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LLINKS:
°The Best New Year's Eve Parties

As the prime purveyors of partying, PubClub.com is proud to present our Guide to the Best Places to Party on New Year's Eve.

Welcome to Our New Year's Eve Party Guide!
The Purveyors of Partying Have All the Hot – And Not – Spots

It's an explosive time at New Year's Eve – IF you know where to party.

The world's biggest combined party is New Year's Eve. It starts around Sydney and travels time zone by time zone around the globe like some sort of well-coordinated pre-planned pyrotechnic explosion.

It's the only time when nations, religions, festivals and other regional or local occasions cease to become a factor. Pretty much everyone and everyplace around the globe recognizes the New Year with some type of celebration.

Because of the scale of the night, one eternal question burns: Where is the BEST place to spend this momentous occasion? As the prime purveyors of partying, PubClub.com is proud to answer that question in this Guide to the Best Places to Party on New Year's Eve.

This guide focuses on major city events and parties – official or otherwise – and not private or paid events put on by promoters. We have included links to each city's visitor's bureau.

And, in breaking with traditional thinking, we even point out where NOT to celebrate. These are places that would seem to be great spots but, for reasons we point out, just aren't worth the time, money and effort.

One tip: If this is the only night of the year you go out, stay home. Because so many people try and do a year's worth of partying on this one occasion, we like to think of New Year's Eve as Amateur Night. Our advice is simple: If you're gong to drink, drink often.

– PUBCLUB'S TOP 6 NYE PARTY PLACES –

• #1 – NEW ORLEANS. It's got the atmosphere, the proper attitude and the energy. New Orleans is a party just about anytime but New Year's is especially crazy. The Sugar Bowl teams, alumni and students are all in town which just adds to the fun. Going up and down Bourbon Street is the call but at midnight be at the ball drop in Jackson Square. The 2008 Sugar Bowl is Jan. 1 and the place will be crawling with Cajuns (though LSU fans would much prefer to have been playing here a week later).
Top Tip: Stick to the same color of drink. In the French Quarter, there are a rainbow selection of colored cocktails – blue, red, green, etc. – and the key to avoiding a terrible ending to the night is to pick a color and stay with it.
Weather: We've been in New Orleans on New Year's when it's been warm and when it's been freezing. Check the weather before you go and pack for accordingly.
Hot Links: PubClub's NYE Guide to New Orleans. PubClub's City & Bar Guide to the Big Easy. New Orleans Visitor's Bureau.
EDITOR'S NOTE: Bourbon Street bars and French Quarter businesses are open and the city is recovering from Hurricane Katrina. While not quite back to full fury, the city still maintains its "Laissez les bons temps roule" attitude. Our roving party animal, The Bartender, personally checked it out and filed this report.

• #2 – PRAGUE. One of the world's most beautiful cities attracts people from throughout Europe because they know a great party when the see one. Prague is an awesome place to play anytime and on the Big Night it literally explodes. That's because the Czechs just love fireworks. Wander in and out of the many pubs and cafes but at midnight go to Old Town Square or Charles Bridge. Climb the hill to the Prague Castle or the "Stalin statue," where the fireworks are launched for an overview of the whole crazy scene. Prague is unbelievably inexpensive; your crowns go a long. long way. Czech it out!
Top Tip: Watch out for flying fireworks of every size and description.
Weather: The average temperature for January is -1.3C (30F), so it's cold. This makes quick jaunts into the many cafes a requirement.
Hot Links: PubClub's City Guide to Prague plus Prague's Nighlife and Bars.

• #3 – SYDNEY. Take your choice – party on the water, party on the bridge or party in a pub. The first major city to celebrate the coming of the New Year is also one of the best. How good is Sydney? The fireworks end at 12:15 but the celebrations last until dawn.
Top Tip: Wear black. That's the wardrobe color of choice for social Sydneysiders.
Weather: It's summer so pretty warm, but have a light jacket handy.
Hot Links: PubClub's NYE Guide to Sydney. PubClub's City & Bar Guide to Sydney. Sydney Visitor's Bureau.

• #4 – LAS VEGAS. New Year's Eve and Las Vegas are as natural party partners as tequila and lime juice. People pour out from the casinos onto the streets and then after midnight head back to late night – or all-night – gambling, pubbing or clubbing.

There's two choices for where to spend the moment, the Strip and downtown at the Fremont Experience. Each has a fireworks show. The Strip has the younger and single crowd while downtown is mostly – but certainly not exclusively – late 30s and beyond and couples. The Strip is also incredibly crowded in the main area (in front of Caesars and people gather as early as 8 p.m.). The fireworks run down the hotels from Mandalay Bay to the Stratosphere. This is preceded by a three-minute warm-up show featuring the firing of shells off participating Strip hotels. It's called America's Party New Year's Eve.

