Le 14 juillet will have the San Francisco Bay area feeling festive, celebrating, and assez content all weekend long. Check out a selection of the best Bastille Day celebrations.
Street Fairs of Food, Dancing, and Games
On Saturday, July 15, break out your best bleu-blanc-rouge for best honoring the French food, wine, artisan crafts, and music you’ll enjoy on Justin Herman Plaza. Organized by the Official Committee of French Associations in San Francisco and the Bay Area and the French Consulat, this Bastille Day party wouldn’t be complete without a pétanque tournament, a parade of vintage Citroën and a live music party starting at 6pm, featuring the songs of SonoMusette, Rue’66, and The FaspTones.
Saturday, July 15, 11am–8pm
Justin Herman Plaza – 1 Market St, San Francisco, CA
In the Mission Bay neighborhood in San Francisco, the Yard is hosting a party, games like Giant Jenga, and crêpes made by the Crêperie Saint Germain. With the musical boost of DJ Aykut, the party will go down mostly on the exterior patio facing the San Francisco Bay.
Friday, July 14, 4:30-9pm
The Yard – 100 Terry A Francois Blvd, San Francisco, CA 94158
The tartes flambées will be hot and tasty this 14 juillet at La Flamme’s Bastille Day party. From 5-10pm, the Oakland restaurant has planned several musical performances (Rue Prince, The Fasptones, Groupon Tribulation, and Virginie Marine), dancing, wine, food, and of course tartes flambées in honor of Bastille Day and the 240 years of Franco-American friendship. Buy tickets for $5-$12 here.
Friday, July 14, 5-10pm
La Flamme – 478 25th St, Oakland, CA 94612 Infos.
At the Bouchon in Yountville celebration in Napa Valley, there’s coq au vin, crêpes, beignets, and macarons—what more could Francophones and Francophiles want? Wine, live music performances for children, and a dunk tank benefitting Yountville Elementary School will all be happening throughout the day. Tickets are $20 and can be redeemed for food, wine, beer, and activities.
Friday, July 14, 12-7pm
Bouchon – 6534 Washington St, Yountville, California 94599
Dancing All Night Long
At Rickshaw Stop in San Francisco, the can’t-be-missed soirée Bardot A Go Go will transport you to la pop française of the 60s. To help you get in the swingin’ 60s mood, there will be free 60s hairstyling by Peter Thomas Hair Design from 9-11pm.
Friday, July 14, starting at 9pm
Rickshaw Stop – 155 Fell St, San Francisco, CA 94102
In the heart of Downtown, on one of those roads that’s always lively in the evenings, the DJ Marc de Brabant will spin for a Bastille Day block party, hosted by EuroCircle. At the end of the evening, after a night of dancing, singing, and celebrating, a giant pile of blue, white, and red balloons will rain down on the party.
Friday, July 14, 5:30pm-12am
The Irish Bank – 10 Mark Ln, San Francisco, CA 94108
Franky Boissy and Frenchy le Freak, two remarkable French DJs on the San Francisco scene, will be spinning at Hawthorn, near Union Square. The soirée is hosted by Tony Presents and L’Alliance Française. Book a table by [email protected], or buy tickets for $10 (or $20 at the door).
Friday, July 14, 9pm–2am
Hawthorn – 46 Geary St, San Francisco, CA 94108
Dinner and Music
At the Franco-Vietnam restaurant Le Colonial, le 14 juillet will be celebrated with a dinner and the swinging rythmes of the jazz orchestra Le Jazz Hot. The dinner will be a selection of cheeses and meats, as well as a glass of wine.
Friday, July 14, 7-10pm
Le Colonial – 20 Cosmo Pl, San Francisco, CA 94109
The French brasserie Left Bank, located in Larkspur, Menlo Park, and San José, will be offering “plats de la Révolution” (dishes of the Revolution) during the entire week of July 11. Featured dishes include bouillabaisse, coq au vin, and mille-feuilles, accompanied by cocktails like Marie-Antoinette, Roi Louis, and Sang royal! On Friday, July 14, live music will accompany the dinner in each of the three restaurants. Larkspur will also have live music on Saturday, July 15 from 6-9pm and Sunday, July 16 from 12-3pm.
July 11-16, various times
Left Bank – 507 Magnolia Ave, Larkspur, CA 94939; 635 Santa Cruz Ave, Menlo Park, CA 94025; 377 Santana Row, Suite 1100, San Jose, CA 95128
