That’s where we come in. We have painstakingly sifted through the mountain of parties, benefits, concerts, shows and various other events on the big night so that we could provide you with a guide that will help you make the best decision possible. So without further ado, here are your options for the upcoming New Year’s Eve. Enjoy, and see you out and about!
PARTIES
Everyone likes a good party on New Year’s. Something without too much structure so that you can mingle and move without being tied down to one activity. These events often have a combination of good music, champagne toasts and other interesting activities designed to keep your interest intact and your bodies at the bar.
Year’s Masquerade. Wine’d Down, 180 Main Street, Suite 202, Hoover. This wine shop/cigar bar is hosting this second annual event with food, an open bar, live acoustic rock provided by Tracey and Alan and a balloon drop—all included in the entry fee. You must make reservations to attend this event, as no walk-ins will be allowed. 8 p.m. For more information, call (205) 988-WINE or visit www.wineddown.com.
An Irish “No Resolutions” New Years. The Barking Kudu, 2929 Seventh Ave. South. Clearly, the folks at the Barking Kudu want you to be able to party amongst their stuffed animal heads without without needing to make apologetic resolutions the next day. That must be why they’re hosting a “No Resolutions” party. Featuring 3 music acts— Jasper Coal, The Ian Sturrock Memorial Pipe Band and The Alabama Academy of Irish Dance—this celebration has a complimentary Guinness and champagne toast and breakfast at 2 a.m. $15. For more info visit www.barkingkudu.com.
Downtown New Years Eve The Loft Entertainment District. Many people like to bar hop on New Year’s, which gets a little com plicated the more you imbibe. That’s where the Downtown New Year’s Eve comes in. $20 gets you onto a party bus and into five bars: Metro Bar & Music, Pale Eddie’s, Steel, The Wine Loft and Rogue Tavern. You don’t have to worry about endangering your life and the life of others in your pursuit of a good time. For those too inebriated to make it home at the end of the day, parcipants will be able to book rooms at the Sheraton Birmingham for just $79. 8 p.m. For more information, call one of the participating venues.
First Friday’s New Years Eve 2010 Edition Amani Raha Ultra Lounge, 1612 Third Ave. North. Amani Raja may be shuttering their doors soon, but that’s not stopping them from seeing the year out in style. Hosted by New Year’s Eve birthday boy Iva Williams. $10. 10 p.m. For more information, visit ffnye2010.eventbrite.com.
Happy New Year’s 2011 Blues Concert and Party The Highland Conference Center 2012 Magnolia Ave. Like old-school blues? Head down to the Highland Conference Center for a performance by Shar-Baby and music by DJ Don Johnson. 8 p.m. Hotel Highland, which is attached to the conference center, has special New Year’s room rates for those who wish to stay put after partying. $15, or $100 for a table of eight. There will be food available. For more information, call (205) 874-5759.
Innisfree’s New Year’s Celebration. Innisfree Pub, 10 29th St. South. Head to Innisfree for their annual countdown and, as always, a jagerbomb toast at midnight. Music by Teenage Daddy. Stick around after midnight because the party won’t stop until 4 am, for all you late-night cats out there. For more info call (205) 252-4255.
NYE Set All Black Everything Merienda Lounge, 420 Richard Arrington Jr. Blvd. South Fairly new venue Merienda will host a party featuring live entertainment by Logan and music by DJ Azul. There will be a free champagne toast and $1000 money drop at midnight. NYE party favors will be provided. 8 p.m. For more information call, (205) 383-9959 or email feverbham@gmail.com.
New Year’s Eve “State of Mind” Masquerade Ball. Old Car Heaven, 115 35th St. South. Hosted by Tasha Simone, a radio personality for Hot 107.7, Old Car Heaven’s party will provide you with masks and party favors for their masquerade. Food will be available, including Triple Sec Wings (wings marinated in Triple Sec Liqueur, citrus and Floribbean seasonings), SoCo Wings (wings marinated in Southern Comfort and Cola) and Veggie Pasta. You must be 21 to participate. 9 p.m. For more information, call (205) 324-4545 or visit www.oldcarheaven.com.
