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.
