Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with newyears

Keeping it real (delicious)

theflash — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 05:45:44 -0800

Help me find a mid-priced restaurant in Brooklyn for New Years dinner! My friends and I (about 12 of us) want to have dinner in Brooklyn for New Year's eve. I would like to keep this to a reasonable price. I'm thinking $30-50/person, not including alcohol. Can it be done? Ideally we'd be in Park Slope, Brooklyn Heights, or Cobble Hill. I think a prix fixe might break the bank. Bonus points for BYOBs. I haven't lived in New York in years and I'm stumped. Thanks, MeFi!

Weird Dallas get-away for NYE?

unknowncommand — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 21:17:52 -0800

What's a unique/interesting/weird New Year's Eve place/event that is 3 hours driving or 2 hours flying from Dallas, TX?

Black tie in Los Angeles?

YoungAmerican — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 10:21:18 -0800

What's the best black-tie New Year's Eve (or other event) in LA? A friend and I work on a men's style video series, and we're planning an episode on black tie. With New Year's coming up, we though it would make a great opportunity to shoot a field piece - but then we remembered that we live in LA and couldn't think of a single black-tie event besides the Oscars.

Can anyone suggest an elegant black tie New Year's or other event happening in the first 2-3 months of 2010? One that might potentially be open to press with cameras?

(Yes, we thought of the Oscars, and the opera and symphony openings have passed.)

New Year's Eve in Vegas on a few dimes.

pithy comment — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 20:30:48 -0800

Where can a young couple go on New Year's Eve in Las Vegas for a nice dinner staying through midnight, while spending less than $300? We are staying at Mandalay Bay and currently have a few reservations for the restaurants there (Aureole and China Grill) but they are for earlier in the night and are pretty expensive!

We're looking for a fun, warm place to spend New Year's Eve!

ersatzkat — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 05:26:24 -0800

My husband and I want to be someplace warm for New Year's Eve where we can see the full moon over the water. We can take time off between Christmas and Jan 3, and we'd like to go someplace warm for a few days. We're travelling from the East coast, have never been to the Caribbean or Mexico, and have a nerdy desire to see the full moon over *some* body of water. I'd like something relaxing and beachy, he'd like a bit more adventure and local interest and tall shit to climb (sorry, editorial I know).

Our problem is narrowing down our options - can you help us? Any recommendations for islands, cities, beaches - I know it's broad, but we don't know where to start! Assume that money isn't a huge object, but we'd also prefer not to blow 10K on a week. We're happy to make lots of reservations and stuff ourselves, but could be swayed by an all-inclusive that wasn't tacky and/or a ripoff. We're both late 30s. Thanks in advance for your help!

New Years Eve, London, 1899?

gottabefunky — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 11:33:32 -0800

How can I find out what sort of New Year's Eve events and festivities were held on December 31, 1899? I'm specifically interested in London, but other places would help too. I know 12/31/1900 was technically the start of the 20th century, but I'm specifically interested in 12/31/1899 - I'm assuming there were celebrations then too, like in 1999.

Why are we planning New Year's Eve this early?

unexpected — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:27:53 -0800

My friends and I trying to plan New Year's Eve. Help us figure out if New Orleans or Miami would be better... Hey everyone,

Even though it's August, my friends want to plan New Year's Eve. We've narrowed it down to two choices: Miami or New Orleans, and we're having trouble deciding.

If you have any experience with either of these two cities (especially around New Year's) I'd appreciate your input.

New Orleans:

Pros:

1) We'd stay on Bourbon St. All the action is centrally located here.

2) Sugar Bowl is going on. It would have lots and lots of people

3) We feel like drinks/entertainment would be cheaper here.

Cons:

1) NO seems to be a lot more "dirty" - especially Post-Katrina

2) There doesn't seem to be much to do besides drinking.

3) Potentially colder

Miami (South Beach)

Pros:

1) BEACH! (Though weather seems to be hit or miss)

2) More glamorous

3) Seems to have more non-drinking activities

4) Potentially warmer

Cons: (Basically the NO Pros)

1) We're a pack of 7 guys. I feel like we'd have an easier time getting into places in NO than Miami

2) Miami nightlife is going to be more expensive

3) Everything is more spread out in Miami - a lot of time in cabs traveling to and fro, no central location like vegas.

So HiveMind, I turn to you. If anyone has experience with either of this two cities (especially on NYE), I'd appreciate the input.

Let me know if you want more info about us, and our tastes.

Alone by choice, but now what?

Anonymous — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 17:49:07 -0800

All alone for New Year's Eve... I've just gone through the "What to do on New Year's Eve?" and the "Alone at Christmas" threads, but what about being alone on New Year's Eve?

