COMPILED BY PETER BERKOWITZ & SARA HAVENS | [email protected]
Is it a coincidence that New Year’s rhymes with few beers, screw tears, cue cheers and shoo fears? Well, listen up with your two ears (bonus rhyme) as we relay some of the best spots in town to fill your dance card. Like Grandma always advised, don’t expect Italy by going to the Olive Garden. Pick a place where you’ll be happy and don’t worry about gettin’ lucky. You’ve got 365 new days to work on that. —Sara Havens
The Bard’s Town
1801 Bardstown Road, 749-5275, thebardstown.com. Live music by Totally Boss!: Acoustic 80s Explosion and sketch comedy by Derby City Dating Scene at 7 p.m. Cost: Free.
Baxter’s 942 Bar and Grill
942 Baxter Ave., 409-9422, baxters942.com. Live music by 64 West at 9 p.m. Cost: $15-$40.
Chuck’s Place
8807 Third Street Road, 749-3838. Live music by Aces High at 9 p.m., plus champagne toast. Cost: $TBA.
The Connection
120 S. Floyd St., 585-5752, theconnection.net. DJ Lydia Prim at 10:30 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Decca
812 E. Market St., 749-8128, deccarestaurant.com. Live music by The Buzzard & Gail Wynters at 9 p.m., plus a champagne toast. Cost: Free.
Diamond Pub and Billiards
630 Barret Ave. & 3814 Frankfort Ave., 690-7040 & 895-7513, diamondpubandbilliards.com. Live music by Freddy and the Cruegers, Bob Anonymous, DJ Beharang & DJ Eclectrixx (Highlands), Kevin Knoxvegas and DJ Mike Moody (St. Matthews) at 8 p.m., plus 2 shuttle buses to both locations, light show, free pool, confetti. Cost: $20-$300.
Expo Five
2900 Seventh Street Road, 645-1820, expofive.com. Live music by Wayne Young and the New Legends. Cost: $TBA.
Fix
116 E. Main St., 414-1349, fixnightclub.com. Live music by Jalin Roze with DJs Black Matter, Glitter Titz and Stanislav at 9 p.m. Cost: $10-$600.
Fourth Street Live
4thstlive.com. Music by Zellus & DJ JC at 9 p.m. Cost: Free.
Gerstle’s Place
3801 Frankfort Ave., 742-8616, gerstles.com. Live music by Cover Me Badd and Petar Mandic at 10 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Headliners Music Hall
1386 Lexington Road, 584-8088, headlinerslouisville.com. WFPK New Year’s Eve Live Broadcast: Live music by The Ladybirds, with DJs Woodrow on the Radio and Matt Anthony at 9 p.m., plus a juke joint dance lesson by the Louisville Swing Dance Society at 8 p.m., photo booth, party favors and a balloon drop at midnight. Cost: $10 (adv.), $12 (door).
Hideaway Saloon
1607 Bardstown Road, 485-0114, hideawaysaloon.com. Live music by Canago at 10:30 p.m. Cost: $10.
Jerry Green and Friends
2800 Breckinridge Lane, 451-0706, breckinridgeinn.com. Live music by Jerry Green at 8 p.m., plus appetizers, party favors and a champagne toast. Cost: $50.
Jim Porter’s
2345 Lexington Road, 452-9531, jimporters.com. Live music by Louisville Brass & Electric, Lindsey Lane & Axis, Rock Station and The Boogie Men at 8 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Mac Daddy’s
1031 Hwy. 62, Charlestown, 812-256-1092. Live music by The Holt Brothers Band. Cost: $TBA.
Maple Inn Tavern
9416 Taylorsville Road, Jeffersontown, 267-0502, mapleinntavern.com. Live music by The River City Blues Band. Cost: Free.
Meat
1076 E. Washington St., 354-3212, meatinlouisville.com. Live music by King Sonic with the Mavens of Mischief. Cost: $TBA.
O’Shea’s Irish Pub
956 Baxter Ave., 589-7373, osheaslouisville.net. Live music by the Logan Street Band, Deuce and Boombox Saints at 10 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Patrick O’Shea’s
123 W. Main St., 708-2488, osheaslouisville.net. Live music by Midnight Radio with DJ Melly Mel at 6 p.m., plus a four-course meal, champagne toast and party favors. Cost: $15-$350.
