Feature

Party Like it's 1776

The Alibi’s New Year’s Club Guide

Here it is again, New Year’s Eve. Time to round up your favorite buddies, figure out where to party, draw straws for designated drivers then toast the year behind us and look to the year ahead.

And what a year ahead.

With the end of 2007 comes the last year of the Bush administration. Depending on when you read this, Bush could have as few as 378 days left in office. In those 378 days, we Americans will use our constitutional rights to vote for the president of the United States. That's right, America, 2008 is the year we have to elect the next person to know our nuclear launch codes. And the primaries are coming. Are you ready?

Don't fret too much: 2007 isn’t over yet. You still have a few nights to keep Hillary Clinton and Rudolph Giuliani in the back of your mind, far away from the impending decision center of your brain. We here at the Alibi want to make sure you repress those brain cells in style, so we’ve provided you with a nifty little guide to all things New Year’s Eve. Once you've recovered on Jan. 1, you'd better start picking up voting guides and get ready to hit the polls—the attack ads are coming.

Atomic Cantina

315 Gold SW • 242-2200

music | no cover

Start the New Year with an old decade at Atomic Cantina's Revenge of the New Wave retro bash: '80s, '80s, 2008s! New wave music all night, no cover and, as always, 21-and-over.

Barley Room

5200 Eubank NE • 332-0800

toast | music

Things happening at the Barley Room on New Year's Eve: live music and a Champagne toast. Things that could happen at the Barley Room on New Year's Eve: wild bar-top dancing, a rousing rendition of "Auld Lang Syne" with your best buds and a round of shots with Dick Knipfing. Hey, anything could happen.

Burt's Tiki Lounge

313 Gold SW • 247-2878

live music | no cover

Get down with your bad self at Burt's! Heavy Rotation will spin funk and soul, and The Dirty Novels and The Roustabouts will be rockin’. Never bad music and never a cover at Burt's.

Caravan East Night Club

7605 Central NE • 265-7877

music

Last year, the folks at Caravan East had live music, a midnight toast, party favors and a buffet to herald in 2007. We imagine they'll have something similar to ring in ’08, but all we knew come deadline was the headlining acts (The Westwind Band and Simpatico) and the cost ($16 to $18.50). You're gonna have to call for more details.

Chama River Brewing Company

4939 Pan American Freeway NE • 342-1800

live music | no cover

Grab a one-of-a-kind ale or lager and welcome in 2008 with a cold one in hand, or relax fireside and have a smoke in the cigar lounge. High-energy Iron Chiwawa will play from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. to help you dance the night away ... with a cold one.

Club 7

515 Central NW • 244-9302

music

Spend the last moments of 2007 dancing up a sweat to electronic and hip-hop beats at Club 7. If you're 18-or-over and have an appetite for partying, all you need is $10 to get in the door.

Cooperage

7220 Lomas NE • 255-1657

music | toast | favors

Say “¡Adios!” to 2007 with a Cuban-style extravaganza featuring the music (salsa, cha-cha-chá, merengue, timba and bolero) of Son Como Son. Great dinner specials and that ever-so-romantic dim lighting included.

Cowboys

9800 Montgomery NE • 299-4559

favors | toast | buffet | music | balloon drop

How does a dinner buffet, breakfast burritos, party favors and a midnight Champagne toast for 15 bucks sound? Need a place to stay, too? How about a hotel package and limo shuttle service to top it all off? Call ahead, and the folks over at Cowboys will treat you right.

District Bar and Grill

115 Fourth Street NW • 480-0350

music

All we knew come press time was the District's New Year's party theme: "Glitter and Gold.” Splash on some sparkles and expect a glammed-out bash. Keep an ear out for rumored great hotel rates with a mention of the District. Call for more details and VIP information.

Exhale Bar

6132 Fourth Street NW • 342-0049

music | favors | toast

Ring in the New Year with dance grooves by DJ Ruvyo. Whether you want to chill out in the purple hall downstairs or enjoy some midnight cocktails and party favors on the dance floor, $5 hooks you up with it all.

Graham Central Station

4770 Montgomery NE • 883-3041

favors | toast | buffet | balloon drop

Ahh, that age-old decision: karaoke, country, pop or retro? Who says you can't have it all, plus a Champagne toast, snacks, favors and balloon drop in every room? At Graham Central Station everything is possible.

Hilton, New Mexico Ballroom

1901 University NE • 884-2500

toast | live music

Get all the glitz and schmancyness this New Year’s by dressing to the nines, struttin' over to the Hilton, and wining and dining like a movie star. Then dance the year away to live music by El Gringo and Sean Keihne. Room and reservation packages available. Call for cost.

Holiday Bowl

7575 Lomas NE • 268-3308

toast | kid-friendly

Midnight is overrated, so Holiday Bowl is serving up a Happy Noon Year’s celebration for those who want to party and have their beauty sleep, too. Check-in is at 11:15 a.m. for the buffet. Coffee, tea, cake, punch and Champagne will be served at the noon toast. Special lane prices will be available and kids are welcome. Call for details and reservations.

Hotel Albuquerque at Old Town, Q Bar

800 Rio Grande NW • 843-6300

live music | no cover

Celebrate New Year's Eve 2008 with a hot night at the Q Bar's Latin Fusion Carnaval. Enjoy latin-jazz grooves by Franc Chewiwie from 6 to 9 p.m., then Quemozo will take the stage for the rest of the year. Call for details and reservations.

Isleta Casino

11000 Broadway SE • 244-8191

favors | toast | live music

For an upscale bash, ring in the New Year with some ringside boxing arena seats, hit up the open bar, dance to the grooves of The Whispers and James Douglas, pop some favors and munch on snacks. Call now for details and reservations.

