New Year's Eve parties?

Thumbnail image for champagne glass closeupKate emails:

Every year I search for fun awesome New Years Eve events and every year I wind up bored! Any suggestions on a fun night out for 20 somethings? Thanks!

And Mindy asks via Twitter:

Are there any good countdown-to-midnight parties going on around here for New Year's, since First Night won't have one?

Update: The Saratoga First Night fireworks are back on. [Saratogian]

As he does every year, Steve has been collecting New Year's Eve specials. And if you know of some good parties/events -- please share!

Here's the thing, though: the promise of New Year's Eve out somewhere often does not live up to the expectation. In our experience, the best times have been getting together with some friends for good food and drinks. And it's easy to put together a nice selection of stuff. A few stops at places like the Cheese Traveler, the co-op, the TJ's frozen section, Cheesecake Machismo -- and you can have quite the feast of party food. Have everyone bring a bottle of something, and you're good to go.

photo: Flickr user _FXR (cc)

Comments

"Here's the thing, though: the promise of New Year's Eve out somewhere often does not live up to the expectation. In our experience, the best times have been getting together with some friends for good food and drinks"

Can you please file this under the 'AOA greatest pieces of advice ever and we are saving you a lot of heartache' file'?
Thanks!


In my 20s I worked in nightclubs around the area on New Years Eve - so this response might be a little biased.

The people that came out for the most part on NYE were intoxicated early in the night, extremely obnoxious, and not people I'd want to celebrate the start of the New Year with. I'm looking forward to inviting a few friends over this year to celebrate with some great food and fancy cocktails. We can always start our own dance party.

NY Eve not only never meets expectations, but its also Rookie Night (aka - puke night, DWI night, bar fight night) -stay home and do bong hits with your friends.

Agreed. A good collection of friends is usually better than any countdown at a bar. Plus, no driving, just lots of crashed everywhere.

Puking and fighting optional.

I used to always be a big proponent of Trivial Pursuit on NYE. But last year the husband and I decided to do a late night dinner at NWBB. It was lovely. They passed out champagne and party horns right before midnight and everyone cheered when the clock ticked over to the New Year. It was a lot of fun without all the puking and fighting. Instead there were excellent cocktails and amazing food! We're definitely doing it again this year, we might even squeeze in some Trivial Pursuit earlier in the evening.

I like to go to bed really early on New Years Eve. It's by far the best "holiday" to completely skip.

Looks like first night fireworks are back on...

http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Fireworks-back-on-for-Spa-s-First-Night-4136114.php

But I agree AOA, last year was the first time in a forever I stayed in with friends for the night. It was so worth it!

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