SUN 1/1: Sunday Night Off-Topic Video

It's basically a Google commercial but not a bad review of the past year...

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

I can't believe I'm in friggin' Maine again, but I hope all had a good night and have a great year to come!

~rob

SAT 12/31: Quick NYE Cheapness

In case I don't get something more posted and you feel like going out tonight, this is basically the post from a couple days ago.

For an easily readable list of NYE options of varying costs, I saw one at The Phoenix.

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SAT 12/31

Various Times
First Night - Outdoors
at Various Locations around Boston
FREE / $18

There's a plethora of entertainment options available to you if you bought a button, and you could easily get your money's worth while supporting this decades-old tradition.

There seems to be less outdoor entertainment than other years, where you can walk around as a public citizen. Some of it happens early in the night for those passing by onto their destination, and there's enough free entertainment to stay out until midnight.

For example: A parade goes from Hynes Convention Center to Charles Street and finishing at Beacon Street (5:30pm to 6:15pm)... A skating performance on the Frog Pond (6pm to 7pm)... There will be 3 bands playing at the Parkman Bandstand: Amos Blood (10:45pm), Vanzetti (9:15pm), Chris North Dream Quartet (7:30pm)... Or you could be part of the crowd in WBZ-TV's live show (10pm to Midnight) at Copley Square with DJ's and performers.

If they don't melt, there should be three ice sculptures in Boston Common and two in Copley Square (including a frozen version of the Green Icicles at the MFA).

And there will be about 10 minutes of fireworks over Boston Harbor at midnight.

Bring a discreet flask of something to keep you warm...

*** For those who want to rock:

SAT 12/31

8:30pm
Casey Desmond, Herra Terra, Streight Angular, Pressure System
at Magic Room Gallery, Sound Museum, 155 N. Beacon Street, Brighton
$10 / 21+

There's a cash bar, "free midnight champagne toast (while supplies last)", and a variety of rock/synth/pop party-dance sounds.

"Dress Code: Readytoripitup"

SAT 12/31

Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents (12:45pm), John Powhida International Airport (11:45pm), Andrea Gillis Band (10:45pm), The Dirty Truckers (9:45pm)
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10

Dang, there's a lot of good rock 'n soul 'n Americana in my new favorite club which is a lot bigger then you'd think if you never went to the location's former incarnation.

I'm assuming the DJ will spin a lot of vintage garage and punk starting at 9pm. They should be open until 2am.

SAT 12/31

9:30pm
Jason Anderson & The Best, Math The Band, Ette
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 18+

I expect these folks to bring a positive vibe. Jason Anderson suggests that people wear tuxedoes. Right...

*** For those who want to get folky/old-timey:

SAT 12/31

9pm
The Four Legged Faithful
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE / 21+

It's probably going to be a full house for this bluegrass-y blend. Mainly because you can't fit many people in Toad.

SAT 12/31

10:30pm
Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10-ish

It's probably going to be a full house at this New Year's Eve Party with a country/Americana vibe -- also mainly because isn't that much bigger than Toad.

*** For those who want to dance the night away and have a gay ol' time:

SAT 12/31

9:30pm to 2am
Don't Ask Don't Tell: "Opulence"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 before 11pm / $12 after 11pm / 21+

The theme is opulence, so think about dressing well. The drag queens and kings definitely will...

*** For those who want to funk:

SAT 12/31

10pm
Po Boyz, Jimmy Johnson
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

The Po Boyz are a organ-based funk band, and Jimmy Johnson spent the '60s and '70s playing guitar with various soul-funk bands in and out of his native New Orleans.

The cover is a $5 'donation'.

Some Cheap, Sparkly Tipple for NYE

Whether you go to a party, host a party, or sit in the dark with your cat; there are bubbly beverages with big dollar-to-flavor ratios. Okay, I mainly hope you keep your hands and mouths away from Andre and Korbel. It doesn't matter if you have a fake ID...

Any cava or prosecco will probably be better, but I culled a few bottles that received some positive reviews while costing few dollars.

