New Year’s Eve is only a couple of weeks away.
What better way to celebrate the end of 2024 than by imbibing the year’s final days away with a mixed drink or two…or three…maybe four or more; we’ll see?
Whatever number of cocktails it takes to get festively and safely inebriated for the holidays, now’s the time to indulge since those pesky New Year’s resolutions are right around the corner.
Happy holidays, everyone—our gift to our readers is this handy-dandy (if biased to the writer’s tastes) list of Marin’s best cocktail bars, clubs and otherwise to help keep the spirits high till 2025. Cheers, and happy early New Year!
California Gold
When in Marin, the top place for kickass cocktails is, of course, California Gold. This beverage-slinging establishment has more cocktail options than Santa has holly, jolly elves. Hell, there are even some bangin’ nonalcoholic cocktails on the Temperance Menu that can cater to the local sober folks who still want to celebrate the holidays with a glass of something fancy-schmancy and tasty.
For those craving something a little stronger, the must-try items on the menu are (currently and in my opinion) the exciting variety of seasonal hot spiked drinks. So, one may come on out to California Gold before the New Year for some excellent customer service, a stellar ambiance and a boozy hot chocolate so good it would warm the Grinch’s heart…especially the spicy Mexican hot chocolate. Yum! California Gold is located at 848 B St. in San Rafael.
Corner Bar
Cocktail lovers will want to put a trip to Corner Bar on their Christmas list this year since the drinks and edible delicacies over there are beyond top-tier. This new(ish) establishment has beverages that will absolutely knock those stockings straight off. So one may want to bring a spare pair and try not to order too many of the deep-fried duck wings (which is impossible since they’re so good; but still do try).
And to make Corner Bar even more of a must-visit holiday outing, the Bear Necessities menu sure fixes that with $10 “today only” cocktail options that’ll help with keeping that wallet flush with funds for 2025…the espresso martini and the mojito are both amazing beverages from this menu selection. Plus, the $15 each menu entitled “The Essentials” is stacked high with tasty drinks that are still far from costing an arm and a leg. So, it’s time to put a trip to Corner Bar on that Christmas list and get ready to partay one’s way into the New Year with Marin’s finest (cocktails, that is). Corner Bar is located at 106 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley.
The Speakeasy
Everyone loves a speakeasy. And short of a trip out to the Big Easy, few places in Marin serve up better cocktails with a cooler ambiance. Whether customers of The Speakeasy are looking for a classic cocktail done right or something a little bit more fancy, there are enough options to cater to even the most particular of cocktail enthusiasts. They even serve up some food to soak up all those festive holiday celebrations. The Speakeasy is located at 504 Alameda Del Prado in Novato.
No Name Bar
Everyone remembers Rudolph, but what about No Name…Bar, that is? This iconic establishment has been serving libations to Marin’s citizens since Santa still had a bit of red in his beard. And don’t let the comfortable, casual ambiance of No Name Bar fool—the cocktails there are absolutely bangin’. No Name Bar is the perfect pitstop for just about any occasion, and patrons stop by on their way home for an afterparty nightcap or before going to a fancy dinner for two at some waterfront Sausalito restaurant. No Name Bar is located at 757 Bridgeway in Sausalito.
Rancho Nicasio
To party in the New Year in West Marin, few could argue against Rancho Nicasio’s hold on the hearts and tastebuds of locals and transients alike. The cocktails out at Rancho Nicasio are incredible, but the ambiance really takes the cake…especially if a more rustic pre-New York drinks thing feels more on the (Rudolph’s) nose for the holiday vibe. Just remember that the roads out to West Marin are a bit windy, so be extra careful arranging that designated driver to get home safe and sound after all the celebrations are done. Rancho Nicasio is located at 1 Old Rancheria Rd. in Nicasio.
Peri’s Tavern
Peri’s Tavern isn’t what one would call artisanal, and that’s kind of the whole point…while other establishments can delight patrons with imported ingredients and enough pomp and circumstance to last till next Christmas, Peri’s brings the party that’ll put all those cocktails to good use. Just jingle bell rock on over to Fairfax and let Peri’s provide all the joy and good cocktails/beer. Peri’s Tavern is located at 29 Broadway in Fairfax.
State Room
Those who enjoy downright delicious cocktails paired with classic, incredibly high-quality food fare won’t want to pass up a visit to State Room before/for the New Year. In fact, State Room is good enough to add last-minute to that 2024 bucket list. From Bloody Marys to something fruity (and all the fries and flights of beer in between), there’s something for just about everyone at this, Marin’s top-tier American brewery and bar. State Room is located at 1132 4th St. in San Rafael.
HopMonk Tavern
HopMonk Tavern keeps things really holly and jolly for the holidays, and the fully-stocked bar is far from the exception to this rule. This tavern is the place to be if casual yet consistently quality drinks are the priority for celebrating the end of 2024. Plus, there’s no shortage of tasty bites to eat at HopMonk, and it never hurts to consume some calories of the solid variety to help fuel all those drinks and all that dancing one will be doing between now and the New Year. HopMonk Tavern is located at 224 Vintage Way in Novato.
Everyone knows that the end of December is the best time to get a bit tipsy. So, do some civic duty and stimulate the local economy by shopping small (even when it comes to alcohol). A bar crawl may be an unconventional route toward being a good samaritan, but don’t let the haters stop y’all from hitting up some or all of these spots for or before the New Year. It’s hard work keeping Marin’s bars and cocktail lounges well-funded, but that won’t stop Marin’s citizens from doing their best. It’s for a good cause, after all.
Happy holidays, stay safe and don’t drive drunk unless you want Santa/the police to put you on the naughty list.
