Ball Droppings

Are you of the ilk who like to avoid the crowds and amateur drinkers on New Year’s Eve? Maybe you host your own party or pull up some movies on Netflix and make it a couch night. For the rest of us who like to venture out and party with other like-minded Louisvillians, here’s your list of what’s going down. It’s not a complete list by any means — just a handful of events we’ve caught wind of.

Just remember to never forget the Golden Rule of NYE if you want to start 2014 off drama-free: When the clock strikes 12, swap spit only with the one who brought you. —Sara Havens

 

•BARS & CLUBS

The Bard’s Town

1801 Bardstown Rd., 749-5275, thebardstown.com. Live music by Emily’s Garden and Totally Boss! at 10:30 p.m. Cost: $10.

Baxter’s 942 Bar and Grill

942 Baxter Ave., 409-9422, baxters942.com. Live music by 64 West with DJ Havoc at 9 p.m. Cost: $TBA.

Bud’s Tavern

4014 Dixie Hwy., 384-9131. Live music by Bongoman & Friends at 8 p.m. Cost: Free

The Connection

120 S. Floyd St., 585-5752, theconnection.net. “Boots” at 9 p.m. Cost: $5.

Dark Star Tavern

2636 Frankfort Ave., 896-2800, facebook.com/pages/Darkstar-Tavern. Live music by Hot Brown Smackdown, plus champagne toast at midnight. Cost: $TBA.

Diamond Pub and Billiards

630 Barret Ave., 690-7040, diamondpubandbilliards.com. Live music by Flaw, The Villebillies, Elephant Room, Signal the Revolution, Naked Garden, Slinky Jenkins and Bob Anonymous at 8 p.m., plus champagne toast and food buffet. Cost: $25.

Fourth Street Live

4thstlive.com. Party includes live music, a viewing of the Times Square ball drop, party favors and fireworks. Cost: Free (outside admission); $75/person or $140/couple (all-inclusive ticket including drink package and access to Kill Devil Club, Marquee Bar, PBR Louisville, Sports & Social Club and Tengo Sed Cantina); $20 (general admission ticket into all the bars/clubs).

Gerstle’s Place

3801 Frankfort Ave., 742-8616, gerstles.com. Live music by Thumper & the Plaid Rabbits and Strung Out Loud at 10 p.m., plus a champagne toast and White Castle cheeseburgers. Cost: $10.

Haymarket Whiskey Bar

331 E. Market St., 442-0523, haymarketwhiskeybar.com. Live music by Citizens United and Team Totoro with The Pass DJs at 8 p.m., plus $10 champagne bottle service, toast and balloon drop. Cost: Free.

Headliners Music Hall

1386 Lexington Road, 584-8088, headlinerslouisville.com. WFPK New Year’s Eve Live Broadcast: Live music by Junk Yard Dogs at 10:30 p.m., with DJs Matt Anthony and Woodrow on the Radio at 9 p.m., plus a dance lesson at 8:30 p.m., and a balloon drop at midnight. Cost: $10 (adv.), $12 (door).

Hideaway Saloon

1607 Bardstown Road, 485-0114, hideawaysaloon.com. Live music by Marquee Mayfield at 10:30 p.m. Cost: $10.

Jerry Green and Friends

2800 Breckinridge Lane, 451-0706, breckinridgeinn.com. Live music by Jerry Green at 8 p.m., plus appetizers, party favors and a champagne toast. Cost: $50.

Jim Porter’s

2345 Lexington Road, 452-9531, jimporters.com. Live music by Louisville Brass & Electric, Lindsey Lane & Axis, Boogie Men Blues and Insane Outlaws at 8 p.m., plus bead toss, champagne toast, party favors and balloon drop, Cost: $TBA.

