it might work out(?) I wanna say it's been almost a decade since they've been throwing these After Dark Nights at the Academy. More than enough time to shoot my own shot on one of those awkward dates everyone was on last night but thankfully those chances came and went. I can't speak for the daytime experience, but I was over it close to hour in. So again, imagine having to entertain company with that level of interest. To fight that, let me highlight the things you need to get to first: the Butterfly/Rainforest Room and the Planetarium Show. Both you have to fall in line for, another you need tickets to get access to. Do these first and you'll be left to your own leisure to find that viewing bubble in the Aquarium to makeout or have an argument in. Not a lot of food choices unless you're really into loaded nachos or museum sushi. They don't seem to have a lot of drink specialties either; so you're better off ordering your regular liquorXsoda cocktail to keep you happy walking around. At least I can say BTDT to the whole NightLife thing. I really do think you get more out of it in the daytime though: Conservatory of Flowers, joggers' routes, etc. just outside the premise; but we all know where the real "Nite Lyfe" in sf lives.... Make it and Rake it when those nights happen =) read more

NightLife - Has its appeal at Night but do you really want your first kiss to be under some whale bones? - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Been here twice. its always fun! but after the 2nd time, i kinda feel like once youve been there once, its kinda the same again? although it seems now , they are trying to make it more fun by adding different events each thursday. Last time I went, they had a marketplace there with a bunch of stalls selling stuff. really wasnt our cup of tea at all. We're here to see some science & animals! not be bombarded by people trying to peddle their wares. i did see some cool stuff though, one lady had handmade jewelry which were all animal themed, I was really feeling her designs but it was sooo pricey! they also had a silent disco with a xmas theme. it was cute! you wear headphones and dance around haha. there were only 3 channels though, and the music wasnt that great. couldn't get my groove on too much, but it was definitely a cute idea! I always love watching the jellyfish. so sereneeeee and enchating. read more

It's definitely a fun upbeat social scene much different than the vibe of the museum in the daytime. Alcohol, music, no screaming kids and much cheaper! Originally the price was $15 but as of May 2019 they implemented dynamic pricing so the price will fluctuate depending on how busy it is up to $25 which is still much less expensive than the regular admission price. The crowd seems to be mostly a vibrant energetic mix of 20s and 30s with a lot of small after work groups or people on dates. My favorite section is the Rainforest with butterflies flying around and sounds of birds chirping. I suggest getting here first (well second after getting a drink) because it closes by 7:45. read more

nerd out with drinks and no kids pushing their way to the front. they have different themes every week and some are more popular than others. for the chinese new year theme, the line was so far out the door. it was shoulder to shoulder. possibly more crowded than a normal saturday! but normally cal academy is better at night since its less crowded and cheaper tickets. the drinks are pretty pricey ~$15 and watered down but you shouldnt get too wasted here anyways. food is okay as its from the cafeteria unless they have vendors coming in. cant believe they charge for planetarium tickets now as well. what a rip. normally i would get tickets and fall asleep in there as the seats are comfy and its dark. nightlife is mainly to hang out, go on a date, see some fish, and of course clyde the alligator. read more

Looking for something fun to do on a Thursday night? Then maybe you can consider going to NightLife at the Academy of Science. Pretty good amount of different things to see there such as the aquarium, forest, planetarium, and etc. All the times that I've gone, I still haven't experience the planetarium cause it's always sold out. If you haven't been, def do go! It's a great date night outing. :) read more

