BARS/BOOZEAn Elegant Affair: Igby’s New Year’s Eve CelebrationWelcome the new year in style. Get a bottle of Perrier Jouet Grand Brut Champagne for $65, raise your glass and toast to 2016. 9 p.m. $20. Igby’s, 122 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-246-4396, igbysbar.com.Bobby Mackey’s New Year’s Eve PartyDo ghosts celebrate the New Year? Find out at Bobby Mackey’s annual New Year’s Eve Party, featuring live music from Bobby Mackey and the Best Damn Band. No reservations required. 9 p.m. $6. 21 and up; $11 guests 18 to 20. Bobby Mackey’s Music World, 44 Licking Pike, Wilder, Ky., 859-431-5588, bobbymackey.com.
Hometown New Year’s Eve at Hebron GrilleWhittle down the hours with a steak and lobster dinner, live music from Dave May and a champagne toast at midnight. Take home door prizes every hour from Rhinegeist, Verona Vineyards and more. 6 p.m. $15. Hebron Grille, 1960 N. Bend Road, Hebron, Ky., 859-586-0473, facebook.com/hebrongrille.Mount Adams Pavilion’s New Year’s Eve BallTwo DJs on two levels provide music throughout the evening. Guests receive party favors, access to a complimentary hors d’oeuvres buffet and — of course — champagne to toast. 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. $30; $40 at door. Mount Adams Pavilion, 949 Pavilion St., Mount Adams, facebook.com/mountadamspavilion.Mynt MartiniThe night features a balloon drop, a champagne toast and music by Davey C. and DJ Surge. 8 p.m. $25. Mynt Martini, 28 Fountain Square Place, Downtown, 513-621-6968, myntcincinnati.com. Newport SyndicateCelebrate with The Rusty Griswolds, Gangsters Dueling Piano Bar and Q102’s Mark McFadden. 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets start at $80. Newport Syndicate, 18 E. Fifth St., Newport, Ky., 859-491-8000, newportsyndicate.com.
New Year’s Eve at The LackmanNo cover charge and $5 Bulleit cocktails all night long. 9 p.m. Free entry. The Lackman, 1237 Vine St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-0741, facebook.com/thelackman.NYE at Rhinegeist BreweryRhinegeist rings in the New Year with DJs in the Tap Room and a Special Event Space. 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $15. Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-1367, rhinegeist.com.New Year’s Eve Bash with Stone Mountain MafiaBuzzard Bay Pub hosts a party with music from Stone Mountain Mafia. 9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Buzzard Bay Pub, 7121 Dixie Highway, Fairfield, 513-714-4490, buzzardbaypub.com.Taft’s New Year’s Eve BashTaft’s Ale House hosts its inaugural New Year’s Bash with live music by the Eden Park Band and a rare beer tapping at midnight -— the brewery has teamed up with Taste of Belgium to created a special waffle-based beer for the bash. 7 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Tickets start at $35. Taft’s Ale House, 1429 Race St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-334-1393, taftsalehouse.com.DINNERS/RESTAURANTSA Bright New Year Beer Dinner
Make your last meal of 2015 a four-course beer dinner consisting of familiar foods with a twist. Each course is paired with Fifty West brews, including a special pilsner released for the New Year. 6-9 p.m. $59. Fifty West Brewing Company, 7668 Wooster Pike, Mariemont, 513-834-8789, fiftywestbrew.com.
Banana Leaf Modern Thai Receive a complimentary glass of champagne with purchase of an entrée or dessert.
7 p.m. Prices vary. Banana Leaf Modern Thai, 101 E. Main St., Mason, 513-234-0779, bananaleafmodernthai.com. Cafe Mediterranean Featuring a fixed five-course menu.
7 p.m. $45. Cafe Mediterranean, 3520 Erie Ave., Hyde Park, 513-871-8714, cafe-mediterranean.com. Grandview Tavern & Grille
Surf & turf, braised short ribs and potato-chip-encrusted sea bass in addition to special appetizers and desserts and a champagne toast at midnight. Live music by Legato. 7 p.m. Prices vary. 2220 Grandview Drive, Fort Mitchell, Ky., 859-341-8439, grandviewtaverngrille.com.
Midnight in Munich
Celebrate NYE with our sister city, Munich. Features a traditional German buffet with roasted pig and includes entertainment, a champagne toast, appetizers, dinner and desserts. 5 p.m. Prices vary. Mecklenburg Gardens, 302 E. University Ave., Corryville, 513-221-5353.
The Presidents Room
An optional five-course tasting menu accompanies live music and a champagne toast. 7 p.m. Prices vary. The Presidents Room, The Phoenix, 812 Race St., Downtown, 513-721-2260, thephx.com.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
Great Parks’ Family New Year’s Eve Celebration
Great Parks of Hamilton County hosts a nature-themed party with music, games and crafts. The day begins with animal programs and entertainment by John Louis of On the Edge of Illusion, followed by a ball drop at 7 p.m. 4-7 p.m. $6. Woodward Mound, Seasongood Nature Center, 8250 Old Kellogg Road, Anderson, greatparks.org.
