A San Francisco nightlife series that began online during the pandemic grew into a popular in-person gathering, bringing hundreds to The Academy SF. Divas & Drinks paired drag, music and community with celebrations of LGBTQ+ history, women’s achievements and Black History Month, offering a lively look at how a city found ways to reconnect.

Essential Takeaways

  • It started virtually: The first Divas & Drinks took place online in April 2021, amid COVID restrictions.
  • It became a regular fixture: The series later moved into The Academy SF, drawing hundreds to events.
  • Each gathering had a theme: Past editions celebrated Black History Month, Women’s History Month and LGBTQ+ former Olympic champions.
  • Familiar faces helped shape the night: Donna Sachet served as emcee, with DJ support sponsored by Olivia Travel.

A virtual beginning became a night out

Divas & Drinks began not with a crowded dance floor, but with people separated by pandemic restrictions. Its first event took place online in April 2021, when in-person gatherings were still difficult across California. Even through a screen, the format made room for performance, music and a welcome sense of company.

When the series later moved to The Academy SF, some of that original programme came along. Donna Sachet returned as emcee, while a DJ sponsored by Olivia Travel helped carry the party into its new setting. The shift from virtual gathering to busy club night says plenty about how eager people were to meet again.

More than a party, a celebration with a point

The events gave San Francisco’s LGBTQ+ community reasons to gather around more than a night of drinks. The series spotlighted LGBTQ+ former Olympic champions during the Winter Olympics and marked Black History Month, among other occasions. That mix of entertainment and recognition gave each edition its own character.

Women’s History Month also featured in the programme, with an event linked to the San Francisco Gay Softball League. These themed evenings turned a familiar club format into a platform for community stories, without losing the sparkle and sociability that make a night out feel special.

Local names brought the events closer to home

The series also drew on the city’s civic and cultural life. Mayor London Breed appeared at one edition, while another event celebrated the Sainting of Leslie Sbrocco. Those appearances connected the party atmosphere with people and milestones that mattered beyond the venue.

A Halloween edition added a seasonal twist to the calendar, showing how easily the format could shift from commemorative to playful. That flexibility likely helped keep the series fresh: one month might centre on history, another on a local personality or a costume-filled night.

What made the series memorable?

The appeal was in the combination: a lively venue, recognisable hosts and a programme that reflected the community around it. The monthly rhythm offered a reason to return, while changing themes meant the evening never had to feel like a repeat performance.

And there’s something quietly meaningful about that arc, from a virtual event during isolation to a club filled with people. The series’ history is a reminder that nightlife can be more than music and a busy bar; it can be a place to celebrate, remember and see familiar faces again.

A five-year snapshot of San Francisco nightlife

Across five years, Divas & Drinks brought together celebration, performance and community at The Academy SF. Its story follows a broader shift from pandemic-era separation towards shared experiences, with a distinctly local cast and a different reason to raise a glass each time.

For a night out with a little more meaning, the series’ archive offers a glimpse of what community-centred nightlife can look like.

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