If you happen to be one of those notorious preppers or some other wingnut caught up in all the hoohah over this weekend's allegedly impending Armageddon, it's likely that you're too busy huddling in your underground bunker with a shotgun in hand to worry about what to do on New Year's Eve.
As for those with a modicum of sanity or common sense (a.k.a. everyone else), now's about the time you should bone up on what's taking place around town during Auld Lang Syne, since there's plenty to see and do. Everyone's offering free toasts of bubbly when the clock strikes midnight, of course, and a number of nightlife joint will hold some rather primo parties and affairs. Check out our rundown of what's going down on Monday, December 31 (unless otherwise specified).
Special Events
Lone Butte Casino
1077 S. Kyrene Rd., Chandler
Ths particular location of Gila River Casino will offer a complimentary toast at midnight, free party favors, and live music from the Str8up Band in the Cascades Lounge. 9 p.m., free. Call 800-946-4452.
Celebrity Theatre
440 N. 32nd St.
Classic rock icon Jerry Riopelle renews his New Year's Eve tradition of performing for friends and fans alike at the Celebrity. 9 p.m., $55-$95. Call 602-267-1600.
Epic Red Cup New Year's Eve
After taking a year off from hosting a massive Auld Lang Syne extravaganza, the EDM artists and promoters of Warsaw Pact Entertainment are bringing back the Epic Red Cup New Year's Eve affair to help send 2012 out with a bang. The 18-hour affair, which runs until the afternoon of January 1, will offer fire-dancers and body-mod performers in abundance, as well as a cadre of local mixmasters and DJs. The lineup of talent includes more and a dozen locals, including Brandon Decarlo, Sam Groove, Louder, Frieghtrain, and Maxx Destrukt. Pac D also performs a special sunrise set. 8 p.m.; $40 presale, $50 at the door. Call 480-289-1868 on the day of the event for location info.
Fort McDowell Casino
10424 N. Fort McDowell Rd., Fort McDowell
New Year's Eve festivities will take place throughout the casino, including free food from 7 to 10 p.m., music from the Kenny G Project in the Lucky 7 Saloon starting at 9 p.m., complimentary party favors all evening, and champagne at midnight. 7 p.m. Call 480-837-1424.
Herberger Theater Center
222 E. Monroe St.
Arizona Theatre Company stages a special New Year's Eve performance of the romantic musical comedy version of Jane Austen's Emma, as penned by Tony Award-nominated composer Paul Gordon. Patrons will also toast 2013 with champagne or sparkling cider. 7:30 p.m. Tickets start at $32. Call 602-256-6995 or see www.arizonatheatre.org.
Hotel Valley Ho
6850 E. Main St., Scottsdale
Revel in the swanky amenities at this Scottsdale boutique hotel's stylish NYE shindig, including a four-hour premium open bar, savory hors d'oeuvres and a buffet, and plenty of top-shelf champagne. A video countdown and confetti explosion will also take place at midnight. DJ Decipha from 101.5 Jamz and DJ XCalibur will provide the soundtrack.
9 p.m. Admission starts at $95 for early bird tickets. Call 480-248-2000 or visit www.globaladrenaline.net.
Mill Avenue's New Year's Eve
Mill Avenue District, Tempe
Tositos may have nixed its involvement with Tempe's annual New Year's extravaganza, but that's not stopping the merchants of Mill Avenue from throwing a big-time block party of their very own. The ginormous event will boast the same sort of amenities as in year's past, including a variety of food and drink vendors, a pair of fireworks spectaculars at 9 p.m. and midnight, children's areas, and games and other fun distractions. The live music lineup includes performances by dance-pop duo S.O.S., alt-folk act Jared and the Mill, and other local bands. 6 p.m., free. Call 480-355-6060.
Scottsdale's Ultimate Block Party
4209 N. Craftsman Court, Scottsdale
Reggae rock act The Dirtyheads and local punkers Authority Zero will headline the music lineup of this annual Old Town throwdown. Meanwhile, the block party itself will encompass Craftsman Court and such bars as Rockbar Inc. and Dos Gringos, and it will also feature eight different DJs, beer and wine vendors, and more. Gates open at 6 p.m. and general admission is $20-$35. A VIP package is also available for $100 per person and includes a hosted food buffet, drinks, and a special view of the stage. See www.scottsdalesultimateblockparty.com.
Sun Devil Stadium
500 E. Veterans Way, Tempe
College football fanatics will flock to Tempe to witness the battle between the Big 12's Texas Christian University (7-5) and the Big Ten's Michigan State Spartans (6-6) for gridiron glory during the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl. Kickoff is at 8:15 p.m. on Saturday, December 29. Tickets are $25-$125. Call 480-965-4215.
