Feature

Auld Lang Syne (And Not a Moment Too Soon)

The Alibi's handy-dandy New Year's Guide

There are so many reasons to honor the passing of 2006. It brought us the Nintendo Wii, a democratic change of heart, a jobless Rumsfeld, Britney finally dumping K-Fed and my first kitten. There are also plenty of reasons to toast its demise, like the re-signing of the Patriot Act, massive flooding in Albuquerque, the rising death toll in Iraq and Mel Gibson's drunken “incident.” In retrospect, 2006 pretty much sucked until November. Getting my kitten was the best thing to happen before fall—the inevitability of 2007 must be rubbing off on the cosmos.

Whether hailing in a new beginning or drinking away the memories of good ol’ ’06, use our New Year's Guide to help you find the perfect place to forget it all. Just remember to drink responsibly and never, never, never drive drunk.

7209 Central NE • 255-4022

Champagne

Buffet

Ball drop

Party favors

Ring in the New Year the AMC way with the DJ stylings of DJ JoJo, a midnight ball drop (created by the fabulously talented AMC staff) and all the festive perks. The $5 cover includes everything, and the party starts at 7 p.m.

315 Gold SW • 242-2200

Live music

No cover

Kick off 2007 with Burlesque by Kitty Irreverent with guests from Burlesque Noir and BellaDonna Burlesque and music by Slik 50 at 9 p.m. Atomic is always 21-and-over and free of charge.

1119 Candelaria NW • 341-9564

Champagne

Buffet

Live music

Party favors

Party with El Bandito and the music of Groupo Vaquero (cumbia), Zafiro (merengue) and Encuentro de Chuatcom (Mexican) starting at 9 p.m. They've stocked up on posole, menudo and carne adovada for your enjoyment, as well as champagne, party favors and a safe ride home for $20 per person.

5200 Eubank NE • 332-0800

Champagne

Live music

Party favors/giveaways

Free/discount for DD

Free/no cover

Come for the prime rib dinner, stay for the party. Harvey and the Prowlers will take the stage at 8:30 p.m. and everyone will enjoy party favors and a champagne toast—unless you’re the DD, then you can enjoy free soda to ensure safe travels.

1517 Girard NE • 268-5159

Live music

Children friendly

Free/no cover

No drama here, just pure funk music by Aladocious and Americana, rock, blues and jazz by the Minie Gonzales Band. The bands start around 7 p.m. and the free, all-ages celebration will go ’til 1 a.m.

313 Gold SW • 247-2878

Live music

Free/no cover

Music: The Dirty Novels and The Booty Green. Cover: None. Damn good time: Hell yeah.

7605 Central NE • 265-7877

Champagne

Buffet

Live music

Party favors

Grab your best cowboy boots, hit the dance floor and get busy with music by the Asphault Cowboys and Bandalegre. The $16 cover (or $18.50 if you want reserved seating) includes a roast beef dinner buffet from 5 to 8 p.m., New Year's festivities and your first breakfast of 2007. Call ahead for tickets.

7220 Lomas NE • 255-1657

Champagne

Live music

Party favors

Dance in 2007 in salsa style with Son Como Son from 9:45 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. The $10 cover includes all the bells and whistles.

9800 Montgomery NE • 299-4559

Champagne

Buffet

Live music

Balloon drop

Party favors

If you want it all, Cowboys will give it to you. Come for dinner at 7:30 p.m., dance to Crossroads at 9:30 p.m. and toast in the New Year at midnight. All this for $15, but they're also offering a hotel package to make sure everyone gets home safe. Call for more details and tickets (they're pretty sure they'll sell out).

115 Fourth Street NW • 243-0003

Live music

The District has a massive karaoke list. Loosen up with Whiskey Business karaoke from 8 to 9 p.m. and then rock out with Hollis Wake from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

201 Marquette NW • 247-3344

Champagne

Live music

Party favors

Dinner, dancing, a cocktail reception—what a way to see 2006 go. The Doubletree is offering a number of package deals, and all include entertainment by DownBeat and Tom Jones (disclaimer: not the real Tom Jones). Call for more details and reservations.

620 Central SW • 242-2353

Live music

The El Rey won't be open on New Year's Eve—they're celebrating a day early with Bob Gallarza and the All Star Band, Jimmy Edward, and Crossroads. Why not party for the whole weekend? Call for tickets.