Family New Year’s Eve Celebration in Anderson Township A kid-friendly party with games, crafts, music, food trucks and live animals.
4-7 p.m. $6; valid Hamilton County Motor Vehicle Permit required. Woodland Mound, 8250 Old Kellogg Road, Anderson, 513-521-7275. Happy Zoo Year
The wildest celebration in Cincinnati with an early countdown to 2016. A show by Madcap Puppets and a meet-and-greet with Father Time and Baby ZOO Year preface a ball drop and Rozzi fireworks display. Zoo open 5-9 p.m.; New Year’s activities begin at 8:30 p.m. $18 adults; $12 children and seniors; $9 parking. Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Avondale, 513-281-4700, cincinnatizoo.org.
Holiday in Lights Festive displays line a mile-long road through Sharon Woods. Falling snowflakes, menorahs, Santa Claus and other scenes and characters keep the spirit of the holidays around a little longer; you’ll also spot New Year’s displays.
Through Jan. 2. $13 per vehicle. Sharon Woods, 11450 Lebanon Road, Sharonville, 513-521-7275, holidayinlights.com. Huntington Bank New Year’s Eve Blast Dance, skate and celebrate on Fountain Square with Jay Kruz from Mix 94.9 and DJ Tweet. Hop on the stage every half hour to participate in eclectic games or rent a pair of skates and count down to midnight on the ice. A Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks display rings in 2016.
8 p.m.-1 a.m.; ice rink opens 9 a.m. Free (skate rental fees apply). Fountain Square, 520 Vine St., Downtown, 513-621-4400, myfountainsquare.com.
International New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Museum
Have your kids celebrate the New Year by traveling the world at the Cincinnati Museum. They’ll get their passports stamped as they learn how the holiday is celebrated in countries around the world through games, music and crafts. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. Cincinnati Museum Center at Union Terminal, 1301 Western Ave., Queensgate, 513-287-7001, cincymuseum.org.
New Year’s Eve Kids Cruise Set sail with your kids and celebrate 2016 a little early. This BB Riverboats cruise includes party favors, a lunch buffet, a DJ and family-friendly activities. Expect to meet a few pirates, princesses and super heroes.
Boarding begins at 10:30 a.m.; cruise 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. $35 adults; $26 children. BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., 800-261-8586, bbriverboats.com. Perfect North’s New Year’s Eve Celebration
Begin 2016 on the slopes. Perfect North says open until 1 a.m., allowing you to ski, snowboard and snow tube well into the night. Take a break in the lounge, where a DJ performs all evening, and watch ski instructors and patrol navigate the slopes during a torchlight parade. A fireworks display begins promptly at midnight. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Tickets begin at $25. Perfect North Slopes, 19074 Perfect Place Lane, Lawrenceburg, Ind., 812-537-3754, perfectnorth.com.
LIVE MUSIC/CONCERTS
Clutch: Psychic Warfare World Tour
Clutch and Crobot play in the New Year at Bogart’s. 8 p.m. $29.50. Bogart’s, 2621 Vine St., Corryville, 513-872-8801, bogarts.com.
Fly Me to the Moon New Year’s Eve Concert A New Year’s Eve concert that simultaneously celebrates Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday. The Pops and singer Tony DeSare perform familiar Sinatra hits including “Luck Be a Lady,” “New York, New York,” “Come Fly with Me” and many others.
8 p.m. $20-$95. Music Hall, 1241 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-381-3300, cincinnatisymphony.org. New Year’s Eve Blues Blast Light snacks, a champagne toast, party favors and music by The Eric Leyton Band, Prestige Grease and The Blues Express.
9 p.m. $10; $15 day of show. Southgate House Revival, 111 E. Sixth St., Newport, Ky., 859-431-2201, southgatehouse.com. New Year’s Eve with Naked Karate Girls
DJ Toad, cocktails, a full dinner buffet and dessert bar and live music by the Naked Karate Girls Band. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $99; VIP packages available. Receptions Loveland, 10681 Loveland Madeira Road, Loveland, 513-697-8999.
New Year’s Eve with Second Wind Band A full dinner buffet, cocktails, a late-night chili bar and more in addition to live music by Second Wind Band.
8 p.m.-1 a.m. $80. Receptions Fairfield, 5975 Boymel Drive, Fairfield, 513-860-6460.
New Year’s Eve Music at the Hilton Netherland
Music by the James Hart Quintet all night long.
9:30 p.m.-1:30 a.m. Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza, 35 W. Fifth St., Downtown, 513-421-9100. Rumpke Mountain Boys’ Grateful New Year’s Eve Ball Rumpke Mountain Boys play the Thompson House.
8 p.m.-2 a.m. $25. The Thompson House, 24 E. Third St., Newport, Ky., 859-261-7469, thompsonhousenewport.com. Tweens New Year’s Eve @ The Comet Tweens performs its first set in months, plus burritos and plenty of drinks.
9 p.m. Free admission. The Comet, 4579 Hamilton Ave., Hamilton, 513-541-8900, cometbar.com.
The Werks 10 Year Anniversary NYE
The Werks with Pink Talking Fish and Peridoni. 9 p.m. $20. Madison Theater, 730 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-491-2444, madisontheateronline.com.