I won't say "Under $10", because your results may vary. Here are a few ideas when you hit the packie.

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Cristalino Brut Cava (Spain)

Comments:

"...both dry and full of flavor. Spanish cavas are generally not very sweet, making them the best champagne alternative (over California sparklers or Italian proseccos), and the Cristalino scores off the popularity charts in online wine tasting communities and traditional rankings, like those from Wine Spectator."

"With notes of green apple and bright citrus ...delivers the best bang for your buck"

Good stuff! Most of your ccompany will not know this is discount bubbly. Some like the rose version too.

Segura Viudas Brut Reserva (Spain)

Comments:

"The wine tastes the way it smells: apple, pear, bread, and minerals. There’s good, crisp acidity too."

"It’s fragrant and clean, and lasts on fruit, a rich style with balance."

Pretty sure I've tried it and made an "Ooooh" sound.

Freixenet Cordon Negro Brut (Spain)

Comments:

"It has a nice smell that’s a balance between fruity and buttery bread, and tasters dug the bubbles’ smoothness."

"...a noticeably balanced wine with crisp flavors and a smooth finish. Consider this brut for a variety of food options, from the fancy and formal to the informal summer gathering"

"On your tongue, it will taste quite dry, meaning there isn't an overwhelming sweetness to the wine."

"...a sparkling wine that offers excellent value and has been dubbed a 'Champagne killer.'"

"...this is a crowd-pleasing bubbly that's slightly sweet and slightly dry and everything mellow in the middle."

The multiple comments give you the idea: always dependable when you feel like a cheap sparkling wine any time of year.

Zardetto Prosecco (Italy)

Comments:

"It’s light-bodied and fruity, neither yeasty nor toasty. …dry and super-sparkling, with aggressive fizz and a fast finish."

"Soft and delicate... layering subtle nuances of lemon-lime and ripe pear."

Good flavor and a solid value.

Domaine Ste. Michelle Brut (Washington)

Comments:

"...its fresher style that’s lighter than Champagne. The apple-ness turns the mouth almost cidery for some; the finish is fresh and dry."

"...for the celebrant who wants flavor -— specifically, the toasty or oaky flavor typically found in both chardonnay and true French Champagne."

I think I've had it, and it's not bad, especially in a mimosa or a cocktail.

Gruet Brut (New Mexico)

Comments:

"...a simple, crisp sparkler with lots of appley notes."

"...crisp and full of green apple fruit, without the overdone oak and tastiness..."

The label looks fancy -- just don't let people see it's from Albuquerque.

Presto Prosecco Brut (Italy)

Comments:

"Crisp and festive, this Italian sparkler reminded blind tasters of hard cider"

"...with soft fruit, citrus, and yeast notes. The wine is very well balanced between acidity and richness."

Presto, you've made the booze disappear!

Lunetta Prosecco (Italy)

Comments:

"...a well-rounded sparkling wine. Refreshing, crisp, and medium dry, it is a delightful substitute for the much higher priced Champagne."

"Aromatic with white peach and apple on the nose; more apple, white peach, and a hint of lemon on the palate. Dry and light to medium-bodied with crisp acidity and a long finish."

It could be on sale.

12/31: Cheap NYE Preview

It's one of those years where we enjoy a weekend New Year's Eve, so at least there's plenty of time to 'rest yo self before you wreck yo self'...

While it sucks to pay to get into a bar where you usually just walk in, there are plenty of places that offer admission for $10 or less (or free) -- and some are listed below.

Maybe your favorite spot is going to be a cool place to go if you don't feel like going to a house party or drinking with a loved/lusted one at home...

Over in my 'hood, Olde Magoun's Saloon is not doing anything NYE-related they describe as "No cover, cheesy band, lousy DJ, noise makers, silly hats, champagne toast, amateurs", etc.

For an easily readable list of NYE options of varying costs, I saw one at The Phoenix.

A more detailed post should be forthcoming. Most of the options below are music-centric, so I separated them in "categories" instead of the usual chronological order.