Maple Inn Tavern

9416 Taylorsville Road, Jeffersontown, 267-0502, mapleinntavern.com. Live music by The Kirk Davis Band. Cost: Free.

Meta

425 W. Chestnut St., 822-6382, facebook.com/metalouisville. Music by DJ Kim Sorise at 9:30 p.m. Cost: $5.

Mixer

1565 Bardstown Rd., 384-1565, mixerlouisville.com. Music by The Joe Watts Trio at 9 p.m. Cost: Free.

Monkey Wrench

1025 Barret Ave., 582-2433, facebook.com/1025TheMonkeyWrench. Music by Night Visions DJs at 9 p.m. Cost: $10 (adv.), $15 (door).

The New Vintage

2126 S. Preston St., 749-4050, newvintagelouisville.com. Live music by Cabin, Kaleidico and Beacons at 8 p.m., plus album downloads, snacks and champagne toast. Cost: $15.

Nowhere Bar

1133 Bardstown Road, 451-0466, nowherelouisville.com. Music by DJ Tank at 9 p.m. Includes party favors, heated tents, specials and bottle of champagne. Cost: $10.

O’Shea’s Irish Pub

956 Baxter Ave., 589-7373, osheaslouisville.net. Live music by Soulbite at 10 p.m. Cost: $TBA.

Patrick O’Shea’s

123 W. Main St., 708-2488, osheaslouisville.net. Live music by Moonshine Millionaires at 10 p.m. Cost: $TBA.

Phoenix Hill Tavern

644 Baxter Ave., 589-4630, phoenixhill.com. Live music by Scary Uncle at 9:30 p.m. Cost: $TBA.

Play

1101 E. Washington St., 882-3615, playdancebar.com. Live entertainment by Sharon Needles and VJ Stretch, plus balloon drop and champagne toast. Cost: $TBA.

Saints

131 Breckinridge Lane, 896-6711, facebook.com/saintspizzapub. Music by a DJ at 8 p.m., a $20 dinner buffet, plus champagne and toast and party favors. Cost: $TBA.

Stevie Ray’s

230 E. Main St., 582-9945, stevieraysbluesbar.com. Live music by The Predators at 10 p.m. Cost: $TBA.

Zanzabar

2100 S. Preston St., 635-9227. Live music by The Danny Glover Cover Band and Spleen: A Ween Tribute with Glitter Titz DJz at 9 p.m. Cost: $15.

  

•RESTAURANTS

Blu Italian Grille

280 W. Jefferson St., 671-4265, blugrille.com. Evening includes a four-course menu and four champagne pairings. Cost: $95/person.

Bourbons Bistro

2255 Frankfort Ave., 894-8838, bourbonsbistro.com. Three separate seating times: 5:30 p.m. (three-course dinner), 7:30 p.m. (three-course dinner) and 9:30 p.m. (four-course dinner). Includes champagne toast. Cost: $45, $55, $65 respectively.

Bristol Bar and Grille

700 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, 812-218-1995, bristolbarandgrille.com. A “Wines of Terredora di Paolo and Foods of Southern Italy” wine dinner. Master sommelier Scott Harper will lead a wine presentation at 8:30 p.m., followed by four-course dinner. Cost: $285/couple, which includes a deluxe room at the Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel.

Captain’s Quarters

5700 Captain’s Quarters Road, 228-1651, cqriverside.com. The New Year’s Eve Cruise includes dinner at the restaurant and a cruise on CQ Princess yacht, a champagne toast, party favors and a balloon drop at midnight. Cost: $86/person.

English Grill at The Brown Hotel

335 W. Broadway, 583-1234, brownhotel.com. A six-course dinner, a champagne toast at midnight, party favors and dancing. Dinner seating is available at 8, 8:30 and 9 p.m. Cost: $115/person.

Equus & Jack’s Lounge

122 Sears Ave., 897-9721, equusrestaurant.com. A five-course menu prepared by Chef Tavis Rockwell. Cost: $60/person.

Flanagan’s Ale House

934 Baxter Ave., 585-3700. The Ancient Order of Hibernians present an Irish New Year’s Celebration from 5-9 p.m. Following the clocks in Dublin, the year will be welcomed at 7 p.m. with a special toast and bagpipe salute. Includes Irish music, beer and menu specials. Cover: $3.

