Feelings of festivity are at an all-time high here in Marin. And since the weather outside is far from frightful, a night out on the town still sounds pretty delightful! Though the “California chilly” breeze sweeping in from the bay in these wintery months is no joke, it’s nothing a coat and the heat of a few drinks can’t curb.
Luckily, Marin County is absolutely brimming with amazing places, people and events to enjoy in these few remaining days before 2024. So, if hitting the streets for some drinks in these weeks leading up to the New Year sounds at all appealing, consider grabbing a cocktail (or two) at these local bars, clubs and open-to-the-public festivities across Marin’s most holiday-minded cities.
California Gold
A great place to enjoy an outing that’s all about those holiday libations in Marin is none other than San Rafael’s California Gold bar. Not only is California Gold open seven days a week, making it the perfect destination for anyone who wants to keep those holiday spirits in high drive in these days leading up to and around the New Year. This top-notch bar also recently began a trend called “Merry Mondays,” which call for games, cocktails and pupusas throughout the rest of December.
Plus, as an added bonus, California Gold has taken the cold weather into consideration with its seasonal menu of hot, spiked drinks that taste good enough to sip by a fireplace in a classic holiday movie. With a spiked cider and a delicious caramel coffee creation so addictive, absolutely no one will have a problem staying up until midnight…not with all that caffeine and alcohol anyways.
To see the menu, hours or any other information about California Gold, visit the website at californiagoldbar.com.
Ditas Mixer
From 6 to 11pm on Saturday, Dec. 23, Ditas is set to host the Mistletoe Mixology Mixer, where each guest will be greeted at the door with a festive spirit, canapés and a glass of Champagne to start the celebratory evening off with good cheer indeed. Tickets for the Mistletoe Mixology Mixer at Ditas are $50 each and promise an evening full of activities. And that’s not all, because from 10pm and onwards on Sunday, Dec. 31, Ditas is throwing a cocktail party to ring in the New Year the way it should be rung in…with an open bar and Dick Bright Orchestra (all for an entry fee of $100).
Ditas Marin is located at 562 Bridgeway in Sausalito—for more information or to reserve a space, visit the website at ditasmarin.com.
Marin Shake’s NYE Comedy Show Lineup
To be or not to be at Marin Shakespeare Company’s New Year’s Eve Comedy Show on Dec. 31…there is no question. After all, this theater group is offering up a fantastically funny lineup that promises to send everyone in the crowd into the new year having laughed 2023 away and ready to welcome 2024 in high spirits indeed. This is especially true, as the performance will be paired with a Champagne toast to mark the new year.
The headliner for the comedy show is Ngaio Bealum, best known for the Netflix show, Cooking on High, as well as Greg Asdourian from Comedy Central and Sirius XM, Candy Shaw from NBC’s Last Comic Standing and Cory Robinson from Fox’s Laughs.
To purchase a ticket or learn more about the New Year’s Eve Comedy Show at the Marin Shakespeare Company (located at the group’s new venue at 514 Fourth St. in San Rafael), visit the website at marinshakespeare.org.
The Bungalow Kitchen
The Bungalow Kitchen is a great place to ring in the holidays, especially since they have happenings on the calendar to celebrate not just New Year’s Eve, but Christmas Eve as well! On Christmas, diners are invited to enjoy a two-course prix fixe brunch menu and/or a three-course prix fixe dinner menu, both of which are excellent dining options to take the pressure off of the cooking and focus more on the friends, family, food and festive drinks instead. Then there’s the New Year’s Celebration at The Bungalow Kitchen, which will help bring late-night into early morning in style.
For the guests more inclined toward an upscale experience to end 2023, The Bungalow Kitchen is offering a night of gastronomic indulgence with a four-course prix fixe menu (and an added on caviar service or wine pairing to boot). And for the 2024 revelers out there, this restaurant is transforming its second floor into an extravagant party with an open bar, food and a DJ as well. The only thing that could be even better than all that? The Bungalow Kitchen’s Jan. 1 New Year’s brunch.
To learn more about The Bungalow Kitchen and its festive happenings, visit the website at bungalowkitchen.com.
Station House Cafe Celebration
Another New Year’s Eve event in Marin that is sure to be an absolute blast is located at none other than the iconic West Marin foodie fixture: Station House Cafe in Point Reyes Station. On the evening of Dec. 31, New Year’s revelers may head down to Station House Cafe to enjoy a perfectly delicious last meal of 2023—along with a complimentary festive libation per person—the main dining event is by reservation only and will run from 4 to 7:30pm; music and dancing will follow, lasting until 10:30pm.
For more information or to reserve a space at the Station House Cafe New Year’s Eve celebration, visit the website at stationhousecafe.com.
And these are just a handful of hundreds of options where locals and visitors alike can gather to make merry and enjoy a few alcoholic beverages for the holidays here in Marin County. Other places to party it up include but are far from limited to No Name Bar in Sausalito, Flatiron and Ounces Outdoors in San Rafael, Gestalt Haus in Fairfax, Silver Peso Bar in Larkspur, or perhaps Trek Winery or Mantra Winery in Novato.
Wherever one ends up celebrating the days leading up to the end of 2023, be sure to stay safe and always have a designated driver—or download an app for that for the evening and just spend a little bit extra to ensure that everyone arrives home just as safe in 2024 as when they left it in 2023. Otherwise, happy holidays and have a very happy (hour) New Year indeed!