I only had one gig on today's CTB calendar. Most of the people will know each other virtually, but it's free...

--------------------------------------------------------------

SAT 12/31

Various Times
First Night - Outdoors
at Various Locations around Boston
FREE / $18

There's a plethora of entertainment options available to you if you bought a button, and you could easily get your money's worth while supporting this decades-old tradition.

There seems to be less outdoor entertainment than other years, where you can walk around as a public citizen. Some of it happens early in the night for those passing by onto their destination, and there's enough free entertainment to stay out until midnight.

For example: A parade goes from Hynes Convention Center to Charles Street and finishing at Beacon Street (5:30pm to 6:15pm)... A skating performance on the Frog Pond (6pm to 7pm)... There will be 3 bands playing at the Parkman Bandstand: Amos Blood (10:45pm), Vanzetti (9:15pm), Chris North Dream Quartet (7:30pm)... Or you could be part of the crowd in WBZ-TV's live show (10pm to Midnight) at Copley Square with DJ's and performers.

If they don't melt, there should be three ice sculptures in Boston Common and two in Copley Square (including a frozen version of the Green Icicles at the MFA).

And there will be about 10 minutes of fireworks over Boston Harbor at midnight.

Bring a discreet flask of something to keep you warm...

*** For those who want to rock:

SAT 12/31

8:30pm
Casey Desmond, Herra Terra, Streight Angular, Pressure System
at Magic Room Gallery, Sound Museum, 155 N. Beacon Street, Brighton
$10 / 21+

There's a cash bar, "free midnight champagne toast (while supplies last)", and a variety of rock/synth/pop party-dance sounds.

"Dress Code: Readytoripitup"

SAT 12/31

9pm
Mellow Bravo, Township, Planetoid, Cocked N Loaded, The Grinds
at Middle East - Downstairs, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 advance / $12 day of show / 18+

Ryan's Smashing Life "presents New Year's Eve" with rock on top of rawk on top of rock on top of punk and so on.

SAT 12/31

Jenny Dee & The Deelinquents (12:45pm), John Powhida International Airport (11:45pm), Andrea Gillis Band (10:45pm), The Dirty Truckers (9:45pm)
at Radio, 379 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10

Dang, there's a lot of good rock 'n soul 'n Americana in my new favorite club which is a lot bigger then you'd think if you never went to the location's former incarnation.

I'm assuming the DJ will spin a lot of vintage garage and punk starting at 9pm. They should be open until 2am.

SAT 12/31

9:30pm
Jason Anderson & The Best, Math The Band, Ette
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 18+

I expect these folks to bring a positive vibe. Jason Anderson suggests that people wear tuxedoes. Right...

*** For those who want to get folky/old-timey:

SAT 12/31

9pm
The Four Legged Faithful
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE / 21+

It's probably going to be a full house for this bluegrass-y blend. Mainly because you can't fit many people in Toad.

SAT 12/31

10:30pm
Joe Fletcher & The Wrong Reasons
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10-ish

It's probably going to be a full house at this New Year's Eve Party with a country/Americana vibe -- also mainly because isn't that much bigger than Toad.

*** For those who want to dance the night away and have a gay ol' time:

SAT 12/31

9:30pm to 2am
Don't Ask Don't Tell: "Opulence"
at Great Scott, 1222 Comm Ave, Allston
$10 before 11pm / $12 after 11pm / 21+

The theme is opulence, so think about dressing well. The drag queens and kings definitely will...

*** For those who want to funk:

SAT 12/31

10pm
Po Boyz, Jimmy Johnson
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

The Po Boyz are a organ-based funk band, and Jimmy Johnson spent the '60s and '70s playing guitar with various soul-funk bands in and out of his native New Orleans.

The cover is a $5 'donation'.

SUN 1/2: First Fail of the Year

Can you believe I drank more and stayed up longer on New Year's Night than on it's Eve?

Have a great day. Go, Pats. I'll probably rally tonight.

NYE: Midnight Around the World

If you're still looking for some cheap ideas for tonight, you can look below. I hope to have some stuff for the weekend up soon...

