Champagne Tower by ori2uru/Flickr
Haven’t nailed down your New Year’s Eve plans yet? I can tell since everyone keeps asking me what’s going on. So I compiled this little list of events around Los Angeles which feature open bars, for a price of course. But you can do all your drinking in one place without worry of keeping track of your bar tab. Just remember to be safe after and that the Metro is free from 9pm to 2am on NYE.
Page 71 Lounge in Studio City: Happy Hour Specials 9pm-11pm
For only a $10 cover you get DJs and a free midnight champagne toast. OK, this isn’t technically an open bar but for budget boozing, from 9 to 11pm you can get $4 beer, $5 well and $2 off champagne and select cocktails (Hendricks Gin, Jack Daniels and Patron).
Pourtal Wine Tasting Bar in Santa Monica: $20.11 unlimited champagne 9pm to 12am
Have yourself a sparkling, little New Year’s Eve with bottomless bubbly, Blanc de Blanc Brut and Rose Brut. There will also be a regular winelist and food menu available and if you want to get the party started really early, happy hour from 4 to 7pm.
City Sip LA in Echo Park: $25 unlimited champagne
From 9pm to midnight, it’s bottomless bubbly! How many glasses can you drink? Bonus for designated drivers, all the non-alcoholic beverages you can consume. Reservations are recommended for parties of four or more.
Glendon Bar & Kitchen: $30 open bar after 10pm
Ring a ding ding this new year in at this swank Rat Pack-style party and toast 2011 with your favorite drinking buddies Harvey Wallbanger and Tom Collins. If you feel like dinner it’s $58 for the 6:30pm seating and $68 for 9:30pm. After 10pm, it’s $30 for an open bar of select wines, well drinks, domestic beers, and a champagne cocktail with $5 appetizers available.
Bar + Kitchen in Downtown: $35 unlimited booze and bites
This is a great bargain considering the unlimited booze of this deal includes cocktails created by Alex Day (Death & Co./NYC). We’re talking three specialty cocktails (rum, vodka or tequila)! You also can consume all the beer, artisanal wine and tasty bar bites (Spanish chorizo skewers and a variety of flatbread) you want. Includes cava for the midnight toast.
Casa Concina y Cantina in Downtown: $50 open bar and midnight tequila toast
This downtown cantina will have two dinner seatings available (5 and 9pm) but it’s all about the party which starts at 10pm. For $50 you get a dj, open bar and the very unique midnight tequila toast. There will also be bar snacks available for purchase.
Joe’s Restaurant in Venice: $55 open bar
Joe’s will have two dinner options: $65 at 9pm or $110 for tasting menu plus open bar on the lounge. And if you just want to party, it’s $55 for all-you-can-drink specialty cocktails, beer and wine, plus bar bites and the champagne toast.
Wonderland in Hollywood: $60 9-11pm; $80-$100 open bar all night
For an extra clubby celebration, check out this Alice in Wonderland-themed party complete with chesspiece-shaped bushes, crazy clocks, psychedelic dance parties and a rose garden. For $80 (tickets available til 6pm tonight), you get access to the VIP lounge and the open bar all night. For $60 you get open bar from 9pm to 11pm.
Tony’s Darts Away: $75 unlimited beer and food
Before I make you fall in love with this option, know that as of yesterday there are only 8 spots left. Doors open at 7pm when you can eat all the vegan/nonvegan food all you want. For your $75, in addition to the free beer and food, you get entry into a raffle, a special drinking glass and a seat. If you arrive after 10:30pm, it’s bar bites and no guaranteed seats.
The Abbey in West Hollywood: $100 premium open bar
For your $100 you get all the premium drinks you can get your greedy hands on at this Marie Antoinette-themed party, plus dancing, DJ, passed hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast and cupcakes at the stroke of midnight. Show up in royal attire and charm the masses.
The Roxy in West Hollywood: $100 (well, wine and beer); $200 (premium drinks)
Count down to the new year with Camp Freddy (Steve Stevens will be standing in for Dave Navarro) and Juke Cartel. If you just want the show it’s $50 for general admission. But if you want to drink it’s $100 for all you can drink (well, wine and beer), $200 for all you can drink (premium).
W Los Angeles Hotel’s Whiskey Blue in Westwood: $100 open bar from 9pm to 1am
If you’re more into sports, take in some ice skating at the W’s Chill rink before the party and then cruise over to Whiskey Blue for a fancy blowout featuring DJs, a midnight toast and of course the open bar.
La Descarga in East Hollywood: $150 premium open bar
Only 150 tickets have been released for this event but there are just a few left thanks to last-minute cancellations. So snap it up while you can. After all, if you want to ring in 2011 in style, this is the place. That $150 includes so much goodness like hand-rolled cigars, seven courses of passed apps and dessert, dancing, an eight-piece band and a midnight toast. Just make sure to bring on the fancy as this is strictly a black-tie affair. Email nye [at] ladescargala.com for reservations.
Mondrian Hotel?s SkyBar in West Hollywood: $155 open bar
Enjoy a gorgeous view of L.A. atop the Mondrian off the Sunset Strip at this NYE event. Live music by The Spazmatics and DJ Lindsay Luv. For $150 ($125 for hotel guests) you get an open bar.
Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood: $175 open bar
Go back in time, wayyy back in time at Cleopatra’s NYE Ball. The Egyptian Theatre will have a tented courtyard and rooms that will take you back to Ancient Egypt. For $175 you get an open bar, live DJs, a light show and at midnight a balloon/confetti drop.
Viceroy in Santa Monica: $200 premium open bar
Yeah, $200 seems pretty pricey for a NYE but in addition to the premium open bar, appetizers and a midnight toast, you get live DJs Jason Bentley, Mayer Hawthorne, Classixx and Raul Campos.