Every Thursday night, the California Academy of Sciences opens its doors from 6 to 10 pm to the 21 and older crowd. For ten bucks, you get to explore the Academy children-free, while listening to the DJ of the week pumping music throughout the whole museum. Beer, wine and mixed drinks are sold throughout the Academy and guests can consume them as they check out all of the different exhibits.

Most of the attractions are open to the NightlLife guests. The Planetarium offers three shows: 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30. The Rainforest is open to guests, but you have to be in line by 7:30 in order to get inside. If you cross your fingers that the fog doesn’t roll in, the Living Roof is also open to guests who want to star gaze.

The whole concept behind NightLife at the Academy is a cool one. For ten bucks, I can explore the entire museum with a drink in my hand and not have to worry about getting mauled by a stroller. There is no avoiding the crowd though. The crowd seemed to increase as the night went on. The aquarium got a bit overcrowded towards the end of the night. This event was swarming with a younger crowd. It was the first time I actually felt “old” in a social situation like this. It almost felt like a singles social event, a meet and greet if you will. I felt a bit underdressed because a lot of guests were dressed for a night out on the town. Maybe they planned on continuing their night elsewhere after the event ended at 10?

On the Thursday night that I went, NightLife was sponsored by Facebook. I found it kind of funny. The cocktails were moderately priced. The selection consisted of just your basic well liquors, the two vodkas being Finlandia and Stoli. Not bad. The food that was being sold was disappointing. It was way overpriced for what you got and it wasn’t even that good. There wasn’t a whole lot of variety, but I guess you don’t go to something like this for the food. I was just looking for something to help soak up the alcohol.

The DJ was tucked back in the finch exhibit, off to the left side of the museum. Of course in front of the DJ, people created a makeshift dancefloor. The later the night got, the more people there were dancing. Overall I think NightLife is a fun and reasonably priced event. This event is fun to take a date or go in as a group. I would definitely go again.

For more information, be sure to check out the NightLife: California Academy of Sciences website.