In the meantime, here is a repost of last year's "Global Midnight Party Guide" where you can see where it's midnight in relation to Boston (aka Eastern Standard Time). And, yes, some places have a "half-hour" time zone.

Feel free to toast the world throughout the day and night.

Don't know where these places are...? Don't let that stop you from celebrating!

In case you haven't seen it yet, the T is free after 8pm tonight -- and they're extending services to 2pm...

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11am

Hong Kong
Beijing
Manila
Taipei

Noon

Bangkok
Hanoi
Jakarta

1pm

Dhaka
Almaty

1:30pm

Mumbai
New Delhi
Kolkata

2pm

Islamabad
Lahore
Karachi

2:30

Kabul

3pm

Dubai

3:30pm

Tehran

4pm

Moscow
Baghdad
Riyadh
Kuwait City
Nairobi

5pm

Jerusalem
Beirut
Cairo
Johannesburg
Istanbul
Helsinki
Bucharest
Athens

6pm

Barcelona
Paris
Algiers
Amsterdam
Copenhagen
Milan
Berlin
Prague
Warsaw

7pm

Reykjavik
Casablanca
Dublin
London
Lisbon

8pm

Atlantis?

9pm

Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Buenos Aires

10pm

Santiago
Asuncion

10:30pm

Newfoundland

11pm

Santo Domingo
La Paz
San Juan
Halifax

11:30pm

Caracas

FRI 12/31: NYE Cheapness

Yes, there are places that offer New Year's Eve for $10 or less. Of course, you'll spend more once you get inside wherever you go, but I suggest going to a house party… Or getting soused with a loved/lusted one at home…

There's no cover charge at Kings on NYE. The doors should open around 7pm, and the line could be long. If you want to eat, they have a $45 prix fixe menu.

The Bleacher Bar has a no-cover situation too with complimentary appetizers and midnight toast as well as an acoustic covers duo. I'd guess the line will also be longer as it gets later.

If I were to suggest anything over $10, First Night has a serious amount of good music (and other entertainment) for the $18 button:

Bettye LaVette (9pm), Jenny Dee & the Deelinquents (8pm), Dean & Britta (9pm), Hey Mama (7:30pm), David Wax Museum (9pm), Cass McCombs (10pm, his multimedia show at 8pm), Nina Nastasia (8pm), The Fatal Flaw (10pm), Walter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys (7:30pm), The Cover-Up’s 'Greatest Hits' (8:45pm)

...And fireworks at 7pm and midnight.

Bring a discreet flask of something to keep you warm (even though it won't be that cold...), and you've got some fun among the ice sculptures...

Note: I really thought this would be a better post, but JetBlue has been a cruel transportation demigod over the last day or so.

Update: The T is free after 8pm tonight -- and they're extending services to 2pm...

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FRI 12/31

7pm
Les Sampou, Sarcasmatics, more
at Sally O'Brien's, 335 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

I like the soulful Les Sampou and her band, I'm a bit iffy on the jazz-rock of Sarcasmatics.

They say, "Goodies at midnight!"

FRI 12/31

8pm
Boston Dick's New Year's Eve Bash
at Dick's Last Resort, Quincy Marketplace, Boston
FREE before 8pm / $10 after 8pm / 21+

They might be too busy to insult you, although it doesn't take much effort on their part...

There should be complimentary party favors and complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

The Grab Brothers will be playing covers and (maybe?) originals.

Print this to get in without paying the cover charge.

FRI 12/31

9pm
Otis Grove, Po' Boyz
at House of Blues -- Front Room, 15 Lansdowne St, Boston (Kenmore Sq)
FREE / 21+

It's funky/rocky organ music from both bands who might join up for all-band jam from 1pm to 2pm.

FRI 12/31

9pm
"Expanded Spandex NYE Spectacular"
at O'Brien's, 3 Harvard St, Allston
$8 advance / $10 door / 21+

The DJs will play all sorts of stuff like "rock, metal, punk, funk, dance, rap, new wave" as well as live performances.

