Ring in 2006 the old fashioned way: with an overflowing glass. While many bars offer more than just booze (buffets, games, music and room to chat with friends), you’re most likely interested in running that open bar dry. Remember the importance of pacing yourself; it’s going to be one long night/morning. Taxis abound and CTA rides only cost a penny from 8 p.m. on New Year's Eve until 6 a.m. the next day, so leave that car at home (but don’t forget your manners).
For those looking for more than the obligatory and vague-sounding "party favors," head to 10pin for a full night of bowling, dancing and hors d'ouerves buffet, eased down by a four-hour open bar from 10 p.m.-2 a.m.. Worried about catching a cab after all that drinking? Take advantage of the trolley ride to wherever it is you go to pass out. In the spirit of getting lucky on New Year's, the first to bowl a strike in 2006 can expect to win something fabulous. All that and you'll still get to watch the ball drop on the city's largest video wall.
Cost: $75-$125 ($125 at the door; $100 in advance; $75 after midnight)
The self-proclaimed "swankiest room in Chicago" hosts a night of live rockabilly music with The Mercury Express, party favors and a champagne toast for only a $10 cover at the door (doors open at 8 p.m.; stay until 3 a.m.). This West-Side throwback to another era knows how to welcome a New Year: It's been doing so since 1937.
Cost: $10
Hold off on perusing the 34 choices of canned beer while you enjoy a top-shelf open bar, food buffet and champagne toast at Cans Bar. Topping six hours, this is one of the longest running open bars set to ring in the ol' '06.
Cost: $90
Countdown at the Celtic Crown with two toasts: one for the Irish New Year at 6 p.m. (probably with a pint in hand), and then again at midnight with a champagne toast. An open bar will keep you buzzing with the Irish between 9 p.m. and midnight (but you can get to the pub as early as 11 a.m. if that's your thing).
Cost: $35
Cullen's offers another Irish party option, this time with the live music of Morgan Fingleton. Party hats and noisemakers distributed at countdown time, but the booze is all bought separately.
Cost: Free
If you think a saying like "Out with the Old, in with the Vu!" is just hilarious, then the Vu might be the place for you. This Lincoln Park bar offers two advance-purchase packages, both of which guarantee admission as well as party favors, a champagne toast and video countdown at midnight. The $30 tickets give you open bar between 9 p.m. and midnight, while the $50 VIP package includes hors d'ouerves from 8-10 p.m. and open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight, with guaranteed admission to the "2D" Lounge upstairs.
Cost: $30-$50
Dance and drink in both the upstairs and downstairs bars at the funk-filled Elbo Room, known for both great live music and DJs alike: DJs will take over on NYE with hip-hop, dance and funk. Down your drinks with an open bar from 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cost: $50
For an decidedly Division Street-style celebration, Finn McCool's and The Loft start it up early at 7 p.m. for a $10 cover charge that includes noisy party favors, DJs and dancing, a champagne toast and one eye-catching multi-media countdown.
Cost: $10
This large Lakeview favorite will likely pack people in for a night (9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.) of dancing with DJ Scotty, as well as a premium open bar, appetizers, party favors and a champagne toast.
Cost: $70-85
This spot for an Irish Eve offers appetizers from 9-11 p.m. as well as premium open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, topped off with a champagne toast and most likely lots of swaying and singing with raised glasses in true Irish spirit.
Cost: $45
This semi-swanky lounge classes up the run-of-the-mill standard open bar party night for $95 per person. From 9 p.m.-2 a.m., the lounge will serve you from the premium open bar, appetizers, midnight champagne and those loud, un-loungelike party favors. (But the DJ will surely keep things lounge-y). Even better, the capacity will be capped at 200, ensuring that things won't get too sardine-like.
Cost: $95
The Globe is the new Lyons Den, maintaining the Den's very Brit style. The Globe also adds a geography lesson and international flare to the pub, complete with several namesake globes dotting the room. With 20 beers on tap, enjoy this open bar from 9 p.m.-midnight, and feel free to stay 'til 3 a.m.
Cost: $45
Chicago Sport and Social Club hosts "the single greatest New Year's Eve party" at Grand Central. The event includes a 5 1/2-hour select premium bar, contemporary American fare, two DJs and a rock and roll piano. Midnight is feted with a champagne toast and balloon drop. Get your tickets in advance for $110 plus the five dollar processing fee. For more information call (312) 335-9596 or log on to Chicagosocial.com.
Boystown is throwing "Hydrate 54," a 10-hour party a la Warhol and Minnelli. Walk your way down the red carpet to an Xellent Vodka cocktail reception with appetizers from 7-10 p.m., spin under the disco ball with DJ Ralphi Rosario and clink glasses with a champagne toast at midnight, the mere halfway point of this 5 a.m. all-night bash.
