New Year's Eve 2009
Ring in 2010 with the original Chicago city guide to New Year's Eve
Centerstage has uncovered the best New Year's Eve parties all around Chicago.
32 New Year's Eve events matching your selection criteria.
Editor's Picks
Ring in 2010 in style with a truly "distinctive" celebration that offers a lot of bang for (let's face it) a lot of buck. You'll get a five-course gourmet meal including a filet mignon and lobster tail entree, a five-hour premium open bar, a late-night buffet, music from The Hiline Band (Motown, '70s and '80s) and more. Buy your tickets before December 1 and you'll get $15 off.
Feel like going big this year? It doesn't get much bigger than this two-floor, five-room venue with 30-foot-high ceilings. And the partying is no small potatoes, either, with four hours of top-shelf open bar, a heavy appetizer buffet, live performances from DJs Ryan Pollano, Shawn Edwards, Tony Tone and more. Find out more at thepalace4nye.com.
There will be two things to celebrate at Blue 13 on December 31: the New Year and the first anniversary of the restaurant. So the rock 'n' roll-inspired spot will offer two packages. First, there's a five-course prix-fixe dinner including everything from pan-seared scallops with Dijon mustard sauce, pickled cauliflower and fennel to pork belly with brioche toast, tomato bacon jam, bleu cheese mousse, avocado puree and herb salad. For the late-night partiers, the restaurant will clear out the dining room beginning at 10 p.m. for a bash including passed appetizers, a cash bar and a champagne toast at midnight.
Mashup master Girl Talk will put on a party for the ages at the Congress Theater - while it'll be a bit less intimate than his last Chicago NYE show at the Empty Bottle, it'll be just as sweaty.
Party all night at this all-inclusive bash, featuring a four-hour premium open bar, a midnight champagne toast, party favors and a balloon drop.
The Polkaholics preside over this low-budget, cash-bar party at the German-American Cultural Center.
Chicago Scene again hosts an over-the-top bash in the Drake Hotel, featuring pretty much everything you could want in an NYE celebration. Within four ballrooms, there'll be a premium open bar from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., staffed by 45 bars and bartenders, gourmet hors d'oeuvres, a live cover-band performance, DJs spinning dance, house, hip-hop, disco and more (DJ JEM and drummer Marty Kane top the list), a champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight and dessert and coffee after the ball drops. Spring for a VIP ticket and you'll get access to private areas in two ballrooms, with private seating areas and servers. Get more info and buy tickets here.
Swedish pop sensation (not in the ABBA sense) brings his charming ditties to the Empty Bottle for what should be a fun and funny New Year's Eve performance. Let's hope he brings the brass, too.
Fall into the rabbit hole at this Alice in Wonderland-themed NYE party featuring four and a half hours of premium open bar, an appetizer buffet and more. Find a white rabbit and you'll get a limo ride home - free!
Playboy throws its New Year's party with help from rapper Pitbull. If there were ever a place to get crunk (in formal attire, of course), this is it, with a four-hour premium open bar, hors d'oeuvres, live casino gambling and more in three ballrooms.
The HOB brings it back to the old school with a performance from '90s rockers Big Head Todd & the Monsters.
The Hyatt hosts this bash along with JACK FM 104.3, with a lineup including live entertainment from cover band 7th Heaven, a DJ, premium open bar, buffet stations (open until 11 p.m.), party favors, prizes and more.
Want to make a quick getaway on January 1? Party out by O'Hare at the Hyatt Regency's reasonably priced bash, which includes entertainment by the Modern Day Romeos, C-Factor, Jaktripper, DJ Spin, Tony Ocean and the Lori Brittin Jazz Quartet. Your party ticket gets you access to all entertainment, five hours of open bar, a champagne toast, party favors and a fantasy casino. Add on a chef-inspired dinner buffet with prime rib, lobster bisque and more for $30 (this can be done alone, as well). Or book an entire package that includes two party tickets and a deluxe guest room for two for $189. Visit ohare.hyatt.com to book packages, and ticketweb.com for tickets.
Alt-rock favorites The Gin Blossoms ("Hey Jealousy," "Till I Hear It From You") headline this music-centric bash near the airport. Other performers in the multi-space party include old-school hip-hop band Too White Crew, '80s cover band The Breakfast Club and DJ Roland and others in the Tom Tom Room. General admission includes a four-hour open bar and party favors. Room packages are available starting from $139; call the hotel for info. For tickets only, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.ticketmaster.com.
The boys at Joey's toast 2010 with an all-inclusive bash featuring prime meat, jumbo rock shrimp, New York pizza and, of course, plenty of booze. Reservations suggested.