9:30pm -- Skin Bridge
10:15pm -- Scumfuc Alley Trash (homage to GG Allin)
11pm -- The Nose Jobs

The first two bands include members of Ashers, Crash & Burn, Razors in the Night, The Nose Jobs, The Acrobrats.

For maximum rock 'n roll, they're doing a complimentary 'Gansett toast at midnight.

FRI 12/31

9pm
Love in Stockholm, The Gentleman Outfit
at Precinct, 70 Union Sq, Somerville (Union Sq)
$10 / 21+

If you're in the mood to party to poppy/rocky, horn-filled tunes that might sound familiar although you probably haven't heard them before, this is the place for you.

There should be free appetizers, party favors and champagne toast at midnight.

FRI 12/31

9:30pm
The Big Wipeouts, Go-Go Girls, Killer Surf Videos, The Country Doctors & Wallace, The Last Ones
at Cantab Underground / Club Bohemia, 738 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10 / 21+

There's not much info for some of these bands, but you will hear some surf, Americana, and garage-rock. They have a bar, and they will sell you drinks.

Dude, The Big Wipeouts have a pair of dancers. 'Nuff said.

FRI 12/31

10pm
Christian McNeill, Dennis Brennan, Eric Royer, Chris Anzalone, Steve Cuoco
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

I have no doubt this rootsy-rock NYE party will fill up, so it would behoove you to begin partying before 10pm.

FRI 12/31

10:30pm
Andrea Gillis Band
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$10-ish

In typical Plough fashion, the cover charge is vague. You should get a free 2-song Andrea Gillis CD with admission, and it will be a night of kick-ass bar-band music.

THUR 12/31: Last Minute NYE Ideas

It's the end of the decade. It's a "blue moon".

The cheapest good time is to stock up on cava or prosecco and party with friends at someone's home.

It's true -- your chances of hooking up with a stranger is significantly lower if you stay in, but there's no need to spend a lot of money before your hip even hits the bar. There are places to go where you don't even have to spend more than $10 to get in some places. They might be crowded, although everywhere will be crowded.

If you don't want to go to a house party (or don't feel like crashing one) and you don't feel like staying home with a loved one(s) and a trove of booze -- then seriously consider somewhere close to home or T-friendly.

(Blue, Orange, Green and Red Lines will extend service until 2am. Commuter Rail has extended service too.)

Nothing ruins a good time like getting a DUI on the way home -- or something worse happening.

Yes, cabs will be available and busy. There might be other cities that offer a similar program, but Cambridge offers (up to) $35 cab vouchers to drunk people tonight that can be picked up at the restaurant/club where you're partying or you can print one [PDF] and pin it on your jacket...

I don't make resolutions at this time of year, but I think there will be a renewed site next week.

Happy New Year!

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THUR 12/31

10am to 4:45pm
Community Day
at Museum of Fine Arts, 465 Huntington Ave, Boston (The Fens)
FREE

Even the main exhibition "The Secrets of Tomb 10A: Egypt 2000 BC" is also free since it's included with museum admission on other days. If you're interested in Egyptian archaelogy, this is the first display of most of these items that were discovered in 1915. I went to the last free day, and this was a good exhibit.

I also liked "Seeing Songs", the exhibit with about 60 paintings, photos, and video installations intended to celebrate and capture the spirit of music. As expected, Candice Breitz's "Queen (A Portrait of Madonna)" -- 30 screens of 30 people singing Madonna songs with no music -- was the highlight.

You can also check out "Toulouse-Lautrec's Paris" and an Albrecht Dürer exhibit (I love his work).

THUR 12/31 (and FRI 1/1)

11am to 4pm
"Winter Classic Spectator Plaza"
at Yawkey Parking Lot, about 85 Brookline Ave, Boston (Fenway Park)
FREE

FRI 1/1: 9am to 1pm

You don't need a ticket to the game to walk around check out the interactive, hockey-themed fun in the parking lot near Yawkey Way & Brookline Ave. I'm guessing it's a mix of activities, entertainment, giveaways, etc. Former Bruins may appear, as well as Dan Craig and Claude Julien.

