Ringing in the New Year in Houston
Last year I spent New Year’s Eve with my husband in a hotel room somewhere in Virginia; we ate take-out Outback Steakhouse and drank Champagne out of paper cups. I am determined to spend New Year’s Eve 2011 at a fabulous party in a fabulous outfit with a fabulous cocktail in hand! Luckily for me I live in Houston, where there is always a party going on. Here are a few of the most promising parties on my short list.
Glowrama New Year’s Eve at Discovery Green/George R. Brown Convention Center
The Glowrama event is family-friendly and includes an art car parade, a 3-D light show and fireworks display, skating at the rink on Discovery Green (plus skating demonstrations) and Arc Attack performances at the Jones Lawn at Discovery Green. Free to the public, though VIP passes are available for $150 which include access to the art cars, open bar and snacks, party favors and reserved bleacher seating. 6 PM – 12:15 AM at Discovery Green, 1500 McKinney St. (map) and George R. Brown Convention Center, 1001 Avenida De Las Americas (map).
Bubbles, Bourbon and Balloons at Anvil Bar & Refuge
By now you know how much I love Anvil (read my previous pieces on their beer and cocktail classes here and here) so I’m thrilled that they are throwing a New Year’s Eve bash. No reservations needed for this hip, laid back celebration by candlelight. Party hats, noisemakers, a balloon drop at midnight and a Bubbles or Bourbon midnight toast plus a cool holiday drink menu:
- Seelbach Cocktail: Bourbon, Cointreau, Angostura & Peychaud’s Bitters, Sparkling Wine
- House Old-Fashioned: Anvil Private Barrel-Selected Buffalo Trace, Turbinado, Angostura Bitters
- French 75: Gin, Lemon, Sparkling Wine
- Wenzhou Punch: Bourbon, Satsuma, Maple Syrup, Allspice Dram
- Auld Lang: Aperol, St. Germain, Lime, Rosemary, Sparkling Wine
- Champagne Cocktail: Sparkling Wine, Turbinado, Angostura Bitters
- Modern Bourbon Smash: Bourbon, Lemon, Turbinado, Mint
Anvil’s regular seasonal menu will also be available. Part starts at 4 PM and the bar closes at 2 AM. Anvil is located at 1424 Westheimer (map).
New Year’s Eve Ball 2011
Stereo Live Houston’s 2011 celebration includes 13 performers and features as headliner the famous Italian DJ Benny Benassi. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online (balcony and VIP packages also available). Stereo Live is located at 6400 Richmond (map). Ages 18 and over are welcome but you must be 21 years old to drink. The party starts at 9 PM and lasts until 4 AM.
Houston Press presents New Year’s Eve at the Houston House of Blues
Head downtown to the House of Blues for a NYE party full of music. At 7:30 PM see Reckless Kelly and Sarah Pierce & Rich O’Toole: tickets are $20-$75 and are available online, and include free pre- and post-performance parties in the Foundation Room. At 10 PM see the ’80s and ’90s cover band Thunderpants perform; tickets are $30 and can be purchased online. The House of Blues is located at 1204 Caroline St. (map).
