Some museums in San Francisco have been hosting occasional after hours opening night receptions and events for years such as the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts. Many of these events are well known for drawing a who's who crowd of local artists, musicians and philanthropists. The huge crowd of patrons that after hours parties like these attract have created quite a stir in the San Francisco museum community.
These trendy museum parties have now become a staple of San Francisco society and can be thought of as chic cocktail parties which include live music, performances, dance floors and special exhibits. These events offer a perfect setting to mingle, relax and have fun. Many of the museums are also catering to out of town tourists by offering special nighttime exhibit viewing, lectures and child friendly after hours events.
The California Academy of Sciences debuts experimental music groups, world renowned DJ's, appetizers and cocktails every Thursday night while Friday nights at the De Young Museum include child friendly events such as poetry, films, interactive art projects and adult libations. The Exploritorium also hosts an 'After Dark' hands on science party the first Thursday of every month including film screenings, lectures and cocktails.
