Still trying to figure out what to do this New Year's Eve? Creative Loafing has the skinny on all the Bay area's various throwdowns, and we've weeded out the worthiest for your party planning convenience. Want to hip us to a party we don't have listed here? Shoot an e-mail to Leilani@cln.com. Want to see a list of solely live music offerings? Click here.
Wake Up! Don't Be Absinthe Nova New Year’s Eve Party
Locals are invited to don their party best and celebrate the New Year at NOVA 535 Art Lounge. Offerings include tasty hors d'oeuvres, live music and entertainment by Brujas del Agua and a guest DJ after midnight, and a free shot of absinth for all guests to start the year green. Wed., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., 535 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St. N., St. Petersburg, $9 (ages 21 and up only).
Bungalow Bistro Exclusive New Year's Eve Celebration
The Seminole Heights Euro-American eatery presents a special NYE four-course menu. The offerings are as follows: Sambuca mussels, tempura vegetables, or tofu fondue (first course); gorgonzola wild mushroom cream soup or bistro salad (second course); duck au deux, prime rib or Asian marinated salmon (third course); and espresso crème brule, chocolate truffle, or apple tart tatin. Wed., Dec. 31, 6 p.m. dinner, 8:30 p.m. dinner and after-party with music and a champagne toast at midnight, 5137 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, $49 per person/$99 couples. To make reservations, call 813-237-2000.
Café Bohemia New Years Eve Party Under the Stars
Cowboy Mafia performs two sets in Cafe Bohemia’s downtown St. Pete courtyard, where you can see the fireworks without having to deal with the First Night crowds and can grab drinks next door at Steve's Tavern. Wed., Dec. 31, 10 p.m., 937 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, $5, 727-895-4495.
Seminole Hard Rock New Year’s Celebrations
The casino hosts promotions, live entertainment, free party favors and a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight at the Center Bar, a “Naughty New Year’s Party by the Pool,” and the “West Coast Toast” at Floyd’s, a live broadcast of the ball drop from Los Angeles at 3 a.m. and dance party with Miami Club Space resident DJ Ivano Bellini along with Floyd’s resident DJs Santana and Chris Craze. Wed., Dec. 31, 10 p.m.-6 p.m., 5223 N. Orient Road, Tampa, $50 ($40 with poolside admission), 813-627-7625.
A Step Across Time
City of Imagination invites locals to come out and enjoy hits from the 1940’s through today by DJ James and Flashback with Roy, who sings and plays trumpet and trombone accompanied against music by Bennett, Sinatra and others. Wed., Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Gulfport Casino Ballroom, 5500 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport, $15. To make advance reservations for parties of 10 or more, 727-893-1070.
Sister Hazel New Year's Eve Bash
Although not quite a hometown band, Gainesville adult contemporary rockers Sister Hazel have managed to cultivate a rather dedicated Bay area fanbase with frequent tour stops and the occasional New Year's Eve concert. This year's NYE shindig at Jannus Landing is an all-ages affair with party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and a buffet provided by Harvey's 4th Street Grill. Doors 7 p.m., show 8 p.m. Wed., Dec. 31, 16 Second St. N., downtown St. Petersburg, $39.99 in advance.
New Year's Eve with John Pinette
Belt-busting, buffet-loving comedian John Pinette is the headliner for a pair of New Year's Eve shows at Tampa Improv — one for the dinner crowd, one for the late-night NYE revelers. Wed., Dec. 31: "Back to Buffet" Dinner Show, buffet seating starts at 5:30 p.m., show at 7:30 p.m., $55 per person (dinner buffet includes chicken, beef and fish selections); and New Year's Eve Celebration Show, 10 p.m., $48 per person (includes assorted cheeses and crackers, or mixed berries and whipped cream, as well as a champagne toast, party favors and post-show dancing), 1600 E. Eighth Ave., Centro Ybor, Ybor City, 21 and up only, 813-864-4000, tampaimprov.com
Beak's New Year's Eve
Beak's Old Florida hosts a free NYE celebration with live music by Ricky Wilcox and Liz Pennock & Dr. Blues, contests and prizes, noisemakers for all, and a champagne toast at midnight. Wed., Dec. 31, 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m., Beak's Old Florida, Central Ave., St. Petersburg, free admission.