You could win a pair of tickets if you go there before 2pm with a sign that includes a Winter Classic logo and a 98.5 Sports Hub logo. The most creative sign wins...

THUR 12/31

7pm to Midnight
First Night Outdoors
at Various Locations
FREE

If you want to hear lots of good music along with other entertainment, buying the button is definitely worth the $18 for the indoor performances around the city. You can also be a cheapo and dig the outdoor stuff for free.

Fireworks displays go off at 7pm and midnight. Jordan Valentine & the Sunday Saints play at Parkman Bandstand at 7:30pm and The Fatal Flaw follows at 10pm who are supposed to rock in the New Year at midnight.

There will be ice sculptures and art installations in Boston Common, and there will be a couple ice sculptures in Copley Square where WBZ is hosting a countdown show with live music, etc from 10pm to midnight...

THUR 12/31

Cassavettes (10:30pm), Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones (8pm)
at Toad, 1912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Porter Sq)
FREE

Gotta love Toad for having great free music all year long and just keep on keeping on for NYE. Melvern Taylor & His Fabulous Meltones will swing you into the good-time party mood, and this place has to usher the next decade with some rootsy rock, thanks to Cassavettes.

Get there early, if you really want to get in. Newtowne Grille across the street should be hopping too...

THUR 12/31

9:30pm
Jason Anderson & The Best, Strand of Oaks, Ette
at PA's Lounge, 345 Somerville Ave, Somerville (Union Sq)
$7 -- 21+ / $10 -- 18+

I'm not sure if NYE at PA's is really a step up from a house party, but it should be a good, folk-rocky, positive vibe. It looks like it's hard to have a bad time when you're hanging out with Jason Anderson.

THUR 12/31

10pm
Dennis Brennan Quatro
at Atwood's Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge
$10 / 21+

If I was thinking about going to a bar tonight, I think I'd want to listen to the amazing Dennis Brennan rock out with the "Quatro", a lean, mean outfit among his many bands. The beer selection is awesome; the tunes will be awesome, and I like the food there too.

THUR 12/31

10pm
Michael Tarbox
at Plough & Stars, 912 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
$5 / 21+

Think of it as a stripped-down version of the Ramblers as Tarbox will be joined by drummer Adam Mujica for a wicked night of Americana where old-time/gospel collides with gut-bucket bluesy rock.

THUR 12/31

10pm
Otis Grove
at Middle East - Corner, 480 Mass Ave, Cambridge (Central Sq)
FREE

Jazzy, funky, rocky organ trio could be the right soundtrack to leap from the Naughties into the Teens.

New Year's Eve Midnight Guide

I've got some cheap fun for today and tonight to post, but below is my "Global Midnight Party Guide".

It's a list of places that are celebrating midnight -- organized by the time in Boston (or Eastern Standard Time, whatever). Yes, some places have a "half-hour" time zone.

Feel free to toast the world throughout the day and night. Don't know where these places are? Should that stop you from celebrating their New Year?

11am

Hong Kong
Beijing
Manila
Taipei

Noon

Bangkok
Hanoi
Jakarta

1pm

Dhaka
Almaty

1:30pm

Mumbai
New Delhi
Kolkata

2pm

Islamabad
Lahore
Karachi

2:30

Kabul

3pm

Dubai

3:30pm

Tehran

4pm

Moscow
Baghdad
Riyadh
Kuwait City
Nairobi

5pm

Jerusalem
Beirut
Cairo
Johannesburg
Istanbul
Helsinki
Bucharest
Athens

6pm

Barcelona
Paris
Algiers
Amsterdam
Copenhagen
Milan
Berlin
Prague
Warsaw

7pm

Reykjavik
Casablanca
Dublin
London
Lisbon

8pm

Atlantis?

9pm

Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Buenos Aires

10pm

Santiago
Asuncion

10:30pm

Newfoundland

11pm

Santo Domingo
La Paz
San Juan
Halifax

11:30pm

Caracas

It's Midnight Somewhere...

