Here's a look at the best new San Francisco restaurants, hotels, party rooms, corporate event venues, conference centers, and private rooms to open this spring. These new and renovated San Francisco venues can accommodate groups large or small for private and corporate events, meetings, business dinners, cocktail parties, conferences, weddings, and more.
Chef April Bloomfield and partner Ken Friedman reopened the historic Tosca Café in October and this winter made it available for private events. The North Beach restaurant—with red leather chairs and booths, a vintage jukebox, and an open kitchen—is available for buyouts and holds 165 people. Smaller events can use the café's back room, which seats 25 or holds 40 for receptions.
The former Red Vic Movie House in Haight Ashbury is now Second Act Marketplace, a food marketplace and event space designed for movies, live music, and meetings. For groups, the 750-square-foot event space seats 49 and includes audiovisual equipment such as a projector and movie screen. It has flexible seating, and staff can help arrange catering and full beverage service. It opened in January.
In Sonoma County, Graton Resort & Casino opened in November. The property's 9,000-square-foot Events Center seats as many as 610 guests and has amenities such as floor-to-ceiling windows, a patio, and fire pits. It also has 13 restaurants—including Martin Yan’s M. Y. China and Tony Gemignani’s Tony’s of North Beach—as well as three bars.
Former Top Chef contestant Casey Thompson will open Aveline later this spring, taking over the former La Scene restaurant at the Warwick San Francisco Hotel in Union Square. The 60-seat restaurant, designed by UXUS, will have an open kitchen and a central wine display. The self-described "progressive California cuisine" will incorporate seasonal ingredients from local farms.
Another new spot at the Warwick San Francisco Hotel is the European, a bar and lounge under the direction of barman Adam Wilson. The 35-seat space, opening later this spring, will serve original craft cocktails and classic drinks influenced by European spirits. The decor will mix the aesthetic of Paris with Northern California.
Urban Putt, an indoor miniature golf course in the Mission, is slated to open May 5. The whimsically designed 14-hole course is available for groups and accommodates about 200 people throughout the entire venue, which also includes a restaurant, called UP, a bar, and private dining rooms.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel San Francisco Airport North, located between downtown San Francisco and the San Francisco International Airport, opened in January. The 210-room hotel has 4,200 square feet of meeting and event space, including a 1,560-square-foot ballroom that holds 120 for banquets, 150 for receptions, or 90 classroom-style. The hotel's restaurant, Xebec Restaurant and Lounge, serves Californian cuisine and seats 160 guests or holds 180 for receptions. Booked separately, the lounge holds 50 for receptions.
Formerly Renaissance San Francisco Stanford Court Hotel, the independent Stanford Court Hotel has started upgrades that will take place throughout the year. Management has already renovated the lobby, adding an 80-inch flat-screen TV that shows a live feed of views from the hotel’s rooftop camera. The lobby also features artwork from Bay Area artists. A Tech Bar gives guests the chance to try out the latest gadgets. The Nob Hill hotel has 393 rooms, including 28 suites.
Hopscotch, the restaurant in Uptown Oakland, opened a private dining space in November. The area seats as many as 30 guests or hold 45 for receptions and has a full bar. It is available for lunch or dinner, and planners can customize menus or opt for chef's tastings.
A two-level restaurant, Gaspar Brasserie is set to open this spring. The 115-seat restaurant from Franck LeClerc will have a classic French look with banquette seating, a red and gold color scheme, and vintage lighting. The space will include two full bars and will serve guests at the adjacent Galleria Park Hotel.
