In with the new, out with the auld lang syne!
For many of us, 2016 was a dumpster fire of a year, and we cannot wait to move on to the next big thing. But you can use the final night of the year excorcise the demons of 2016, get silly with your friends, and start 2017 with a whole new attitude — or possibly just a whole new hangover. Here are some of the many spots in Brooklyn where it will all shake out:
What a blast!
This annual fireworks display over Prospect Park will be a stand-out extravaganza, packing extra fireworks into the almost-half hour show in order to celebrate the park entering its 150th year. Borough President Adams will welcome the new year in Grand Army Plaza, which is not only the best place to watch the fires in the sky, but also where you can warm up with free hot chocolate and hear the Brooklyn Mash It Up Band rock out starting at 11 pm.
Grand Army Plaza (Flatbush Avenue at Eastern Parkway in Prospect Heights, www.brook
That’s all, folk!
Americana music venue Jalopy will rock out the old year with the “See you Never, 2016” party, an all-ages event featuring the bands Dr. Medicine, Holy Smokes, Pinkey Promise, and Victory Walk. Proceeds will go to the Brooklyn Pride Center.
Jalopy Theatre [315 Columbia St. between Hamilton Avenue and Woodhull Street in Red Hook, (718) 395–3214, www.jalop
Dance magic
Enter a magic world as you exit 2016 at the “Labyrinth Lounge,” featuring art inspired by the best fantasy film of the 1980s, burlesque from Beelzebabe, live bands, and stage magic, along with a dance party with music from DJ Poodlecannon. Dressing up is mandatory: think David Bowie, fantasy glam, and vintage lounge outfits.
Gemini & Scorpio Loft (600 Degraw St. between Third and Fourth avenues in Gowanus, www.gemin
Trance magic
Take an all-night trip into the new year at the Midnight Madness party which features 10 hours of psychedelic music, with digital shamans spinning dance and trance music, a five-hour open bar, dinner, and breakfast. No bad vibes allowed, dude!
The Paper Box [17 Meadow St. between Bogart and Waterbury streets in Bushwick, (718) 383–3815, www.paper
Dance away 2016
Brooklyn Contra hosts a night of contra dancing, with bubbly beverages at midnight. Don’t know how to do the square-dance-style steps? There will be a free lesson at 8 pm.
Camp Friendship Brooklyn [339 Eighth St. between Fifth and Sixth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 965–3695, www.brook
2016 had Issues
Issue Project Room guitarist Marc Ribot, who played at Issue’s first concert in 2003, who will improvise tunes with Henry Grimes, and Chad Taylor, leading up to a a midnight rendition of Albert Ayler’s powerful masterpiece “Bells.”
Issue Project Room (22 Boerum Pl. between Schermerhorn and Livingston streets Downtown, www.issue
Charming band
Feeling depressed at the end of the year? Mope your way through New Year’s Eve with Smiths cover band the Sons and Heirs, then spin your way into a better mood at a late-night ’80s dance party.
Littlefield (622 Degraw St. between Third and Fourth avenues in Gowanus, www.littl
Wicked good time
Rockin’ 1980s cover band Radio Daze welcomes the new year with a set at hallowed drinking spot the Wicked Monk. Plus party favors and a champagne toast at midnight.
Wicked Monk [9510 Third Ave. between 95th and 96th streets in Bay Ridge, (347) 497–5152, www.wicke
It’s blowing up!
Your ears will be ringing in the new year at Leif Bar, when rockers Cherry Bomb take to the stage! Enjoy the open bar for food and booze for $60, or pay your way along — except for the noisemakers and champagne, which are on the house either way.
Leif Bar [6725 Fifth Ave. between 67th and Senator streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 680–0016]. 9 pm–1 am. Free.
Dress down!
Grab your flannel and flash back to the ’90s at the “Grunge New Year’s Eve” party at the Owl’s Farm beer bar, which will be serving cider and beer from the Pacific Northwest and spinning Nirvana and other grunge tunes all night.
The Owl Farm Bar [297 Ninth St. between Fourth and Fifth avenues in Park Slope, (718) 499–4988]. 8 pm–4 am. Free.
Pig out
Threes Brewing and the Meat Hook team up for the “Fest to End all Feasts,” a family-style meal with unlimited meats, a whole roast pig, pasta, and flowing beer. Those who want to skip the meal can enjoy drink specials and dancing in the main bar.
Threes Brewing [333 Douglass St. between Third and Fourth avenues in Gowanus, (718) 522–2110, www.three
Let’s go crazy
Dearly beloved, we are gathered together to get through this thing called the Prince New Year’s Party, with a screening of “Purple Rain” at 8:30 pm, ’80s tunes and Prince songs all night, and champagne toast at midnight.
And if you dress like Prince, you drink free!
The Bodega [24 St. Nicholas Ave. at Troutman Street in Bushwick, (646) 924-8488. 6 pm–4 am. Free.
Go Rouge
The burlesque holiday show “Nutcracker Rouge” will keep going into 2017, with an after-show dance party with the cast and crew, and champagne toast at midnight.
Irondale Center [85 S. Oxford St. between Lafayette and Greene avenues in Fort Greene, (718) 488–9233, www.irond
And I feel fine
It’s the end of the year, and the end of the world at the apocalyptic “New World Over” part at punk venue Silent Barn, filled with video art, installations, and bands from the queer underground, including Reagan Holiday, Bluntfang, and Novelty Daughter.