When I was in college, my friends and I used to joke about how difficult it is for a Biology major to land a job without pursuing higher education. After getting my Bachelors of Science, I was staring at my diploma and here's really what I think B.S. stands for: 4 years of college leading to a B.S. = Bullshit If you're crazy and want to do 2 more years for a M.S. = More shit +2 (or 3) more years on top of that for a PhD = Pile High Dung That's a lot of SHIT in 8 years, don't you think??? Thank God for Cal Academy! people from all walks of life can enjoy and understand the exhibits here without going through the torture of lab stuff in college. Interesting, thought provoking, well laid out and most of all, FUN! You don't need to have a science degree to have fun at Cal Academy, you just need to be a nerd. (where my nerds at?!) For only $10 on Thursday nights, you can appreciate nature's intricate patterns on how all organisms on this planet are dependent on each other. (i.e. rainforest) Or why the Galapagos Islands house an amazingly diverse species of flora and fauna. Or why the really ugly Madagascar hissing cockroaches, well, hiss. (it's a form of communication) If you do manage to get bored, head on up to the "Living Roof" and take your drink with you -- not only does alcohol decrease inhibitions, it also increases body temperature. (I'm sure you already know that!) You'll need it as you stand there on the rooftop in your cute dress while freezing your ass off. The cafe serves up good food as well -- calamari, french fries, steamed pork buns, a taco station, etc. You'll have enough energy to walk around for another 3 hours. (okay, STUMBLE if you're freaking drunk!) I wasn't able to secure a ticket for the planetarium show (but I did attend a frog lecture), you need to be here right when they open at 6pm for nightlife, those tickets go out faster than you can say: "they have an albino alligator here??" I was a bit sad that I wasn't able to gaze at the stars and ponder about the Big Bang theory. (seriously? the universe came from these atoms getting waaay too excited??) Oh well, I have an excuse to come back next time. I had a BLAST at Cal Academy! (thanks Eileen H!) And that's no B.S. read more

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We were a couple of out of towners visiting San Francisco for a few days and stumble upon this as part of the night life search (LOL i know that sounds way nerdy but nerds are cool!) It was literally the greatest thing and the best 12 bucks spent for 4 hours of amazing experience, especially when you compare to the full ticket price of 34 dollars for adults for daytime and thats with KIDS there. Tonight is strictly an adult event for anyone 21 and up to enjoy themselves without children. There are a few options to get tickets but you must have your tickets in hand while in line because when they check your ID there is no time for you to buy your tickets. We got there right at around 6 PM and the line was forming already. ******Tip 1: Buy your tickets ahead of time on the interwebz or at the ticket counter service while your friends is waiting in line for you. I think there were Groupon deals but only for daytime and for kids. i'm not sure if it is always like this but VitaCoco and Noosa was there passing out samples from their trucks to those in line and that was a great plus to try new items. ******Tip 2: When you first walk in and if you been there before then its probably best that go straight to get tickets for the planetarium show. There are I think two showings. I didn't think much of it when by around 8 o'clock I was wondering why people was waiting in the long line circling around almost twice! In hindsight, it would be been cool and good idea to pick it up those show tickets but we've never been there so everything else took up our time. *****Tip 3: The living rain forest is beautiful and i think its a must see. However it closes at 8 PM. I only knew that hearing someone and rushing to it after checking my watch at 7:35. The place is lively and very cool. I think I saw a majority of what I wanted to see and if I wanted to go to everything in detail I probably could have stayed till 12 AM. The center was clean and spacious. Even with all these people I never felt crammed. I skipped the food for some burritos on Mission but there was bites available and alcoholic drinks for purchase. I would say its great for current locals and out of towners like us. read more

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During the day this place is as most museums are: children running amok, waiting in line for ever, you know, typical museum stuffs. The Night Life event however, is another ballgame. I wonder what museum was the first to say "Hey, lets only let adults in and let them get hammered while a DJ pumps out some beats. That should be pretty awesome". They were right, it is awesome. Kudos for having the cafe fully open the whole time too, nothing accompanies vodka and all that learnin' like a pile of steamed buns. Mmmmm. My only complaint is that the gig wraps up at 10PM which is honestly right when the party is starting to pop off. Maybe they're worried that if people are allowed to drink much longer they'll end up humping skeletons, climbing in the rain forest exhibit and diving head first into the starfish tank. Think of the hilarity. Consider staying open until at least 1AM, OK Academy folks? read more

