Local Brief
Your guide to free and cheap New Year's Eve fun around D.C.
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Head to Boundary Stone for NYE happy hour and live music. Photo: Courtesy Boundary Stone
No fancy New Year's Eve plans? No problem — check out these free events, happy hours and no-cover bar parties.
Why it matters: Not everyone wants to drop $200 with the ball.
Good to know: Metro is offering free bus and rail fares after 8pm on NYE, until 2am.
State of play: Neighborhood NYE festivals are great for all ages — and free!
- Noon Yards Eve (Navy Yard, 10am-1pm): The kid-friendly fest has train rides, glitter tats and carnival games, plus a DJ and magic show.
- First Night Alexandria (Old Town, 4:30pm-midnight): A community block party kicks things off before two fireworks displays over the Potomac River. A $10 ticket (free for kids under 2) gains access to all indoor and outdoor activities.
- Watch Night Celebration (Falls Church, 7:30pm-midnight): The indoor/outdoor festival has tons of amusements and live music.
🍻 Discount fun: The happiest of happy hours on NYE.
- Boundary Stone (Bloomingdale): All-day happy hour deals from noon to 9pm, plus live tunes from local funk band Strangers that Clique for night owls.
- Lulu's Wine Garden (U Street): Holiday happy hour (5-7pm) brings $9 margs, $10 wines and deals on dips and tacos, plus $39 bottles all night in the festive garden.
- Atlas Brew Works (Bridge District, Alexandria, Navy Yard): Go for all-day $6 pints and an early 8pm countdown for kids in Southeast and VA. Navy Yard hosts happy hour, 3-6pm.
- Jack Rose (Adams Morgan): The famous whiskey bar hosts NYE "rally hour" (5-8pm), and while it isn't dirt cheap, it's a good deal: all-you-can-eat barbecue and sides — including a whole hog — plus bottomless craft beer and free whiskey tastings ($78 tickets).
The intrigue: Some seriously fun, dive-y bars are throwing parties with no cover charge.
- Show Time (Bloomingdale): Three DJs, lots of dancing, "no clowns."
- Jackie Lee's (Brightwood): A balloon drop, $25 bubbly bottles, snacks and a free "Champagne of beers" toast at midnight (6pm-3am).
- Red Derby (Columbia Heights): The theme: "Decades of Decadence: 1970s & 1990s." Table reservations and drink packages available, but not mandatory.
- Dew Drop Inn (Brookland): DJ Ozker, free beer toast.
Plus, Wonderland Ballroom is having a DJ party — and with only a $15 cover charge ($20 for "couples and throuples"), you'll have fuel in the tank.