Amazing place even during the day but with the benefit of no children running around in the evening AND at a lower price! Yeah, you don't get the whole day like you would if you went early in the morning, but I don't know too many people who stay for more than 4 hours anyway. My group of like 15 met up here at 7 and there was no line (yay!) so we basically breezed through (especially with most of us having bought our tickets online ahead of time - definitely recommend). I'm glad I had been a few times before because being with a big group was really distracting (in a wonderful way, of course - just not conducive to really getting the most out of the Exploratorium!) read more

it's awesome! it's really large and so many different things to do! you could spend the entire evening here

So much science! So much fun! It was definitely worth going when after dark opens because you have more time to play with the displays and dont have to wait as much for people to finish up. There are many exhibits that are just mind-boggling and make you think about just how fascinating science is! The only downside is that it can get quite noisy and hot inside, but they have an area to go outside and stand on a balcony that overlooks the water if you need a breather. Would definitely be a fun date night! read more

Exploratorium After Dark is pretty similar to Nightlife at the CA Academy of Sciences. It's 21 and over only, most of the exhibits are open, and there are bars located throughout the museum. It's one of the few times where you can go to the rooftop outside the conservatory and enjoy a lovely view of the bay. Like Nightlife, it's a nice change of pace to visit with an adults only crowd without kids running around and fighting for the exhibits. Though even though it's an older crowd, sometimes you'll have to end up waiting in line for some of the popular exhibits. One nice thing is that Seaglass Restaurant is conveniently open during this time if you need some food, since there aren't too many food options around. The food is decent, but priced at a premium though. If you haven't been to the Exploratorium, simply because of the busy weekend crowd, Exploratorium After Dark is a great way to get acquainted with the museum. It's $15 for After Dark, which is actually much cheaper than going during general admission hours at $29. And similar to what I said in my earlier review of The Exploratorium, even though you'll be with a more adult crowd, when you're tinkering around with the exhibit, you'll simply feel like a kid again. read more

This was way more entertaining than I thought it would be, basically all the best parts of science distilled into fun, interactive exhibits. The tickets are cheaper on Thursday night for their after dark experience and you don't have to vy with children for use of the exhibits which makes it a perfect intimate and hands on date night activity! We did not try any of the food or drink but they definitely had a full bar going. Order tickets online to make things easier. read more

This was such a cool place and extremely reasonably priced! Perfect for large (or small) groups and great any day of the week. I went on a Thursday evening and was entertained all night.. there were a few bars throughout the building, not a huge selection but I got a beer for like $6, not bad for SF! read more

See all

I had a good time at Exploratorium After Dark. It's not as overpriced as during the day and it's perfect for a non-bar date night. We roamed around and played with everything like we were kids. Although alcoholic beverages were available, I opted to skip out on those. I loved the mirrors and the exhibits about light and sound. I find the Exploratorium to be a lot more fun than the Academy of Sciences. I suppose they are very different and the Exploratorium is much more hands on and you can learn more concepts. I wish I had this level of interest in science in high school. Back then, I dreaded physics class and barely got by in chemistry. read more

I decided to start a new Yelp listing for the "Exploratorium After Dark" event because it's such a different experience from the regular daytime Exploratorium. Reviews of it in the regular Exploratorium section would just get lost, and very likely confuse parents who are looking for information about the hands-on science museum in preparation for taking their kiddies there. Parents: keep right on looking. This isn't for you. No, Exploratorium After Dark is a totally different experience. It's more like the "Matcha" events that the Asian Art Museum hosts or the ArtPoint ones at the deYoung / Legion of Honor. Imagine the Exploratorium being open at night, with the vast majority of people being stylish couples and singles in their 20s through 40s (and only a handful of children in attendance), two full bars, good music (everything from old Bowie to the Decemberists) piped at a nice low level throughout, the conspicuous lack of the din of shrieking children, and s p a c e t o s p a r e ! How unlike the Exploratorium is THAT?! Instead of having to wait to use the more popular exhibits, there are no lines. Instead of being rattled by crowds of shouting pre-teens and their harried chaperons, you can stroll around with room to spare, with a glass of wine and a nice buzz. And as a bonus, the Tactile Dome (normally ridiculously overpriced at $20) is just $5, which is what it should always cost (but doesn't). Call me strange, but I somehow prefer crawling around in the dark with attractive adults after a couple of drinks, rather than with hyperactive 4th graders. "Exploratorium After Dark" happens the first Thursday night of every month, from 6pm until 10pm. It's only open to members (or those who buy "Exploratorium After Dark" passes), and you must be at least 18. Beer is $5, wine is $6, and mixed cocktails are $7; a little pricey, but how else are you going to be able to drink while operating dangerous electromechanical machinery in a museum setting? For stylish adult science geeks, "Exploratorium After Dark" is nirvana. read more