It's a little different downtown as the "fireworks" are electronic on an overhead canopy. Also called America's Party, this is a closed-off block party and tickets are $60 (down $20 from last year with a more manageables two bands instead of five). In the past, it was all pretty casual, just walk in and out of the casinos and shops while drinking cocktails out of football-shaped and sized containers. The Bangles and Doobie Brotheres will be performing on two stages at either end of the five-block area. A light and sound show runs overhead on the lighted "canopy" and confetti showers down at midnight. The gates open at 5:30 (no one under 18 allowed) with entertainment set to begin at 8. Some restaurants offer packages for entrance and dinner. Undecided between The Strip and Femont? Let this be your guide: If you are in a group of friends and don't want to stray too far from them, do downtown. Traditionally, if you are single and on the prowl, seek The Strip. Then again, with the concert lineup, perhaps Fremont will be a bit more of a hip place to hang.

Top Tip: Spend three days. Do a casino lounge crawl on the Strip the first night, NYE the second and cap it off by spending a leisurely New Year's Day watching the bowl games at the sports books.
Weather: Warm and pool-side sunny by day, chilly when the sun goes down. Since the party is outside, definitely have a jacket.
Hot Links: PubClub's NYE trip to Vegas. PubClub's City & Bar Guide to Vegas. NYE Fremont Tickets America's Party. Las Vegas Visitor's Bureau.

• #5 – WHISTLER, B.C. It's a party in the snow. Good beer, great people. Actually, great beer and great people. This awesome ski resort in the Canadian Rockies is good enough anytime and on New Year's it reaches the summit. The Village is buzzing (if you catch our snow drift). Police do check backpacks and purses for alcohol so get your drinks at the bars. Most bars charge $50-150; arrive a couple of days early and find your NYE party spot.
Top Tip: Arrive two days early to scout out your NYE location.
Weather: 20s on the hill, 30s in town (F) unless a sudden unexpected chill hits. This year, Whistler got an early snowfall and the going is great on the slopes.
Hot Links: PubClub's New Year's Eve Guide to Whistler. PubClub's Resort Guide to Whistler. The bars of Whister nightlife guide. Whistler Visitor's Bureau.

• #6 – RIO, BRAZIL. Rio, it's not just for Carnival. House parties give way to massive celebrations on the beaches – 5 million people in all. At Copacabana Beach alone, 2 1/2 million gather on the sand and in the roads, which are closed to traffic. Copacabana is illuminated by thousands of candles as Christian and Afro-Brazilian religions mix and make promises for the new year. Keep in mind it's summer in Brazil which means beaches, beauties and steamy nights – and nightlife.
Top Tip: Book early; most hotels are sold out by September.
Weather: Winter temperatures run from 25º C (77º F) to 42º C (108º F). There's a reason the Brazilian thong was born here.
Hot Links: PubClub's City& Bar Guide to Rio. Book a trip to Rio with our Rio Party Experts. Rio Visitor's Bureau.

A good way to "do" Vegas is a pre-NYE Casino Lounge Crawl.

– OTHER FUN NYE LOCATIONS –

• Amsterdam. The place to hang is Nieuwmarkt (Newmarket) Square. Fireworks are everywhere; there's nothing official, mind you, just people setting off their own (often in several directions at once). The madness starts around 2300 and goes until roughly 0200. There's several cafes nearby. The Rembrantsplein, Leidseplein and Dam Square also have gatherings (and lots of cafes). Regardless of location, locals and tourists hit the streets with a bottle of champagne; at midnight there's a big cheer and people share drinks from their bottles. This being Amsterdam, there is also a Hooker's Ball in the Red Light District.

For a bar party, local promoters Flash and Matty Boy (you read that right) are.taking over the entire W Hotel for a major bash. This very upscale event includes dinner, a bottle, VIP table, live music, the works. Packages start at $1,700. E-mail: vip@flashandmattyboy.com

Top Tip: Go out with a bottle of champagne.
Weather: Cold. Rain is a possibility.
Hot Links: PubClub's City & Bar Guide to Amsterdam. Amsterdam Tourist Office

For sand and sunshine, palm trees and mai tais, NYE in Waikiki Beach is intoxicating.

• Honolulu. What could be more cool than fireworks over Waikiki Beach? There are dozens of professional shows here as well as in Palolo Valley, Pauoa Valley and Kalihi Valley. There are also lots of amateurs firing off fireworks with varying degrees of ability. This lasts from from about 11-2. The advantage of Waikiki, of course, is the ocean and the proximity to a number of bars in the area. The strip is closed to traffic and it's a block party with food, drinks and entertainment. Honolulu is the last major city to celebrate NYE, by the way. Note to would-be revelers: State law requires a $25 permit to purchase any kind of fireworks (firecrackers included).
Top Tip: Don't get too carried away early in the day with the Mai Tais at the Royal Hawaiian – the strongest on the island. Do so and you might be seeing another kind of fireworks well before midnight.
Weather: What, are you kidding?
Hot Links: PubClub's City & Bar Guide to Honolulu. Oahu Visitor's Bureau.

