The year 2011 seems an odd one, no doubt, what with the approaching end of the Mayan Calendar, a longish recession and a slow-building recovery. Evidently, though, nothing makes for a good party like a hint of trouble, because party-planning Angelenos are stoking the fires for full-steam New Year's Eve wildness. Yes, the massive street parties of recent New Year's Eves are gone, but in their wake come dozens of more focused and pressure-cooked parties for all tastes, from well-curated indie rock shows to big DJ parties where you can dance yourself to exhaustion, from highbrow mansion parties to tiki-torch feasts. It's looking like 2011 is getting a better-than-average kickoff in L.A., so don't sleep!
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New Year's Eve Happenings: Party like it's almost 2011
Ring in the new year with a host of party options.
Partygoers celebrate moments after the midnight during a previous New… (Ringo H.W. Chiu / Los Angeles…)
DJ fave OM Records and KCRW-FM (89.9) roll into 2011 with style and swagger as the luxe Santa Monica sleep-away transforms its outdoor patio into a swanky play land, with dancing on top of the hotel's covered pools to music by DJs Mayer Hawthorne, Classixx, Jason Bentley and Raul Campos. Tickets are all-inclusive: premium open bar, hors d'oeuvres and midnight toast. Viceroy Santa Monica, 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. 9 p.m. $200 presales, $250 at the door. (310) 260-7507; http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com.
NYE at the Hollywood Roosevelt
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel has been a hot New Year's Eve destination for some time, and this year is no exception. The festivities sprawl out over the entire property, including the Blossom Ballroom, the Tropicana Pool and the Grand Lobby, with house, nu-disco and electro dance music spun by EC Twins, Mei Lwun, Omar Cash, Zach Hill and more. Thinking about an upgraded New Year's Eve? VIP ticketholders get into the ultra-exclusive Teddy's Lounge and access to an open bar from 8 to 10 p.m. Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd. 8 p.m. Prices TBA. (323) 466-7000; http://www.thompsonhotels.com.
Cleopatra's 2011 New Year's Eve Ball
Walk like an Egyptian to Cleopatra's 2011 New Year's Eve Ball, held in the courtyard of Grauman's Egyptian Theatre. This exotically themed party will have guests bathed in surreal red and amber lighting, surrounded by queens and pharaohs, and well-provided with Top 40, hip-hop and mash-ups tunes. A countdown will mark the New Year with a balloon drop, confetti blast and a giant projected LED light show. The Egyptian, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. 9 p.m. $125-$2,000. (323) 604-6030.
One of the best dance parties in the area, Bootie LA will be throwing its second-annual Bootie NYE, with DJ Paul V. and DJ Shyboy spinning top-shelf mash-ups, wacky dance crew R.A.I.D. offering up the eye candy, and the Lady Tigra (of L'Trimm fame) stopping by for a live performance at 1 a.m. Plus, a midnight balloon drop, a Champagne toast and CD giveaways. Echoplex, 1154 Glendale. 9 p.m. $10 before 10 p.m., $20 after. http://www.bootiemashup.com.
Don the Beachcomber's Waitiki NYE
If tiki torches, pupu platters and tropical dance tunes sound like the perfect way to welcome 2011, then Don the Beachcomber's Waitiki festival is just the ticket. The famous Hawaii-themed restaurant will be wrapping up a three-day music festival on New Year's Eve, featuring the contemporary-yet-retro sounds of the Waitiki 7. Dinner packages include buffet, Champagne toast, party favors and (depending on how many clams you're willing to shell out) front-row seating for the show. Don the Beachcomber, 6278 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach. Doors at 7 p.m., show at 8 p.m. $40-$125. (562) 592-1321; http://www.donthebeachcomber.com.
The Raveonettes and Autolux at the Hollywood Standard
What better way to party like a rock star than to actually be around rock stars at the Standard? KCRW and the Fold present Autolux and the Raveonettes, a double dose of cool indie rock. The Raveonettes will be representing with their signature retro and raw sound, and Autolux brings its rough-edged shoe-gaze to the party. The Standard Hollywood. 8300 Sunset Blvd. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 9 p.m. $50. (323) 650-9090; http://www.thefold.inticketing.com.
213 Productions NYE
It's a pubcrawler's dream come true: One ticket gets you access to eight open bars — the Broadway Bar, the CAÑA Rum Bar, Casey's Irish Pub, Cole's, the Golden Gopher, Las Perlas, Seven Grand and Tony's Saloon. With different specialties from tequila to bourbon, and entertainment such as Gram Rabbit (at Casey's ), the Deacon Jones All-Star Blues Revue (at Seven Grand) and DJs keeping it rolling, be sure to keep that taxi cab number tattooed to your wrist. Be one of the first 200 to purchase a ticket online, and receive $20 off the $119 price. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. http://www.NYEDOWNTOWNLA.com.
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