The Exploratorium is already a great place to visit, but it is even better after dark. If you are an adult, enjoy a mature party environment, don't mind sipping on some cocktails, like to have your mind and body stimulated, and want to bring your curious inner child and playful adult sides out to interact together, stop by Exploratorium After Dark and play scientist for an evening! When you go . . . arrive early. We had the place almost to ourselves for the first hour or so. The drink lines were short, there was no waiting for the exhibits, and we got to the view areas upstairs without any problem. It does get busy after that first hour, so take advantage of everything popular, including the Tactile Dome, as early as you can. Ask a staff member what activities are the most popular, and they will help you out. And . . . be sure to catch the lectures. They are really cool! My tips for your visit? Hit the bar areas early (the drink costs are about right for an adults-only evening), get your glow on, let your hair down, and be uninhibited for the evening. The Exploratorium is huge, so be sure to walk the exhibits early to determine which playgrounds you want to spend recess in. As it gets more crowded, grab another drink and see how many new friends you can meet. Everyone is relaxed and playful, so you really can just be yourself and have some fun. read more

I absolutely love the exploratorium after dark! It's like going to the exploratorium, having all the hands on fun you normally would, seeing all the interesting things, without the annoying kids, and having the magic of booze so you forget to be annoyed that none of the exhibits come with any explanation - yeah I do want to know how some things work thank you! The one I attended had a petting zoo with snakes and crocodiles, and they brought along a wild cat and tanks full of creepy crawlies - exactly what you need to appeal to that inner child. Best exhibit? I couldn't really say, whilst there was some gratification electrocuting strangers (by my explaining at one exhibit which generated an electrical current, that if I touched them this would increase their body mass and thus the affect of the current on them), and also playing drunken 4 way PacMan... Everything was pretty fun and I was impressed with all the great stuff they had. One issue was the price, at $15 a ticket and then $9 a wine - it can get expensive - that said, it was totally worth the cost. And although I caught a couple of the talks, I have to say, I would in the future just skip these and run out to play! read more

I was visiting San Fran for a conference and didn't have any time during the day to see any museums, so I was pretty excited when I found After Hours! I wasn't sure what to expect going in, but I was amazed at the sheer size of the exploratorium and that everything in the museum was interactive! I had to have walked through the exhibits at least 3 times and kept finding more things to watch/ do. My only regret is not having a friend to do the group activities with! Will definitely be back. If you're a fan of learning and exploring, this is absolutely the place to be. Phenomenal view of the bridge too! read more

After Dark is such a great place to be a kid again, maybe learn something new, and have a couple of drinks while you're at it. The combination of these things create a great atmosphere as if we were transported to some adult playground where jobs and other responsibilities don't matter. That being said, there were a LOT of drunk adults and it felt chaotic and crowded at times. There was a wait for most activities (not too long and people were nice about it) but I did not like how messy and dirty it got. Wish they had people who were there to clean up because it got downright GRIMY. The night I went with my friend the fire alarm went off and we had to wait outside for about 30 ish minutes, which took away some of our time. It would have been nice if they gave us a little coupon for next time or extended hours but we ended up not being able to try out all the activities due to lack of time. Admission is $15 and the tactile room is extra so you would think alcohol prices would be decent. Well you thought wrong. Seriously. $12 for a shot? Is this Vegas? Regardless of any messiness and expensive alcohol prices, I had lots of innocent alcohol-infused fun! Thank goodness for pre-gaming, though. Highly recommend this place for a fun night with friends or for a date with someone you're already fairly comfortable with. Yelp 100 Challenge - 2016 [27/100] read more

