BARTable This Weekend: April 5-7

Last Updated On Apr. 02, 2024

Black Coffee hosts an outdoor musical event at Frank Ogawa Plaza. Photo courtesy of HotBox.

The first weekend in April brings plenty of fun and unique BARTable events around the Bay. San Francisco Restaurant Week kicks off on Friday with a host of culinary deals. Lucky diners can explore the city’s best creative cuisine at discounted prices for brunch, lunch and dinner. On the other side of the bay, Oakland’s First Fridays are back, promising lots of live music, vibrant art and delicious food. The start of April also offers plenty of free museum days, outdoor movies and even an Ube Festival! Are you hosting an event near a BART station? Visit this page to learn about "what is BARTable."

Use BART's Trip Planner for detailed routes and transit options.

BARTable partners with local organizations located near BART stations to shine a light on the incredible diversity of businesses, restaurants and happenings that are easily accessible by transit. Our partners provide special deals and prizes for our weekly giveaways, which you can find on our Contest and Deals page. Interested in becoming a BARTable partner? Learn more here.

Try new cuisines and restaurants during SF Restaurant Week. Photo courtesy of SF Restaurant Week. Photo courtesy of Golden Gate Restaurant Association.

San Francisco Restaurant Week
April 5-14 | Stations Vary
Times Vary | City-wide

San Francisco Restaurant Week returns with plenty of deals at the city’s best eateries. Enjoy the unique and diverse flavors of San Francisco at discounted prices for a full ten days, starting on April 5. With over 150 restaurants to choose from, expect everything from Michelin-Guide-listed Gozu to $10 lunch specials at Saigon Sandwich. Check out Golden Gate Restaurant Association for the complete list of participating restaurants.

Peninsula Libraries Comic Arts Fest
April 6 | South San Francisco
10 a.m.-4 p.m.| 901 Civic Campus Way

The Peninsula Libraries Comic Arts Fest kickoff is BARTable this year. Visit South San Francisco’s Main Library for the kickoff event and Small Press Expo. Don’t miss author talks with Lalo Alcaraz, Molly Knox Ostertag, Ngozi Ukazu and Gary Whitta. Stroll down the artist's alley to meet and shop comic books directly from creators. Aspiring artists and readers of all ages will love the author visits, workshops and comics-related programs. Check out the full lineup of exhibiting artists. Check out this fun event 0.8 miles from South San Francisco Station.

"A Midsummer Night's Dream"
Through April 14 | Ashby
Times Vary | 1901 Ashby Ave.

Shakespearean classics make for the most romantic and exciting weekend dates. William Hodgson’s take on William Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream" will unearth passion, danger and sheer joy. Buckle up for adventurous, disarming and exasperating live theater performed by the Shotgun Players at Ashby Stage. Experience theatric bliss just .01 miles from Ashby.

Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord

Through May 5 | Civic Center/ UN Plaza
Times Vary | 1127 Market St.

On Day 3 of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kristina Wong began sewing masks out of old bedsheets and bra straps on her Hello Kitty sewing machine. Before long, she was leading the Auntie Sewing Squad, a work-from-home sweatshop of hundreds of volunteers—including children and her own mother—to fix the U.S. public health care system while in quarantine. It was a feminist care utopia forming in the midst of crisis. Or was it a mutual aid doomsday cult? The answer to that question is something you’ll have to decide for yourself as Kristina takes you through her journey in this Pulitzer finalist play. Bear witness to the bizarre at the American Conservatory Theater, 0.2 miles from Civic Center/ UN Plaza Station.

You needn’t pay a dime – or even a pretty penny! – to enjoy the breadth of the Bay Area’s offerings. Below you’ll find a roundup of free local events, including festivals, markets, museum admission-free days and more!

Head to Berkeley for an Easter Egg hunt and family activity day. Photo courtesy of Eggster Organization.

Contemporary Jewish Museum (Free museum day)
April 5 | Montgomery St
11 a.m.-5 p.m. | 736 Mission St.

On the first Friday of every month, the Contemporary Jewish Museum opens its doors to everyone, free of charge. The museum’s exhibitions include contemporary and historical pieces, films, music, readings and live performances. Visitors can explore Jewish culture, history and art through a range of disciplines and media. Learn something new at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, only 0.3 miles from Montgomery St.

PROXY Spring Series Outdoor Movie: Perfect Days
April 5 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
7:15-10 p.m. | 432 Octavia St.

Spend the evening in Hayes Valley at a free outdoor screening of “Perfect Days.” In this film, directed by Wim Wenders, Hirayama works as a public toilet cleaner in Tokyo who has a passion for music and books. With an Academy Award nomination for Best International Film, “Perfect Days” is an extraordinary drama about life. Plus, the outdoor cinema is a fun place to catch a flick. Grab a Fort Point Beer or a non-alcoholic tonic from the Juice Shop on-site and enjoy the show 0.6 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

Eggster Egg Hunt and Learning Festival
April 6 | Downtown Berkeley
10 a.m.-3 p.m. | 0 South Hall Rd.