4770 Montgomery NE • 883-3041

Champagne

Buffet

Four clubs in one—it's Graham Central Station's claim to fame. On New Year's Eve, enjoy food (maybe in buffet form), champagne and all their usual entertainment. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door—no cover after midnight. Call for details and tickets.

9800 Montgomery NE • 275-5739

Champagne

Buffet

Live music

Balloon drop

Party favors

If you want it all, Ground Zero will give it to you (hum ... won't Cowboys, too?). Come for dinner at 7:30 p.m., dance to DJ C-Money at 8:30 p.m. and toast in the New Year at midnight. All this for $15. Call Cowboys for tickets and hotel package info at 299-4559.

7515 Lomas NE • 268-3308

Champagne

Buffet

Balloon/ball drop

Giveaways

Children friendly

Holiday Bowl hosts their "New Year's Eve Speakeasy" costume party and bowling extravaganza. Don your best fedora or flapper dress and bring the family for five hours of bowling, food, giveaways, souvenir photos and more. The event starts at 9:30 p.m. and all ages are welcome. $125 per lane. Call for reservations.

800 Rio Grande NW • 222-8718

Champagne

Live music

Party favors

Dinner at Cristobal's Fine Dining is only the beginning of the evening. Terry and the Toons will play from 6 to 9 p.m., and the soulful, rockin' blues of Hillary Smith and the GTs will ring in 2007. Packages (some including accommodations) range from $89 to $269, or $20 for entertainment only. Call for more details and reservations.

1901 University NE • 884-2500

Champagne

Live music

Ball drop

Party favors/giveaways

Free/no cover

Wine, dine, dance and crash. The Hilton is offering packages including a four-course dinner, music by Midnight Fire and all the New Year's trimmings. It's $55 per person without a room, $230 per couple with a room (and more champagne, chocolate strawberries and breakfast). Call for reservations and tickets. Do it now!

The Downs at the EXPO New Mexico • 266-5555

Buffet

Live music

Giveaways

Free/no cover

The Jockey Club's famous $10.95 prime rib buffet. Yum. Chow down, then enjoy the music of Spinning Wheel at 9 p.m. and "festivities" at midnight.

2509 San Mateo NE • 884-4151

Champagne

Live music

Party favors

Free/discount for DD

At Joker's, the DD always drinks free—nonalcoholic beverages, of course. If no one in your party wants to make the commitment not to drink, Joker's is also offering a hotel package including limo service to and from the pub. Reserve your table for four ($29.99), enjoy all the goodies and let Mister Scary jam into the New Year.

6001 San Mateo NE • 296-5653

Champagne

Buffet

Balloon drop

Party favors

Patrick Candelaria is taking on two audiences on one night. The smoke-free show at 8 p.m. will include a champagne toast ($16.95 in advance, $21.95 at the door), and the 10:30 p.m. bash includes it all plus fresh fruit and a chips-and-salsa buffet ($21.95 in advance, $26.95 at the door). Call now to ensure you're laughing your way into 2007.

618 Central SW • 764-8887

Live music

Albuquerque's favorite music venue (according to our Best of Burque poll pretty much every year) brings you the Eric McFadden Trio and Anesthesia with more still being booked as of press time. Tickets are $10 at virtuous.com or at the door. 21-and-over.

7400 Lomas NE • 268-4371

Children friendly

Last year, Leisure Bowl offered a day of family-friendly activities. This year, no one was sure of the details come press time. Call to find out more.

312 Central SW • 242-2992

Party favors/giveaways

Free/discount for DD

For pure partying, head to the Library. $8 gets you in, party favors and tons of giveaways. Designated drivers: no cover charge for you and you get all the soda you can drink.

25 Hotel NE • 323-9380

Champagne

Live music

Giveaways

Free/discount for DD

One thing we've all witnessed in 2006: shit happens. And Shit Happens, the rock band, will help you put the misery of 2006 behind you starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10, and nonalcoholic beverages are free for DDs. Call for hotel package info.

325 Central NW • 242-7422

Champagne

Party favors

At press time, the folks at Maloney's knew the table reservations ($75) usually include champagne and party favors. Other than that, nada. Call to find out more and reserve a table.

11000 Broadway SE • 244-8191

Live music

Who doesn't love Al Hurricane? No one, that's who. Celebrate the end of 2006 with Mr. Hurricane himself, Al Hurricane, Jr. and Baby Gaby at 8:30 p.m. $30 includes hors d’oeuvres and room to dance, dance, dance.

