Just when you think the insanity of the holiday season has passed, it comes knocking on your wreath-trimmed door: New Year’s Eve. This year, don’t let planning for December 31 stress you out. Instead, take a moment to glance over this list we’ve compiled for you, pick your top choice, and go celebrate the arrival of 2011!
Clubs
OM: Shanghaied New Year’s Eve 2011—Gamble, view art, sing karaoke, or just dance in one of the themed rooms, each designed to offer unique atmospheres, activities, and music. nyeminneapolis.com
EPIC: A Masked Affair—Presented by The Crystal Ball, this masquerade includes aerialists, fire performers, dancing, live entertainment, and an avant garde fashion show. nyempls.com
Envy Nightclub: Boardwalk Empire Ball—Envy will be transformed into a 1920’s vintage cabaret complete with burlesque dancers. Dressing in 1920s style is encouraged. envynye.com
Barfly: Countdown to 2011—Roaming photographers and videographers, a resolution booth, heated terrace, and champagne toast at midnight complete the night. barflyminneapolis.com/pdf/nyebig.jpg
Concerts
Varsity Theater: New Year’s Eve with Mark Mallman featuring Caroline Smith & The Good Night Sleeps, Red Pens, and Koo Koo Kanga Roo. varsitytheater.org
First Avenue: New Year’s Eve Danceteria—Featuring Ian Rans of Drinking With Ian, Get Cryphy deejays, Soviet Panda, DJ Smitty, and Roy Freedom. first-avenue.com/event/2010/12/city-pages-presents-first-avenue’s-new-year’s-eve-danceteria
Dakota Jazz Club: Average White Band—Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Average White Band, widely regarded as one of the best soul and funk bands in music. dakotacooks.com/event/new-years-eve-with-average-white-band
Fine Line Music Café: All-Inclusive New Year’s Eve with Tina & the B-Sides and The Melismatics. finelinemusic.com/calendar
Marriott City Center: VEGA New Year’s Eve—Featuring performances by Brother Ali, the Hood Internet, More Than Lights, Dada Trash Collage, DJ Snuggles (late night VIP set). Hosted by Barb Abney. Proceeds benefit music programs at Robbinsdale Cooper High School. citypages.com/events/vega-new-years-eve
The Artist’s Quarter: New Year’s Eve with Carole Martin and Friends. artistsquarter.com
Family Friendly
Fort Snelling: New Year’s Eve candlelight walk—From 3 to 9 p.m., enjoy a candlelit walk around historic Fort Snelling. Afterward, have some hot cider, hot chocolate, and snacks. exploreminnesota.com/events/5851/fort-snelling-state-park-new-years-eve-candlelight-walk
Children’s Museum: New Year’s Eve Sparkle-rama—Dance the night away to live music from Will Hale and the Tadpole Parade, create your own sparkly hat, sing karaoke, and take the stage with inflatable guitars. Admission includes a snack and free parking. mcm.org/visitor-information/special-events
Buck Hill: Ski, ride, or tube until midnight; watch Kevin Hall of Halls of Magic; participate in or watch the Zombie Boardshop big air competition; rock out with KS95 in the main chalet; and get a free glitter-glam hair-do and caricature drawing. Be sure to stick around for fireworks at midnight. buckhill.com/winter/new-years-eve-party
Comedy
The Joke Joint in Bloomington—A show by Carl Faulkenberry, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and Curtain Call (happy hour) prices until 2 a.m. jokejointcomedyclub.com/JJCC/Comedy_Club_Schedule
Burnsville Performing Arts Center—Laugh Out Loud New Year’s Eve with Louie Anderson. burnsvillepac.com/event-calendar
Bay View Event Center: Jeff Cesario, Emmy-award winning comedian. bayviewevent.com/JeffCesarioAJ.pdf
The Parkway Theater: 2010: The Winners and the Losers. Mostly the Losers.—Lizz Winstead reviews 2010. Head to Pepitos for an after party and midnight toast. theparkwaytheater.com/calendar
Black Tie
International Market Square: Kaleidoscope New Year’s Eve—A tradition at IMS for more than 20 years, “Kaleidoscope of Cultures” features worldly dance and music performances, mainstream deejays, more than 20 bars, a decadent D’Amico & Sons buffet, and a champagne toast at midnight. vitalculture.com/ViewTicket.jspa?ID=84434 and kaleidoscopenye.com
Bar/Restaurant
The Loop: Enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres buffet, champagne toast, balloon drop, and party favors. theloopmpls.com/events
331 Club: Whoomp! (There it is.)—90210 New Year’s Eve early-90s dance party, featuring DJ Tanner, Dr. Dallas Dog-Palace, and M.C. Hangtime. 331.mn/home
Solera: Open bar, coat check, signature Spanish tapas from Chef JP Samuelson, champagne toast at midnight, and live music on two floors. tempotickets.com/tempotickets/site/pages/event
Bootleggers: Open bar all night on all drinks and shots (including top shelf), coat check, live music, appetizers, balloon drop, champagne toast, and party favors. bootleggersmpls.net/upcoming_events
Brit’s Pub: Ring in the New Year twice, once at 6 p.m. (British New Year) and again at midnight. Beatles tribute band, A Hard Day’s Night, will be playing 8:30 p.m. until close. britspub.com/whats_on
Park Tavern Bowling & Entertainment: New Year’s Eve Rock and Bowl—Drink specials start at 9 p.m.; bowling starts at 9:30 and runs until 1:30 a.m. Free pizza buffet at 11 p.m. and each lane will get a free bottle of champagne for a midnight toast. parktavern.net/calendar
Red Stag Supperclub: Secrets of the City New Year’s Party—The night includes live music from Brad Senne and Sophia Shorai, and Master of Ceremonies Dylan Fresco, as well as a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and prizes. The regular dinner menu as well as specials will be served from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. redstagsupperclub.com/events/secrets-city-new-years-party
