Whether you prefer imbibing spirits with friends or hanging with the fam, the Madison area provides a medley of New Year's options, from heavy metal to magic shows.
Here are some ideas..
The High Noon Saloon
The "theatrical punk" of Screaming Cyn Cyn and the Pons will be one of the first sounds people hear in 2007 at the High Noon Saloon, which is hosting its third annual New Year's Eve party. They're be free bubbly as the venue showcases a total of six Madison bands.
The Treats, an indie pop band, will start off the party at 9 p.m., and Heliphant, a metal band, will round off the bill in the wee hours of the morning. Also on tap: QWADD, Awesome Car Funmaker, and Road Agent Spin. And DJ Jake Shut, host of WORT's Charlie Don't Surf, will mix the hits of 2006, from hip-hop to punk, between sets.
The cover is $10. Don't forget to come back for Monday afternoon's Bloody Mary Bar...
The Great Dane(s)
The three area Great Danes will be doling out complimentary champagne as the 2007 roles in, but beer enthusiasts may prefer a pint of Devil's Lake red lager or porter pulled from a nitrogen tap.
All three locations will have noisemakers, a balloon drop, and live music. Irish rock from The Kissers will be featured at the recently opened Hilldale location, starting at 10 p.m. Benefits of Being Paranoid will bring their acoustic-electric rock to the downtown Dane at 9:30 p.m. And Fitchburg will feature DJ Eric, who will spin records starting at 11 p.m.
The cover at all locations is $5, the same for walking on State Street during Halloween.
A few more options
Madison's favorite local cover band, The Gomers, perform at Brocach starting at 9 p.m. The audience is encouraged to join in such New Year's Eve favorites as "Auld Lang Syne" and "It's The End of the World As We Know it." The cover is $10.
Partiers can also go to Essen Haus and choose from 280 imported beers. The Bavarian beer hall is hosting its usual polka party with the Gordon Hartmann Band. Two liter glass boots of bier and free party favors can be enjoyed at midnight. No cover. Next door at the Come Back In, a $45 deal includes all-you-can-drink and eat. The buffet table spread includes chicken wings, meatballs, and veggies. The Blue Bazookas play.
The US Bank Eve
Have kids, or the bar scene isn't your thing? U.S. Bank is holding alcohol-free New Year's Eve festivities for the 16th straight year. Event planners expect a crowd of 15,000 to show up at seven citywide locations.
"There's something for everyone," says Lisa Clark, a spokeswoman for U.S. Bank. Here's the lineup at Monona Terrace alone: the Tex-Mex country of Chris Plata, a magic show by Rick Wilcox, and a giant bouncy gym for the kids.
Revelers can also venture to the U.S. Bank Plaza for steel drum music by OD TAPO IMI, or visit the Historical Museum, Olbrich Gardens, and the Children's Museum for crafts, games and exploration. Kids can observe the stars at the UW Space Place and take a nighttime tour of Henry Vilas Zoo.
All U.S. Bank events start at 6:00 p.m. and are over in time for the 10:05 p.m. fireworks show over the Capitol Square. Advance tickets are available at Madison U.S. Bank locations. The cost is $10 for families, $5 for adults, and $2 for 5-15 year-olds. Kids under 5 get in for free. Add $2 to the ticket price if purchased at the door.
Much, much more...
This is merely a sampling of the year's end entertainment options to be found throughout Madison and the surrounding area this Sunday night. Simply in terms of live music, New Year's 2006 in Madison provides many more options, including a hip-hop celebration at the King Club, Robbie Fulks at the Harmony Bar, rock at the Klinic, disco at the Momo, DJs at the Inferno, a cross-genre concert at the Annex, and just about every other kind of music one can find in town at taverns and venues large and small throughout Dane County.