PARTIES/EVENTS
20th Century Theater 2016 New Year’s Party
Live music by The Almighty Get Down and The High Definitions, plus food and a champagne toast at midnight. 7:30 p.m. $25; $30 day of show. 20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley, 513-731-8000, 20thcenturytheatre.com.
Axis Alley New Year’s Eve
Bowling and shoe rental, appetizers, three well drinks per person and party favors. A family-friendly party takes place 11 a.m.-7 p.m. with pizza and soft drinks; tickets are $16.99. 9 p.m. $65. Axis Alley, Newport on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport, Ky., 859-652-7250, axisalleylevee.com.
Ball of the Beasts
This party transforms the sanctuary space of Urban Artifact brewery into a zone of intrigue and mystery. Drawing inspiration from the historical wedding of Charles VI at the Bal des Ardents, at which revelers wore masks in order to hide their desires and act them out in public, the Ball of the Beasts masquerade encourages guests to become birds, beasts, lovers or mythical creatures. 8 p.m. $65 (all you can drink); $15 designated driver. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock Road, Northside, ballofthebeasts.bpt.me.
BB Riverboats New Year’s Eve Cruise Sail into the new year full-steam ahead. The cruise includes a three-entrée buffet, party favors, entertainment, a late-night snack buffet and the main event — a split of champagne at midnight.
Boarding begins at 8 p.m.; cruise 9 p.m.-1 a.m. $105 adults; $65 children. BB Riverboats, 101 Riverboat Row, Newport, Ky., 800-261-8586, bbriverboats.com. First Midnight New Year’s Eve Party at Horseshoe Casino Your ticket buys you three drinks, a glass of champagne at midnight and a 10-percent discount on the casino’s New Year’s Day buffet.
10 p.m.-2 a.m. $50. Horseshoe Casino, 1000 Broadway St., Downtown, 513-252-0777, caesars.com/horseshoe-cincinnati. Know Theatre and CityBeat’s New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Party
Put on your flapper dresses and fedoras for CityBeat and Know Theatre’s annual underground New Year’s Eve speakeasy bash: With coppers cracking down on the bootleggin’ be sure you’re not followed and get ready to party like it’s 1923. Attendees can look forward to raucous back-room games, tasty appetizers and tons of giggle juice like martinis, sidecars and Manhattans to boot! Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $40; $60 at the door. Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Over-the-Rhine, 513-300-5669, knowtheatre.com.
Night at the Museum The Contemporary Arts Center hosts a party in the Sky Art Gallery. Mix your own drink by pedaling a stationary bike, imbibe at a bar on the elevator and receive a complementary champagne toast at midnight. Special guest DJ Karnage.
9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $75. Contemporary Arts Center, 44 E. Sixth St., Downtown, 513-345-8400, contemporaryartscenter.org. NYE with Andy Woodhull at Go Bananas Club favorite Andy Woodhull — who has appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Conan and Comics Unleashed — counts down to the new year with prizes and jokes while audience members receive party favors, snack plates and bottles of champagne.
7:30 and 10 p.m. $20 for 7:30 p.m. show; $40 for 10 p.m. show. Go Bananas Comedy Club, 8410 Market Place Lane, Montgomery, 513-984-9288, gobananascomedy.com.
NYE with Guy Torry at Funny Bone Spend the last few hours of the year laughing with comedian and actor Guy Torry, who performs stand-up around the world and has appeared on Comedy Central and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. 21 and over.
8 and 10:30 p.m. $20 8 p.m. show; $25 10:30 p.m. show. Funny Bone on the Levee, 1 Levee Way, Newport on the Levee, Newport, Ky., 859-957-2000, levee.funnybone.com. Q102’s New Year’s 2016 at The Madison
Q102 takes over the event center with their popular New Year’s Eve bash, featuring three floors of entertainment and live music by My Sister Sarah. Guests enjoy a full buffet dinner and drinks and a midnight breakfast buffet. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. $99; VIP packages available. The Madison Event Center, 700 Madison Ave., Covington, Ky., 859-261-1117, thecovingtonmadison.com.
Silvestertanz: German New Year’s Eve A German-style celebration that includes assorted hors d’oeuvres and live music by Alpen Echos.
8 p.m.-1 a.m. $25. Donauschwaben Haus, 4290 Dry Ridge Road, Colerain Township, 513-385-2098, cincydonau.com. Star Wars at Springdale 18 Use The Force to raise your glass at midnight. Wrap up 2015 with a screening of Star Wars: The Force Awakens; then watch the ball drop on the big screen. Ticket price also includes a champagne toast and dessert reception.
Movie begins at 9:05 p.m. $20.16. Springdale 18: Cinema de Lux, 12064 Springfield Pike, Springdale, showcasecinemas.com. Venue Cincinnati’s New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball A sit-down dinner, party favors, a champagne toast and Electronic music by DV8.
7 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets start at $25. The Venue Cincinnati, 9980 Kings Auto Mall, Mason, 513-239-5009, thevenuecincinnati.com.
This article appears in Dec 23-29, 2015.