Phoenix Hill Tavern
644 Baxter Ave., 589-4630, phoenixhill.com. Live music by Naked Garden, Rock Brigade and The Over-Reactors at 9:30 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Stevie Ray’s Blues Bar
230 E. Main St., 582-9945, stevieraysbluesbar.com. Live music by The Predators at 10 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Third Street Dive
442 S. Third St., 749-3483, reverbnation.com/venue/thirdstreetdive. Live music by Little Rachel and The Honeybees at 9 p.m., plus champagne, silly hats and noisemakers. Cost: $10.
21c Museum Hotel
700 W. Main St., 217-6300, 21cmuseumhotels.com. Music by DJ Ryan Cox at 8 p.m., plus a balloon drop, two cocktails and a cash bar. Cost: $40.
Zanzabar
2100 S. Preston St., 635-9227. Music by OK Deejays & Sam Sneed at 10 p.m. Cost: $10.
ZaZoo’s
102 Bauer Ave., facebook.com/TheNewVintageShowcase. Live music by Velvet Saints and Big Head at 9 p.m. Cost: $10.
Restaurants
610 Magnolia
610 W. Magnolia Ave., 636-0783, 610magnolia.com. Early seating is from 5:30-6:15 p.m. — features four-course menu. Cost: $85/person. Late seating is from 8-8:45 p.m. — features six-course menu. Cost: $110/person (includes midnight champagne toast).
Asiatique
1767 Bardstown Road, 451-2749, asiatiquerestaurant.com. Features a four-course menu. Cost: $55/person.
Blu Italian Grille
280 W. Jefferson St., 671-4265, blugrille.com. Evening includes room at the Louisville Marriott with two separate packages: Gold Package includes two bourbon cocktails, $100 voucher toward dinner, live music and champagne toast. Cost: $299/couple. Platinum Package includes three-course meal with wine pairings, live music, champagne toast and breakfast buffet. Cost: $499/couple.
Bristol Bar and Grille
700 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, 812-218-1995, bristolbarandgrille.com. Special event features a Pacific Northwest wine dinner. Master sommelier Scott Harper will lead a wine presentation at 8:30 p.m., followed by four-course dinner created by chef Richard Doering inspired by the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Cost: $175/couple. For an additional $110, you can add a deluxe guest room at the Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel.
Captain’s Quarters
5700 Captain’s Quarters Road, 228-1651, cqriverside.com. Live music by The Huckleberries, dinner specials and champagne toast at midnight in the lodge. Dinner cruise on CQ Princess yacht (8 p.m.) includes premium open bar and grand buffet dinner. Dinner cruise: $80/person.
Corbett’s: An American Place
5050 Norton Healthcare Blvd., 327-5058, corbettsrestaurant.com. Unique seven-course menu. Reservations required. Cost: $100/person.
Decca
812 E. Market St., 749-8128, deccarestaurant.com. Party features three-course prix fixe dinner by Chef Annie Pettry and champagne toast. The cellar Lounge will feature jazz by The Buzzard with Gail Wynters from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Dinner cost: $65 (plus $25 for wine pairings). Lounge party is free.
Dish On Market
434 W. Market St., 315-0669, dishonmarket.com. Live music by Big Poppa Stampley. Cost: $TBA.
English Grill at The Brown Hotel
335 W. Broadway, 736-2998, brownhotel.com. New Year’s Eve celebration includes a six-course dinner, a champagne toast at midnight, party favors and dancing. Dinner reservations are available from 8-9 p.m. Cost: $115/person.
Equus & Jack’s Lounge
122 Sears Ave., 897-9721, equusrestaurant.com. New Year’s Eve festivities include a four-course menu prepared by Executive Chef Tavis Rockwell. Cost: $55/person.
Flanagan’s Ale House
934 Baxter Ave., 585-3700. The Ancient Order of Hibernians present an Irish New Year’s Celebration from 5-9 p.m. Following the clocks in Dublin, the year will be welcomed at 7 p.m. with a special toast and bagpipe salute. Includes Irish music, beer and menu specials. Cover: $3.
Jeff Ruby’s
325 W. Main St., 584-0102, jeffruby.com/louisville.php. Live music by Robbie Bartlett at 9 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
La Coop: Bistro à Vins
732 E. Market St., 410-2888. Chef Bobby Benjamin and the La Coop culinary team will offer an eight-course tasting menu. Dinner seating is available by reservation at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Beer and wine pairings are extra. Cost: $75/person.