I've only been here during the day and this past Thursday night was probably the best night to go. We went for their annual Big Bang Fundraiser gala and the place was decked out with an ice sculpture, lots of yummy food, several OPEN bars, a huge candy bowl area where you could fill up your own bags, a dance area, food trucks that served both cupcakes and wood fired pizza, and a DJ. Since we were all tired from just getting back from Puerto Vallarta, most of us took the time to people watch and eat a bit. The funnest part was getting to check out fashion (for me anyways.) Another cool area was where they held the "silent" dance party. They had headphones that you could wear so that you could tune in to a few different stations-- one being a pre-set playlist, and another being the live DJ. This was a separate area from the main dance floor area and it was funny to walk into the room seeing people wearing these headphones, head bopping and dancing away to an otherwise "quiet" room. If you haven't done the Big Bang Gala, do it. You can dress up, take a date (or not) and have yourself a great time. read more

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I've lost count I've been here so many times since this started. yes, I miss the old Academy that I dragged my poor mom to practically every weekend as a kid. and I'm still upset they didn't bring back the fish roundabout. and the new penguin enclosure has nothing on the old one. and while the albino alligator is "cool", the old alligator pit surrounded by snakes was bad ass. but i digress... this "night" thing really makes up for it. Drinks: The bartenders have gotten a lot better than when this first started (different company possibly). the old one poured weak drinks so we just pre-partied on the stairs beforehand and never bought any. now they pour proper and we order a few rounds. it's a win-win especially when it's cold and foggy 99% of the time. Food: Holy crap. Do I begin with the Niman ranch ribs smothered in kick ass soy glaze? or the piping hot sticky-icky pork buns? maybe the Tuesday-taco-night-worthy Mexican section? this nightlife food not only blows away any "museum" food you've ever had, but it does justice to the Moss Room below it (which is amazingly good if you ever take the time and go and eat there). Music: There's nothing wrong about 20 and 30-somethings dancing like they are in junior high school. just sayin'. it's awesome. due in the plaid last night.. you're a rock star. don't let anyone tell you different. and the music is always a great mix of new, old, disco, house, funk, junk, punk... you get the picture. in the words of Ms. Germanotta, "just dance" Exhibits: (1) the new earthquake exhibit is pretty cool. even if you lived through the 1989 one. although I miss that really ghetto shaky floor one they used to have at the old academy. anyone remember that video they showed? (2) the planetarium is still incredible, and yes, blows the old one out of the water. try not to have too many drinks before you go in unless you have a rock-solid gut, but definitely have a few and try to sit 5 ROWS FROM THE TOP. shocking that people still think they can show up at 6:15 (it opens at 6) and still expect free tickets. get in line early. (3) baby ostriches. F- ME they are cute! if they didn't grow up into 6-foot my-ass-kicking feather machines, I'd totally hang on to the one I smuggled out of there last night. ...kidding. read more

NightLife - Yes, they have baby ostriches - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I came here twice and the first occasion was for the robot nightlife, and the second was for nightlife live. I honestly was not expecting tons of people to show up. The line to get inside is always long but it moves quickly. Tickets are $12 if you're not a member of cal academy. It's definitely worth it though because it brings you 4 hrs of fun. Just think how cool it is to have cocktails in your hand as you walk around and explore the exhibits. My favorites are the aquarium, rainforest, planetarium, and earthquake exhibit. There's a lot to see so I recommend planning ahead and keeping track of time. I had to knock off a star because the nightlife is only on Thursdays and it closes at 10 pm :( I wish it closed at 11 or 12... time just goes by fast when you're having fun. Oh and did I mention there are some good looking men over here ;) I think this place would make a great date night. read more

NightLife - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

Okay, I'm happy I crossed NightLife off of my Bay Area bucket list, but it wasn't quite what I expected. Yes, there was decently priced alcohol; yes, there was music; and yes, there were even free food samples and gastronomic demos...but, it was missing that 'NightLife' feel I thought would be there. I guess I was hoping there was a place to actually dance? Maybe in The African Hall. I guess it kind of reminded me of attending the closing night happy hour at a work conference. It was still pretty buttoned up, professional, museum ambiance. I still had a great time, and wasn't upset about the $12 admission, although, I was left with 2 extra unused tickets. I can't complain about $8 champagne and $10 beer and shots, and humid rainforest tours. So, maybe it's more like a good first date place for science nerds? Not really a birthday celebration event? read more

