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The SCENE Magazine

The SCENE Magazine's New Year’s Eve Party Guide

Dec 07, 2010 05:55PM ● By Betsey Ennis
Out with the Old, In with the New! How will YOU decide where and how you’ll bring in the New Year? Do you have your “lucky stand-by?” Do you choose by the entertainment, food, event creativity or the amount of hype? We’ve been diligently working to research what’s going during last night of 2010.

If you’re in the mood to dress to impress (masked or not) or “come as you are,” we’ve got more than two dozen suggestions. If dancing is a must, there’ll be plenty of booty-shakin’ in the Bay Area (and out ON the Bay). Popular bands taking stage in Clear Lake include Bodacious Tatas, Madigan, Hamilton Loomis and The Hunger. Money being shot out of cannons, balloon drops with cash and prizes, drink specials and countless champagne toasts will abound the Clear Lake region.

Not your style? There are also quiet sit-down dinners perfect for a lovely conversation with a date or a gathering of friends. There’s even a dinner and dance cruise. Intrigued yet? Happy New Year however you celebrate the last night of 2010. See ya next year!

Buck’s Bar: The tradition of bidding farewell to The Old Year and celebrating the beginning of the New One is always one of Buck's most memorable events. “We spare no expense to make the event a treasured memory for all who attend,” said owner Joey Buck. Bucks New Year’s Eve Event (dubbed: Buck’s & Boca Tanning Club’s Black Tie Affair) “gives all you beautiful women the opportunity to wear that perfect dress. It also makes it extremely easy for you men to put on your best James Bond tuxedo.” Black tie is suggested, but it is not mandatory; however, an event of this sort doesn't lend itself to casual attire. So put on your best, and come help us say goodbye to 2010, and hello 2011. The Party starts early, so plan on a long night.  What to expect: 1. Fun surprises all night like random $1 drink specials called throughout the night by Buck. 2. VJ/DJ’s playing your favorite videos and recounting 2010’s Number 1’s.  3. Balloon drops and champagne toasts at midnight EST, CST and MST (3 Total). 4. Free hats, tiaras, leis other various party favors for the first 500 guests. 5. Free Official Buck’s Bar and Boca Tanning Club gear will be thrown out during the night (T-shirts, koozies and hats, etc.). 6. Buck’s Money Cannon will be firing out more than $100 every hour. 7. Prizes and gifts from Bucks and Boca Tanning Club totaling more than $2000. 8. Working on a surprise celebrity, but no promises yet. Doors open at 8 p.m. Walk-ins welcome, but VIP areas need to be reserved in advance, because, we are told, they go extremely fast. There will be minimal snacks available. Cover: Yes. Call for details: 409-599-9437.

Merlion on 4th: 2010 New Year’s Eve “One Night in Bangkok… Not much between Despair & Ecstasy.” Merlion promises an unforgettable evening including a three-course meal and a glass of champagne for $45 per person. Meal includes an appetizer, soup or salad and an entree (market seafood / meat is an additional charge). The festivities begin at 5 p.m. through 2 a.m. with a DJ from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. Reservations are recommended: 281-385-9975.

Signature Bistro is hosting a New Year’s Eve Dinner & Masquerade Dance Party. There will be a three-course dinner that will be served through 8:30 p.m. (See www.signaturebistro.com for dinner menu and pricing.)  The Masquerade Dance Party starts at 10 p.m. No cover. David Schwope will be playing all your favorite songs until 2 a.m.  Reserve your VIP table now, which includes the best spot around the dance floor and bottle service. Call: 281.474.4455

Scout Bar: 21+ get in FREE with invitation; $20 without. 18 and up welcome. Featuring The Hunger, Melovine, Raging Apathy, and Born From Ruins. Cash and prizes balloon drop and free champagne toast at midnight. Invitations available at Scout starting Friday, December 10.

Masa Sushi’s two locations invite you to New Year’s Eve dinner before you go out. Guests dining between 5 and 11 p.m. will be entered into a drawing to win a $100 Gift Certificate. There will be a drawing every hour. Masa Sushi Sake Bar is located at 1804 West FM 646 (near HEB in Dickinson). Masa Sushi Fusion Restaurant is located at 977 NASA Road 1 (El Camino Real, near Office Depot).

Club Pure kicks off their inaugural New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball and Balloon Drop. $2 drinks ‘til 10 p.m. and dance music with a live DJ. Champagne toast at midnight. Win cash and prizes in their balloon drop. Reservations needed for seating and VIP only. Bottle service available. Reserve your VIP table while they last: www.visit pureclearlake.com (Click “party reservations) or email [email protected] No cover for the ladies! Guys pay $5 after 10 p.m.

Dempsey’s New Year’s agenda includes Tarantula live at 9 p.m., champagne toast and a balloon drop at midnight with $500 in cash and prizes. $25 for table reservations also gets you a grilled chicken dinner with green beans, mashed potatoes and champagne toast. Reservations will begin at 7 p.m. Or $10 at the door. Complimentary valet provided.

Pier 27 Tavern is hosting the Denim & Diamonds New Year’s Eve Bash featuring live music by After Party, plus a live DJ. Drink specials all night including special $5 u-call-its on all liquor, $2 domestic beer and $3 import beer from 8-10pm. Look out for the balloon drop, plus free champagne toast at midnight. There will also be a complimentary buffet and exciting door prizes all night. $10 cover. Reservations accepted.

