NightLife

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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 =)

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!

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.

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.

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.