Every year around this time, we rush to figure out what we want to do for New Year's Eve. Usually the choice is between living large out on the town or staying indoors — preferably at a house party.
No matter what you choose to do, remember to drink responsibly (if you drink at all). It's OK to go into 2018 with a hangover, just don't go into it with a record. (It's also OK to go into the new year completely sober.)
As always, CL has put together a list of some of the New Year's Eve parties going down in the Charlotte area. Scan these options for an event that appeals to you — whether it's the usual drinking-intensive activities or something a little different.
CLT New Year's Eve: Center City Partners always hosts a lit New Year's Eve, meaning they light up the crown before setting off a shit-ton of fireworks beginning at midnight. Before that, expect live music from Sol Fusion and food vendors and trucks. Pro tip: tuck away a flask, keep yourself warm. Free. All ages. Romare Bearden Park, 300 S. Church St. charlottecentercity.org
Coyote Bash: Two-step into the new year at Charlotte's favorite country nightclub. Besides the typical champagne toast, they'll be handing out $1,200 in cash and prizes throughout the night, and the Coyote Joe's house band Out of the Blue goes on at 9 p.m. $12. 18 years old and up. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Coyote Joe's, 4621 Wilkinson Blvd. coyote-joes.com
Upscale New Year's Eve Bash: Upscale Entertainment hosts a party for the grown folks at Morehead Tavern, and you better dress to impress or you're not getting in. Bump into 2018 with music from Ken "DJ Khaos" Padgett. $20. 30 years old and up. 10 p.m. Morehead Tavern, 300 E. Morehead St. moreheadtavern.com
New Year's Eve at Essex: You might balk at $75-per-person-plus-gratuity, but there's an open bar — yes, all you can drink. Just try to be responsible, you don't want to start the new year with regrets. Also, a world cuisine buffet, live DJ and champagne toast. $92.25. 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Essex Bistro, 101 S. Tryon St., Suite 14. essexnc.com
New Year's on the Rooftop: Just the name of this one makes us want to run inside to the warmth, but have no fear, the space at Rooftop 210 will be covered and heated. All-inclusive tickets included access to the appetizer buffet, drinks and the photo booth (You still have to pay for the Red Bull), and maybe that's why they're already sold out. However, there are still tables for eight available for around $1,000. $1,045 for a table. Single tickets sold out. 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Rooftop 210, 210 E. Trade St. tinyurl.com/Rooftop2018
Catawba Brewing Bash: You won't be blackout drunk on vodka Red Bulls before midnight if you just kick it at the brewery with some of the 20 unique beers on tap in this Belmont brewery, and pair them up with some of the great food being catered by Fresh Med. DJ Bryson Rider will be on hand, and don't forget the champagne toast at midnight (like literally, you will remember it this year). Free. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Catawba Brewing Co. 933 Louise Ave., Suite 105. catawbabrewing.com
The Chef's Celebration: Have one last great meal before 2018 at Georges Brasserie, where they're serving up a four-course chef's tasting dinner during three different seatings starting at 5:30 p.m. The price goes up as the seatings get later, but maybe that's because the live music from City Lights Band doesn't start until 8 p.m. and only the latest seating gets a champagne toast. $55-$75. 5:30 p.m.-Midnight. Georges Brasserie, 4620 Piedmont Row Dr., Suite 110. georgesbrasserie.com
Wine Loft New Year's: Wine don't dine yourself into 2018 at The Wine Loft in South End, although there's much more than that. A $50 ticket includes an open bar, midnight toast, party favors and midnight snacks. $50. 8 p.m. The Wine Loft at South End, 2201 South Blvd.
Ikhor's Annual Bollywood New Year Party: Looking to ring in the new year with a brimful of Asha — the famous Bollywood singer Asha Bhosle, that is? She won't be there, but the snaky sounds of Bollywood music will be, as will be unlimited drinks, an Indian buffet, complimentary masks, party favors, and a live on-screen countdown. $20 (kids) to $169 (family package). 11 p.m. Oasis Shriners, 604 Doug Mayes Pl. tinyurl.com/NYEbollywood
Fiesta Grande: Bring in the new year Mexican(ish)-style at Vida Vida, where a DJ will be spinning la música fantástica and you'll be able to nosh on a nacho buffet. At midnight, you get the requisite countdown and Champagne toast. Pura vida vida, folks! $60. 9 p.m.-midnight. Vida Vida, EpiCentre, 210 E Trade St. thevidavida.com
Carnivale: SouthEnd Station's New Year's Eve party boasts four DJs and live music by the band Pluto for Planet — all packed inside in a massive heated tent. There will be party favors, a food truck, photo booth, champagne toast and more. VIP packages available. $80 and up. 9 p.m. Slate Billiards, 200 East Bland St., eventbrite.com/e/new-years-eve-carnivale
Sparkle & Glow New Year's Eve: Let's say drinking, puking and hangovers aren't your thing. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden's got you covered. Enjoy a quiet New Year's Eve with magical lights, live music and a hula-hoop performance. Dorky? Sure. But fun? Absolutely. And if you insist on partying, you'll still have plenty of time to get back home and doll yourself up for the wee hours. $7.95-$12.95. 5-9 p.m. Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, 6500 S. New Hope Rd, Belmont. tinyurl.com/DSsparkle
New Years Coin Jam: Let's say you're just too nerdy for those swanky Uptown soirees or uber-cool parties in Plaza Midwood. Abari's got you covered. Spend a night shoving coins in pinball machines and other games and listening to a DJ glide you into the new year with literally lots of bells and whistles. Free (plus however many coins you jam). 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Abari Game Bar, 1721 N Davidson St.
