WED 12/31: New Year's Eve Cheapness

I'm not writing about any gigs for 12/30. If you're going to see a band tonight, then you know someone in a band.

I still stand by my position from last year (and have practiced for many years). It's better to stay in on New Year's Eve.

Invite people over... Go to that house party... Most bars and restaurants are going to be too crowded and too expensive. Take the money you were going to spend out, and you can have an awesome night even if you have the food delivered.

I know I recommended prosecco as the champagne substitute last year, but I drank a bit of cava from Spain this year, and it tastes much more like champagne. If you see Cristalino, that's a really good value for less than $10. You really don't need to spend more than $15 for a bottle whichever you choose. (You don't have to go for Freixenet, but it's not bad...)

For the full-on "cheap thrills" libation, I've also become fond of Baby Cham, a pear cider product, that goes for $5.99 at Supreme Liquors in Central Sq. Much better than the cheap champagnes -- in my book.

If, if, IF you want to go out tomorrow; these seem like good, relatively inexpensive ideas.

I will add that if it wasn't going to be so darn cold and snowing, I'd recommend "First Night" -- it was a really good time and definitely worth the $15. Okay, so it's $18 now... Probably still worth it...

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WED 12/31

9pm to 2am
Mama Kaethe's New Years Eve Dirty Jazz and Burlesque
(or MySpace info)
at Aga's Highland Tap, 2128 Washington St, Roxbury (Dudley Sq)
$5

This looks like the most exciting option of the night! I saw it mentioned as "Boston's oldest bikini bar" (i.e. women strip/dance, but can't show the bare goods). It just looks like a seedy den from the outside, and you know the interior must match.

Scheduled entertainment includes: "Mama Kaethe's Dirty Jazz Combo", "Miss Lydia & Klezhobos", Miss Darcey Leonard leading a cadre of burlesque girls, DJ Generoso spinning ska and various Jamaican.

You should take the #1 bus to the party and call a cab at the end.

WED 12/31

9pm
Futureshock: New Year's Meltdown
at Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St, Jamacia Plain (near Stony Brook T)
$10 / 21+

This should be wild, dancetastic, good time. (Cheap drinks help!)

The world is collapsing and we're thowin' a big party to celebrate with Plunge Into Death, Lovewhip and the Whipettes, Angela, Atomic Trash, DJ Homemade, the Varietae All-Stars and your host Vice V'ersatile.

We got a sci-fried show, dance party and a cash bar with new depression era pricing! $3 Sam Adams, $2 PBR's, $3 red and white wine!

Also: "Dress to Impress: Post-Apoco-hipstic, Blade Runner, Mad Max"

WED 12/31

10pm
Tim Gearan
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (East Cambridge)
FREE

Gearan and band will tear it up in their rootsy, rockin' way. The food and beer selection are both very good at Atwoods. If it was a wee bit closer to my usual migration routes, I'd go there all the time.

WED 12/31

10pm to 5am
FREE Cab Ride Home
from Any Bar/Restaurant in Cambridge

If you're at an establishment in Cambridge and you're too blitzed to drive, they can give you a voucher for up to $35 in cab fare to get home. (Tip not included, obviously.)

WED 12/31

7pm to 2am
New Year's Eve
at King's, 50 Dalton St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

The word I've heard is that free special events at King's get very crowded, and there's a line. I hate lines for a bar. I know they're a bowling alley with pool tables, but you know what I mean. There will be a band -- a cover band.

WED 12/31

5pm to 2am
Hollywood New Year Party
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Featuring 4 DJs spinning retro dance classics, pop remixes, house, electro, etc., multi-course prix fixe menu served from 5pm to 10pm, a fashion giveaway of some kind, special vodka welcome reception (before 10pm?), and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

WED 12/31

8pm
New Year's Eve Broke Bash
at Dick’s Last Resort at Quincy Market
$10

Paying someone to insult you might be fun for some people.

All party folk will receive one of Dick's highly-coveted 2008 / 2009 Survival Kits, plus there'll be a fizzy champagne toast for everyone at midnight.

There will be a "New Year's Eve Trivia Contest" and a cover band.