Wesley Hamilton
As 2016 knocks on the door, Isthmus has compiled some of the best ways to ring in the New Year. Whether you want a low-key live music affair or an all-night banger, we’ve got you covered. For additional events, see Isthmus.com/theguide.
Alchemy Cafe
“Nasty New Year’s Eve” turns six years old this year, and local hellraisers the Mustache will return, starting at 11:30 p.m., to bring in both the noise and funk for the new year. Proceeds from the $10 cover will benefit WORT 89.9 FM.
Bartell Theatre
For people weary of champagne toasts and countdowns, Mercury Players presents a one-of-a-kind theatrical experience. On Dec. 30 at 8 p.m., a fearless group of actors, directors and writers from Mercury Players, Out!Cast and KnowBetter Productions will team up to draw writing prompts out of a hat. Over the next 24 hours, the teams will create a fresh New Year’s Eve production. $20 buys you a ticket to the resulting chaos.
Cardinal Bar
The Bird’s resident DJ Chamo will be on hand to ring in 2016, manning the decks until the sun comes up (from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.) with his signature blend of Latin, house and pretty much anything else that you can shake your booty to.
Come Back In/Essen Haus
Come Back In and Essen Haus will once again open their doors and become a sort of New Year’s Voltron, combining for two bars, two bands (the David Austin Band at Essen Haus and Live at Nine at the Come Back), two buffets and — by all accounts — two times the fun. The ticket-only event launches at 9 p.m., and will cost $70 per person through Dec. 23 and $75 after Dec. 26.
Brooks Wheelan
Comedy Club on State
What better way to ring in the new year than laughing your ass off? The Comedy Club will host standup comic and Saturday Night Live alum Brooks Wheelan, who recorded his debut album, This Is Cool, Right?, at the Club in 2014. He’ll be doing three shows — 5:30, 8 and 10:30 p.m. — so anyone worried about missing out on some drunken revelry has the option to go early. Trust us, he’ll be just as funny at all of them.
Concourse Hotel
If you’re looking for a high-class option, the Concourse has you covered. For $179, you get a room, tickets to two different New Year’s parties and a midnight champagne toast. Three other packages are available, all the way up to $449, which also includes a steak and lobster dinner, admission to an additional party, a comedy show and live music. It’s not cheap, but it’s one of the safest bets you’ll find for a good time. Performers include local gypsy swing outfit Harmonious Wail, Milwaukee party band Blue Light Scene, and Chicago comedians Jim Flannigan and Pat McGann.
Blue Light Scene
DLUX
“Dress up to get down” at DLUX, which is offering a New Year’s bash that includes an open bar complete with draft beers, kegged cocktails and a champagne toast at midnight. Starting at 9 p.m., DJ Eugene Craven will provide the beats for the evening. Individual tickets start at $85.
The Edgewater
The Edgewater joins the NYE action with its inaugural Gravity Ball, a spectacle set to take place at their Sky Bar with music from two high-energy Chicago bands: funk outfit Bumpus and the Hot Sauce Committee, who specialize in dance music and ’90s covers. Add in the complimentary appetizers, party favors and midnight champagne toast, and the $95 ticket pays for itself. 9 p.m. start time.
The Frequency
The official “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” may be in New York, but those in search of a truly rockin’ holiday need look no further than The Frequency, which will host Madison “glamour meets demon rock” crew Devil to Drag (9 p.m.). And it’s only 10 bucks.
Gib’s Bar
The Willy Street craft cocktail bar’s “Gold Party” will feature music from DJ Beau and DJ Lauden, with complimentary champagne punch and late night snacks from Grampa’s Pizza. It’s a $10 cover if you’re wearing gold and $15 if you’re not; proceeds from the door will benefit Dressember.
Great Dane Hilldale
The Great Dane will look to the past to ring in the future with music from Retro Specz, a Madison-area six-piece that plays everything from Cheap Trick to Fleetwood Mac. The five-dollar fun begins at 9 p.m., so anyone aiming to save a little cash this New Year’s rather than blow it all on bottle service should mark their calendars.
High Noon Saloon
Party-goers seeking a slightly harder edge to their evening should check out the High Noon’s New Year’s Eve Bash, which will include tribute sets to Bad Brains, Butthole Surfers, Nirvana, the Distillers, Smashing Pumpkins, Morphine and Wilco. $10 buys you all that plus a DJ set from Easy Data. 8 p.m. start.
Ivory Room
The Ivory Room will once again host its Midnight Masquerade, starting at 9 p.m., where $90 gets you access to an open bar, champagne toasts and dueling pianists. And for anyone worried about spending too much this New Year’s Eve, the Ivory Room is a chance to profit off the holiday! A best mask contest could win you a $200 Chef Noble gift card.
Madison’s
They advertise it as “always the best party of the year,” and the scant $20 cover makes “Jazz’n Up the Joint” worth checking out. Beginning at 9 p.m., DJ Brook will provide the music, and guests are encouraged to “dress to impress.” Groups may want to consider the $260 VIP option, which guarantees a booth for six, a liter of Tito’s Handmade Vodka and a bottle of champagne.
Majestic Theatre
For the fourth consecutive year, Majestic will host “Decadance” — basically the venue’s popular ’80s vs ’90s dance party, but with a twist: Starting at 8 p.m., DJs Nick Nice and Mike Carlson will spin 100 years’ worth of popular music, decade by decade, and featuring everyone from Louis Armstrong and Sam Cooke to Beyoncé and Justin Timberlake. For $20, it’s a history lesson and a dance party.
Merchant
Merchant will be offering a two-part affair this holiday. From 5 to 10 p.m., $65 will buy you a three-course prix fixe meal, with optional wine and cocktail pairings for an additional $25. Then, from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m., DJs Bruce Blaq and Phil Money will spin dance music, and guests will receive party favors and a midnight champagne toast. Those looking to skip dinner can simply hit up the late-night event for $10 at the door.
Fire Retarded
Mickey’s Tavern
If you want to have a good time but steer clear of downtown, Mickey’s is the place to be. Starting at 10 p.m., they’ll be putting on a free rock show that’ll include ass-kicking Madisonians the Flavor That Kills, Fire Retarded and Wood Chickens as well as Minneapolis-based “casual punks” France Camp.
Tempest Oyster Bar
Michael Cammilleri, Vince Jesse and Scott Beardsley will provide “groovy, classy and cool sounds that go great with any cocktail” as part of the restaurant’s Hammond Organ Nite (9:30 p.m.).Plus, it comes with a great seafood dinner. What more could you want?
