After a month-plus of celebrating the holidays, from succulent turkey to cheesy presents to over-indulgent sweets, the big payoff is this Friday – New Year’s Eve. There’s probably no holiday filled with greater expectations than New Year’s Eve. You simply have to do something cool. So, even if you’ve procrastinated, or don’t have a ton of cash to blow, there’s still a party out there with your name on it to ring in 2011. A look: BIG SPENDERS
If you’re looking to conclude 2010 in style, there are plenty of options:
The Downtown Countdown takes over the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Lots of live music, headlined by 1990s survivors Everclear (“Santa Monica,” some song about the dude’s father). Plus open bar, dance floors, a comedy room and buffets. Tickets currently run $159. downtowncountdown.net.
Professionals in the City’s annual party with a super-long name Passport to the World Gala: An International Red Carpet Affair graces the Washington Hilton. Themed rooms across 35,000 square feet of space, open bars, music and food are in store. $149. prosinthecity.com.
The newspaper industry may be in trouble, but that doesn’t mean the Newseum can’t party. Check out its Headliners Ball, with cocktails and food from Wolfgang Puck, live music, and admission to this great museum. Open bar is from 8 to 10 p.m. There are three options: $150 for the ball, $150 for a seven-course dinner at the Source by Wolfgang Puck, or $225 for a five-course dinner and the ball. www.newseum.org.
Georgetown Events hosts its New Year’s Eve Gala at the Westin Hotel, headlined by one-time locals the Walkmen. Also DJs and an open bar. $120. www.georgetownevents.com.
Big Night D.C. at National Harbor is unfortunately sold out, but Big Night Baltimore still has tickets available. Enjoy eight party areas, dance floors, open bars and buffets. Tickets start at $119.99. www.bignightbaltimore.com.
WON’T BREAK THE BANK
While the big parties are a blast, after two tickets, formal wear and a cab ride, they’ll break the bank. Not all parties cost your first born.
If you haven’t been to Little Miss Whiskey’s Golden Dollar on H Street or the nearby Jimmy Valentine’s Lonely Hearts Club, here’s your chance. The two bars are throwing a joint party with DJs aplenty, and tickets start at $25. A couple of nice touches: 1) They’re offering a Safe Ride shuttle to Union Station at 12:30 a.m. and 2) This party is for those revelers 25 and up. Kids, head elsewhere. Visit littlemisswhiskeys.com or jimmyvalentineslhc.com for details.
Head to the Clarendon Ballroom for a party with DJs, dinner buffet and party favors. $65, includes four drink tickets. clarendonballroom.com.
Peaches O’Dell and her Orchestra take the stage at the Black Cat on its main stage, and the back stage spins with DJs. Just $25. blackcatdc.com.
DC9 is back up and running, and celebrates the end of 2010 with the Liberation Dance Party spinning. $15 gets you in, and your first drink is gratis. Party till 4 a.m. dcnine.com.
SOMETHING BREWING
Will 2011 be the year of the beer? Only time will tell, but the local beer joints are concluding 2010 in style.
Church Key in D.C. (churchkeydc.com) brings in the New Year with an exclusive party capped at 150 people with fine beer, food, a music for $150, and Birch & Barley (birchandbarley.com) has a six-course, 10-beer dinner, also for $150. R.F.D. (lovethebeer.com) offers a DJ with no cover, a $15 buffet, and $5 drafts. Dogfish Head Alehouse in Fairfax features a beer dinner and live music ($60 and $80, depending on seating time), and Dogfish Head in Falls Church is having a party with a DJ. dogfishalehouse.com. The two area Rustico locations are pouring special drafts (rusticorestaurant.com ) and the Black Squirrel in Adams Morgan (blacksquirreldc.com) features a series of hoppy beers. Cheers!
FAMILY
New Year’s Even is in no way just for drunks or adults or drunk adults. First Night Alexandria brings King Street alive with a family-friendly, alcohol-free environment. Enjoy plenty of live music and other events, as well as a special show at the Masonic Memorial. $20. Visit firstnightalexandria.org for more details.
