If you didn't get in as much celebrating and carousing as you'd hoped during 2013, you've got only a few more chances to do so -- including the biggest party night of 'em all, New Year's Eve. And there's no shortage of places to do so, as every single bar, club, drinkery, and nightspot in metro Phoenix will send off 2013 with a bang on Tuesday, December 31. (For proof, look no further than our exhaustive New Year's Eve guide.)
See also: Phoenix New Times' New Year's Eve Guide 2013
Naturally, some New Year's Eve fiestas stand out from the rest, such as the bakers dozen of dance events, posh parties, and themed shindigs around the Valley that are worth checking out.
Lawn Gnome Publishing In case you haven't heard, the Compound in Tempe (sadly) won't be putting on its annual Maybe [Insert New Year] Will Be Better party this year for the first time in ages. The New Year's Eve Flannel Ball and Art Show at both Lawn Gnome and the 909 Housing Collective is a perfectly acceptable alternative that will offer a similar mix of art and music.
Bands like Andy Warpigs, Bacchus, Sister Lip, and Wolvves will perform at the '90s-themed event and more than 15 artists will exhibit works, including Dawn O'Doul, Tato Caraveo, Sierra Joy, Morgan McNally, Aaron Hopkins-Johnson, Casebeer, and J.J. Horner. The revelry starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.
Crescent Ballroom Sean Watson will be once again spend his Auld Lang Syne at the Crescent Ballroom as he plays the role of party instigator during his annual New Year's Eve Amateur Night. This time, however, it's going to be a much bigger party with a few new elements in the mix.
Local electronic rock band The Holy Coast will perform during the party and a separate disco tent will be set up outside of the Crescent and will be manned by DJ Dana and DJ Roach. Meanwhile, DJs such as Kris the Fist, 2ToneDisco, Deux Yeux, and Watson himself will spin inside. Visual artist Matt Castleberry will also serve up some snazzy video projections and other eye candy. The night gets going at 8:30 p.m. Admission is $3 in advance and $5 at the door.
FilmBar Despite the fact that FilmBar's New Year's Eve event the Boogie Ball is inspired by Paul Thomas Anderson's renowned skin flick opus Boogie Nights, it's pretty certain that everyone will keep their gear on inside the indie movie house (we hope). That said, expect to run into a few wanna-be Roller Girls, Dirk Digglers, and Reed Rothchilds during the '70s porn star costume party.
A DJ will spin the super sounds of the '70s in FilmBar's lounge while various movie and music clips from the decade are screened in the theatre. Prizes will be awarded to the best costumes, and a champagne toast and video ball drop takes place at midnight. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets are $9.
Smashboxx If you've got enough energy, wherewithal, and partying mojo to handle going all night long, Smashboxx will host back-to-back New Year's shindigs that start on December 31 and carry over in 2014. First, the Chucks & Tux party starts at 9 p.m. and will feature DJ Circle in the mix and a midnight countdown. Admission is $20.
The doors will reopen at 3 a.m. on New Year's Day for Afterglow VI, which will offer dance action until 10 a.m. with a number of special guest DJs on the mixers, including headliner Sian and locals Juheun, Thomas Turner, Michelle Sparks, Dan Lunsford, DJ Decipha, and more. Tickets are $30.
W Scottsdale Hotel Hard men of the Valley should try not to be humble while making the world their oyster during the W's One Night In Bangkok New Year's Eve Party up on the hotel's second floor WET Deck. The posh affair will not only provide an ideal spot to scope out the fireworks and the chance to dance to hot tracks laid down by W resident DJ Soulman, but also specialty cocktails aplenty.
General admission is $75 for ladies and $100 for guys. For big spenders who'd like to celebrate in style, however, the hotel is offering premium bottle service packages starting at $1,000, and room deals for two that include party tickets, two champagne mini-splits, a welcome amenity, and more for $509. Call 480-970-2100 or see www.wscottsdalehotel.com/newyears for full details.
Apollo's Lounge The DJs and party-meisters behind Rebel Disco and RAD!, two of the bigger crews in Phoenix's indie dance night scene, are joining forces to put on major rager and New Year's Eve Masquerade at this Seventh Street dive bar. Besides a green screen photo booth, hookah lounge, party favors, and free hors d'oeuvres, the party will feature the DJs from each collective rocking a different portion of Apollo's.