S.I.N. New Year’s Eve Fuego Cantina and Saloon, 1101 20th St. Fuego’s New Year’s Celebration is dedicated to members of the service industry. If you work in said industry you will receive 25 percent off your food and drink. There will be live music by the Matt Richie Band and a champagne toast at midnight, 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. There is no cover, and the kitchen will be open until 4 a.m. For more information call, (205) 933-1544.
Stillwater Pub New Year’s Eve Party. 2109 7th Ave. South. Stillwater’s New Year’s Celebration will feature a champagne toast at midnight and music by The Magnetic Elite and The Big Tasties. $5 gains you entry. For more information, visit www.stillwaterpub.com.
BENEFITS & FUNDRAISERS
Want to do more with your evening than just drink and party? Than perhaps a party/ benefit is just up your alley. Here’s a way to have fun and give back this New Year’s.
“Party with a Purpose.” B & A Warehouse, 1533 First Ave. South. This will be the 10th annual New Year’s Eve party to be thrown by the Hats & Horns Societé to benefit Operation School Bell and the Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs. Includes an open bar, live music by Mother Mercy and Hashbrown, a midnight champagne toast and a dinner buffet. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $125. Cocktail attire, black tie optional. Two tickets for next year’s event will be awarded to the person wearing the best hat. For more information, call (205) 913- 5749 or visit www.hatsandhorns.com.
DANCE
Getting your groove on is part of what New Year’s is all about, so here are a few dance-centric events for those with happy feet.
Birmingham Swing Dancers New Year’s Eve Party. Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 980 Huffman Road. Make your reservations as early as possible for this special New Year’s dance party. Wear your best holiday attire and enjoy live music from Patton James and the Sychromatics, plus snack food and soft drinks. You’ll receive a complimentary glass of champagne at midnight, but the event is BYOB. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $30 advance; $35 at the door. For more information, email imadancing@charter.net.
New Year’s Eve Contra Dance. YWCA, 309 23rd St. North. An event for both the amateur and experienced contra dancers, with live music by Mick Kinney and Jambiance and caller Jeff Hodge. Brought to you by the Birmingham Friends of Old Time Music and Dance. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Members and students $15; non-members $18. For more information, call (205) 322-9922 or visit www.footmadbirmingham.org.
FOOD
With all that drinking you’re about to do, you’re going to need a hearty meal beforehand. Here’s where you can find some delicious vittles to fill your bellies with.
Café de Paris 2801 Seventh Ave. South. The fellas at Café de Paris are bringing you a special menu at two different price points. For $65 you get complimentary hors d’oevres, an appetizer, an éntree, a dessert and a cheese platter. For $70 you get all that plus a glass of champagne. Menu offerings will include Cold Lobster Tartere, Roasted Lamb, Dover Sole, Ahi Tuna and Lemon Shortcake. For more information, call (205) 202-4024 or visit www.cafedeparis.us.
Café Dupont 113 20th St. North This year Café Dupont is providing a four-course meal. Among the choices are Braised Pork Belly, Herb Brioche Crusted Flounder, Roasted Quail Stuffed with Foie Gras and Café Dupont’s signature beignets. $85. For more information, call (205) 322-1282 or visit www.cafedupont.net.
“Champagne Tasting of the Stars.”
Pleasure Is All Wine, 200 Bowling Lane, Suite 210, Pelham. A complimentary New Year’s Eve tasting that will extend through all of Pleasure Is All Wine’s business hours. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (205) 985-4760. www.pleasureisallwine.com
Highlands Bar and Grill 2011 11th Ave. South. Highlands also has a four-course meal on offer including, among other things, Oysters on the Half Shell, Grilled Trout with Hollandaise and Caviar, Prime NY Strip and Red Wine Sauce and Pecan Chocolate Tart with Coffee Sauce. $110. For more information, call (205) 939-1400 or visit www.highlandsbarandgrill.com.
