The official guide to Charlotte New Year’s Eve parties for every type of partier

Sure, every news source has their own list of local parties, but how do you know if any of these are the party for you? Are you going to get a sparkly manicure and a blowout just to end up half-drunk and disappointed like last year? Not to worry, here’s the definitive list of Charlotte New Year’s Eve events for every type of partier:

(1) “I want to eat a ton of food and be home watching Netflix by 12:05 a.m.” 5Church.

Photo via the 5Church Facebook page

5Church is probably not your first thought for New Year’s Eve, but they are offering a delicious party this year. If you make dinner reservations from 5-6 p.m., you get a four-course meal, half a bottle of champagne and after-dinner dancing for $75. After you stuff your face you can then decide if you want to stay out or go home to re-watch Friday Night Lights for the fifth straight time.

Details:

• Dinner deal starts at 6 p.m., prices increase the later it gets
• Book by making reservations here

• Portion of proceeds go to Levine Children’s Hospital

(2) “I want to Dougie, dab and Soulja Boy my face off.” All American Pub/Oak Room.

All American Pub/Oak Room was my New Year’s Eve destination last year.

These two bars have a ton of space and different music in every room. Basically it’s a drunk-dancer’s dream. Drink lines were long last year so I suggest a heavy pregame so you can spend your time hitting the Quan instead of hitting people with your elbows trying to make your way up to the bar. I messed up and did a light pregame to ring in 2015 and it will be one of my life’s biggest regrets. That and gaucho pants.

All American/Oak Room have three different ticket options, including a Designated Driver ticket for $25. This is awesome if you’re pregnant or want to spend less money and steal drinks from your friends.

Also, a really fat picture of me is on their ticket website so please ignore that.

Details:

• Starts at 9:30 p.m.
• General Admission tickets are $65
• There will be a substantial line to get in if you show up after 10 p.m. so wear a coat

• Champagne toast
• Balloon drop
• And, most importantly, a photo booth where we got this gem last year:

(3) “I want to feel like a Kardashian, minus the lip injections.” Bubble.

A photo posted by Bubble Charlotte (@bubblecharlotte) on

When I think of Bubble I think of NBA players and high-powered bankers. Whether this is true or not, their reputation is glitz with a touch of snob. This year, Bubble has three ticket options so you can be as bougie as your wallet allows.

Their dinner option is $125 per couple and includes a three-course prix fixe meal from Chef Jaime Colin, a glass of champagne and admission into the late night party. Here’s the menu:

Late night tickets are $30 per person (but this price will apparently increase as we get closer to New Year’s). This includes a champagne toast and those crappy noisemakers that your parents hand out at their New Year’s Eve parties. If you want to go full Kardashian, you can get a VIP table and judge all the poor people who walk by.

Photo via the Bubble Charlotte Facebook page

This event is so exclusive that their Eventbrite page has a password. I can’t decide if this is cool or super douchey.

Details:

• Dinner starts at 7 p.m., party starts at 9 p.m.
• Fashion forward dress “encouraged”

(4) “I want to get drunk and not see anyone I know.” Big Ben Pub.

Let’s do an experiment. Go out and ask 20 people what they are doing for New Year’s Eve. If any one of them says, “Actually, I’m going to Big Ben Pub!” I will give you $1 million dollars. I don’t have $1 million dollars but that’s okay, because no one is going to Big Ben Pub for New Year’s Eve.

Not only does Big Ben allow you to avoid all the people you don’t feel like exchanging small-talk with, but you get to celebrate two ball drops: the U.K.’s and the USA’s.

Details:

• Starts at 7 p.m.
• No cover
• Live band

(5) “I feel fat from eating like a teenage boy for the past two months and want to hide my body inside the world’s largest parka.” CLT New Year’s Eve, presented by Ally.

Photo via @rbeardenpark

This year, Center City Partners is throwing their event in Romare Bearden Park. They will have music, food trucks and fireworks at midnight. Details here.

Details:

• Starts at 6 p.m.
• Alcohol-free
• See the crown-drop

(6) “I want to party with the young go-hards.” Rooftop 210.

Photo via the Rooftop 210 Facebook page

Rooftop 210 (at the EpiCentre) knows how to throw a party. They have a heated tent where all the young people will be taking fireball shots and cool selfies in front of Uptown’s skyline.

Tickets are all-inclusive but word is last year they ran out of ice, so this is the place for you if you want to be (almost) under the stars and don’t mind a warm gin and tonic.

Photo via the Rooftop 210 Facebook page

By the way, Rooftop 210 is also offering a VIP ticket, which gives you one-hour earlier access for more than double the price. Uh, is it just me or does this not seem worth it?

Details:

• Starts at 9 p.m.
• Includes buffet and people walking around with appetizers
• Tickets are $70 before December 20

(7) “I really don’t want to do the whole ‘pay $100 and get rail drinks all night’ crap.” Lebowski’s.

Lebowski’s is doing something that very few bars do on New Year’s Eve: having a no-cover party. They will have drink specials all night, their late-night menu and a live DJ so you can celebrate New Year’s without dipping into next month’s rent.

Details:

• Starts at 9 p.m.
• Free champagne toast

(8) “I want to party but also want to put zero effort into my appearance.” Angry Ale’s.

The same guys who brought you the St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween bar crawls are now here to make your New Year’s just as messy. Rich and Bennett are throwing a party at Angry Ale’s with no dress code so you can get weird in your yoga pants. Your ticket even includes a “Late Night To-Go Snack Pack,” which is absolutely brilliant and I pray contains Dunkaroos.

Details:

• Starts at 8 p.m.
• Tickets are $55 for girls, $75 for boys
• DJ
• Balloon drop
• Passed appetizers

Remember, we’re all bloated and pale from the holidays so there’s no need to stress out about New Year’s Eve. Besides, the way you ring in 2016 will only be your profile pic for a few weeks. Good luck and see you guys at Big Ben Pub.

(Just kidding!)

Cover image via the Find Your Center Facebook page