Jockey Club

The Downs at EXPO New Mexico • 266-5555

toast | buffet | live music

Fly solo for $15 or bring a partner for $20. Either way you’ll enjoy the prime rib buffet, favors, toast and live entertainment by Electric Edric.

Kelly's Brew Pub

3222 Central SE • 262-2739

live music | no cover | family friendly

Take in the last moments of 2007 with a locally crafted brew and some live music on Kelly's heated patio. You can even bring the kids, so long as they don't try to drink the beer.

Laff’s Comedy Club

6001 San Mateo NE • 296-5653

toast | buffet

Two bashes, two different times for the early birds and the night owls. Come to the 8 p.m. Champagne show for $20 or the 10:30 p.m. shindig for about $25. Both shows include a chocolate strawberry tree, chips and salsa buffet, and performance by comedian Joel Lindley.

Launchpad

618 Central SW • 764-8887

live music

Do you hear what I hear? The Cherry Tempo? Must be Launchpad's New Year's bash to end all bashes. Doors open at 8 p.m., it’s 21-and-up and there’s a $5 cover. The Launchpad won't send the year off without some damn good noise.

Leisure Bowl

7400 Lomas NE • 268-4371

kid-friendly

Take your family of four (or eight or more) to Leisure Bowl anytime on New Year's Eve day for a super bowling special. Four people can get three games, shoe rentals, a pizza and sodas for $40--or $10 per person. Call now to reserve your lane, or just show up and beg for a lane.

Library Bar and Grill

312 Central SW • 242-2992

favors | toast | music

Your favorite naughty “library” is doing anything but staying quiet to cap off the year. With a kickin’ lineup comprised of DJs Heavy Hitter, Sweet P., Pat the Mac and Justincredible, you’ll be anything but shushed. Cover’s $10 including midnight toast and favors.

Lotus

211 Gold SW • 243-0955

toast | music

Whether you want to be treated like Hollywood royalty or just plain dance your ass off, Lotus is your spot. A black-and-white affair, Lotus urges you to dress to impress. Cover is $10 in advance or $20 at the door. Call for VIP details.

Malarky’s

25 Hotel NE • 323-9380

live music

Shit happens, so why not celebrate the shit that happened this year with Shit Happens (the band) and hope less shit will happen in 2008? Malarky’s is known to rock and says there are some good hotel rates for those who ask. Tickets are $10.

Maloney's Tavern

325 Central NW • 242-7422

toast | favors | no cover

Reserve a booth or a table at Maloney's Black and White Ball to cheer the demise of 2007. Reservations range from $40 to $100 and include Champagne, party favors and a raucous good time on the dance floor. If you're low on dough, get in line early to take advantage of Maloney's cover-free floor space, and we're pretty sure you'll score a free toast at midnight.

Misty's Hideaway

1522 Eubank NE • 271-9839

live music | toast | favors

Misty's will make sure all your New Year's needs are met. With live music by not one but three local bands (Bullets Over Hollywood, My Freudian Slip and Scarless), food, a Champagne toast and party favors, all for only $5 at the door. Call ahead to reserve a table if you don't want to stand the whole night.

O’Niell’s Pub

4310 Central SE • 256-0564

toast | no cover | live music

Start the festivities the Irish way with a traditional 5 o’clock Dublin toast. The celebration kicks off with happy hour from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., then the party keeps on going with the Michael Collins Girls, a midnight countdown and a Champagne toast. No cover. All Irish.

Our Place II

9401 Coors NW • 890-6890

favors | toast | buffet | live music

Rock out with Another Level or kick it with live hip-hop and R&B in the back room—the choice is yours. Either way, the $20 cover includes a buffet, midnight Champagne toast and favors.

Sandia Resort and Casino

Tramway and I-25, Exit 234 • 796-7500

music | toast

Spend the last minutes of 2007 getting funky with The Commodores at Sandia Resort and Casino. For $100 per person, you get a Champagne toast at midnight and dance floor access, because no one will sit still during "Brick House." Call now for tickets.

Santa Ana Star Casino

Hwy. 44, west of I-25, Exit 242 • 771-5333

toast | kid-friendly | music

Santa Ana's Starlight Bowling Center will host a party for the entire family at noon. Bowling, cosmic light show, pizza and a bottle of sparkling apple cider are included in the package. Revelers age 21-and-up can enjoy the same treatment plus a DJ and Champagne in the evening. Call for prices and reservations.

Sidewinders

8900 Central SE • 275-1616

music | toast | balloon drop

The cowpoke-lovin' cowpokes at Sidewinders plan to host a night of gaiety for New Year's Eve 2008. Beyond a Champagne toast at midnight and some hors d'oeuvres at 9 p.m., you could leave with some extra cash in your pocket if you catch one of the money-filled balloons during the balloon drop. No need for reservations, just come with $10 for the cover and your picture I.D.

Two Fools Tavern

3211 Central NE • 265-7447

no cover

Two Fools will be open all night servin' beer and having fun. There may or may not be bagpipers—the fine folks running the joint weren't sure come press time—but the doors will be open and the keg will be tapped.

Uptown Sports Bar and Grill

6601 Uptown NE • 884-4714

toast | music | no cover | party favors

It's going to be a big blast, says Josh, the guy who answered the phone at Uptown. They aren't sure about all the details, but there will be Champagne, music and no cover.

Zinc

3009 Central NE • 254-9462

toast | live music

At Zinc, it’s all about the feastivities. With a guaranteed lavish menu put together by Chef Chris Pope, you may dine from 4 to 11 p.m. The Cellar bar will open at 9 p.m., where Chris Dracup and Tommy Elskes will be performing into the wee hours of 2008. Call for reservations.