Little Savannah 3811 Clairmont Ave. Another four-courser from Little Savannah, this one featuring Roasted Beet & Candied Orange, Goat Cheese Mousse, Georgia Sturgeon en Papillote, Sonoma Valley Duck Confit and a Rosemary- Buttermilk Biscuit with Blood Orange-Molasses Marmalade, among other selections. The bar will stay open till 1 a.m. with a limited menu. $75, or $125 with wine included. For more information, call (205) 591-1119 or visit www.littlesavannah.com.
Ocean 1218 20th St. South. Ocean offers up a new years special menu including oysters rockefeller, potato wrapped gulf shrimp, specialty salads, and entrees including pan seared black grouper, wood grilled certified “hereford” filet mignon, pan seared sea bass, or a crusted rack of lamb. For more information call 205-933-0999 or visit www. oceanbirmingham.com
Veranda on Highland 2220 Highland Ave. South. Veranda has (surprise, surprise) a fourcourse meal, with selections including House
Smoked Salmon Canapè, Blue Crab & Corn Bisque, Center Cut Hereford New York Strip and White Chocolate Ganache with Rasberry Coulis. $65. For more information, call (205) 939-5551 or visit www.verandaonhighland.com.
Dodiyos 1831 28th Ave., Homewood This New Year’s Eve, Homewood’s newest Greek restaurant will have two menu choices, one for $32 and one for $48. Both feature Dodiyo’s fresh take on traditional Greek cuisine. For more information or a full menu, call (205) 453-9300 or visit www.dodiyos.com. Getting to hear great music has become part of the New Year’s Tradition for many folks, and Birmingham has a great sampling available.
Bottletree: Man or Astroman? / Nowhere Squares / Nightmare Waterfall
Café Firenze: The Ugli Stick
Grey Bar: New Year’s Eve DJ
The Hotel Highland: Live Band Karaoke with the All Stars
Iron Horse Café: Az-Izz
Margarita Grill: Theatrix
Marty’s: LazyBirds
Metro Bar & Music: Caddle / Lolly Lee & Mark Kimbrell
Moonlight on the Mountain: The Beatlads: New Year’s Eve in Bermuda! (Beatles Tribute Band)
Neighborhood Sports Grille: New Year’s Party w/ The Jeff Galey Band
The Nick: BeItTheMeans / Sparrow & The Ghost / BearHead / Stone Mountain Freeway
Oasis: The Amazing Live Seamonkeys
Pub 261: Hunter Lawley Band
Rogue Tavern: New Year’s Eve w/ II Da Maxx
Rojo: Dan Sartain / Red Harp / The Magic Math
Sipsey Tavern: Earthbound New Year’s Eve Show
Steel Urban Lounge: New Year’s Eve Party w/ DJ Vulcan
Stillwater Pub: The Magnetic Elite & The Big Tasties
Superior Bar & Grill: Livewire
Tipsy’s: New Year’s Eve w/ Lynam
Wine’d Down: Tracey and Alan
Workplay: KGTD Does New Year’s Eve: Nastique / DJ Charles III / The ATF
Zydeco: Seventh Annual New Year’s Eve Blowout w/ Trotline
“A Viennese Celebration!” Alabama Theatre, 1817 Third Ave. North. In the tradition of old Vienna, the Alabama Symphony Orchestra will have waltzes, polkas, opera selections and champagne to ring in the new year. Conducted by Christopher Confessore and performed by Layla Claire. 6 p.m. $22-$74; Students $15. For more information, call (205) 975-ARTS or visit www.alabamasymphony.org.
And that’s all she wrote, people. By now, you should have a pretty good idea of where you want to be when the calendar flips. Remember to have a good time and stay safe. We’ll catch you on the flip side.
straighteners