Symphony Hall
75 N. 2nd St.
Conductor Michael Christie will wield the baton as the Phoenix Symphony presents its annual New Year's Eve concert and celebration. Besides performing George Gershwin's "American in Paris," a variety of Strauss waltzes, and a moving tribute to the late composer Marvin Hamlisch, the orchestra will provide its rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" (natch). 7:30 p.m., $27-$83.
Talking Stick Resort
9800 E. Indian Bend Rd, Scottsdale
The resort's showroom hosts a performance by R&B icon Evelyn "Champagne" King, who rocked the Billboard charts in the '70s and '80s with such hit songs as "Shame" and "Love Come Down." Groovy L.A. cover act The Boogie Knights provide support. 9 p.m., $150. Call 480-850-7734.
Wild Horse Pass Hotel & Casino
5040 Wild Horse Pass Blvd., Chandler
New Year’s Eve revelry will be taking place all throughout Wild Horse Pass as multiple celebrations are planned for those eager to bid farewell to 2012. First, the Ovations Live! Showroom will host music from jam band Powerdrive beginning at 8 p.m., $25-$300. Meanwhile, songstress Katie Dix will offer everything from country to pop during an special edition of AiRIA Unplugged starting at 9 p.m. in the club. Admission is free. Finally, the members of Greywolf will perform classic rock hits in the Encore Lounge from 6 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. Admission is free. Call 800-946-4452.
W Scottsdale Hotel
7277 E. Camelback Rd., Scottsdale
A convivial atmosphere of luxe libations and Prohibition-era stylishness will ensue at the W on New Year’s Eve during the ultra-stylish Great Gatsby soiree. Inspired by the iconic F. Scott Fitzgerald novel, the star-studded affair takes place both in the lobby and up on the hotel’s second floor Wet Deck and will boast a “speakeasy reminiscent of the Roaring Twenties,” as well as posh cocktails, and the chance to spot celebs. 8 p.m. Admission to the event only is $75 for ladies, $100 for guys. See www.wscottsdaletickets.com. A slew of special cabana, VIP, and room options See www.wscottsdalehotel.com/newyears.
Bars & Clubs
Anderson's Fifth Estate
6820 E. 5th Ave., Scottsdale
Before rolling the calendar forward to 2013, wind the clocks back the mid-1990s when The Atomic Cafe was one of the epicenters of the hard rock and industrial scenes. A few of the now-defunct club's regulars (including Ricky D. and Reverend Dale) are hosting their latest Atomic Cafe throwback night on New Year's Eve, which will feature DJs AKA, Halo, Nixx, and Aaron B. spinning everything from classic alternative and ska-punk to old school industrial and goth. Shot specials, a champagne toast at midnight, and $4 well drinks, wines, and drafts will be available. 9:30 p.m., $7. Call 602-524-8973.
Axis/Radius
7340 E. Indian Plaza, Scottsdale
The folks at Steve Levine Entertainment are expecting all sorts of licentious behavior to ensue on New Year's Eve during the Seven Sexy Sins soiree. 9 p.m.; $25 general admission; $45 for VIP service. Call 480-970-1112.
Barney's Boathouse
7341 E. 6th Ave., Scottsdale
Barney's will offer three floors of New Year's Eve revelry, as well as primo drink deals, spins by DJ Pulse, complimentary champagne, free party favors, and a special dinner menu, which will be served until 1 a.m. Free rides to and from the bar on the Barney Bus will also be available. 8 p.m. Call 480-949-6535.
The Blooze Bar
12014 N. 32nd St.
New Year's Eve party with rock 'n' roll from Terashain and Lit Up, a champagne toast at midnight, and more. 8 p.m., $5. Call 602-788-4574.
Cadillac Ranch
2000 E. Rio Salado Pkwy., Tempe
Local pro ballers will be in the house for the Celebrity New Year's Eve Countdown, including Jared Dudley and P.J. Tucker from the Phoenix Suns and O'Brien Schofield of the Arizona Cardinals. DJ Bamboozle will spin the hits and champagne toast happens at midnight. 9 p.m., $10 pre-sale. Call 480-894-1111.
Calico Jack's
6770 Sunrise Blvd., Glendale
Special packages for this Westgate joint's New Year's Eve include two hours of penny drinks available from the bar, party favors, champagne, and more. 8 p.m., $40 per person. Call 623-877-5225.
CK's Tavern & Grill
4142 E. Chandler Blvd.
Live music with The Dickensons, food and drink specials, complimentary champagne, and more. 9:30 p.m. Call 480-706-5564.
Copper Blues
50 W. Jefferson St.
Live music with The Instant Classics, midnight champagne toast, and more. 8:30 p.m.; $25 general admission; $40 for reserved tables; $60 for the dinner-and-show package. Call 480-719-5005.