Super cool exhibit. The drinks help make the exhibits pop. Get there very early. It's a fulls cue ce exhibit. However it's interactive so you may have to wait your turn or aggressively Jump in to get a turn. The staff is friendly and kind. The bar is expensive. $14 for a drink. read more

Fantastic event! The sheer number of interactive setups was overwhelming in the best way possible, and I loved not having to fight 5 year-olds to play (I can see why this place is great for children, I'd just rather enjoy it without them). This is the kind of thing you can go to over and over again and keep having fun. Wheelchair accessibility notes: Flat entrance and smooth, even surfaces inside. Street parking only. I don't remember any displays we couldn't play with because of the chair (but there were so many I'm sure there are a few). read more

This was one of my favorite date night spots ever. To look around and see adults filled with childlike awe as they explore the wonders of science...truly a beautiful experience. I hadn't been back since I was a child, and I had just as much fun at 23 as I did when I was 7. We added on the Tactile Dome, which was just as difficult and exhilarating as I remembered. The restarant in the museum has an absolutely delicious array of dinner items as well. I can't recommend this place enough. read more

If you are an adult, I really suggest you visit Exporlatorium after Dark instead of coming during regular visiting hours. I did both before. The price is cheaper and there are slightly less people. Yelpers on here are complaining that $15 dollars is expensive for admission. I think it is cheap, you have to pay $18(student discount) and $25(adult) on regular days. Even compared to academy of science $24(adult regular hours); this is considered a bargain. I rather pay this than the same for a cover at a seedy club any day. Quit yer yappin. The exploratorium is a great two story science museum, and all the exhibits open at the day time are also open at night. So you get the full experience being here. There are tables where you can buy alcohol, but I don't suggest it. The drinks, both bottled and cocktail, are very expensive $5-10 and aren't very good quality. I didn't see alot of people buying it. And just because they serve drinks, this is not the place to get sh*tfaced. People here are having good clean adult fun. I had alot of fun playing with all the displays and just hanging out with my buddies here. The crowd is mixed with all ethnicities and age range of 21-50. Most people were 20s and 30s though. Aside from the great exhibits, you can go outside to the deck and have a great view of the ocean and bay bridge. Because the exploratorium is on the pier, you are right on top of the water. There is also an outdoor observation area on the second floor. Once you are done here, you can try the great night life and restaurants within walking distance. read more

Was here for Sexploration, which is a great word. I also like "sexploratorium." I know it's not creative. I just like the idea of a place being dedicated to talking about sex/exploring sex/SEX! The event had super interesting stuff, going from talking about urchins and how they breed, with a live demonstration, as well as an exhibition of ancient vibrators and the newest vibrators and how to create circuits to turn on vibrators. Basically, a lot of vibrators. It was very educational. And of course, the rest of the Exploratorium was open as well, so I got to play around with what was there! read more

Awesome sauce experience! $15 entry Priceless exhibits Interactive games Fun rooms Living exhibits Great vibes, cool people and lots of events. I will come back! I think it's best to go with someone but you can still enjoy it on your own read more

This was awesome! I'm a total kid at heart and the exploratorium did not disappoint my inner child! First of all, this is a great date night. You're busy enough playing with all the gadgets that you barely have to talk to each other. And if you do wanna get chummy there's delicious and STRONG cocktails at the bar to get you all liquored up. We opted for option #2, it's not like me to turn down a fancy cocktail... Ok, so once have you have the drink in hand, time to explore! There are endless things to do here. I spent a good 15 minutes just staring at the goldfish tank - they were some kind of mutant goldfish - I'm not crazy. I was also loving the optical illusion section with tons of different mirrors and other things to stare at. If you're overly competitive like myself, there's tons of things you can turn into games, just use your imagination and yell "I win!" I definitely can't describe all the exhibits, just be sure to make a trip here. I can't wait to come back and see everything I missed. read more