The Silent Barn [603 Bushwick Ave. between Melrose and Jefferson streets in Bushwick, 10 pm–4 am. $15 ($10 before 11 pm).
Wine-d down 2016
Brooklyn Winery will become a magical forest for its “World of Wonder” New Year’s Eve party. Don your finest with suprrises in every room, a magical photo booth, passed hors d’oeuvres, and an all-night full open bar.
Brooklyn Winery [213 N. Eighth St. between Driggs and Roebling streets in Williamsburg. 9 pm–1:30 am. $150.
The hall drop
The food and beer hall Berg’n will have a low-key party, with DJs, drink specials adult coloring books, games of cornhole and ping-pong, DJs all night.
Berg’n (899 Bergen St. between Classon and Franklin avenues in Crown Heights). 7 pm–2 am. Free.
A ’fine night
Enjoy dinner and a show at the “New Year’s Eve Supper Club” at Superfine, featuring a cabaret show from Miss Saturn, Lil Miss Lixx, the Lounge Leader, Madame T and the Starlights, and more, with a dance party to follow.
Superfine [126 Front St. at Pearl Street in Dumbo, (718) 243–9005, www.superfine.nyc]. 6 pm–4 am. $20 ($40 for table reservation
New Year’s Baby’s
Rock in the new year with punk band Black Lips, playing at bar, restaurant, and music venue Baby’s All Right, with opening acts PMS and the Moodswings and Daisy Glaze. Start the party early with an open bar of Tito’s Vodka and Bayou Rum starting at 8 pm.
Baby’s All Right [146 Broadway between Bedford and Driggs avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 599–5800, www.babys
Get high!
You’ll be able to look down on the New Year’s Eve fireworks at the “Countdown in the Sky” party on the 25th floor of the Aloft hotel.
The Kimoto Rooftop party will feature party favors, canapes, a broadcast of the ball drop, and a champagne toast, along with food and an open bar for those willing to shell out a little more.
Kimoto Rooftop (216 Duffield St. between Fulton and Willoughby streets Downtown). 8 pm–4 am. $75–$160.
Super Trammps
No need to head north for New Year’s — you can disco the night away in Dyker Heights with a four-course meal, an open bar all night, and the music of “Disco Inferno” performers Stan Wade’s Trammps.
Sirico’s Restaurant & Catering Hall [8023 13th Ave. at 81st St. in Dyker Heights, (347) 441–7198, www.siric
Fiesta!
Celebrate South of the Border-style at Leyenda, the pan-Latin cocktail bar on Smith Street, at a party featuring unlimited drinks, live flamenco music, party favors, and spicy hors d’oeuvres to soak up all that booze.
Leyenda [221 Smith St. between Baltic and Butler streets in Cobble Hill, (347) 987–3269, www.leyen
Shots in the dark
Forget champagne — Kilo Bravo will be giving out free shots of Jameson to welcome 2017! You can wander into the laid-back bar for free, or spring for the $40 open bar option from 11 pm–1 am.
Kilo Bravo [180 N. 10th St. between and Bedford and Driggs avenues in Williamsburg, (347) 987–4379, www.kilob
Happy brew year!
Spend the night with your beer friends at the Kings County Brewers Collective, where there will be rare brews, beer cocktails, snacks, and a special midnight toast.
Kings County Brewers Collective (381 Troutman St. between Wyckoff and Irving avenues in Buswick, www.kcbcb
Tiki town
Tiki Disco throws a New Year’s Eve dance party into the wee hours, with a huge sound system, party favors, and a massive balloon drop at midnight.
The Well (272 Meserole St. between Waterbury Street and Bushwick Place in Bushwick, www.thewe
A Bazaar night
The modestly titled “Greatest New Year’s Party Ever: F— 2016” actually looks pretty great, with Brooklyn punk band Titus Andronicus rocking the stage, three floors of partying, and a “ball pit drop” at midnight,
Brooklyn Bazaar (150 Greenpoint Ave. between Manhattan Avenue and Franklin Street in Greenpoint, www.bkbaz
Beach party
Head to Coney Island to watch the new year flash on the Parachute Jump, followed by fireworks over the ocean! Before the big moment, you can get free rides on the Wonder Wheel or the Thunderbolt from 6–10 pm, then watch performances from the high-energy Priceless Band and neon-drenched superhero rocker Blazes.
Steeplechase Plaza (on the Boardwalk between W. 16th and W. 19th streets in Coney Island, www.brook
Future fest
The House of Yes invites you to re-invent yourself at the “Future Perfect” all-night dance party. Doll up as your ideal self and wander its three rooms of music and magic, and show up early for a first-hour open bar.
House of Yes [2 Wyckoff Ave. at Jefferson Street in Bushwick, (646) 838–4937, www.house
New year, old suits
It may be a new year, but vintage entertainment group Dances of Vice is looking back to the 19th and early-20th centuries for its “Parisian Follies” New Year’s Eve Party, with Moulin Rouge-style can-can girls on the stage, along with vaudeville performers and operatic singer. Guests should don their most opulent retro outfits — the dress code is black-tie — and be ready to dance the year away to live hot jazz.
Parisian Follies at Grand Prospect Hall [263 Prospect Ave. between Fifth and Sixth Avenues in Park Slope, (718) 788–0777, www.grand
