Photo by [F]oxymoronWhether you want to celebrate 2011, or wish it good riddance, the time to do so is just two weeks away. Plan your night with our roundup of some the area’s most interesting New Year’s Eve options. Countdown to 2012 with the Drive-by Truckers at the 9:30 Club, shake some tassels at the Red Palace, get fancy at the Newseum, celebrate like it’s 1980 at the Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse, or pick one of the many other choices.
This list is far from comprehensive, nearly every restaurant or bar is throwing some sort of New Year’s shindig, so let us know your New Year’s plans in the comments.
PARTIES and SHOWS
New Year’s Eve with Drive-By Truckers & Booker T
Where: 9:30 Club (815 V Street NW)
When: 8 p.m.
What: A New Year’s Eve concert with Drive-By Truckers, Booker T, and the Alabama Shakes. Complimentary champage toast at midnight.
Price: $55.
Ball Drop Burlesque & Variety Blowout Bash
Where: Red Palace (1212 H Street NE)
When: 9 p.m. to midnight
What: A variety show broken up into three sets (at 9 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11 p.m.), featuring burlesque dancers, novelty acts, sideshow shenanigans, and go-go dancing. Champagne toast at midnight and dance party until closing.
Price: Tickets are $30 in advance, $40 day of (though this event sold out the past two years).
BONUS: Want less burlesque and more brains? Head to the Red Palace main bar (1210 H Street NE) for a Zombie New Years Party (only $5).
From Woolly With Love
Where: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (641 D Street NW)
When: 10 p.m.
What: Woolly Mammoth’s New Year’s Eve event includes a play (Spoiler Alert; Everybody Dies), desserts by José Andrés Catering, an open bar, and a champage toast with the cast.
Price: $130-$150.
BYT Presents: DJs & Beer & Books
Where: Former Borders book store (1800 L Street NW)
When: 8:30 p.m. to 3 a.m.
What: Party with the Brightest Young Things crew, who are promising multiple DJs playing your favorite songs, giant hampster balls to roll around in, and an open bar.
Price: $75 pre-sale, $80 after December 23.
New Year’s Eve 2011 Headliners Ball
Where: Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Avenue NW)
When: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
What: Wander through the Newseum’s exhibits, while you enjoy an open bar from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., live music from Round Midnight, snacks, and champagne toast at midnight.
Price: $195.
Drafthouse 1980’s Themed New Year’s Eve Celebration
Where: Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse (2903 Columbia Pike, Arlington)
When: 7:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
What: Breakout your sparkly legwarmers, Arlington Cinema and Drafthouse is hosting a 1980s themed New Year’s Eve party. Watch the live Times Square celebration on the big screen while DJs play the best of the 80s,
Price: $15.
Black Cat New Years Eve Ball
Where: Black Cat (1811 14th Street)
When: 8 p.m.
What: Swing dance, tangos, and music from the 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s by Peaches and her Orchestra, along with lounge act Tony Anthony & His Malvivants, and DJ Dredd & Grap Luva.
Price: $25.
First Night Alexandria New Year’s Eve Bash
Where: Throughout Alexandria, but concluding at midnight at the George Washington Masonic Memorial.
When: 1 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
What: While the night’s 100 live performances (comedy, music, storytelling, dance, and more) at 18 venues is great and all, it’s the 6,000 balls dropping at midnight and laser finale that has us intrigued. See the full schedule here.
Price: $20.
New Years Eve 2011
Where: Rock and Roll Hotel (1353 H Street NE)
When: 7 p.m.
What: Couldn’t book a DJ for New Year’s Eve? That’s cause they’re all at the Rock and Roll Hotel. Come for DJs James Nasty, Reed Rothchild, Smudge, DJ Phetish P, Denman, Villains Crew Djs, Dirty Steve, Xiao Yang, DJ Skim, and Painted Face (live).
Price: $50 admission and cash bar, or $80 admission and open bar.
New Year’s Eve Celebration
Where: DC Improv (1140 Connecticut Avenue NW)
When: 10:15 p.m.
What: Laugh in the new year with comedian Ralph Harris. Admission price also includes a fruit and cheese plate, champagne at midnight, party favors, and a ticket to a future show.
Price: $75.
FOOD & DRINK
New Years Eve 2012 at Eatonville Restaurant
Where: Eatonville (2121 14th Street NW)
When: 9:30 p.m.
What: If Eatonville’s good enough for the First Lady, it may be good enough for your New Year’s Eve. Enjoy a four-course Southern meal, live music, and a glass of Champagne.
Price: $59 (plus tax and tip)
Roast & Toast
Where: Poste Moderne Brasserie (555 8th Street NW)
When: Dinner at 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m., drinks from 8:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
What: A meal of roasts followed by an open bar in the Atrium lounge and outdoor Winter bar.
Price: Dinner is $55 at 5:30 p.m. or $70 at 8 p.m. Add the toast portion (an open bar) on for an extra $50, or just come for the open bar for $95.
Heaven vs. Hell New Year’s 2012
Where: The Gibson (2009 14th Street NW)
When: 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
What: A heaven and hell themed party with an open bar featuring 6 signature cocktails, or whatever you want from the shelves, and a champagne toast at midnight.
Price: $150.
Jack Rose NYE 2012
Where: Jack Rose Dining Saloon (2007 18th Street NW)
When: 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
What: Open bar, dancing, DJ Trayze, and a champagne toast at midnight.
Price: $75.
New Years Eve Celebration
Where: Bourbon in Adams Morgan (2321 18th Street NW)
When: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
What: Upstairs: Dance party and open bar from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Champagne toasts throughout the night. Downstairs: specialty cocktails, bourbon flights, and beers.
Price: $65 open bar upstairs, or $20 admission downstairs.
Speakeasy New Year’s Eve Party
Where: Lincoln (1110 Vermont Avenue NW )
When: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m.
What: A 1920s themed night of cocktails, food, and dancing, with music from David Akers and the Band Epitome and DJ Cassidy.
Price: $65 general admission, $150 open bar, $150 six-course dinner, $250 six-course dinner and open bar.
Hungry for more New Year’s Eve eating options? Check out Girl Meets Food’s New Years Eve Dining Guide 2011, which is categorized by price.