While I have been invited to events and have friends around in the local area, I have declined all invites so far. This holiday season has been more hectic and overwhelming than I had expected, and I just don't want to get dressed up to go out.

So, what can I do? I don't want to sleep through the ball dropping at midnight, but watching it on TV and drinking by myself seems too sad. Any suggestions? Ideally, I would love to do something:

- ritual-like, or ceremonial
- fun
- to bid adieu to 2008, which was a crappy year for me
- that I won't feel silly doing alone

Thanks for the suggestions!

Low-key New Years Eve parties in Hollywood?

wannaknow — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 16:34:36 -0800

2 girls want to have a low-key, fun New Years in the Hollywood area. We're avoiding all the Super-Mega-Parties and would rather not pay a cover over $25. Does anyone know of any bars doing something fun? Right now we're thinking of going to the Cat and Fiddle, but I was curious if anyone knew of a NYE party at a bar or lounge that might be fun. We live in the Hollywood area and would prefer taking cabs all night and ending up back in our beds in the wee hours.

Thanks in advance!

Best bubbly for the buck?

libraryhead — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 07:30:05 -0800

Help me find a decent sparkling wine for less than $20. We're hosting a small, last-minute New Year's Eve gathering. I need a few bottles of champagne just for the midnight toast. (This crowd is more likely to drink cocktails or beer.) We've had an expensive Christmas and I'd like to keep the price tag under $20 per bottle, but there are some status drinkers in the group, so I know I can't break out the Korbel without snickers and sneers. What's cheap but doesn't look or taste like it? I'm open to non-champagne sparklers, as long as they're dry.

Where do we go for New Year's in Toronto?

ZaphodB — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 19:54:40 -0800

Where do we go for New Year's in Toronto? Hi hivemind,

My girlfriend and I are new to Toronto, and we're looking for a restaurant/bar/whatever to go for New Year's. She wants a place that has a live band and to which she can wear a cocktail dress. Unfortunately, New Year's is approaching fast and we've still got no idea where such a place might be. Any suggestions?

One other issue - we live near York University and have no car, so someplace near the subway would be ideal.

Many thanks for your help!

new years in rome

theflash — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:02:40 -0800

what should i do for new year's in rome? i'm female, late 20s, traveling alone, and on a budget. recommendations?

New York, New York!

FatherDagon — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 10:16:24 -0800

New York New Years ideas? Myself and a double handful of friends are heading up to NYC on the 30th to visit more friends and get our New Years on. We're looking for something interesting to do the night of the 31st, as well as on the weekend - but no Times Square touristy crap. We're all mid to late 20s, dig live music, fine arts, industrial clubs, good eating, interesting bars, etc. Any decent events going on outside of the usual domain?

Istanbul on New Year's Eve?

rsk — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 19:23:13 -0800

What should I do in Istanbul on New Year's Eve? I will be traveling in Turkey over the holidays with my girlfriend and a few other friends. Cappadocia over Christmas and Istanbul for New Year's. I imagine Christmas will be pretty quiet so we're focusing on finding something fun to do for New Year's. I've heard Taksim Square is the place to be in Istanbul. Has anyone done this? Any other suggestions on what to do?

Happy Baja-lidays

JaredSeth — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:11:56 -0800

The missus and I will be in Baja for the holidays, winging it as usual with no agenda. Where should we go, especially for Christmas and New Years Eve? We fly into San Diego the night of the 19th and, thanks to all of the reports of violence near the border, have changed our initial plans for a drive down the peninsula in a rental car. Now we're thinking we'd fly down to Loreto or La Paz and spend our time in Baja Sur.

That said, we're wide open as to where to spend our time and where to celebrate the holidays themselves. We've never been to Baja before so all suggestions are welcome.

New Year's Eve in Jerusalem?

ericbop — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 09:51:55 -0800

I'm excitedly returning to Israel for the first time since I lived in Jerusalem for a year in the mid-nineties. I'm co-leading an intergenerational synagogue trip in a few weeks, and I'd love any recommendations.

-New Year's Eve in Jerusalem? (We're staying at the Mt. Zion hotel, near the Liberty Bell Garden). Any happening places in the Russian Quarter? Nice restaurants downtown that would have a New Year's celebration (I know it's not a holiday in Israel, but still...)

-Shabbat afternoon in Tel Aviv (we're staying at the Marriott Renaissance, on the beach). Are restaurants, museums or shops generally open or closed on Shabbat?

Thanks for your help!