Eclectic electronica group Future Rock leads a New Year's Eve concert that also includes Dark Party (Eliot Lipp & Leo123) and DJ Thibault.
You'll find three floors of entertainment at this huge speakeasy-themed bash, including four and a half hours of open bar, a full catered buffet, bands, DJs and more. The pricier VIP tickets pretty much mean better food and access to a special area on the third floor. Check out chitownnye.com.
Guests at this Lincoln Square French spot will enjoy a tasty meal (and a complimentary kir royale cocktail) regardless of when they sit down. Early arrivals (before 7 p.m.) will get a $55 four-course meal including a choice of appetizers (foie gras torchon, parsnip bisque, tuna carpaccio or baby arugula salad), entrees (roasted venison strip loin, pan-roasted poussin, braised beef cheeks or herbed crepe gratinee), a cheese plate and dessert (tarte Tatin, chocolate or creme brulee). After 7 p.m., a five-course menu ($85) is available, with an extra pre-entree course added: your choice of half lobster, diver scallops, pan-roasted whitefish and truffle risotto. There will also be a midnight champagne toast, should you care to join.
Do New Year's Eve speakeasy-style at this Fulton Market lounge's Roaring '20s celebration. The package includes a five-hour open bar, buffet courtesy of Duchamp, entertainment from a live three-piece brass band and DJ Lil Mikey, blackjack and craps tables, a midnight champagne toast and more. Period clothing is encouraged. Pre-sale tickets are available at clubtix.net.
If you saw The Jesus Lizard at the Pitchfork Music Festival over the summer, you know the alt-rockers know how to throw a party. At Metro, David Yow and company will get a dedicated crowd already looking to get crazy (instead of many indifferent Built to Spill fans), so watch out.
Celebrate the New Year a little early with the kids at Navy Pier - the all-ages Family New Year's Eve bash includes hip-hop dance performances, live music and double dutch jumpers as the Winter WonderStage (inside the Winter WonderFest). The performances will be followed by a special fireworks show at 8:15 p.m.
Navy Pier presents a special concert by Chicago's own DJ Madrid, who will spin pop and dance hits 'til just before a special midnight fireworks show.
Guests at this penthouse bash will get a premium open bar (including Red Bull drinks) from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., hors d'oeuvres throughout the night, including dessert at midnight, and plenty of party favors.
Irish rockers The Tossers headline an eclectic night of upbeat music which also includes Yakuza (avant-garde metal), Teen Idols (punk) and Scott Lucas (of Local H) and the Married Men.
Two guys, one huge blues revival sound. The Black Keys are a force of nature, and they're bringing their energy to the Riv for New Year's Eve. Prepare to have your ears ringing well into 2010.
Party like an old-time rock star with live music from Soda, The New Invaders and The Tony Calderisi Trio at this 95th floor bash. The event includes open bar and gourmet food and requires "cocktail attire."
Enjoy a premium open bar (8 p.m.-1 a.m.), party favors, a balloon drop, midnight champagne toast, live countdown on plasma TVs and more at this ticket-limited event in Lincoln Park. Table service is available, as is the full appetizer menu.
Ring in the new year with the city's elite partiers at this subterranean club, whose party features a premium open bar and dinner package, plus a champagne toast at midnight. Head to tickets.com (keyword: The Underground) to get tickets.
If you want to keep your money for the new year, this huge three-room bash could be for you. Over six hours, you'll enjoy a cash bar, DJs of all stripes, a champagne toast, gift bags, photography and more amid up to 1300 others.
CHICAGONYE.com and 103.5 Kiss FM aren't just hosting a typical New Year's Eve event. They're hosting an NYE SOIREE! Thousands of formally dressed partiers will descend on the Westin Michigan Avenue for this multiple-ballroom extravaganza that includes top-shelf open bar, a variety of hors d'oeuvres, specialized martinis, champagne all night, celebrity DJs, live video mixing, a midnight confetti storm and more. And to top it off they are including a complimentary pre-party and post-party in the admission price, not to mention discounted hotel rooms. Early bird special of only $125. For more info, visit www.chicagonye.com.
Prepare yourself for the 7th Annual New Year's Eve event hosted by Trilogy Productions at 'The Wyn.' This extravaganza includes multiple rooms of entertainment, a four-hour top shelf open bar, a buffet of hors d'oeuvres, bubbly (champagne) all night, live music by Chicago's hottest cover band and overstaffed bartenders ready to pour 'em. Plus, included in your ticket price is a free pre-party and post-party. That's right; you get three bashes for the admission price! Luxury hotel rooms at only $139/night. Tickets are only $125 right now, but will go up as this event sells out every year. Visit www.nye-chicago.com for more details.