NightLife - Naked Filter photo booth! Pretty awesome... - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

Nightlife was by far the most interesting thing I did during my trip to San Francisco in the summer of 2012.* I loved this evening. To sum up Nightlife: You're basically going to a museum full of live and dead animals with live DJs, bars set up everywhere, music and tons of critters to marvel at. What's not to love?! I wish The Natural History Museum in NYC would do something equivalent because that would be sooooo AMAZING. Seriously NYC, get on it and give me something like this. Stat. *I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing. Was I supposed to visit a BDSM dungeon somewhere instead? read more

NightLife - Albino - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Its the same like as you go in the morning/afternoon but Made for people 21+ and up since they serve alcohols. Don't have to worry about kids and family crowdedness. So its cool that you can drink alcohol while browsing the place but there are certain areas that they don't allow drinks. Its better to bring a friend who like to hang out and drink for a long period of time or else you may stay less then an hour. They have a DJ but only at one section on level 1. I came on the thursday that was 2 days before Halloween, so there were good amount of people dress up for halloween. Before of parking lot. If you park after 5:30 pm, you'll get flat rate of $16.25, does matter how long you stay. Expect long lines and it may get crowded once you get inside read more

NightLife - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I love CalAcademy -- I'm even a member. I dislike going there when it is full of screaming kids -- and it was slightly better being there when it was full of tipsy adults! "Feline Nightlife" was fantastic -- Adam the Cat Man from Hoodcats was DJing, CatTown was in the house and there were exotic kitties being shown (baby black leopard baby baby baby!!!). It was a lot more crowded than I expected but once I got to see the wild cats twice, I felt like I had a good night. Definitely looking forward to going again! read more

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Only difference between night and day is that there's no children and you get booze. I wouldn't come back again since i've been here 3 times already. 2 times during daytime and 1 time at night. It is pretty much the same attractions. The only thing I would come back for is the Planetarium since I missed it every time I came here. Expensive drinks and foods too. Some people are dressed like they are going clubbing, night out, casual, beachwear, and etc. You bascially can wear whatever you want. read more

NightLife - cheese quesadilla and mac n cheese with fried chicken - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

It gets too crowded! But yes, this is a cool place to check out for $10. When are you ever going to be able to drink in a museum? The best part is that you actually can see the whole museum and just walk around like it's a regular day. At first I was under the impression that the nightlife is in some big room attached to the museum but it's actually the entire museum open for checking out. It gets more crowded than during the day so don't expect to get a good look at everything during nightlife. I would recommend just staying upstairs in the middle area and mingling with folks. Try to stay away from the aquarium part because it gets hot down there with hundreds of people breathing. Take a date here, dress nice, you'll have a good time. Since it ends at 10PM, there's lots of time afterwards to go out. 3 stars because it gets too crowded, parking is a little hard, lines are long, but all in all, it's an experience worth having. If you're really inclined on coming, buy your ticket a few days earlier and don't forget to print it out. read more

NightLife - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

Best science museum I've been to in California! This place is huge! Great place to really take the kids to for a fun learning experience. Unlike the Exploratorium; this location actually has giant theatre domes, large aquarium tanks and a huge man made rain forrest that you can walk into! You can see real life creatures (including spiders, YEK!) inside the rain forrest! The butterflies are gorgeous! The aquarium is extravagant. Reminded me of the aquariums in Monterey. Definitely a great place for a day trip with the family and friends! read more

NightLife - Pretty butterfly! - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Another Nightlife at CAS that I went to. I've done it now 5 times. Prices are $12 per adult. They card everyone so bring your ID. Got my Planetarium pass for 6:30pm show. Line up like 6:15pm. I was a bit late, but still got in. I didn't get coffee & only stayed awake maybe 10 min. I really need to stop going to them. Oh well, good nap place. Rainforest: tiny frogs, snakes, birds, butterflies. Aquarium: corral reef, jellyfishes, lots of big/small fishes. Whole Foods/Three Twins Ice Cream: WF had Sriracha popcorn, & Three Twins had chocolate malt with salsa on top & banana chips. Meh. The Crucibles were there in the outside patio. No big fires, just some light post, & some people hammering some stuff. Boring. Built For Speed: boring exhibit, can't believe they would even mention it. Oracle mini version of their boat, & stuff to read about like tuna, etc. Snooze fest. Evolving Traditions: Southwest Native Pottery & Silver - still there? geez from 2011! Gift shop: overpriced stuff. Nice to look at. read more

