I don’t know about you but figuring out what to do on New Year’s Eve has always been a not-fun activity for me. The thought of contending with traffic and crazy crowds. And why does everything have to be so expensive? Some parties are a couple grand to get into!
I just want a champagne toast, a cool place to hang with close friends and, yes, more champagne. You know me, not so much into the clubby scene. Fortunately there are a bunch of events this year that are offering a good time, cool folks, a somewhat intimate venue and music for under $50. Some are even free. Imagine that!
Casey’s Irish Bar and Grille — No Cover
If you require more than a champagne toast to celebrate, Casey’s has the party for you. Enjoy free-flowing draught ale from 7 to 10pm. And dance a jig into the new year as there will be live Irish music to keep things hopping.
Broadway Bar — No Cover
Get dressed up in your swank vintage attire and hit The Broadway Bar for a swinging cocktail party. A DJ will be playing tunes all night long.
Golden Gopher — No Cover
Before Seven Grand, I had the Golden Gopher. And since it’s been around for ages, you probably did, too. For a cool bar to hang out in for the countdown, with none of the craziness, visit the Gopher’s shindig. And if you find yourself still wanting to celebrate after hours, grab a bottle to go from the in-house liquor store. I kid you not.
The Abbey — No Cover
Everyone’s favorite gay bar is throwing a fabulous party{#p1401} with no cover! And for those fancy few who just have to have a cabana and/or bottle service, contact the bar to make arrangements. All others can dance, dance, dance to the Abbey’s own DJ Grant Matthews.
Bigfoot Lodge — Free before 9pm/$10 after 9
New Year’s Eve at Bigfoot sounds like so much fun what with rock n’ roll karaoke from 8 to 11pm. And when you’re done singing your heart out, enjoy tunes from DJ Anathena, drink specials (Huzzah!) and a free champagne toast at midnight.
Mountain Bar — $15 limited advance tickets
Feel like dancing? Chinatown’s hip bar will take care of that with its two dance floors and djs spinning hip hop, funk, soul and mashups all night long. At the stroke of midnight there will be a balloon drop and a free champagne toast.
Little Temple — $20
Little Temple and LA.com bring you one booty-shaking blowout with DJs Haul and Mason. Free champagne toast and party favors at midnight.
** Seven Grand{#p1402}** — $25 general admission
Weee! My favorite bar EVUH! is throwing its own fantabulous party. Dress up in your cocktail attire and hit the bar’s first NYE bash. They’re going to do it up in style with live band, The Makers, and KCRW’s DJ Paul Kramer. General admission gets you hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast. But if you really want to up the ante, go VIP ($75) and have access to the absinthe lounge (complete with floor pillows) as well as a cigar and much more appetizers.
V Lounge — $25 general admission, $35 VIP, $50 Dinner and VIP
This Santa Monica venue offers three different levels of partying depending on how much you wanna spend. For $25, you get the party with a champagne toast; $35 gets you the champagne toast, disposable camera and party favors; and throwing down a fiddy means all of the above, a four-course dinner and access to the VIP lounge.
Temple Bar — $30 advance/$40 at the door
KCRW and Temple Bar present “A Cambodian Pop Rock Psychedelic New Year’s Eve Dance Party,” featuring the music of Dengue Fever, DJ Anthony Valadez and free flowing champagne and party favors at midnight.
Tiny’s KO — $50
If you’re really dying for an open bar for the holiday, Tiny’s KO is offering perhaps one of the cheapest in town. From 10 to 2 you get access to not just well drinks but the whole damn bar, ladies and gents! There will also be free food and of course L.A.’s best jukebox. The catch is that the capacity is limited to 100 to keep things intimate, so pick up your tickets asap from Tiny’s.