Where to Celebrate Bastille Day in San Francisco 2018

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Before the long-awaited World Cup final, there will be plenty of opportunities to celebrate France with July 14 festivities. Here is our selection of events not to be missed.

The Whole Embarcadero Plaza

Organized by the Comité Officiel des Associations Françaises de la Baie de San Francisco, and under the aegis of the Consulate of France in San Francisco, the annual Bastille Day celebration will take place on Embarcadero Plaza: food, guided tours in French, a waiter’s race, a vintage Citroën show, a pétanque tournament, and, of course, an exhibition of French craftsmen and companies — there will be something for everyone. In the purest French tradition, a “bal populaire” (dance) will close the day.
Saturday July 14th, from 10am to 7pm. Market St & The Embarcadero. Website.

In Preparation for the World Cup Final

All fans of Team France are invited to gather at 2pm on Embarcadero Plaza to take a nice group photo just before the final against Croatia on Sunday. A professional photographer and a drone will immortalize this gathering. Of course, wear your best tricolore flags, blue jerseys, or Breton-striped shirts to proudly represent the colors of France.
Saturday, July 14th, at 2pm. Market St & The Embarcadero. Website.

Celebrate by Partying

At the Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco, the must-see Bardot A Go Go party will plunge the nostalgic into French 60’s pop, featuring, among others, Dutronc, Hardy, Gainsbourg and Polnareff. There’ll be a hairdressing station to do receive 60’s hairstyling from 9pm-11pm. Wear your best shagadelic attire.
Saturday, July 14, 2017, starting at 9 pm. Rickshaw Stop, 155 Fell Street, San Francisco 94102. Website.

Jazz and cabaret fans will meet at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco hear the musical stylings of Le Jazz Hot. The plat du jour of the café and glass of wine will also be available. Reservations required.
Saturday July 14th, starting at 6:30pm, concert at 7pm. 57 Post St, San Francisco, CA 94104. Website.

Lovers of le Moulin Rouge will make the trip to Sausalito to catch Moana Diamond’s cabaret show: an intimate atmosphere (like a cabaret), and a show to the tunes of Piaf, Brel, and Josephine Baker, as performed by the Chez Kiki Orchestra. Wine will be available. The cabaret turns dance hall after the show, with a bar and dancing from 10pm-12am. Buy tickets here.
Saturday July 14th, 1st show at 8pm, 2nd show at 9pm. Harmonia, 2200 Marinship Way, Sausalito, CA 94965. Website.

For Foodies

Bouchon, the famous bistro of chef Thomas Keller, organizes a Bastille Day focused on food for the 18th consecutive year. On the menu: many French specialities, such as coq au vin, cochon grillé, and pets de nonnes for dessert. Buy food, beer, and wine tickets (valued at $3 each) in advance to redeem for food. Tickets can be pre-ordered online in $30, $60, $120, and $300 amounts.
Saturday, July 14, 12pm to 7pm. 6534 Washington Street, Yountville, California 94599. Website.

Lounge721, the bar in Le Colonial hotel, in collaboration with the FrenchTuesdays network, offers an evening of cocktails, cheese, and French chanson, with the possibility of winning a plane ticket to Paris, offered by XL Airways. Go early to enjoy the happy hour (5pm-8pm) prices!
Saturday, July 14, starting at 6:30pm. 721 Sutter Street, San Francisco, CA 94109. Website.

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