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Some shows have sold out; some bars are basically morphing into Georgetown house parties. (If they weren’t already.) But assuming you’re not the type to plan your New Year’s Eve weeks in advance, options remain—-whether you prefer cheap swill and body piercings or shiny shirts and $12 body shots. Events below, broken down by, ahem, price.
Free Shit:
In a rare showing of holiday spirit, The Argonaut, a cozy English pub on H Street, will be hosting “Disconaut New Year’s Eve.” Unlike most events on the eve of the year, “Disconaut” is free. DJ P. Vo will be spinning hits from 9 p.m. until close. Enjoy a night of frivolity without regretting at least one of your decisions in the morning.
THE EVENT BEGINS AT 9 P.M. AND RUNS UNTIL 3 A.M. AT 1433 H ST. N.E FREE. (202) 397-1416.
If you’ve no interest in a) a concert b) a bar or c) leaving your comfort zone in any way, shape, or form, take heart! Your friend is hosting a totally baller house party, most likely in Mount Pleasant or possibly on Cap Hill SE. Mistletoe will be involved, as will domestic beer and music from the mid-‘90s. Invitations have already been sent out—possibly evites; possibly just a garishly lettered email with an overabundance of exclamation points. The event will be boring and awkward at first, accelerating the drinking, until by midnight conversation has slowed to a drawl inaudible over strains of Nelly. Fewer people will make out than expect to.
‘YOUR FRIEND’S HOUSE PARTY’ WILL PROBABLY BEGIN, LIKE, AROUND 8 OR SOMETHING AND PROCEED INTO THE NEW YEAR.
More free stuff: The Monumental Brass Quintet at the KenCen; (202) 467-4600…. DJ Brian Senyo at the Looking Glass Lounge; (202) 722-7669….pick up this week’s paper for the full scoop
Still Pretty Cheap:
DJ Joshua at Asylum. $10 buys “party favors” and a champagne toast. (202) 319-9353….DJs Meistro and Deepang host “hipster HQ” [ed. note: ugh]; $10 cover; (202) 232-5263….
Probably Too Expensive:
To soak up the end of the decade with representative tunes and videos, head over to Heaven & Hell, where they’ll be “reliv[ing] the most famous and infamous music and videos of the first decade of the new millennium.” (Also on offer is a $40 dinner package.) Advance tickets include a champagne toast at midnight so you can still feel a little classy despite all the groping and grinding.
THE EVENT BEGINS AT 8 P.M. AT 2327 18TH ST. NW. TICKETS $20 IN ADVANCE, $30 AT THE DOOR. (202) 667-HELL.
In honor of the New Year, and for reasons otherwise unknown, Current will attempt to morph into a faux-Carnaval Rio cruise ship with music by DJ Vicious and DJ Alex Haje. The general admission tickets include party favors and champagne at midnight. While there are actual cruises occurring on the Potomac to ring in 2010, a night at Current is a good option for those whose sea legs turn to jelly after the first bottle.
EVENT BEGINS AT 9 P.M. AT 1215 CONNECTICUT AVE. NW. $40. (202) 955-5525.
If You Win the Lottery, or Work for Booz Allen:
Fans of theme parties and spending exorbitant amounts of money in one evening should be sure to head to the Washington Plaza Hotel’s New Year’s Eve party this Thursday. The hotel is hosting a “James Bond Licensed to Thrill Thunderball” event, complete with a celebrity look-alike contest, gambling, and martinis. Both “black tie” and “Bond villain character” are listed as acceptable forms of dress.
EVENT BEGINS AT 9:30 P.M. AT 10 THOMAS CIRCLE NW TICKETS FROM $149. (202) 842-1300.