Crabby Don's
3861 E. Baseline Rd., Gilbert
Music from Herb N' Life and The Vintage Squares, as well as free high fives at midnight. 9 p.m., $5. Call 480-558-7540.
Crescent Ballroom
308 N. 2nd Ave.
Always-eclectic Sean Watson will stage the yearly Amateur Night on New Year's Eve, featuring a mix of burgeoning local DJ and EDM talent, such as Deux Yeux and Pastries with Teeth, along with scene veterans like Roya. Artist Matt Castleberry will project eye-catching video and other visuals on the walls and a champagne toast goes down at midnight. 9 p.m., free. Call 602-716-2222.
Dollhouse Cocktail Lounge
7419 E. Indian Plaza Dr., Scottsdale
Bottles will be popping and bubbly will be flowing during the Champagne Supernova party, where free catered eats and half-priced drinks can be had until 10 p.m. and Aaron Taylor from 104.7 FM will rain down hot tracks from the DJ booth. 8 p.m., $20. See www.electrostub.com. Call 480-499-5190.
El Santo Cantina
7301 E. Butherus Dr., Scottsdale
House music guru Wolfgang Gartner has a busy night planned for New Year's Eve. The blockbuster beatsmith — who specializes in epic tracks of an electro and progressive bent — is scheduled to perform in Denver earlier in the evening before jetting off to this Mexican-inspired beach bar in North Scotts-dale to headline the Last Dance New Year's Eve party. Australian EDM wunderkind Walden and locals Turner and Heit will open the event (and might just have to bust out with extended sets in case Gartner's flight is delayed). 9 p.m.; $30 general admission, $75 for VIP treatment. Call 480-584-3801 or see www.relentlessbeats.com.
Firehouse Scottsdale
4312 N. Brown Ave., Scottsdale
New Year's Eve party with a hosted Ciroc bar from 9 to 10 p.m., house music and hits spun by Jon Amaral, VIP packages, a midnight champagne toast, and more. 8 p.m. Call 480-747-1633.
Goat Head Saloon
1423 S. Country Club Dr., Mesa
Tribute bands The Ravones, which pays homage to punk rock legends The Ramones, and KISS Alive, which sends up Gene Simmons and company, will perform. A "Miss KISS" contest for great prizes will also take place. 9 p.m., $10. Call 602-505-2067.
Hurricane Bay
4139 W. Bell Rd.
www.hurricanebaynightclub.com
Get your swank on at this westside New Year's Eve wingding, which will offer spin sessions by DJ Mikee Mike and DJ MCX, free bubbly and a cash balloon drop at midnight, and a complimentary bottle of champagne with the purchase of Skyy bottle serve. 8 p.m. Call 602-843-6100.
Jackrabbit Lounge
4280 N. Drinkwater Blvd., Scottsdale
DJ Kyko and DJ Dario will serve up hip-hop and Latin jams during the Surge Nights New Year's Eve Celebration. Folks who wanna live large can partake in numerous VIP options that are available, ranging from the $1,500 Platinum package (which features a double size magnum of Belvedere Vodka, Moet champagne, entry for 15 people, and other serious spirits) to the more affordable $750 Silver package (boasting Ciroc, Nuva, and bubbly. 9 p.m., $20 general admission. Call 602-314-9967 or see www.surgenights.com.
Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville
6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale
New Year's Eve party with party favors, drink specials, live music from the Crown Kings, a free champagne toast, and more. Reserved seating and VIP bottle service is also available. 7 p.m. Call 623-772-0011.
Kobalt
3110 N. Central Ave.
If you happen to have some partying mojo left on the morning after (or want to do the whole "hair of the dog" thing), Kobalt will be holding an Adventures in Hangovers affair on New Year's Day. A Bloody Mary bar, games, and a performance by TC Taylor and other drag artists are also planned. 8 a.m., Tuesday, January 1. Call 602-264-5307.
Los Compadres
2350 W. Northern Ave.
Holiday Jazz Night with dining, drinking, and live music from the ensemble of David Valdivia, Vic Kotner, Tim Downs, and Eric Bart, 6:30 p.m., free. Call 602-864-0043.
Marc's Sports Grill & Nightlife
4494 W. Peoria Ave., Glendale
New Year's Eve Bash boasting laraoke in the MarcTini Lounge, as well as DJs and dancing in the main bar, starting at 9 p.m. Four balloon drops, free party favors and noisemakers, and complimentary champagne for the midnight toast are also planned. 11 a.m.-2 a.m.; $5 after 9 p.m. Call 623-842-1053.