Aqua-Eve at the Florida Aquarium
The Florida Aquarium throws its traditional New Year's Eve party with live music, food, beer and wine, and a champagne toast at midnight and a prime view of Channelside's NYE fireworks display. Wed., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., 701 Channelside Drive, Tampa, $90 general before Dec. 21/$100 general after Dec. 21 (discount for members), 813-273-4030, flaquarium.org
Fireworks at Channelside
See the Channelside fireworks display for free at midnight from the Channelside courtyard or while sipping a drink at any of the Channelside area bars (Margarita Mama's, Wet Willies, Bennigans, Hooters). You can also reserve a spot aboard the Yacht Star Ship Cruise, and view the pyrotechnics from the deck while enjoying an open bar, food, live entertainment, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. New Year's Eve Celebration Cruise, Wed., Dec. 31, 10 p.m. boarding, 10:30 p.m. departure, 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa, $99.95 per person, 813-223-7999, yachtstarship.com.
Salute to Vienna
This annual celebration is billed as "an evening inspired by the famous New Year's concert in Vienna, with all the splendor, charm, inspiration and beauty of the music of Vienna's 'Waltz King,' Johann Strauss Jr." Viennese maestro Gerhard Track conducts the Strauss Symphony of America with special guest soloists Ute Ziemer (soprano) and Joachim Moser (tenor) through the program, which also features waltzing performers from the Vienna International Ballet. Wed., Dec. 31, Ruth Eckerd Hall, 1111 N. McMullen Booth Road, Clearwater, $39-$65, 727-791-740, rutheckerdhall.com.
Swingin' the New Year.
Swing Time and Swing Gang stage an all-ages party with music, dancing, a midnight countdown and balloon drop, party favors, prize giveaways and a cash bar (champagne available). Vintage costumes are encouraged. Swing lessons are offered from 8 to 9 p.m., with dancing from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wed., Dec. 31, The Coliseum, 535 Fourth Ave. N., St. Petersburg, $15 in advance/$20 at the door, 727-892-5202. tampabayswing.com or stpete.org/coliseum.
NoHo Bistro New Year’s Eve Dinner
The South Tampa Euro-style bistro offers an exclusive dining event for area foodies. Among the offerings on the four-course tasting menu are a honeycomb, lavender and blue cheese board, a frisee salad, housemade gnocchi with gorgonzola-tomato sauce, olive oil-poached prawns, a bone-in veal chop, cinnamon pear tartlet with praline ice cream and Mexican chocolate bread pudding with Kahlua sauce. Wed., Dec. 31, 6-10 p.m., 1714 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, $75 per person (add $30 for a five-course wine-pairing dinner), 813-514-0691, thenohobistro.com.
Laugh In 2009 with Carl Labove
Ring in the New Year with former Sam Kinison cohort and current veteran comedian Carl LaBove. In addition to a set of stand-up, admission includes an all-you-can-drink open bar, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight, post-show music and dancing, and a complimentary continental breakfast buffet. Wed., Dec. 31,10:30 p.m.-1 a.m., Side Splitters Comedy Club, $60 in advance/$65 day of show, 813-960-1197, sidesplitterscomedy.com.
First Night
The Bay area’s booze-free NYE extravaganza takes over the streets of downtown St. Pete for its 16th year in a row. All manner of family-friendly diversions abound — art- and mask-making activities for kids, ghost tours, zydeco and cajun dance lessons, a temporary tattoo parlor, a “Labyrinth of Eating Green,” storytelling, tai chi demos and instruction, live entertainment by fire eaters, breathers and dancers, a community drumming circle, “ice” skating and live music and performances by the Blind Willie and Allen Moffatt Blues Allstar Review (featuring the Raiford Starke Band), the Mt. Zion Progressive Drum Line, Pickford Sundries, Freddy Montes y su Son, O Som Do Jazz, Tampa Bay Steel Drum Orchestra, Dundu Dole Urban African Ballet, T-Broussard & the Zydeco Steppers, St. Petersburg Opera Company, harpist Anna Kate Mackle, Florida West Ballet, Lutheran Church of the Cross Bell Choir and several others. A fireworks show kicks off at midnight. Wed., Dec. 31, 5 p.m.- midnight, at various locations throughout downtown St. Petersburg, $10 adults/$5 children, 727-823-8906, firstnightstpete.com.