Garage Bar

700 E. Market St., garageonmarket.com. A New Year’s Day Champagne (of Beers) & Oyster Brunch featuring Miller High Life specials on Jan. 1 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Jeff Ruby’s

325 W. Main St., 584-0102, jeffruby.com/louisville. Live music by Robbie Bartlett at 9 p.m. Cost: $TBA.

La Coop: Bistro à Vins

732 E. Market St., 410-2888, coopbistro.com. A five-course plated dinner. Several styles of French wine will be paired with each course for an additional $35 per person. Dinner seating is available by reservation at 6 and 8:30 p.m. Cost: $75/person.

Loui Loui’s

10212 Taylorsville Road, 266-7599, louilouis.com. Live music by The Contra Band at 9 p.m., plus food, drinks and party favors.

Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge

Fourth Street Live, 568-9009, makerslounge.com. Three packages include: Silver Package (two-course meal with an open bar at Sully’s) at 6 p.m. Cost: $55/person. Gold Package (three-course meal with bottle of champagne) at 8 p.m. Cost: $55/person. Platinum Package (open bar) from 10 p.m.-1 a.m. Cost: $50/person. Includes live music, champagne toast and more.

Proof on Main

702 W. Main St., 217-6360, proofonmain.com. Starting at 8 p.m., there will be a special prix-fixe dinner that includes four courses, party favors, a champagne toast and access to the party at the 21c Museum Hotel. Cost: $140/person.

Rivue Restaurant & Lounge

Galt House Hotel, galthouse.com. “Cotton Club” party featuring dinner and dancing to a jazz quartet. Includes dinner for two and champagne toast. Cost: $275/couple. Overnight packages available.

Varanese

2106 Frankfort Ave., 899-9904, varanese.com. Live music by The Jeff Sherman Trio, plus regular menu and specials, and champagne toast.

Winston’s

3101 Bardstown Road, 456-0980, winstonsoflouisville.com. New Year’s Day brunch will be reminiscent of a French café. Features four-course meal including croissants, baguettes, cheese, fruit, desserts and more. Seatings at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. Cost: $39/person.

Z’s Oyster Bar & Steakhouse

115 S. Fourth St., 855-8000, zoysterbar.com. “The Supper Club,” an evening of dinner and dancing. Includes live music and champagne toast. Cost: TBA.

 

•HOTELS

21c Museum Hotel

700 W. Main St., 217-6300, 21chotel.com. Overnight package includes dinner at Proof on Main, two tickets to the NYE bash and complimentary late checkout. Cost: start at $329. NYE bash in the Atrium Gallery includes DJ, dance floor, champagne and more. Party-only cost is $55/person.

Brown Hotel

335 W. Broadway, 583-1234, brownhotel.com. Your choice of overnight accommodations, valet parking, sparkling wine, live music and late checkout. Cost: $199/room for guests also dining at English Grill.

Clarion Hotel

505 Marriott Drive, Clarksville, Ind., 812-283-4411. Live music by Replay, room for two, party favors, balloon drop, cash bar, champagne toast and brunch the next morning. Cost: $159/couple.

Crowne Plaza Hotel

830 Phillips Lane, 367-2251, cplouisville.com. Casino Royale New Year’s Eve party features live music by Caribou, an overnight stay, dinner buffet, casino tables, raffle prizes, drink tickets, champagne toast at midnight and “recovery” breakfast buffet. Cost: $299/couple.

French Lick Resort

French Lick, Ind., 888-936-9360, frenchlick.com. New York-style party will feature music by the Superfecta Band, hors d’oeuvres, dessert buffet, cash bar, party favors, champagne toast and more. Overnight Package: $459/couple.