Been meaning to check out the new exploratorium! Came here on a Thursday for their after dark series. Admission is cheaper at only $15 admission. But they do get ya with the drinks. Beers are $5 and cocktails and wine are $9. The bars do accept cash or credit so that is nice. Also I didn't see a food court so make sure you do snack a bit before getting here. The space for the exploratorium is really big! There was lots to see and do and so I do want to come back soon. I don't feel like I even saw or did half of the things that were there. You'll see crowds around certain popular exhibits and you'll probably won't want to wait but you should. It's an interactive museum so wait for the exhibits. None of them take too long so it's not too bad. Also they are fun! Some exhibits are fun to do with a partner making this a fun date night spot ;) Would love to come back here again especially for the tactile dome! It's pitch black And you have to navigate your way out. Tix are an additional $10 but it did say preview night so the price may be adjusted later. Yay science! read more

Wow, simply wow. So this thing starts at 6 PM and runs until 10 PM. Hmm... 2 or 3 hours should be more than enough time to check everything? WRONG. Allow yourself the ENTIRE time to check this thing out. Sure, there's a lot of people, but if you're patient, people will move onto the next thing to see. Trust me, there's a lot to see. I was mad at myself for having to leave early at 9, because there was still so much more to see. I don't want to spoil too much, but there was an opportunity to hold a beetle, watch a pig heart demonstration, and almost anything and everything that could spark your interest. As a tourist, I'm glad I took advantage of this opportunity and would recommend this to anyone. TIP: Avoid waiting in line to buy tickets by purchasing online or in person earlier. I believe it's a little cheaper online as well. For $20, this was well worth the money. read more

Tonight was my first time ever to the Exploratorium, and I had a great time! I was happily surprised that the After Dark programming was geared towards adults, while using the usual displays. It was pretty crowded. There is usually a few people in front at every display, but they moved on fairly quickly, so I was able to see the display. I kept losing my friends and bumping into people though. There is a lot to see. I wish they published that night's program earlier or online so I can plan out my visit better. There were a lot of shows and discussions that I was pretty overwhelmed and didn't really know where to start. Drinks were pretty expensive. I'm just not used to paying for $9 glass of average wine. Pro-tip: Excellent place for first date. If you guys have trouble finding things to talk about, you can always go play at the next display. read more

BF took me out on a date here & it was a great experience! We've been wanting to try this place out for the longest time & finally had the chance to. Lately museums with cool activities have been our thing because we're curious s to what they have to offer. Also, this exhibit was different since they served alcohol at night after the museum is only open to 18+. Still the museum was extremely crowded. We arrived there around 8 pm and the place closed at 10 pm. It started at 6 pm but honestly the museum was really small so it was doable to do it in that short amount of time. Really cool place for a date night or even with a group of friends! Only thing i regret was not getting tickets to go inside the dome, it was too late and we didnt know we had to purchase extra tickets, bummer! read more

I do like the concept of 'No kids allowed' since I am a young adult who likes to have a few drinks but I didn't really enjoy it here. The lines for the bar was super long AND it's cash only AND you can only buy one drink at a time AND there's only like 10 things to choose from. It was really pack at each exhibit making it hard to experience everything since most things you would need to sit down and do it hands on. The layout was kinda hard, since it wasn't straight forward or in a circular shape. I do think it's nice that it's so much bigger now but I don't think the After Dark experience was that fun. read more

Was here on a date. We saw the star show that was heavily political but good nonetheless. There was plenty to talk about given the well kept exhibits and the overall relaxed vibe produced by the low lights. The staff is friendly and happy to help. This is a lively event without the mayhem that is common of similar. There's plenty of space to move around. We never felt cramped or overwhelmed. This was our second date and there have been many since. read more

What an amazing museum, we were there 2 hours and didn't see 15% of it. I love the Exploratorium! A great place for a good rest!! read more