Lynn’s Paradise Café
984 Barret Ave., 583-3447, lynnsparadisecafe.com. Pajama party New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 7 a.m.-10 p.m. People who come wearing pajamas get a prize. Full menu, live entertainment and drink specials all day. Reservations recommended.
Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge
Fourth Street Live, 568-9009, makerslounge.com. Three packages include: Option 1 (three-course meal with bottle of champagne) at 5:30 p.m. Cost: $65/person. Option 2 (three-course meal with bottle of champagne) at 8 p.m. Cost: $65/person. Option 3 (premium open bar) from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Cost: $65/person. Includes live music by DJ DV8, champagne toast and more.
Marketplace Restaurant at Theater Square
651 S. Fourth St., 625-3001. Party includes regular menu and specials, live jazz from the VoJazz Trio, champagne toast and more. Reservations recommended.
Proof on Main
702 W. Main St., 217-6360, proofonmain.com. Starting at 8 p.m., there will be a special prix-fixe dinner that includes four courses, party favors, a champagne toast and access to the party at the 21c Museum Hotel. Cost: $140/person.
Rivue Restaurant & Lounge
Galt House Hotel, galthouse.com. Cotton Club party featuring dinner and dancing to a jazz quartet, 5:30 p.m.-midnight. Includes dinner for two and champagne toast. Cost: $275/couple.
Rye
900 E. Market St., 749-6200, ryeonmarket.com. DJ Freakage at 8 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Varanese
2106 Frankfort Ave., 899-9904, varanese.com. Party includes regular menu and specials, live jazz, champagne toast and more. Reservations recommended.
HOTELS
21c Museum Hotel
700 W. Main St., 217-6300, 21chotel.com. Overnight package includes two tickets to the NYE bash and complimentary late check-out. Cost: start at $319. NYE bash in the Atrium Gallery includes DJ, dance floor, champagne and more.
The Brown Hotel
335 W. Broadway, 583-1234, brownhotel.com. Package includes your choice of overnight accommodations, valet parking, sparkling wine, live music and late check-out. Cost: $179/room, in addition to the $115 dinner reservation per person.
Crowne Plaza Hotel
830 Phillips Lane, 367-2251, cplouisville.com. Casino Royale New Year’s Eve party features an overnight stay, live entertainment from Caribou, dinner buffet, casino tables, raffle prizes, drink tickets, champagne toast at midnight, and “recovery” breakfast buffet. Cost: $299/couple.
Fern Valley Hotel
& Conference Center
2715 Fern Valley Road, 964-3311. Package 1 includes room for two, party in the lounge (9 p.m.-1 a.m.), hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast, party favors and breakfast the next day. Cost: $140/couple. Package 2 includes admission to the lounge party. Cost: $30/person. “Family Package” includes room for four (two adults, two children), party around the pool with pizza and soft drinks. Cost: $99.
French Lick Resort
French Lick, Ind., 888-936-9360, frenchlick.com. Roaring ’20s-style party will feature music by the Al Cobine Band, hors d’oeuvres, dessert buffet, cash bar, party favors, champagne toast and more. Overnight Package: $459/couple.
Galt House Hotel and Suites
140 N. Fourth St., 589-5200, galthouse.com. “American Bandstand New Year’s Eve” theme party features music by Burning Las Vegas. Three packages: $129/person (dinner, reception, dancing, champagne toast); $175/person (executive suite, two receptions, dinner, dancing, two drink tickets, New Year’s Day brunch, champagne toast); $212/person (two-night stay executive suite, two receptions, dinner, dancing, two drink tickets, champagne toast, breakfast, brunch).
Holiday Inn Lakeview
505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Ind., 812-283-4411. Package includes room for two, live entertainment from Replay, party favors, balloon drop, cash bar, champagne toast and brunch the next morning. Cost: $159/couple.
Holiday Inn Louisville East
1325 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy., 426-2600, hihurstbourne.com. Package includes deluxe overnight accommodations, dinner buffet, music by DJ Mike Hall, drink specials, champagne toast and breakfast buffet. Cost: $229/couple.
Hyatt Regency
320 W. Jefferson St., 581-1234, louisville.hyatt.com. Package includes room for two, dinner buffet, entry to Fourth Street Live’s NYE Party and free drinks at Mosaic, Angel’s Rock Bar, Tengo Sed Cantina and more. Cost: $299+.