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I went to the 'Tis the Season Nightlife last night and had a blast! I had been to the California Academy of Science once during the day and loved it even more at night. Admission is cheaper and there's so much more stuff to do! There was an amazing DJ playing my favorite songs, live reindeer, an awesome photo booth by Magnolia Photo Booth (http://www.magbooth.com/), free Ghiradelli chocolates, gingerbread houses and reindeer antler and Christmas card crafts. I bought my tickets in advance online for $12 because I was afraid they would sell out but I don't think they did. I arrived at around 6:30 and it was still pretty empty. The event is 21+ because they serve alcohol so make sure to bring your ID! There's a garage underneath the building but I parked in Golden Gate Park because I didn't want to pay for parking. I would get planetarium show tickets as soon as you enter because they sell out pretty quickly. I was able to get 3 tickets for the 7:30 showing of Back to the Moon for Good which was narrated by Tim Allen! It was awesome to watch a video about space commentated by Buzz Lightyear and learn about the Google Lunar XPRIZE. There was a Q&A session after the movie as well with the makers of the film. There's a new theme every Thursday so I'll definitely be on the lookout for more Nightlife events that I'm interested in! read more

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Night life @ the Academy of Sciences is an interesting event. The first time I came here, I noticed a lot of people come here after work just to relax and drink! LOL I've never seen an exhibit while drinking. Looking at the shark aquarium and strolling by the rainforest or planetarium. Great experience, good times here! drinks are expensive, food is A-ok nothing fancy. It's 12.00 to get in. I think I'll stick to going to HH after wk! read more

NightLife - Museums Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Came here on a rainy Thursday night and had a really fun time. My favorite parts were the rainforest and aquarium. Overall, I loved seeing all the reptiles, animals, amphibs through the glass. Sometimes it felt like you were playing "where's waldo" when you were looking for the creature through the glass. We arrived around 6:15 and parked on the street. NOTE: Parking in the structure is $12 flat if you arrive after 5 or something. Come early and you can park pretty easily and close by on the street. No line to buy tickets either. Inside the venue was not too crowded but there was a mix of people - the rain probably kept the crowd quite small. The night I went was Chinese New Year themed but I didn't see any of the performances. I didn't know where they were taking place, except for a food demo that I watched for like 1 minute. You easily get caught up in the exhibits and forget the time. So we missed our Planetarium show but I'd heard some mixed reviews on it, so I was not dying to go. We went to the Living Roof and it was so cold and not very clear, but still fun to see. Overall, I had a lot of fun. If you take photos they will come out GREAT. Also, I lost a glove here and called the next day, left a message, and got a call back in about 10 minutes saying they had my glove. THANK YOU BETH FROM LOST & FOUND!! Might seem silly to be so happy to find a glove, but it's got sentimental value :) The people and staff here are the best and it makes for a really fun time. I'm not sure I'd come back right away because I probably saw all I wanted, but definitely a fun way to spend a weekday evening. read more

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I usually go here during the Thursday nightlife from 6-10pm. The tickets are only $15 during this time and is only for the 21+ crowd. The tickets are reasonably priced and I recommend buying the tickets online! I have to say that this place is great and a lot of fun to go during the Thursday night timing! There is generally less of a crowd and you can purchase alcohol (the drinks are kind of expensive though). I would say to try to get there on the earlier side as the jungle dome closes at 8pm. Also, I would recommend going straight to the planetarium and waiting in line as soon as you can! The planetarium and the aquarium floor is definitely the highlights of this museum in my opinion. Lastly, this place is great, but in my opinion it's something to enjoy once in a while and not that frequently (as it is the same set-up every time)! read more

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