The crowds always gather at Mallory Square for sunset at Key West.

• Key West. Take your pick between a conch shell drop, a pirate "wench" drop from a 110-foot sailboat mast or a Red High Heel Drop featuring a drag queen. The conch shell drops at Sloppy Joe's bar, the wench at Schooner Wharf Bar and the high heel at Bourbon St. Pub/New Orleans House. Fireworks are at the end of White Street Pier over Key West Harbor. Admission and minimum charges apply to Sloppy Joe's and Bourbon Street Pub (upper Duval Street in the 700-800 block). Sloppy Joe's is at the end of Duval Street (201 Duval) and The Schooner Wharf is at 200 Seaport Harbor walk (202 William Street). Key West is mainly a fun couples and friends kind of place, not really a single's mecca. But the odds of mixing go up for certain events like New Year's, Spring Break (especially) and Halloween.
Top Tip: Fly into Miami, rent a convertible and leisurely cruise down the Keys, timing your arrival to sunset at Mallory Square.
Weather: Expect 60s or 70s, (F) low humidity – a rarity for these parts.
More Events Info: (305) 295-3230. 305-296-2388, ext. 21, regarding conch-shell drop; 305-294-4737 for high-heel drop; 305-292-9520 regarding "wench" drop.
Hot Links: PubClub's City & Bar Guide to Key West. PubClub's Florida Keys Travel Guide.

• Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands. This is a two-day (and night) party on the beach. Foxy's, one of the most famous bars in all the Caribbean, hosts an annual concert on the beach that brings in a few thousand rum-running revelers. The Beach Boys have played in the past. WithBVI drinks such as the Pain Killer or Bushwacker it's a true tropical paradise. Caribbean BBQ on the beach 30th and 31st, $30. Full dinner and open bar option, $275. Another option is Myett's, a very cool tropical bar with tropical band at Cane Garden Bay. Yes, Parrotheads, the Cane Garden Bay of Jimmy Buffett's "Manana" song.
Top Tip: Wear a mask to fit in with the crowd. Plus, it's okay to sleep on the beach and retreat to another island the next morning when the ferry arrives.
Weather: W arm, subtropical, and sometimes humid, with temperatures moderated by trade winds. Expect 70s or even 80s, possible humidity. In other words, wear shorts.
More Events Info: (284) 495-9258, Foxy's. E-mail: TheFoxBox@FoxysBar.com.
Hot Links: PubClub's Eric Stone Article. Official Site of Eric Stone and the Stoners. The Jost Van Dyke Official Web Site. Fox'y's "Old Year" Celebration Web Page.

• London. There is no official event but officials estimate that about 400,000 people will be SOMEWHERE in central London because there are free Underground rides until 0430 in the morning (tubes; trains will run to 0500. Free service begins at midnight). Trafalgar Square is one hot destination. Another destination is the London Eye which in the past has has put on laser shows.
Top Tip: Dress for the weather.
Weather: Cold, rain very possible.
Hot Links: PubClub's City & Bar Guide to London. London Tourist Office.

• Miami/South Beach. Much like its varied culture, variety is the spice of Miami life for New Year's Eve. We'll start with the ever-popular South Beach. Models, artists, and "regular" revelers make up the thousands waking the streets, crowding the bars and attending swanky affairs. College students and alumni from the Orange Bowl teams are also prevalent. The fireworks show over the ocean is a prized attraction. South Beach doesn't come cheap – even "inexpensive" rooms away from Ocean Ave., go for $150 or so a night. Ask for water and it's the bottled variety, usually at $3.50 a clip. There will be some wild parties. Just be prepared to pay. The lobby of the Delano hotel is always crowded, mainly with non-guests. For the several famous high-end hotel pool scenes, one has to be a guest.

There is, of course, much more to Miami than South Beach. Bayfront Park is having a free fireworks show over the bay with bands and entertainment. Gates open at 7 with the show starting at 8 (Bayfront Park Amphitheater 301 N. Biscayne Blvd.; 305/358-7550). In the same area, the Big Orange Festival drops a 35-foot orange ball orange from the adjacent The Hotel Inter-Continental at Chopin Plaza. The ball starts to rise at 6 p.m., to a laser show and fireworks. It's all free and there are plenty of watering holes in the indoor/outdoor Bayshore mall. DJs start cranking at 5 to set the party atmosphere and the "Big Orange" starts its decent at 9 p.m. (Hotel InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza, 305/539-3000.

