Last Minute New Year's Plans

If you feel like catching some music while ringing in the New Year, there are plenty of venues in the area willing to oblige. DC9 will be hosting a show by the peppy Washington Social Club. The show upstairs (starting at 9:30 p.m.) will run you $20 (buy your tickets here), but if you feel like hanging out downstairs in the first floor bar, that'll be free.

Up in Columbia Heights, the Wonderland Ballroom will be celebrating the evening with three local bands: the Apes, Partyline and Dawn of Man. It's a $10 cover for one person; lovey dovey couples can get in for $15.

Of course, there's the always-classic Peaches O'Dell and her Orchestra show at the Black Cat; they'll be playing four sets of their signature big-band swing throughout the night, with DJ sets in between. 9:30 p.m., $20. You can snag tickets here or in person at the Black Cat box office.

Jammin Java, the funky coffeehouse out in Vienna, Va., offers a couple of options. The first is a kiddie party at 2 p.m. with Robbie Schaefer of Eddie From Ohio, apple juice toasts and noisemakers for everybody. $8. Later in the evening Schaefer will play again, along with Melissa and Todd from Bliss Green. There'll be finger food and a champagne toast for $30. 8 p.m.; tickets available online.

Over at the Warehouse gallery, they'll be hosting Art Romp #18, their annual free showcase of local artists. The Lobster Boy, who performs neo-vaudeville and somewhat demented (but entertaining!) burlesque, will also be making an appearance at 10 p.m.; $10.

Tickets are $159 at this point, but Downtown Countdown is still one of the area's most popular New Year's events. Taking place at the Washington Hilton on Conn. Ave, the party features Cowboy Mouth, Pat McGee Band and Kenin in one ballroom, and Welbilt, Rude Buddha and Boogie Knights in another. There's a hors d'oeuvres buffet and open bar; dress is "creative black tie," which we take to mean funky variations on the standard cocktail attire.

If you want to ring in 2006 with a touch of swankiness and mystery, head over to Helix on Rhode Island where they're hosting a masquerade ball in the lounge. Admission is $20 and things get started at 8 p.m.

A lucky few may be able to snag up the few remaining spots for Vegetate's NYE dinner seatings. For $45 (reasonable by most area restaurants' NYE menus) you get everything on this menu, plus (GASP!) alcohol! Due to a special one-day ABC license, the restaurant (whose problems with the Shiloh church and getting a liquor license are now infamous) will be serving booze both for dinner and its after-dinner party, to which those eating dinner are welcome for free. If you just want to attend the after-party (featuring music by DJ Dredd, Vegetate's owner, and art by Billy Colbert), it'll be $25. Call 202-232-4585 for reservations.

First Nights, events held in many towns featuring music, dancing, fireworks and more, can be easy and family-friendly ways to spend a New Year's night. We wrote about some First Night events last year, here; Alexandria and Annapolis traditionally hold the biggest First Nights.

Arlington Cinema 'N Drafthouse, our favorite place to get tipsy and watch movies, hosts an 80s-themed evening complete with decorations, 80s tunes and a viewing of the Times Square ball drop on their movie screen. Tickets are $11 in advance and $15 at the door; admission covers finger food and party favors but drinks must be purchased at the cash bar.

For those who like to keep their New Year's low-key but want to avoid the aforementioned couch situation, several bars are open and hosting regular nights. Galaxy Hut, Bar Pilar, Buffalo Billiards, the Continental in Rosslyn - it's business as usual for those places (though we're sure all bars in general, even if they're not hosting parties, will be more crowded than usual, so make sure to show up early). Stetson's is hosting a champagne toast at midnight, but otherwise keeping it a regular night without a cover; Saint-Ex's Gate 54 will have DJ DK spinning, and no cover charge. Additionally, Fritz over at the Going Out Gurus mentions Lucky Strike in Chinatown may have a few lanes open for those who feel like bowling in the New Year.

If you're ambitious and feel like separating the wheat from the chaff yourself, check out the numerous NYE listings available at washingtonpost.com, ontaponline.com, Washingtonian and the AOL city guide. Or check out our recommendations from last year, most of which are taking place again to ring in 2006.