To wit: Rebel Disco's Jake Goldsmith, Rick Carter, Edward Navarro, and Luke Hansen will be inside spinning disco, while RAD's Kevin M.O.B., Bad Wolf, Joseph Mercado, and Mischief Makers 64 drop funk, retro, and indie out on the patio. The party starts at 8 p.m. Admission is $5.
Copper Blues Ladies and gentlemen of the Valley, step right up and witness a night filled with genuine, bona fide, and certified three-ring circus of thrills and chills during Copper Blues' Sideshow New Year's Eve Extravaganza.
A rogue's gallery of circus-style entertainers -- including snake charmers, fortune tellers, and strongmen -- will amaze patrons with their feats of skill all evening long. Local cover band The Instant Classics will also perform and a champagne toast takes place at midnight.
General admission is $25, while table reservations are $40, and a three-course dinner package is available for $60. The event begins at 5 p.m. More info can be found via the Copper Blues website.
Craftsman Court The entirety of Craftsman Court -- including such joints as Dos Gringos and Rockbar Inc. -- will be transformed into one gigantic fiesta dedicated to celebrating the ending of 2013 and the coming of 2014 for the annual Scottsdale's Ultimate New Year's Eve Block Party. As with previous editions, there will be activity both out on the street, inside the bars, and on the large live music stage that will be set up for the event.
Country music star Jon Pardi headlines this year's music lineup, which also will feature performances by locals like A Boy Named Sioux, Tony Martinez Band, and Laura Walsh. Fireworks will go off at midnight and a number of food and beer booths and other vendors will also be there. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15.
Fat Tuesday If the Circle K Block Party along Mill Avenue doesn't fully satisfy your thirst for New Year's Eve shenanigans, consider attending the celebration that will encompass Fat Tuesday and adjacent Tempe spots like Handlebar, The Public House on Sixth, and the newly opened El Hefe. It's sort of a block party within a block party (no Inception jokes, please) that will feature a different sort of vibe.
A total of 12 bars will be serving both beer and booze and multiple DJs will be on the mixers throughout the night at every location. And the champagne will flow at midnight, of course, for a special toast. Gates open at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance, $20 on the day of the event.
The Clarendon Hotel Be sure to hit up some of the local costume shops like Easley's or Mardi Gras if you're planning to attend the Clarendon's A Modern Gatsby Affair New Year's Eve Party. As its name portends, the Auld Lange Syne festivities will boast a "roaring '20s" theme, which means attendees both flapper and dapper will be in abundance.
Cocktails will be available at Gallo Blanco and The Sky Deck during the event, while DJ sessions by Michael Hooker, a performance by CONDER/dance, midnight champagne toast, and more are also planned. Evening attire or cocktail wear is recommended and a variety of special room packages are also available. The party starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $45.
Rips Ales & Cocktails Britpop, New Wave, indie, and darkwave tracks will be broadcast through the sound system at Rips by both Obscura's DJ Adrian Flanagan and Shadowplay's DJ Manchester during Hang the DJ: New Year's Eve 2014. As such, we predict that you're also likely to hear the Smiths hit of the same name at least once during the evening, in addition to songs by The Cure, Depeche Mode, Interpol, Pet Shop Boys, and Crystal Castles.
Also on tap besides melodramatic music are drink specials, giveaways like a PBR prize package and concert tickets, party favors, and a big toast at midnight with plenty of bubbly being sipped. Doors are at 9 p.m. Admission is $5 before 10:30 p.m., $10 thereafter.
The Mint Big ballers, fashionistas, and party monsters alike will all be in attendance at this Scottsdale ultra-lounge on New Year's Eve during it's glamorous Bottles & Bow Ties party. DJs will drop dance hits and electronica from the booth, a band will offer live music, and specialty cocktails will be served. Naturally, there will also be a midnight champagne toast.
A variety of high-end party packages are available, including the chance to celebrate VIP style in The Vault for $4,500 or the more, um...economically priced $1,500 private cabanas that feature a magnum of Belvedere vodka, a bottle of Ace of Spades Brut Gold, and tickets for 10. General admission tickets for more thrifty revelers are $40 per person. Doors open at 9 p.m.
Maya Day & Nightclub EDM superstar Audien will be headline Maya's Luxe Life NYE affair and will fill its nightclub portion with high-energy electro and progressive house as clock counts down to midnight.
A one-cent hosted bar and passed hors d'oeuvres will be available from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. for those who show up early and spring for the $75 VIP package. And if you've got the means and the bank account to celebrate in style, posh bottle service packages start at $1,500. Doors open at 8 p.m. General admission is $50.
