Where to be when the ball drops this New Year’s Eve
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Last New Year’s Eve was a disaster. I found myself speeding through Charlotte at 11:43 p.m. trying desperately to get somewhere to watch the ball drop that wasn’t a house party where I was surrounded by people that I didn’t know. I actually distinctly remember panicking as Bang Bang (you know, that song you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing) came on during Ryan Seacrest’s countdown of the top songs of 2014 – midnight was close.
I ended up on Montford, which seems to be the story of my life, I know, parked at Angry Ale’s, and walked confidently to the bouncer where I was told that it would be $99 per person to get in.
My bank account laughed out loud and we left. Southside was the same deal, but Brazwell’s took pity on my group and let us in for free at 11:55.
I got to watch the ball drop, but we got kicked out thirty minutes later. Yeah. New Year’s Eve 2014 was something for the books.
Who knew research was important when it came to this sort of thing? As it turns out, there are parties all around the city that go until 3 or 4 in the morning (and still have the price tag on them). Had I known this, I’m relatively certain I could have avoided the stress that came with trying to plan my evening 15 minutes before the ball dropped.
Don’t make that mistake. To help you avoid it, I’ve rounded up a list of places to start and end your night without the stress of literally racing against the clock.
All-American Pub/The Oak Room
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200 E Bland St
9:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.
What you get: Plenty of packages to choose from. See them all here.
What you pay: $25-$110
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The Westin
<br/>New Year’s Eve Extravaganza
601 S College St
9:00 p.m. – 3:00 a.m.
What you get: Plenty of packages to choose from. See them all here.
What you pay: $25 – $375
TropixNC<br/>
International New Year’s Eve
4701 North Tryon St
9 p.m. – 5 a.m.
What you get: Food, music, fun
What you pay: $15-25, depending on when you buy your ticket
Leroy Fox<br/>
A New York, New York New Year’s Eve Event
705 South Sharon Amity Road
8 p.m. – 3 a.m.
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What you get: Five-course dinner, specialty cocktails, midnight champagne toast, party favors, DJ, and dancing
What you pay: $70
The Ritz
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<br/>Gorgeous at the Ritz New Year’s Eve 2016
201 E Trade Street
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
What you get: Plenty of packages to choose from. See them here.
What you pay: $20-$650
Rooftop 210
<br/>New Year’s Eve Under the Stars
EpiCentre
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
What you get: DJ, dancing, drinks, buffet
What you pay: $70-$1,000
Howl at the Moon
EpiCentre
8 p.m. – 2 a.m.
What you get: Two house drinks for up to $8.25, champagne toast at midnight, party favors. See the packages here.
What you pay: $40-$100
Strike City
The Uproar: A Vintage NYE Affair
EpiCentre
10 p.m. – 2 a.m.
What you get: Plenty of packages to choose from. See them here.
What you pay: $15-$500
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Club Vibrations
Black & Gold New Year’s Eve Party with the Uptown Swagga Band
5237 Ablemarle Road
8:00 p.m.
What you get: Plenty of packages to choose from. See them here.
What you pay: $15-$800
Angry Ale’s
<br/>#MOFO New Year’s Bash 2016
1518 Montford Drive
8 p.m.
What you get: Plenty of packages to choose from. See them here.
What you pay: $20-$120
The Grady Cole Center
310 North Kings Drive
8 p.m.
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What you get: A chance to party with Tamanna Bhatia. There are plenty of packages to choose. See them here.
What you pay: $49-$999
Omni Hotel<br/>
Southern Skyline New Year’s Eve
132 E Trade Street
9 p.m.
What you get: Choose from general admission or VIP here.
What you pay: $125-$180
The Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts & Culture
<br/>Pure Decadence
551 South Tryon Street
9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
What you get: Four packages to choose from. See them here.
What you pay: $20-$375
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden<br/>
Sparkle & Glow New Year’s Eve
6500 S New Hope Road, Belmont
6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
What you get: Traditions from all around the world and a luminary release for wishes in 2016
What you pay: Free with admission ($6.95-$12.95). Wine and cider tastings available for $20 per guest
Galway Hooker Pub
17044 Kenton Drive, Cornelius
8 p.m.
What you get: Open bar, hor d’oeuvres buffet, champagne toast. VIP tables available for purchase.
What you pay: $60 in November, $70 in December
The Double Door Inn
The Spongetones New Year’s Eve Party
1218 Charlottetowne Avenue
9:30 p.m.
What you get: A chance to ring in the New Year with American power pop band The Spongetones (they formed in Charlotte)
What you pay: $12-$15
The Renaissance
Sequins and Bow Ties
5501 Carnegie Boulevard
7 p.m. – overnight
What you get: A cocktail hour, four-course dinner, open bar until 12:30 a.m., a champagne toast, and breakfast for two.
What you pay: $175 per person, $475 per couple
Do you know of a party that I should RSVP to? E-mail me: [email protected].