I'll try to post something for the new year at some point today.

Still looking for something to do tonight? There's some ideas below. Remember Cambridge bars & restaurants can give (up to) $35 cab vouchers to drunk people tonight. Pin that on your jacket, because you won't remember it...

If you didn't know, T service is free tonight (including commuter rail) after 8pm with extended service.

Update: I went to Martignetti's last night and got a bottle of Westport Rivers for $22.99. Am waiting to try it tonight...

Below is my "Global Midnight Party Guide". It's a list of places that are celebrating midnight -- organized by the time in Boston (or Eastern Standard Time, whatever). Yes, some places have a "half-hour" time zone.

Don't know where these places are?

Should that stop you from celebrating their New Year?

10am

Perth
Seoul
Tokyo

11am

Hong Kong
Beijing
Manila
Taipei

Noon

Bangkok
Hanoi
Jakarta

1pm

Dhaka
Almaty

1:30pm

Mumbai
New Delhi
Kolkata

2pm

Islamabad
Lahore
Karachi

2:30

Kabul

3pm

Dubai

3:30pm

Tehran

4pm

Moscow
Baghdad
Riyadh
Kuwait City
Nairobi

5pm

Jerusalem
Beirut
Cairo
Johannesburg
Istanbul
Helsinki
Bucharest
Athens

6pm

Barcelona
Paris
Algiers
Amsterdam
Copenhagen
Milan
Berlin
Prague
Warsaw

7pm

Reykjavik
Casablanca
Dublin
London
Lisbon

8pm

Atlantis?

9pm

Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Buenos Aires

10pm

Santiago
Asuncion

10:30pm

Newfoundland

11pm

Santo Domingo
La Paz
San Juan
Halifax

11:30pm

Caracas

Toasting the New Year, Locally

I was thinking about bubbly wine and the environment. Whenever I talk to people about sustainable living or read about it, local consumption is always a major point.

We don't need to reach to France, Italy, Spain, or California (although I enjoy the variety of options). Westport Rivers of Southern Mass makes what is apparently a pretty good sparkling wine for about $20.

There's a list of MA retailers that might* carry it, and here's a partial list:

- Bauer Wine (Back Bay)
- Blanchards
- Cambridge Wine & Spirits (Alewife Pkwy)
- Gordons (Waltham)
- Harbor Point Liquors (Dorchester)
- Kappy's
- Martignetti Liquors
- Marty's (Newton)
- Stop & Shop (Quincy & Hingham)
- Trader Joe's (Brookline& Cambridge)
- Whole Foods (Cambridge, near Charles River)
- Wine Cask (Somerville)
- Wine Gallery (Brookline)
- Wollaston Wine & Liquor

* List from 2007

WED 12/31: New Year's Eve Cheapness

I'm not writing about any gigs for 12/30. If you're going to see a band tonight, then you know someone in a band.

I still stand by my position from last year (and have practiced for many years). It's better to stay in on New Year's Eve.

Invite people over... Go to that house party... Most bars and restaurants are going to be too crowded and too expensive. Take the money you were going to spend out, and you can have an awesome night even if you have the food delivered.

I know I recommended prosecco as the champagne substitute last year, but I drank a bit of cava from Spain this year, and it tastes much more like champagne. If you see Cristalino, that's a really good value for less than $10. You really don't need to spend more than $15 for a bottle whichever you choose. (You don't have to go for Freixenet, but it's not bad...)

For the full-on "cheap thrills" libation, I've also become fond of Baby Cham, a pear cider product, that goes for $5.99 at Supreme Liquors in Central Sq. Much better than the cheap champagnes -- in my book.

If, if, IF you want to go out tomorrow; these seem like good, relatively inexpensive ideas.

I will add that if it wasn't going to be so darn cold and snowing, I'd recommend "First Night" -- it was a really good time and definitely worth the $15. Okay, so it's $18 now... Probably still worth it...