Cellar Wine Bar & Lounge invites you to a three-course dinner for New Year’s Eve. Enjoy live music, drink specials and a special menu for the evening. Reservations start at 7 p.m. Champagne toast at midnight. New Year's Eve at The Cellar is $30 per person. RSVP is required. Call 281-990-9001.

Jackie’s Brickhouse: New Year’s Eve Party with Brown and Swerve. $15 a couple or $10 for single includes a reserved table, a bottle of champagne and party favors. RSVP encouraged. Call 832-864-2459.

Katie’s New Year’s Eve Party features live music with JJ Dynomite starting at 9 p.m. Enjoy food, party favors and champagne at midnight. Cover is $10 per person. Make your reservations early! Call 281-559-3773.

FantaSea’s all-inclusive New Year’s Eve Cruise: Cruise into the New Year while enjoying a gourmet meal with appetizers, exciting entertainment, party favors, unlimited house wine, domestic beer and champagne. Package also includes a night’s stay at the newly renovated South Shore Harbour Resort for two and breakfast for two at the Paradise Reef Restaurant on New Year’s Day. $399 per couple, plus 8% tax. Friday, December 31: boarding at 9 p.m.; cruising 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Zone 504 is kicking off their New Year’s Eve Bash at 8 p.m. Rock the night away with live music by the Bodacious TaTas starting at 9. The Three Palms Grill kitchen will be open, ready to take orders. Beer, liquor and shot specials, plus champagne toast at midnight. Never a cover at 504. No reservations needed.

Doc’s Upper Deck will close out 2010 and ring in 2011 across the nation with our annual cash balloon drop, free champagne toast at midnight along with various other beer and shot specials. No reservations required, come as you are. Never a cover at Doc’s. Call 281-333-3627 for more information.

Union Tavern will celebrate its first New Year’s bash with great beer and drink specials. Ring in 2011 with a cash balloon drop, free party favors, champagne toast and live music. Call 281-486-6644 for details.

Bakkhus Taverna’s “Dress to Impress” New Year’s Eve Bash is sure to please.  “Of course, flippie floppies are always welcome,” insists owner Demetrios Kouloumoundras. Bakkhus Taverna will be ringing in the New Year Greek-style with multiple liquor promotions, freebies, raffles, a crowd-pleasing shot block “and who knows what else will pop up on the Eve of 2011!” Kouloumoundras teased. “Be sure to follow us on Facebook for more details.” Don’t miss the drawing to find out who will be packing their bags in 2011 for the Greece Trip Giveaway. The winner will be announced prior to the ball drop. You must be present to win!  If you have been to any of the Taverna’s other parties, you DON'T want to miss this one!!

Sherlock’s Pub will host live music by Madigan. Champagne toast at midnight ($5 pre-sale tickets; $7 at the door).

T-bone Tom’s invites you to ring in the New Year with a balloon drop, party favors and free champagne toast at midnight. Come as you are. No reservations needed. No cover.

Sporting News Grill invites you to celebrate New Year’s Eve with delicious dinner specials, party favors and $1 champagne toast. Come as you are. No cover, and no reservations needed.

Tommy’s Restaurant Oyster Bar is currently taking New Year’s Eve Reservations: 281-480-2221. Call for details.

Allegria Wine & Cocktail Lounge will bring in the new year with live jazz and blues by the Ronnie Stallworth Trio. $20 gets you in for drink specials, an hors d’oeuvres buffet and a champagne toast at midnight. Party starts at 7. No reservations needed. (Call for more info: 281-218-8585.)

Mediterraneo will be having an early evening celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. Enjoy a free glass champagne with purchase of your meal. Restaurant will close at 9 p.m.

Cabo hosts Hamilton Loomis in concert.  There will also be a live DJ, food, and champagne toast at midnight. Cover: Yes.

Cock-eyed Seagull New Year’s Eve Party. Live music with Edge of Texas.

Green Parrot’s New Year’s Eve Celebration:  Live music by Highway 59 from 8pm to 12am. $2 frozen ritas, $2 kamikazes, $2 bottles, $1 drafts, kitchen open until 11pm!

Escape Sports Bar & Dance Club’s New Year’s Eve Party includes champagne toast at midnight, buffet and DJ M&M to host the festivities. Enter the raffle for bar amazing cash and prizes. Drink specials from 9-11 ($3 wells, $1.50 domestic bottles). Call to reserve VIP section (281-614-0206). No cover for the ladies; $3 cover for guys 21 and up; under 21, $5 gets you in the door.

Hugh and Jeff's Car Wash is hosting their inaugural Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Bash! Enjoy an all-inclusive night with OPEN BAR, catered buffet, champagne, breakfast buffet and live music. Dinner selections include shrimp brochette, crawfish etuffe and crab cakes. Festivities will be hosted by Organized Chaos live in concert. Package also includes party favors, (did we mention OPEN BAR?), champagne toast at midnight and breakfast served at 1:30 a.m. Advance tickets $65; $75 at the door. Doors open at 8 p.m. Call for reservations: 281-614-1812.

Moody Gardens: Midnight in the Gardens New Year’s Eve Gala: A Fabulous Affair. Put on your dancing shoes and ring in the New Year in grand style with Moody Gardens.  The New Year’s Eve party will feature non-stop entertainment by the premier party band Commercial Art. Guests will enjoy an open bar, elaborate food stations, deluxe party favors, a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight.  Party is from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.  Event tickets are $425 per couple or $225 per single. Hotel accommodations begin at $109+tax/night. For reservations call 888-388-8484.