The 30^th annual egg hunt and learning festival in Berkeley is a one-day carnival and educational event you don’t want to miss. It’s the largest free egg hunt in the Bay Area! In addition to an epic search, expect activity booths and performances sure to keep little ones inspired and entertained. This year’s theme is "Space Eggsploration.” Take BART to Downtown Berkeley and hop 0.6 miles to this fun Easter-themed event.

Asian Art Museum (free museum day)
April 7 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
10 a.m.-5 p.m. | 200 Larkin St.

On the first Sunday of every month, visitors get free general admission to the Asian Art Museum. The museum’s collection consists of over 18,000 pieces, all representing different Asian cultures. At any given time, the museum’s galleries showcase over 2,000 world-class artworks. The pieces rotate, so each visit is truly unique. The Asian Art Museum is only one block (0.1 miles) from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

New events have just arrived in the Bay Area! New shows, one-time events, unique workshops, annual events or anything that's just popped up on our radar. Learn more about what qualifies as "BARTable" or use hashtag #sfbartable for the chance to be featured!

Try Ube-flavored everything at the Ube Festival in SF. Photo courtesy of District Six of San Franciso.

SF Giants vs San Diego Padres
April 5-7 | Embarcadero
Times Vary | 24 Willie Mays Plaza

It’s opening weekend at the ballpark! The San Francisco Giants will take on the San Diego Padres this Friday for their first home games of the season. Arrive early for pregame festivities, like fun performances and team introductions. Attending a game on Saturday or Sunday? On Saturday, the first 15,000 fans get a Camilo Doval Bobblehead. On Sunday, the first 7,500 fans aged 14 and under will receive a youth sliding glove. Take BART to Embarcadero and walk 1.2 miles, or transfer to the Muni Metro N Line and pop out at the stadium.

Black Coffee Day Party
April 6 | 12^th St/Oakland City Center
3-10 p.m. | Frank Ogawa Plaza

Head to Frank Ogawa Plaza this Saturday for one of the East Bay’s favorite daytime parties. The headliner, Black Coffee, is Africa’s number one DJ, and he’ll be in Oakland’s City Center to spin deep house tunes this weekend. There will be two stages, food trucks, multiple bars and a vendor marketplace featuring East Bay’s top independent artists. The fun is only 489 feet away from 12^th St/Oakland City Center.

Sip & Paint at Nido’s BackYard
April 6 | Lake Merritt
12-2 p.m. | 104 Oak St.

Join Steve Javiel as he leads a painting class at Nido’s BackYard. He’ll guide you every step of the way to create a beautiful Oakland sunset. Materials cost $45 and include a canvas, paint brushes, easel, paints and apron. Food and beverages are also available for purchase. Sip, snack and paint at Nido’s BackYard, 0.4 miles from Lake Merritt.

Teen Night at the San Francisco Symphony
April 6 | Civic Center/UN Plaza
7:30 p.m. | 201 Van Ness Ave.

Conductor Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser presents Teen Night at Davies Symphony Hall. Expect orchestral favorites, games, prizes and more played by some of the Bay’s most talented teen musicians. Through videos and live conservations, Bay Area teens will learn what inspires composers and musicians and what drives their passion for creating. This unique night also features award-winning violinist Hiro Yoshimura. Catch the show 0.4 miles from Civic Center/UN Plaza.

The Ube Festival
April 7 | 16^th St Mission
12-5 p.m. | 428 11^th St.

This year’s Ube Festival showcases handpicked and beloved purple yams from popular vendors like Senor Sisig, Uncle Tito’s, Marley’s Treats and more. Vendors each feature one signature Ube dish. Expect traditional ube and a few unexpected and innovative culinary creations. The festival also includes a small business marketplace and live music. Find tasty meals and top local talent 0.8 miles away from 16^th St Mission.

Check out this article for our favorite weekly farmer's markets. Or click here for our favorite BARTable date night spots. Looking for the best BARTable restaurants? We have you covered with our favorite carnivorous restaurants and vegan eats. Seeking a refreshing adult beverage? Check out these BARTable breweries to get your beer on. Don't forget to use BART's Trip Planner to plan your day! 

What are you doing this weekend?

Tell us about your weekend activities! Show us on social media at @SFBARTable and #SFBARTable! Keep up with us on Instagram, Tik Tok and Facebook to see all of the best BARTable events, places to eat and where to have fun around the Bay.

by Nicole Findlay

Nicole Findlay is a Bay Area native. As a freelance journalist, she covers travel destinations all around the world, but her favorite place to write about is home.