4310 Central SE • 256-0564

Live music

Free/no cover

Join Burque's best mascot, Piper, for an Irish New Year's celebration. Three Leaf Shamrock will be playing from 4 to 7 p.m., and the bar will be open until at least midnight.

211 Gold SW • 243-0955

OPM promises to host an upscale event. New Year's Eve 2006 included limo service, VIP treatment, champagne and more. Call to find out about their limited hotel packages and how to get on "The List."

7601 Menaul NE • 323-2523

Champagne

Buffet

Live music

Party favors

Free/no cover

The sounds of 6 Gun Overload will keep the party going from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., and the champagne and party favors will help. There might be a breakfast buffet at midnight. That would be sweet.

620 Central SW • 242-2353

Live music

Just like their sister theater the El Rey, Puccini's won't be open on New Year's Eve. On Saturday, Dec. 30, get the party started a day early with Hecho N K'za. It will be a good warm up for the big race the next evening.

4100 Central SE • 255-3334

Champagne

Ball drop

New Year's Eve wouldn't be the same without Pulse and Blu's Winter White Party. There's sure to be DJ music, fantastic outfits and outrageous decor. Call to secure your spot on the red carpet.

Tramway and I-25, Exit 234 • 796-7500

Live music

Free/no cover

Two events going on at Sandia. In the Grand Ballroom, enjoy Sparx and Lorenzo Antonio at 9 p.m. Tickets are $65, $75 or $90 at ticketmaster.com. In the Bien Shur Lounge, SoMA will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight with no cover.

I-25, Exit 252 • (877) 529-2946

Champagne

Live music

Giveaways

Children friendly

San Felipe hosts a Star Studded New Year's Eve with a Rock and Soul Tribute at 2 p.m. featuring Elvis and Tina Turner impersonators and the comedic styling of Dave Russo. Stay for the Rat Pack Tribute Show with special guest Marilyn Monroe at 9 p.m. Tickets for each show are $10.

Hwy. 44, west of I-15, Exit 242 • 867-0000

Champagne

Buffet

Live music

Free/no cover

If you want live music, head to the lounge for Juntos Unidos at 7 p.m. To gorge yourself at the buffet, check out the entertainment center. Call for more details—they were thin as of press time.

405 Central NW • 242-5839

Drink specials, DJ music, happy people and good times—that's all we know.

3500 Central SE • 255-8781

Live music

Free/no cover

Dine at Scalo on New Year's Eve or just come by for the live music in the Il Bar. They don't know who's playing yet, but there won't be a cover and it's likely jazzy.

8900 Central SE • 275-1616

Champagne

Balloon drop

Free/no cover

Hors d’oeuvres at 9 p.m., champagne toast at midnight, a DJ spinning all evening and no cover. Simple New Year's fun.

712 Central SE • 244-0049

Live music

Children friendly

Sol Arts takes partying to an artistic level with their New Years Variety Show. They claim to offer live music, original film, jugglers, magicians, fire-eaters, dancing bears, underwater contortionists and a sketch or two. Wow. Two (not-to-be-missed) shows at 8 and 10 p.m. $5 at the door.

8201 San Pedro NE • 822-8855

Champagne

Live music

Party favors

That's all we know for sure. Cover? Buffet? They were still refining details at press time. Call for more info or just show up!

6601 Uptown NE • 884-4714

Champagne

Live music

Free/no cover

Say good-bye to 2006 with a Led Zeppelin tribute band. There's no cover, but there is champagne.

3009 Central NE • 254-9462

Champagne

Party favors

Live music

Zinc is hosting a number of fine dining opportunities on New Year's Eve. After a nice dinner with them (or some pizza at home), come celebrate with the Chris Dracup Band starting at 10 p.m. $10 includes entertainment and the New Year's accessories.

Who you gonna call?

Plans are made with the best intentions, and sometimes Murphy's Law is as true as gravity. Designate a driver, call a cab early and stock up on munchies before the party, but here's a list of a few helpful numbers in case all hell breaks loose.

Albuquerque Cab Co.

883-4888

Checker Cab

243-7777

Yellow Cab Co.

247-8888

Classic Limousine Service

247-4000

Luxury Limousine

890-6620

Downtown Action Team

243-2230

Easy Out Bail Bonds

766-2663

Tattoos Erased

323-4033

Albuquerque Auto Body Repair

341-1245

Industrial Waste Services

872-8900

A Snappy Towing

246-0563

Pop-A-Lock

881-5120

Mr. Plumber

243-7395