The Orange Bowl is always a big deal and the "official" Orange Bowl party is on Jan. 2. game day is Jan. 3). This "Fan Fest" features live bands among other activities and takes palce at Margaret Pace Park in downtown Miami from 1-7 p.m. But there is no parade; this was a Miami tradition for years.Finally, there are other choices away from most tourists. Coconut Grove is a locals' hangout near the University of Miami and party cruise ships offer one- and two-night excursions to Bermuda.
Top Tip: In South Beach, make the maximum ATM withdrawal and don't check the credit card receipts until you return home.
Weather: Bring suntan lotion. Solid 70s, likely sunny, slight humidity.
Hot Links: Miami Visitor's Bureau. Bayshore mall Information. Orange Bowl Web site.

• Paris. Crowds pack around the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysses. The Metro is free (up until 12:05 anyway) and be warned they are PACKED. People bring and shoot off fireworks; it's crazy. But fun and harmless.
Top Tip: Avoid the Metro after, say 1800.
Hot Links: PubClub's City & Bar Guide to Paris and the Paris Tourist Office.

– WHERE NOT TO SPEND NEW YEAR'S EVE –

Lake Tahoe has the views but the NYE party has gone downhill.

• New York City. We'll give it this – it's the most famous and recognized celebration in the world. But our comments come directly from locals, people who have grown up in and around the Big Apple. One flat out told us, in typical New York style: "I would NEVER recommend New York for New Year's. Times Square is way too crowded, it's always the coldest day of the year so it's @&*$-ing Freezing!, and there's no place to pee." Then there's this: Several bars offer "free drinks" as part of a NYE package (for a healthy $100-200 charge) but it often takes 15-20 minutes to get that drink and the "specials" may expire before midnight. Still, hundreds of thousands will be celebrating in Times Square (One Times Square at 42nd Street).
Top Tip: Dress warmly and don't be put off by huge crowds everywhere.
Weather: Er, see above.
Hot Links: Times Square New Year's Eve. New York Visitor's Bureau.

• Lake Tahoe. There was a time when this was one of the best NYE places in the States. Unfortunately, that time has passed. The main street is clogged with revelers, same as always, but lately the peace-loving breed has been replaced by a bunch of mulletheads. These are idiots who think having a good time consists of throwing beer bottles and picking fights. Harrah's has a private party of about 1,000 people and it's pretty good but hardly overwhelming. The best part about Tahoe for New Year's is being on the top of Heavenly mountain on a sunny New Year's Day looking down at the gorgeous blue lake below. Then skiing down to the Tahoe Pub at the end of the day for a treat that is far too rare in this country – a cold Canadian brew on tap.
Top Tip: Lake Tahoe is actually an area containing several resorts. The South Shore is the most happening place, especially for tourists. The North Shore is more composed as it is comprised primarily of people from San Francisco who have weekend cottages.
Weather: We were there in 2002 and it was awesome. But as at any place with ski resorts, it could be cold, snowing, breezy... Definitely pack a ski jacket.
Hot Links: PubClub's City & Bar Guide to Lake Tahoe.

• Los Angeles. We like LA. Luv it, in fact. But other than the Rose Bowl, there's not a lot going on here. The city – actually the 85 mini-cities which really make up "L.A." – are too spread out to hold one big, central celebration. Some cities do have events but they are mainly too family-oriented to recommend (remember, we're here to party!). House parties, restaurants and bars (minimum charge $50) have events, so promoter parties are where it's happening. For those wanting to see the Rose Bowl Parade, there's two ways to do it. One is to get up really early and be there no later than 6 a.m. (and who wants to do that after NYE!?) and the other is to camp out a couple of days in advance to get a prime spot along the parade route. The parade is Jan. 1 (8 a.m) while the Rose Bowl kicks off at 2:10 p.m. (Pacific Time).
Top Tip: Hit the beach cities. Manhattan/Hermosa and Huntington/Newport are the best party spots. There are several events in the works for Orange County. One, at the OC Fairgrounds, has a Battle of the Bands, NYE Ultra Lounge, Mardi Gras Floats and Parade, Fireworks Spectacular, performance artists, dozens of restaurants passing out food, Surprise Music Headliner, four acres and 12,000 people .A more intimate affair, "Dining with Art," in fact, is at the Kimera Restaurant – 350 party people gathered for a champagne welcome, an upscale gourmet dinner and dancing. First and second seating's, VIP tables and rooms available..Vist vist "Mr. OC's" web site, www.MisterOC.com.
Weather: Cool at night, perhaps even some drops of rain leading to NYE. But once New Year's Day and the Rose Bowl rolls around, it will be sunny and in the low '70s. As locals know, that means another 50,000 freezing Midwesterners will see this and move to Southern California.
Hot Links: PubClub's City & Bar Guide to L.A. Nightlife guide to Hermosa/Manhattan and City Huntington/Newport beaches. Los Angeles Visitor's Bureau.

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