Louisville Marriott Downtown
280 W. Jefferson St., 800-533-0127, marriottlouisville.com. New Year’s Eve party and dinner packages range from $299/couple (includes overnight stay, two bourbon cocktails, $100 voucher toward dinner at Blu, live music and more) to $499/couple (overnight stay, three-course meal at Blu with wine pairings, live music, breakfast buffet and more).
Seelbach Hilton Hotel
500 Fourth St., 585-3200, seelbachhilton.com. New Year’s Eve party hosted by 102.3 The Max. MAX Package includes room for two, dinner buffet, party favors, DJs and champagne toast. Cost: $279/couple. Cost without a room: $159/couple.
Sheraton Riverside
700 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, 812-218-1995, bristolbarandgrille.com. Package includes dinner reservation at the Bristol Bar & Grille in Jeffersonville for their Pacific Northwest New Year’s Eve party, plus a room for two. Cost: $285/couple.
And so on …
American Legion Post #244
3408 College Drive, Jeffersontown, gijoe244.us. Live music by Hoghead Blues. Cost: $TBA.
AMF Rose Bowl Lanes
2217 Goldsmith Lane, 451-5717, amf.com/rosebowllanesky. Three packages: 1) From 2-5 p.m., pizza party with lane rental for up to six people. Cost: $79/lane. 2) From 6-9 p.m., lane rental for up to six people and buffet. Cost: $99/lane. 3) From 10 p.m.-2 a.m., lane rental for up to six people, buffet and champagne toast at midnight. Cost: $TBD/lane.
Art Sanctuary
1433 Shelby St., 386-7114, art-sanctuary.org. “A Very Vaudeville Eve” with Va Va Vixens and Blue Moon Circus at 9 p.m., plus cash bar. Cost: $20-$30.
Executive Strike and Spare
911 Phillips Lane, 368-1651, strikeandsparebowling.com. Party package includes five hours of bowling for up to five people, party favors, pizza, champagne or sparkling cider and prize giveaways. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Cost: $175/lane.
German-American Club
1840 Lincoln Ave., 451-3100, german-americanclub.com. Live music by The Rheingold Band at 9 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Horseshoe Casino
Elizabeth, Ind., 866-676-SHOE, horseshoeindiana.com. Featuring $25,000 in giveaways, live music from Endless Summer (at Legends) and The Rumors (at Envy Bar), party favors, champagne toast and more. VIP room packages: $569.99/couple. Party at Legends: $50.
Ice House
217 E. Main St., 589-4700, icehouselouisville.com. Live music by The Crashers at 9 p.m., plus a champagne toast. Cost: $50-$100.
Jefferson Eagles Aerie #1527
113 W. Maple St., Jeffersonville, 812-283-8751. Live music by The Hogtown Blues Band at 8 p.m. Cost: $TBA.
Kingpin Lanes
9525 Taylorsville Road, 719-5464, bowlkingpin.com. New Year’s Eve Bash includes unlimited x-treme bowling, two pizzas, unlimited soda and popcorn, party favors, live music and more. 9:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Cost: $150/lane (five people per lane).
Marian Center
502 N. Fifth St., La Grange, 456-3233, kyhemo.org. Live music by Louisville’s Own Band and The Mystic Singers with Diane Bramblett, plus party favors and refreshments. Cost: $65 (single) or $125 (couple).
New Albany Roadhouse
1706 Greybrook Lane, New Albany, 812-981-7777. Live music by Nervous Energy at 6 p.m. Cost: $25 (single), $50 (couple).
Spirit of Jefferson Cruise
401 W. River Road, 574-2992, belleoflouisville.org. New Year’s Eve Early Dinner boards at 4:30 p.m. and cruises till 7 p.m. Cost: $44/person. New Year’s Eve Late Night Bash boards at 10 p.m. and cruises till 1:30 a.m. Features buffet, DJ, champagne toast and party favors. Cost: $64/person.
VFW Post 1427
350 Harrison Ave., Charlestown, 812-256-3958. Live music by the Revolver Band at 9 p.m. Cost: $10 (per couple).
Wight-Meyer Winery
340 Meyer Dr., Shepherdsville, 921-0267, wight-meyervineyards.com. Live music by da Mudcats. Cost: $TBA.