New Years in Manhattan?

dbarefoot — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 09:45:38 -0800

What should we do for New Years in Manhattan? We're passing through the city on our way back from Panama, and looking for options. We'd prefer to avoid super-formal parties (where, obviously, we don't know anybody), hyper dance clubs and ridiculously expensive (say, more than $200) dinners.

We were thinking of a nice late dinner somewhere, or maybe a gallery or theatre is running an event that you'd recommend. We're willing to spend a couple hundred bucks. I'd also welcome opinions on the Times Square thing.

What's the significance of a New Year's Eve date?

MeetMegan — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:12:45 -0800

What's the significance of having a New Year's Eve date? Is it really the Big Deal I've been lead to believe it is, or is it more of a convenience come time for the midnight kiss? I'm without a date (again) this year, and I'd like to know if it really is that significant to have a date on New Year's Eve. I can remember a few years ago when I did have a date (it was a third date with one particular guy) most people said it was a Big Deal. Now that I'm without one, I'm wondering where this Big Deal Date idea came from...

What is there to do on New Years Eve in Ft. Lauderdale that doesn't involve bars?

Green With You — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 19:03:33 -0800

New Years. Going alone. Not really interested in drinking. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Where? My New Years Eve will be spent either going to some bars with coworkers or doing my own thing. If I do my own thing I won't really drink much if at all. Are there any alternatives to bars and dance clubs that would be fun to go to for a couple hours in the Fort Lauderdale area? I'd say around 30 minute driving time maximum, unless there's something really cool further away.

Otherwise I will act as designated driver or just stay at home where it's safe.

What shall we do before midnight?

gursky — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:22:03 -0800

Last Minute Travel Plans: I'm seeking advice on what to do in New York City this new year's eve. I've read past threads about what to do in NYC, both generally and on new year's eve. My best friend and I are going for 4 days, as a break from school...and Ontario. We have plans for what to do and see and eat while we're there, but so far the night of the 31st is still lacking anything concrete.

We were hoping we'd find a concert or show to attend, but nothing happening on the 31st caught our interest (we google'd for a few hours).

What we're looking for:

- a place to go in Manhattan
- something relatively inexpensive (we're students; the cheaper the better)
- something that isn't going to be rowdy or too crowded
- a crowd that is mixed in age (we're both 21, but we're not looking for a 21-year-old's party)

If it somehow incorporates music (indie, folk, jazz, alternative) that would be great. If it's just a good time, that'll do too.

Thanks for your help!

New Year's in Portland

bunnycakes — Sat, 22 Dec 2007 08:00:16 -0800

New Year's Eve tips for Portland newbies? My husband and I will be in Portland on New Year's Eve. We aren't really sure what to do in the waning hours of 2007 -- and its our first time there. Google turns up the usual, but we trust the mefi collective wisdom has better suggestions. Us: thirty-ish, still like a party, still like a drink, looking for local flavor.

Best. New Year's. Party. Ever.

sotalia — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:49:34 -0800

I'm planning a New Year's Eve party, and I'm looking for inspiration. Have you attended a great New Year's Eve party in the past? What elements made it so successful?

New Years In Chicago

Kevin A — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:31:02 -0800

New Years in Chicago- I'm looking for a swanky lounge to spend New Years in the city. Google/CitySearch/Flavorpill have failed me so far. There's... My SO and I will be spending New Years in Chicago. We're not from there and are having a tough time wading through online postings of events to figure out what's cool or not. Here's what we want:
-Swanky lounge where we'll be required to wear more than jeans
-Loungy electronica/DJ music
-People ages mid-twenties to forties (we don't want to hang with the college crowd)
-Cover charge is OK.

What we don't want- trashy club playing top 40's all night with young kids booty dancing. Alternately, nothing too casual like a local pub with $2 Buds.

what's up in Cincinnati on New Year's eve?

donabean — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 15:38:59 -0800

I'm going to be visiting in Cincinnati this New Year's eve, and I was curious if anyone could suggest something fun for an out of towner to do?

James Brooowwwnn, James Brooowwwn

Slarty Bartfast — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 13:56:07 -0800

JamesBrownNewYearsPlaylistFilter: What are some great, obscure gems from deep in the James Brown catalog? It's New Year's Party time at Club Slarty and this year there will be even more JB than usual. I have my own favorites and of course a few standards but I want to funk up the place with a few jams no one's heard before.

Extra credit: Tracks by other artists that reference James Brown (I've got that terrible LA style song, Big Audio Dynamite's James Brown, Genius of Love).

Hit me with an email if you're in the Wallingford area of Seattle and are looking for something to do