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WED 12/31

9pm to 2am
Mama Kaethe's New Years Eve Dirty Jazz and Burlesque
(or MySpace info)
at Aga's Highland Tap, 2128 Washington St, Roxbury (Dudley Sq)
$5

This looks like the most exciting option of the night! I saw it mentioned as "Boston's oldest bikini bar" (i.e. women strip/dance, but can't show the bare goods). It just looks like a seedy den from the outside, and you know the interior must match.

Scheduled entertainment includes: "Mama Kaethe's Dirty Jazz Combo", "Miss Lydia & Klezhobos", Miss Darcey Leonard leading a cadre of burlesque girls, DJ Generoso spinning ska and various Jamaican.

You should take the #1 bus to the party and call a cab at the end.

WED 12/31

9pm
Futureshock: New Year's Meltdown
at Spontaneous Celebrations, 45 Danforth St, Jamacia Plain (near Stony Brook T)
$10 / 21+

This should be wild, dancetastic, good time. (Cheap drinks help!)

The world is collapsing and we're thowin' a big party to celebrate with Plunge Into Death, Lovewhip and the Whipettes, Angela, Atomic Trash, DJ Homemade, the Varietae All-Stars and your host Vice V'ersatile.

We got a sci-fried show, dance party and a cash bar with new depression era pricing! $3 Sam Adams, $2 PBR's, $3 red and white wine!

Also: "Dress to Impress: Post-Apoco-hipstic, Blade Runner, Mad Max"

WED 12/31

10pm
Tim Gearan
at Atwoods Tavern, 877 Cambridge St, Cambridge (East Cambridge)
FREE

Gearan and band will tear it up in their rootsy, rockin' way. The food and beer selection are both very good at Atwoods. If it was a wee bit closer to my usual migration routes, I'd go there all the time.

WED 12/31

10pm to 5am
FREE Cab Ride Home
from Any Bar/Restaurant in Cambridge

If you're at an establishment in Cambridge and you're too blitzed to drive, they can give you a voucher for up to $35 in cab fare to get home. (Tip not included, obviously.)

WED 12/31

7pm to 2am
New Year's Eve
at King's, 50 Dalton St, Boston (Back Bay)
FREE

The word I've heard is that free special events at King's get very crowded, and there's a line. I hate lines for a bar. I know they're a bowling alley with pool tables, but you know what I mean. There will be a band -- a cover band.

WED 12/31

5pm to 2am
Hollywood New Year Party
at Alchemist Lounge, 435 S Huntington Ave, Jamaica Plain
FREE

Featuring 4 DJs spinning retro dance classics, pop remixes, house, electro, etc., multi-course prix fixe menu served from 5pm to 10pm, a fashion giveaway of some kind, special vodka welcome reception (before 10pm?), and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight.

WED 12/31

8pm
New Year's Eve Broke Bash
at Dick’s Last Resort at Quincy Market
$10

Paying someone to insult you might be fun for some people.

All party folk will receive one of Dick's highly-coveted 2008 / 2009 Survival Kits, plus there'll be a fizzy champagne toast for everyone at midnight.

There will be a "New Year's Eve Trivia Contest" and a cover band.

NYE Tips: Stay In & Prosecco

I listed a few cheap New Year's Eve options below, and there's plenty of cool stuff going on -- but I'm hanging low tonight.

I especially don't see why I would ever want to pay more to get into a crowded bar filled with drinking amateurs. Take that money, and buy loads of drink & food; it's a perfect night for hanging out with friends. You don't have to wait at the bar for a drink, the music (or whatever) will be as loud as you want, and there's a good chance of liking everyone in the room. You can even party past 2am, if you choose...

If you don't drink champagne much, there's no need to force down a glass of Andre at midnight. While you might spend at least $30 for a pretty good bottle of the French stuff, you can get a good bottle of Prosecco, sparkling wine of my mother's homeland, for $12 to $15. Any brand should be alright. The 2 big names are Mionetto and Zardetto. It would probably be a fine base for mimosas the morning too.

Happy New Year!