2014 says “hello” with a number of New Year’s Eve celebrations around town from the intimate to the over-the-top. The old cliché is true when it comes to New Year’s parties: There’s some kind of gathering for everyone, from cover bands blaring Top 40 dance music to quieter jazz soirées and more, including dueling pianos and electronic dance music.
This isn’t a complete list, but here are some of the notable open-to-the-public parties to look forward to:
BRING ON 2014
at Little Rock Marriott
The Little Rock Marriott goes all out with its New Year’s Eve bash. First, Pancetta Regional Kitchen + Wine Bar offers two dinners, one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m., both with a five-course meal that includes a course of seared scallop with cranberry mostarda followed by a rack of lamb. Reservations are available at (501) 399-8062. The meal is $150 per person and includes tax, gratuity, valet parking and one ticket to the New Year’s Eve party. Speaking of that New Year’s Eve party, Bring on 2014 goes from 9 p.m. to after midnight, and tickets are $50 in advance and $65 day of. Tickets are available at the front desk or via facebook.com/littlerockmarriott. The night includes cash bars and entertainment throughout the hotel, including Tragikly White in the Grand Ballroom, a ’70s discotheque in the Arkansas Ballroom, dueling DJs in the hotel lobby, dueling pianos in the Velvet Humidor Cigar Bar & Lounge, and a New Orleans-style DJ in the Pinnacle Room. Hotel room packages are also available.
PARTY WITH THE POINT
at Crowne Plaza
The Point 94.1 holds its “New Year’s Eve party of the year” at the Crowne Plaza Little Rock. The night starts at 8 p.m., and tickets are $45 and include hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast at midnight and party favors. A cash bar is available. The music is provided by the Big John Miller Band and a DJ spinning dance tunes. Reservations can be made at crowneplazalittlerock.com.
GET YOUR WILLY ON
at Willy D's Piano Bar
The River Market rocks as Willy D’s Rock & Roll Piano Bar welcomes 2014 with three parties in all three bars: the dueling pianos of Willy D’s with Sheldon Wheaton, Mateo, Matt Sammons and Kenn Young; Prost with Midas Coven; and Deep with DJ B Box. The night includes a champagne toast and more. Call (501) 244-9550 for reservations.
CATCH SOME CASH
at Discovery Night Club
Discovery hosts its biggest New Year’s Eve ever with headliner DJ Michael “5000” Watts in the lobby. The DJ is the founder of Swishahouse, the Houston-based Southern rap record label known for its chopped-and-screwed music. Joining Watts is DJ Playboy Steve. Elsewhere at Discovery, the night includes DJ Sno White — one of the top DJs in Texas — along with Lawler, Big Brown and Whitman Bransford. There’s also Dominique & The Disco Dolls, VJ G Force, and cash drops (totaling $1,000) at midnight, 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. The 21-and-up party is 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., and tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door before midnight and $25 at the door after midnight.
WATCH THE BALL DROP
at North Shore Riverwalk
Want to see an actual ball drop at midnight? The inaugural “New Year’s Eve Big Ball Dropping Celebration” presented by Natural State of Music starts at 7 p.m. at North Shore Riverwalk in North Little Rock. The event is hosted by Bow Wow — hip-hop artist, actor and host of BET’s 106 and Park — along with Tre Day, Dell Smith, Karla Parker and Lauren Clark. Tickets are $25 in advance, and the night includes performances by Cody Belew, Kris Allen (winner of American Idol season eight), Amasa Hines, Flameing Daeth Fearies, Crystal G, Terreigh Barnett, Lucious Spiller Band, DJ Fatality and Big Piph along with a fashion show featuring Korto Momolu. The night also includes food vendors, New Year’s Eve memorabilia, hot chocolate and coffee, champagne and, of course, the big New Year’s Eve ball drop.
TAKE A TASTE
at Cache Restaurant
Downtown Little Rock’s newest fine-dining restaurant, Cache, in the new Arcade Building in the River Market, holds a special New Year’s Eve party as its grand opening, giving guests the opportunity to experience the new restaurant before it officially opens to the general public for lunch and dinner on Jan. 7. Tickets are $75 and include hors d’oeuvres and music from Arkansas vocalist and saxophonist Michael Eubanks and party band Party Planet. The doors open at 7 p.m. Visit cachelittlerock.com for ticket information.
DANCE AND DINE
at Embassy Suites
The Edge 103.3 FM and 94.9 TOM-FM present a New Year’s Eve party at the Embassy Suites Little Rock. The bash features live music by The Rockets and Katmandu. Tickets are $50 and include dancing, hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. The doors open at 8 p.m.
HAVE A LAUGH
at Loony Bin
Need a good laugh to say goodbye to 2013? Loony Bin holds its Laugh in the New Year starring Pat Godwin, aka Paddy G. Paddy G, with a show that is part stand-up comedy and part original comedy songs. Shows begin at 7 p.m. and 10 p.m. Tickets to the early show are $12 and include the show only; tickets to the 10 p.m. show are $25 and include hats, horns, party poppers, noisemakers and champagne at midnight. No promotions, coupons or passes accepted.
GRAB A CABARET
at The Joint
The Joint in Argenta presents “Burlesque, Blues & Brews” with Moonshine Mafia and Foul Play Cabaret. The doors open for the 21-and-up show at 8 p.m. with the fun starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door.
BOOGIE TO BOOM
at The Rev Room
The Rev Room holds its seventh annual “Fireball New Year’s Eve” party with Fayetteville’s No. 1 party band, the synth-pop and rock sounds of Boom Kinetic. The doors open at 8 p.m. for the 18-and-up show with the music starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance and at the door. Opening acts are to be announced.
FANCY IT UP
at The Empress
Need a formal affair for New Year’s Eve? The Empress of Little Rock presents
A Downton Abbey New Year’s Eve hosted by Sharon Welch-Blair and Bob Blair. The black-tie optional evening of food, wine, dancing, entertainment and more begins at 8 p.m. with a gourmet meal. Seating is limited. Tickets are available for dinner only at $250 per couple. Hotel guests receive a $50 discount on tickets with a two-night stay.
Other parties of note:
“The Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party” featuring Rodney Block and DJ Brandon Peck. The party starts at 7 p.m., and tickets are $25.
Hip-hop group Nappy Roots holds a New Year’s Eve party at Juanita’s. Tickets are $20, and the music starts at 9 p.m. with Fayetteville band Goose opening.
New Year’s Eve at Next Level Events in Union Station is 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $50 at the door for the 21-and-up event.
Stickyz bids adieu to 2013 with a shot of rock ’n’ roll: Stephen Neeper & The Wild Hearts with Jeff Coleman & The Feeders. The doors open at 8 p.m., and the music starts at 9 p.m. There’s a $10 cover for the 18-and-up night.
The Afterthought has music from That Arkansas Weather. The music begins at 9 p.m. with a $10 cover.
West End Smokehouse and Tavern rings in the new year with Big Stack. There’s a $5 cover.
W.T. Bubba’s New Year’s Eve Blowout features Just Sayin’.
Flying Saucer welcomes the new year with The Hi-Balls at 9 p.m.
Thirst N’ Howl Bar & Grill has Rip Van Shizzle at 9 p.m. for a free night of music.
DJ Rob O plays Cregeen’s Irish Pub. The doors open at 8 p.m. for the all-ages event.
Midtown’s New Year’s Eve Bash features Tyrannosaurus Chicken and a champagne toast at midnight. Cover is $10 per person or $15 per couple.
The celebration at Cajun’s Wharf features Richie Johnson at 5:30 p.m. and Third Degree at 9 p.m.