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Before the red carpet fray. Photo: Getty
Before the red carpet fray. Photo: Getty

Where to Watch the Oscars in San Francisco

Like the Super Bowl, Oscar viewing is so much better with a rowdy crowd

By Robyn Hagan Cain
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Before the red carpet fray. Photo: Getty
By Robyn Hagan Cain

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Science shows that Academy Awards viewing is 200% more satisfying when you drink champagne, wear a great outfit, and join hundreds of strangers in making catty comments throughout the broadcast. Okay, maybe that's not actual science, but it sure seems reasonable to us. If you're hunting for a place to watch the broadcast this week, look no further. We found a range of parties —from free to swanky— where you can take in all the major moments with fellow red carpet buffs.

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Balboa Theatre

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The historic Balboa Theatre in the Outer Richmond will be screening all the award show glitz and glamour on Sunday. Dress up or down as your favorite nominated movie title or nominee. The event starts at 4pm. Tickets are $10, and available through the theatre's website. Photo: CinemaSF
3630 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 221-8184
(415) 221-8184

Variety Screening Room

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Watch the Academy Awards in style at the private Variety Theater off Market from 4:30—9pm. Walk the red carpet with cameras flashing and watch the Oscars on the big screen. Guess winners for each category throughout the evening for a chance to win prizes. Tickets, available here, range between $35 and $150 and proceeds benefit Variety Children's Charity of Northern California. Cocktail attire strongly encouraged. Photo: Eventbrite
582 Market St, Ste 101, San Francisco, CA 94104

Novela

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Head to Novela from 3:30pm—9pm for the venue's second annual Oscars viewing party. Come dressed as your favorite character or in your finest night attire, and watch the awards show on two large projection screens or three HD flat panels. There will be full audio so you won't miss a tearful acceptance speech. RSVP on Eventbrite or call Novela for a table reservation. Photo: Novela
662 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 896-6500
(415) 896-6500

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SoMa StrEat Food Park

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SF FunCheap is hosting a party at the SoMa StrEat Food Park, where you can pose with Oscar host Neil Patrick Harris's new wax figure. Make an entrance and strut your stuff down the 25-foot red carpet before posing with wax NPH for selfies. The red carpet pre-show begins at 2:30 and the big show starts at 5:30. Enjoy drink specials, free popcorn, and an Oscar betting pool throughout the evening. Photo via Eater SF
428 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

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San Francisco Design Center Galleria

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The 35th Annual Academy of Friends Gala and Oscar party will start at the SF Design Center on Sunday at 5pm. Tickets, $250—$750, are available here, and proceeds benefit more than 73 HIV/AIDS service organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. (Online ticket sales close February 20th, but there may be some tickets available at the door for $300.) Attire: Super swank. Photo: Bay Area Wedding Venues
101 Henry Adams St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Roxie Cinema

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The Roxie's annual Up the Oscars party starts at 3:45, just in time for the Red Carpet Parade of Shame. Oscar ballots will be dispensed and gathered, and the most accurate diviner of the evening’s poor choices will win a prize of his or her own. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite nominees. Tickets, available here, are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Some snacks will be provided, but you're encouraged to pack your own provisions. Photo: Roxie
3117 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 863-1087
(415) 863-1087

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Balboa Theatre

3630 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121
The historic Balboa Theatre in the Outer Richmond will be screening all the award show glitz and glamour on Sunday. Dress up or down as your favorite nominated movie title or nominee. The event starts at 4pm. Tickets are $10, and available through the theatre's website. Photo: CinemaSF
3630 Balboa St, San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 221-8184
(415) 221-8184

Variety Screening Room

582 Market St, Ste 101, San Francisco, CA 94104
Watch the Academy Awards in style at the private Variety Theater off Market from 4:30—9pm. Walk the red carpet with cameras flashing and watch the Oscars on the big screen. Guess winners for each category throughout the evening for a chance to win prizes. Tickets, available here, range between $35 and $150 and proceeds benefit Variety Children's Charity of Northern California. Cocktail attire strongly encouraged. Photo: Eventbrite
582 Market St, Ste 101, San Francisco, CA 94104

Novela

662 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
Head to Novela from 3:30pm—9pm for the venue's second annual Oscars viewing party. Come dressed as your favorite character or in your finest night attire, and watch the awards show on two large projection screens or three HD flat panels. There will be full audio so you won't miss a tearful acceptance speech. RSVP on Eventbrite or call Novela for a table reservation. Photo: Novela
662 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105
(415) 896-6500
(415) 896-6500

SoMa StrEat Food Park

428 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
SF FunCheap is hosting a party at the SoMa StrEat Food Park, where you can pose with Oscar host Neil Patrick Harris's new wax figure. Make an entrance and strut your stuff down the 25-foot red carpet before posing with wax NPH for selfies. The red carpet pre-show begins at 2:30 and the big show starts at 5:30. Enjoy drink specials, free popcorn, and an Oscar betting pool throughout the evening. Photo via Eater SF
428 11th St, San Francisco, CA 94103

San Francisco Design Center Galleria

101 Henry Adams St, San Francisco, CA 94103
The 35th Annual Academy of Friends Gala and Oscar party will start at the SF Design Center on Sunday at 5pm. Tickets, $250—$750, are available here, and proceeds benefit more than 73 HIV/AIDS service organizations in the San Francisco Bay Area. (Online ticket sales close February 20th, but there may be some tickets available at the door for $300.) Attire: Super swank. Photo: Bay Area Wedding Venues
101 Henry Adams St, San Francisco, CA 94103

Roxie Cinema

3117 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
The Roxie's annual Up the Oscars party starts at 3:45, just in time for the Red Carpet Parade of Shame. Oscar ballots will be dispensed and gathered, and the most accurate diviner of the evening’s poor choices will win a prize of his or her own. Guests are encouraged to dress up as their favorite nominees. Tickets, available here, are $12 in advance or $15 at the door. Some snacks will be provided, but you're encouraged to pack your own provisions. Photo: Roxie
3117 16th St, San Francisco, CA 94103
(415) 863-1087
(415) 863-1087