The Wild West Barbecue Mystery Dinner Show: This family-friendly mystery dinner theater show is billed as a rip roarin', foot stompin', hog wallerin' time and that's good enough for us. Apparently the scenario involves the Stankin Horse County Fair and annual Pick-of-the-Pig Prize Pig Judgin' Contest. We assume that mayhem ensues, and that the audience must solve a mystery as they tuck into a hearty repast of low country barbeque. $7 and up. 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. NarroWay Theatre, 3327 SC-51, Fort Mill, S.C. narroway.net
New Year's Noir — A Dark Formal Ball: Come to think of it, Bela Lugosi always wore a fancy formal suit in all those Universal Dracula movies. Though we're past the solstice, and the light has started to return with longer days, we're still in the dark of the year. Get into your goth attire and elebrate the darkness with DJ Spider and DJ Price. $12. 9 p.m The Milestone Club, 3400 Tuckaseegee Rd. themilestone.club
Restorative Deep Stretch featuring Handpan and Native Flute Music: Usher in the new year with love, intention and healing at this event hosted by Wendy Swanson and Greg LaBarbera. Relax and deeply renew yourself with long, supported holds while allowing your senses to be bathed by the meditative sounds of a handpan and flute. Cosmic, baby! $20-25. 6-7:30 p.m. BeYoga Carmel Road, 7510 Pineville-Matthews Rd. clients.mindbodyonline.com
Countdown with the Bands: Rock on and ring in the new year with some of Charlotte's coolest alt-rock acts: Party Battleship, which kicks out an idiosyncratic mix of punk, power pop and new wave, has the most appropriate name for a New Year's Eve bash. Radio Lola plays a blend of blusy Americana and sensual soul. The Menders specialize in gritty garage folk 'n' roll. And despite their name, The Penitentials are not fixated on the sacrament of penance. Free. 8:30 p.m. Neighborhood Theatre, 511 E 36th St., neighborhoodtheatre.com
New Year's Eve at Petra's: No bells and whistles here, just a nice neighborhood party in Plaza Midwood featuring DJs, good friends and plenty of booze. Free, 9 p.m. 1919 Commonwealth Ave. petrasbar.com
New Years Eve Bash + Brain Bucket Bock Beer Release: Raise a glass and toast the new year with a glass of small-batch Brain Bucket Bock. The first 60 people to buy a pint at Blue Blazes New Year's Eve Bash get a free Twilight Smokehouse ticket for NC-style BBQ. Free. Noon-7 p.m. Blue Blazes Brewing, 528 S. Turner Ave. facebook.com/events/903332236508549
Cocktails and Confetti: This swanky NYE bash is presented by Sportslink and features hors d'oeurves stations, the obligatory champagne toast at midnight, cocktails, music and ripped up little bits of paper! VIP packages available. $100 and up. 9:30 p.m. Ink and Ivey, 222 South Church St. nyepartycharlotte.com
New Years Eve 2018 at Topgolf: If you just can't get enough golf, this is the New Year's Eve party for you, although it ain't cheap. Topgolf rings in 2018 with everything bedecked in gold — gold balls, gold driving ranges, gold mashie-niblicks! OK, we made up that last one, but this will be a cool party at Topgolf's restaurant, bar and high-tech, arcade-game-style driving range. There will be live entertainment and a special menu, too. $225 and up. 9 p.m., 8024 Savoy Corporate Dr. topgolf.com/NYE
CLT New Year's Eve (formerly First Night Charlotte): The mama of all CLT New Year's Eve bashes, this one is a decades-long tradition. Never done it before? Well, then, come on out to Romare Bearden Park in Uptown and sway along with the Sol Fusion Band, other singers and dancers, DJs, circus performers — the works. Bring the family, eat food from local vendors, watch the lighting of the Queen City crown and marvel at the fireworks at midnight Free. 9 p.m.-midnight. Romare Bearden Park. 300 S. Church St.
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