Galt House Hotel and Suites

140 N. Fourth St., 589-5200, galthouse.com. The Galt House is hosting three parties: New Year’s Eve Parrots in Paradise features live music by Burning Las Vegas in the Grand Ballroom. Cost: Two-Night Package is $212/person; One-Night Package is $175/person; Party-only is $129/person. Cotton Club New Year’s Eve in Rivue features a jazz quartet, dinner, dancing and more. Cost: Party-only is $275/couple; Overnight is $375/couple. The Blackout Affair features the Sheryl Rouse Band and DJ Empty Beats. Cost: $40/person.

Holiday Inn Louisville East

1325 S. Hurstbourne Pkwy., 426-2600, hihurstbourne.com. Deluxe overnight accommodations, prime rib dinner for two, live music, drink specials, champagne toast and breakfast buffet. Cost: $229/couple.

Hyatt Regency

320 W. Jefferson St., 581-1234, louisville.hyatt.com. Room for two, entry to Fourth Street Live’s NYE Party featuring an open bar and all access to Fourth Street Live bars. Cost: TBD.

Louisville Marriott Downtown

280 W. Jefferson St., 800-533-0127, marriottlouisville.com. Overnight stay, $100 voucher toward dinner at Blu, live music, champagne toast and breakfast. Cost: $289/couple.

Seelbach Hilton Hotel

500 Fourth St., 585-3200, seelbachhilton.com. Room for two, dinner buffet, party favors, DJs and champagne toast. Cost: $299/couple. Cost without a room: $179/couple.

Sheraton Riverside

700 W. Riverside Drive, Jeffersonville, 812-218-1995, sheratonlouisvilleriverside.com. Dinner reservation at the Bristol Bar & Grille in Jeffersonville for its “Wines of Terredora di Paolo and Foods of Southern Italy” meal, plus a room for two. Cost: $285/couple.

 

•AND SO ON …

American Turners

3125 River Rd., 895-7501, louisvilleturners.org. Live music by Country Dance at 8 p.m. Cost: $10.

AmVets Post 9

1567 S. Shelby St., 639-1900, facebook.com/Amvetspost9. Live music by The Kentucky Cruisers Band at 8 p.m. Cost: $30/couple (adv) or $35/couple (door).

German-American Club

1840 Lincoln Ave., 451-3100, german-americanclub.com. Live music by The Rheingold Band at 9 p.m. Cost: $TBA.

The Gillespie

421 W. Market St., 584-8080, thegillespie.com. Music from four DJs, dancing, champagne toast and open bar. 9 p.m. — 3 a.m. Cost: $45 (VIP: $65).

Horseshoe Casino

Elizabeth, Ind., 866-676-SHOE, horseshoeindiana.com. Featuring $25,000 in giveaways, live music by The Rumors (at Legends) and The Hiding (at Envy Bar), party favors and champagne toast. VIP room packages available.

Ice House

217 E. Main St., 589-4700, icehouselouisville.com. Crushed Ice Events host “Roaring New Year’s” theme party with live music by The Crashers at 9 p.m., plus a champagne toast. Prohibition-era cocktails and decorations are featured as well. Cost: $50-$125.

Kye’s

500 Missouri Ave., Jeffersonville, 812-285-8500, kye-s.com. Live music by The Juice Box Heroes plus a DJ, free draft beer and champagne, cash bar, appetizers, party favors, photo booth and burgers at midnight. Cost: $65/person.

Oxmoor Country Club

9000 Limehouse Ln., 491-7877, oxmoorcountryclub.com. Live music by Sean Clay with DJ Z-Nyce at 10 p.m. Cost: $25-$40.

Spirit of Jefferson Cruise

401 W. River Road, 574-2992, belleoflouisville.org. Boards at 10 p.m. and cruises till 1:30 a.m. Features appetizers, DJ, champagne toast and party favors. Cost: $66/person.