Martini Ranch
7295 E. Stetson Dr., Scottsdale
Rock 'n' roll bands Riot for Romance and Black Moods are scheduled to perform on New Year's Eve at this Old Town nightspot, as is R&B/blues act Soul Power. 8 p.m., $10. Call 480-970-0500.
McFadden's
9425 W. Coyotes Blvd., Glendale
This Westgate nightlife spot will offer a wild NYE celebration with champagne, a dinner buffet, balloon drop, party favors, gift bags, and specials on premium liquors. 8 p.m., $30. Call 623-872-0022.
Rhythm Room
1019 E. Indian School Road
The members of Cold Shott and the Hurricane Horns host their annual New Year's affair, which will include party favors and a midnight champagne toast. 8 p.m.; $12 pre-sale, $15 at the door. Call 602-265-4842.
Rocky Point Cantina
1001 E. 8th St., Tempe
There will be a slew of both bottles and models at the 18-and-over Turn on the Lights New Year's Bash at this Tempe spot, which will be hosted by Hollywood SuPa and Tray Gutter. Those of drinking age can partake in $5 bombers until midnight, as well as $5 well cocktails and Patron shots all evening. 9 p.m. Call 480-968-7879.
The Rogue Bar
423 N. Scottsdale Rd., Scottsdale
The fetishistic freaks of Cupcake are planning a twisted affair entitled New Years 2013 Berserk! Cirque!, which will involve live performances by Xylogrind, Doctor Bones, and The Infamous Boom Boom, as well as giveaways, go-go girls, absinthe, and a "best dressed" contest for prizes. Resident DJs Self.Destrukt and Defense.Mekanizm will spin electro, dubstep, industrial and other hard-hitting genres all night. 8 p.m.; $10 general admission, $30 for VIPs (which includes penny drinks all night). Call
480-947-3580.
The Shout! House
6770 N. Sunrise Blvd., Glendale
The dueling pianos will get plenty of action during the Shout House's New Year's Eve celebration, which features a prime rib buffet, souvenir glassware, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, and more. 6 p.m., prices and packages vary. Call 623-772-1500 for more information.
Sky Lounge
132 E. Washington St.
Welcome the arrival of 2013 under the stars as the Sky Lounge's second floor retractable roof will be opened for a special lowering of a New Year's Eve ball at midnight during the Latin club's celebration of El Año Nuevo. That won't be the only thing coming from the heavens, as a balloon drop and a colorful raining of confetti is also planned. DJ Cesar Tercero and DJ Waldo will spin salsa, merengue, bachata, and reggaeton upstairs while DJ Daffy and DJ S drop Latin hip-hop and Top 40 downstairs. 9 p.m.; $10 pre-sale, $15 and up at the door for general admission; $20 pre-sale, $25 at the door for the VIP package (includes complimentary finger foods, infused chocolate-covered strawberries, assigned seating, and other perks). Call 602-330-3362.
Smashboxx
7419 E. Indian Plaza Dr., Scottsdale
www.smashboxxaz.com
The Auld Lang Syne acrion will be going down in marathon fashion at Smashboxx as it offers more than 12 hours worth of clubbing thrills via back-to-back parties, each offering different DJs in the mix. First, Thomas James will sling the beats during New Years Eve Blackout Edition Volume 3, which will also features half-priced drinks and free food available until 10 p.m. Bottle service is strongly encouraged. 8 p.m., $20. See ww.electrostub.com. Then, the club reopens an after last call for Afterglow 2013, which stars house music mistress Sydney Blu and a slew of local talents -- including DJs Tranzit, Decipha, MCB, Michelle Sparks, and Brett Ortiz — who will spin until 11 a.m. $20. Visit www.relentlessbeats.com or call 480-946-3510.
Steel Horse Saloon
1818 W. Bell Road
www.steelhorsesaloon.com
New Year's Eve bash with live music by High 'n' Tight, party favors, a midnight champagne toast, food, and more. 9 p.m. Call 602-942-8778.
Tempe Tavern
1810 E. Apache Blvd., Tempe
www.tempetavern.com
Local music veterans will be in abundance at this New Year's Eve gig, which will offer performance by Dead Hot Workshop, Mark Zubia's newest band, The Persuaders, Ghetto Cowgirl, and others. 8 p.m. Call 480-794-1706.
TT Roadhouse
2915 N. 68th St., Scottsdale
New Year's Eve party with drink specials, free champagne at midnight, and music from the joint's infamous jukebox. 8 p.m. Call 480-947-8723.
Yucca Tap Room
29 W. Southern Ave., Tempe
www.yuccatap.com
After a few months' hiatus away from local stages, The Love Me Nots return to the music scene for a special New Year's Eve performance along with a few special guests. 8 p.m. Call 480-967-4777.