What a fun time! I'm truly still a little, nerdy kid at heart so this really appealed to me just for the concept. I'd had the Exploratorium on my list of things to do since I moved to the Bay area and finding out about the late night events seemed like the perfect excuse to go. I went with a meetup group and my boyfriend tagged along at the last minute. It was a great experience on both fronts and I'd definitely suggest this as a date night or just friends' night out. I loved getting the chance to explore the exhibits without any inhibitions that come with being a 'grown-up' and was so excited to see most all the other attendees took part as well. There were so many instances of strangers working together to solve (or compete) in various exhibits as well as laughing together when things went not quite as expected. We got there around 6:30 and walked right in with our pre-purchased tickets (you can just show them on your phone even though they say print them out). We stayed until closing, and I still feel like we didn't get through all the exhibits, so it definitely leaves more to explore if you'd like to go more than once. The only negatives were that I wish the talks were a bit more regulated/varied and that there were better food options. We hung out at the restaurant bar for a bit and chatted with a few people and no one seemed really impressed by the (rather expensive) food. The night we went, there was a talk on fermentation that turned out to be really interesting, but there were tons of people there so it seemed rushed and disorganized. I almost wish they had some sort of limit on people for the talks. Also, I haven't been really impressed with their upcoming line up on the talks, they seem to be filling in gaps with random things now that they're having the event weekly. They don't really match up to the quality of the Cal Academy evening events. But I think even without the talk everyone would have a good time so I suppose it's a minor quibble. All in all, I'll definitely be back and will recommend to (and bring) friends! read more

The exploratorium is always so fun to visit. This was my first time visiting after dark! My team decided to go here for a team night. It was great bonding over a few drinks and playing with the exhibits! I would highly recommend going to the exploratorium after dark over during the day because it is less crowded, no kids and there are drinks! read more

I have always been a huge fan of the Exploratorium! I love that all the exhibits are hands-on and that they really stress that you experiment and try everything. I was pretty sad when the old Exploratorium closed (I had one last visit before the Palace of Fine Arts location closed forever). But now that I've seen the new location, I'm in love. The location at Pier 15 is HUGE and I love that it is very accessible by both MUNI and BART. It's even more awesome that they have After Dark every first Thursday of the month -- $15, 18+ only, and alcohol is served all night. I love kids and all, but fighting them off to get a turn with the exhibits during the daytime gets annoying! There were so many exhibits, we could barely finish all of them in one night, I guess that means I will need to visit again soon! read more

See all

While I much prefer the Academy of Science's "Nightlife" (http://www.yelp.com/biz/california-academy-of-sciences-nightlife-san-francisco), in terms of uniqueness and sheer AWESOMENESS, the Exploratorium's "After Dark" once a month on Thursdays is a must-try for anyone over 18. It's all the fun of the Exploratorium (science presented in fun and often amusing ways), except at NIGHT, with ADULTS your age and oh, did I mention the full bar? Hands down my favorite exhibit is the Shadow Box in the far corner of the venue--try it out and you'll see why! After Dark runs from 6-10 p.m. and costs $15 for gen admission, $12 for students with ID (drinks sold separately). They also have cool workshops that change every month (but you have to get there early to sign up for a good slot!). read more

This place is pretty awesome. Totally unexpected and had no expectations. Some complained about the $15 but c'mon it costs money to pay for these exhibits in sf. Didn't drink but there was drinks and wine available for everyone. If highly recommend checking it out at least once. Fun fun and fun! read more

Exploratorium After Dark is always really fun. You always learn so much more than you would expect. The last event "Sugar" played songs about sugar, gave out South Asian candies, there was a guy that did sculptures with sugar, eating skittles under the sodium light and guessing which flavors the skittles are, and learning about the different types of sugar you use. I can't wait for this month's "Chill" event! read more

See all

Haven't been to the Exploratorium since it was at the Palace of Fine Arts. It is now located on the Embarcadero. Came here for the Thursday night after-hours. So much to do and see...However, I ran out of time! I will be coming back! HOT TIP- Don't wait in the long line to buy alcohol at the bar by the front entrance. Go to the restaurant in the back..there is no line! read more