Cost: $30-50
Breakfast buffet: need I say more? Starting at 9 p.m., appetizers will circulate and the booze will flow from the open bar, all topped off with champagne when the clock strikes twelve. That alluring breakfast buffet begins after midnight, keeping you well fed and able to soak up the predictable overabundance of booze you'll consume. The band Then Again provides (part of) your entertainment for the night.
Cost: $100
On New Year's Eve, the folks of Motel Bar invite you to "escape." For $100, enjoy a 5-hour open bar, a midnight champagne toast and an all-night-long appetizer buffet. Get fancy and reserve seating for $125; the price includes a bottle of bubbly. DJ Allen Burris spins rock, electronica and all the tunes in between. Call (312) 822-2900 for more details.
Hosted by Joey D, this martini-happy New Year's celebration on Division Street is sure to be full of leopard and zebra print stools (a Leg Room norm) and 2006-style party favors and a midnight champagne toast (as usual on New Year's Eve). If you're a pre-planner, consider the higher end: a $60 reservation to ensure the party favors and complimentary champagne, along with the premium open bar from 9-11 p.m. Otherwise, the $20 general admission after 11 p.m. will let you squeeze in as space allows.
Cost: $20-$60
For a glorious nine hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., Le Passage will pour endless champagne and specialty drinks as well as passing its signature French fusion appetizers. Early lounging will mix with late-night dancing and the spinning sounds of hip hop, electronic and French house music.
Cost: $125
DJs, an open bar and the always-busy Lincoln Avenue location will keep this place packed both upstairs and down. Cozy up on the beds in front of fireplaces upstairs as you enjoy a buffet from 8-10 p.m. and open bar from 8-11 p.m.
Cost: $60-$85; $25 after 11 p.m.
Oak Park's newly opened wine bar will jazz up New Year's Eve due west of downtown. Live music will sound off from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., during which time half-price pours of wine, champagne and beer will be offered. And, of course, there's a midnight champagne toast.
Cost: No cover
If a casual pizza and beer night out sounds like it will suit you this year, Piece offers all-you-can-eat thin crust pizza, salad and dessert from 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m., including an open bar serving a huge selection of beers and wine.
Cost: $60
This champagne bar offers more than 100 champagne varieties from all over the world, making New Year's Eve the perfect night for Pops to throw a jazzy, bubbly party. Jazz Conspiracy starts the music at 9 p.m., followed by dancing and party favors to ring in the New Year.
Cost: $50
Famous for housing more than 75 premium 100-percent agave tequilas all in one place, enjoy some sipping of smooth tequilas or margaritas along with a top-shelf open bar, a passed food buffet and midnight champagne splits. A little Salud and a lot of tequila from 9 p.m.-3 a.m. may just be the next best thing to a New Year's south of the border.
Cost: $90
Hosting a "Resolution Raffle" for 2006, the Sheffield's crew invites your group to spend the evening enjoying an open bar and finger food from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. It may be too cold for the garden, but the fires inside and champagne toast are sure to warm up all the neighborhood cynics who don't like making New Year's resolutions.
Cost: $80
Lincoln Park celebrates with Top 40 hits spun by DJ Chad Stoepel starting at 9 p.m. until 1:30 a.m. Admission includes open bar, appetizers, party favors and a champagne toast at the top of 2006.
Cost: $65
Enjoy a slick and chic lounge experience in the Warehouse District while sitting in Eames chairs and staring at stunning paintings. Though you'll feel like you're in a stylish hotel lobby, keep in mind there are no rooms for you to lay your head at the end of the night. From 9-10 p.m. and a $50 cover charge, enjoy a champagne reception with light hors d'oeuvres. The champagne will flow again at midnight for the celebratory toast, but for the rest of the hours until 3 a.m., you'll be drinking at a cash bar. Tables with bottle service are available, but be sure to call ahead to reserve one.
Cost: $50, plus whatever you spend at the bar
This fancy-pants party hosted by Harry G offers two package deals: The $100 Deluxe includes a cocktail reception from 9 p.m. to midnight, passed hors d'oeuvres, party favors and a champagne toast. A notch up at $150 (per person per table, that is), the VIP package offers a table reservation with the same "deluxe" cocktail reception from 9 p.m. to midnight, hors d'oeuvres, party favors and bubbly toast, plus an additional one bottle of champagne per 3-4 partygoers. Stick around until 3 a.m. for the selection of 18 champagnes and top vodkas like Effen Black Cherry and the always-smooth Belvedere.
Cost: $100-$150
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