Before the last cookie is eaten, the last drop of egg nog drank, or the last gift unwrapped this holiday season, people are asking, “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?” With the Christmas rush, it’s easy to be left scampering for an answer. Fret no more! I’ve compiled a list of various options to ring in the new year, whether you’re looking for a big bash or a quiet affair.
Start the party off with the University of Louisville versus Kentucky basketball game. The game is set to tip-off at noon in Lexington’s Rupp Arena. Unfortunately for UK fans, Big Blue Country, a UK themed sports bar, closed November 1. However, you can expect a party for all fans at any of the sports bars in town.
If you’re staying in Louisville, take your pick from one of these options:
Spirit of Jefferson Riverboat Cruise (401 W. River Road, Louisville): $25-60. Two cruises are offered for New Year’s Eve: a 5:30 p.m. early dinner cruise and a late night New Year’s Eve bash. The 5:30 cruise offers a two-hour cruise and dinner buffet at a price of $40 per adult or $25 per child. The late night cruise boasts a lavish buffet, champagne toast at midnight, and party favors. The three hour cruise leaves the dock at 10:00 p.m. and returns at 1:00 p.m. Price is $60.
Galt House Hotel (140 N. Fourth Street, Louisville) – Night of All Nights: $129 and up. Live music featuring Burning Las Vegas. Burning Las Vegas is Nashville's foremost funk, rock, rhythm & blues soul band featuring a blazing hot horn section, a grooving rhythm section, and three powerful female vocalists that can shake you out of your shoes. Various packages offered with prices starting at $129.
Louisville's Biggest New Year's Eve Party! at Fourth Street Live! Free - $80. Music from 100% Poly, a Times Square ball drop at midnight, plus register for your chance to win a trip to the 2012 Grammy Awards. This free event is hosted by Radio Now 98.9 and Louisville's Gen X Radio 100.5.The party starts at 9:00 p.m. and you must be at least 21 to enter. All access packages are available for $25 which grant you access to four venues: Angels Rock Bar, Hotel Nightclub, Tengo Sed Cantina, and The Sports & Social Club. All access plus open bar packages are $80 per person.
Hyatt Regency Louisville (320 West Jefferson, Louisville) is offering a special Fourth Street Live! Package which includes the two all access open bar tickets to Louisville's Biggest New Year's Eve Party!, mentioned above, plus overnight accommodations starting at $279.
Louisville Improv (441 S. Fourth St., Louisville) - Comedy of Bryan Callen: $18. If you don't recognize the name Bryan Callen, you'd recognize his face. Callen has been in a ton of movies and television shows including The Hangover, The Hangover II, Old School, How I Met Your Mother, MTV's Death Valley, and was one of the original cast members of Madtv. He has two shows New Year's Eve: 7:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m. This is an 18 and over show and requires a two drink minimum.