Attended the "Get Surreal" event this past Thursday. What's not to love about enjoying an alcoholic beverage and playing with sand, bubbles and magnets? It's amazing. It's like a drunken trip down memory lane. The boy and I walked around outside and climbed one of the structures to drink a few brewskies before going in, because we'd heard the drinks are pricey and we're young lovers on a budget...good plan! once inside we decided to splurge and get the specialty cocktail which advertised a splash of absinthe. Well, that was probably dumb, but we were drawn in by the enticing idea of having absinthe in a science museum. It was tasty, but it was very weak and tasted mostly like sprite and lemonade with a "mist" of absinthey licoricey taste on top. So yeah, I would recommend going with your staple mix drink, wine or beer to get the most for your money. One thing I have to mention in the tactile dome. IT IS A MUST DO. I don't think I'm very easily freak-out-able, but the first few minutes of total visual deprivation were intense, heart pounding and TOTALLY AWESOME. Tip: wear socks, cuz you can't wear shoes. If you want to wear heels and look hot, stick some in your purse because think of all the little baby snot nosed kids and people with athlete's feet who have gone through there before you! read more

The Exploratorium's "After Dark" events are held on the first Thursday night of every month for adults-only (6-10 pm). Bars are set up all over the museum with special exhibits, presentations and performances related to different themes each month. Even though there is a parking lot, parking is quite an issue at these events if you come late. It does get crowded later in the night but at least you can be pushing people the same size as you out of the way to get to an exhibit instead of running over little children. You can order a "After Dark" membership online and can pick it up at the museum for quite a deal. The membership is a year long and allows you access for "After Dark" events as well as a discount at the museum store. Definitely worth it. read more

I have to say, I absolutely loved the idea of after-dark adult-oriented museum events. But this particular event that I participated in was a bit of a disappointment. The title was "Gastronomy," so of course it was jam-packed. Apparently, most of these events tend to be relatively quiet, but as soon as food is on display, it's a completely different story. I have to say, the crowds really did detract from my experience here. Parking was a bitch (though to be expected for SF, even after dark), the exhibits were crowded, the film viewings filled up, and the lines for cocktails were way too long. As a result, we didn't view any films, drink any cocktails, or watch any demonstrations. I did like the idea of the exhibits. They had a salt booth teaching the differences in various salts, a nitrogen ice cream booth, one for teaching knife technique, a tofu- and cheese-making demonstration, and one for making caviar out of jelly. There was one demonstration about taste buds and nerves that I really enjoyed. They brought sweet-blockers and sour-blockers, along with various sweet and sour items (lemons, twizzlers, sugar packets, preserved mango) to experience. So, three stars for the thought and the learning that went on in here.The only problem was, we didn't actually /do/ anything. I have no idea what the films were because we were unable to get in. Oh, and the Tactile Dome is for kids. Just trust me on this. read more

Very interesting with all the different science experiments and all... when with a few coworkers...but looks great for date night

I have been wanting to come to this for a few years now. I had never been to this new location but I grew up going to the old one so I was excited to see all the changes. I was especially excited that it is for adults only. Nothing against the children but it is nice to get a break. I also like the fact that alcohol is served. Although be warned, it is expensive (it is the city after all), and it isn't good. But, bad drinks are better than no drinks. :-) Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get there as traffic can be a nightmare on a weekday. Parking was not an issue. Everything looks modern and sleek and definitely an upgrade from the old location as far as the inside goes. They have different special events that happen each Thursday but I did not see any signs saying where these events are located. Nor did I see any signs saying where the cafe was. I was starving but by the time I found the cafe at the back of the building I was just done and left to eat somewhere else. The food did not seem too appetizing and the lines were soooo long. I didn't want to wait in the whole food order line just to grab a quick snack. The Exploratorium as a whole was way too crowded. I mean ridiculously crowded to the point that it prevented us from enjoying it. I'm glad I went and I would tell people to go check it out but I would not go again. read more

Huge fan of the Exploratorium. It just reminds me of being a kid. I never seem to read the instructions, I just end up touching everything and trying to figure it out on my own. It's about trying new things and figuring it out. They also do After Dark every first Thursday of the month. Drinks are served ($5 beers, $10 cocktails and like $7 for wine or something like that). It's so cool to be able to walk around with a fun crowd and just play. I can't say enough good things about this place. Absolutely LOVE IT! read more

+ I now know where my old middle school teachers get their classroom posters + A lot of great exhibits, staff members and new ideas presented - Membership is only an investment if you visit more than four times a year - Restaurant is super expensive for portions served - Lack of hand sanitizer in exhibits that are touched every second of the day. Yuck! read more