REAX Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Party 3
REAX presents its third annual free NYE dance party. This year’s headliner is Jacksonville’s latest buzz band, pop psychedelia duo SUNBEARS!. Also on the bill are Tampa experi-hip-hop twosome The Basiqs, Orlando DJ Pauly Crush and surprise special guests. Wed., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., Crowbar, 1812 17th St. N., Ybor City, free admission for ages 18 and up (champagne toast at midnight for ages 21 and up), thxmgmtlive.com.
Pied Piper New Year’s Eve Bash
Pied Piper productions stages its fifth annual NYE event on Harbour Island with four separate indoor club and outdoor patio parties featuring Miami house music and Top 40 hits from the ’80s through the present. Guests also enjoy a champagne toast and a front-row view of the midnight fireworks display at Channelside. Wed., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-3 a.m., Jackson’s Bistro, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, $45 general/$85 VIP, 813-265-1234 piedpiperproductions.com.
New Year Celebration at The Venue
The multi-venue entertainment facility offers a seven-course pre-fixe menu with selections from its two restaurants, Takara and Viaggio (sushi, tapas, soup, salad, sorbet, entrée and dessert). Each table shares a bottle of champagne, and all guests enjoy dancing throughout the evening to live music by party cover band Rhythm Method in the Main Bar, parties in the Martini Bar, on the Deck and in Club V, and a 1,000-balloon drop at midnight. Wed., Dec. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., 2675 Ulmerton Road, St. Petersburg, $125 per person dinner and party/$30 general party only, 727-571-2222, thevenueclub.com.
Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center New Year's Eve Party
Maestro’s at TBPAC offers a NYE dinner package with champagne, an appetizer, soup or salad, an entrée and dessert. Or locals can skip dinner and attend an “after party” with live music by the Vodkanauts, a cash bar and two drink tickets, party favors, a large screen TV featuring the ball drop, a champagne toast at midnight, and coffee and gourmet cookies. Wed., Dec. 31, dinner seating at 5 and 8 p.m., 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. after party, 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa, $49 per person dinner/$39 after party, 813-222-1072, tbpac.org.
Rewind: The WMNF Tribute to the Music and Songs of 1968
WMNF welcomes a diverse lineup of Bay area bands for an evening of songs from a groundbreaking era of music. The performers — Talk to Mark, boon, Crabgrass Cowboys, Rancid Polecats, Midnight Bowler's League, Ted Lukas, Christie Lenee, Johnny Zoom, Chadun, Lush Progress, and Roppongi’s Ace — perform three songs each from ’68; guests also enjoy a champagne toast and breakfast. Wed., Dec. 31, 7 p.m., Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa, $25 in advance/$30 at the door, 813-238-8001, wmnf.org.
Whiskey Joe’s Four-Course New Year’s Eve Dinner
The menu includes an appetizer, soup or salad, an entrée, dessert and two drinks per person. Live entertainment is provided by Los Dos and the Johnny G Lyon Band, and all guests are invited to take part in a champagne toast at midnight. A portion of proceeds benefit Tampa’s Big Cat Rescue. Wed., Dec. 31, 5-8 p.m. dinner, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. party, 7720 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa, $75 dinner and party/$25 party only, 813-281-0770, whiskeyjoestampa.com.
TradeWinds "Rockin' in the Midnight Hour" New Year's Eve Party
Don your party best, and enjoy an evening live music by the Greg Billings Band, dance contests, an open bar, champagne and a midnight balloon drop, and an extensive gourmet hors d'oeuvres buffet. Five comedians perform a NYE show at Coconuts Comedy Club, TradeWinds’ Bermudas and Palm Court Italian Grill offer an array of special NYE dining options, and for the kids, Tradewinds presents KONK Club's "Kids Only" NYE Party. Wed., Dec. 31st, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m., TradeWinds Island Grand, 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, $99 guests/$125 general party (21 and up only; "Take the Elevator Home" room rates start at $169); and "Kids Only" New Years Eve Party, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., ages 4-11, $40 per child. For more info, call 727-363-2258 or visit JustLetGo.com.
This article appears in Dec 17-23, 2008.
