Where to celebrate New Year's Eve
I'm a little late posting this morning. I listened to the weatherman forecasting the White Death and the End of Civilization as We Know It and headed straight for the Giant.
Have you gotten your milk and toilet paper yet?
Anyway, I should have been doing all sorts of posts before this on the best restaurants for celebrating New Year's Eve, because many more people eat out on New Year's Eve than they do on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. ...
The corollary is that many more restaurants are open New Year's Eve, so it's almost impossible to tell you about them. The best thing to do, if you haven't already, is call your favorite restaurant and see what the deal is -- usually a fixed-price menu.
What I can do is give you examples of the range of offerings I've been sent info about:
At the City Cafe in Mount Vernon, Chef Chad Gauss has created a menu for $55 a person: appetizer, entree, and dessert or glass of wine with the entree. (I like that alternative.)
DJ C-Dubz spins music in the bar beginning at 8 p.m (no cover). The price includes champagne and party favors at midnight. Dinner guests also receive free admission to the Hippo nearby for dancing.
For a bit more money ($249, to be exact), you can spend the evening at Charleston in Harbor East. That will get you a multi-course dinner, all the Louis Roederer Champagne you can drink, an open bar and party favors at midnight.
You'll have a fine view of the Inner Harbor fireworks on the Harbor East promenade outside Charleston's front door. Reservations are accepted at 8:30 p.m., 9 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Me? What will I be doing?
We'll probably go to an early dinner at a restaurant we can walk to in our neighborhood. I don't drive on New Year's Eve; too many drunks on the road. I'll probably be home and in bed by 9 p.m. Yes, I'm a real party gal. I didn't even stay up for the millennium.
If you have any better suggestions, please post below.
(Lloyd Fox/Sun photographer)
Comments
new years eve is such a beginner night that i prefer to be as far from the city as possible. near a woodstove in a cabin with good food, plenty of bubbly and close friends is the way to be. one must have a screw loose to be anywhere in the vicinity of horrorplace.
captcha bah humbug
Posted by: unbelievaboh | December 18, 2009 8:25 AM
Metropolitan Coffeehouse on Charles St. in Federal Hill is having a $75 prix fixe dinner and celebration upstairs in their place, according to the e-mail I got from them yesterday, as well as a la carte downstairs.....
Posted by: Alexander D. Mitchell IV | December 18, 2009 8:27 AM
Having spent my first New Years Eve in Baltimore many years ago at the Polo Grille, I was intrigued by an Alizee e-mail for their New Year's offering at $60 with hotel rooms available for another $59. Safe and reasonable!
Posted by: Trip Klaus | December 18, 2009 8:38 AM
I like the wine or dessert choice, too. I've seen a lot of fixed price menus that look great, until I see I'd be paying for alcohol I can't drink.
I won't be going out for New Year's Eve. It is pretty much hell for introverts.
Posted by: Lissa | December 18, 2009 8:42 AM
"Dinner guests also receive free admission to the Hippo nearby for dancing."
Now THATS entertainment!!!
Posted by: Bud J | December 18, 2009 9:43 AM
I'm with you, Ms. L. My biorhythmic clock is set on 'early' and I'm just as happy to toast my bride with a beaker of bubbly, hit the hay around 9, wake up at 5 as usual, look out the window and think to myself, "Well, whadda' ya' know, I made it through another year."
Posted by: Michael A. Gray | December 18, 2009 10:26 AM
Actually Bud J, it is!
Posted by: Trixie | December 18, 2009 10:51 AM
I decided to treat my Fiancee to a night out for New Years (normally it's just dinner with my family and watch the ball drop at my parents but now I'm employed so I figured on something special).
I ended up decided to go with the Charm City Countdown since it seems to cater to a slightly older demographic (late 20's early 30's) as opposed to Big Night Baltimore (where my "little" brother will be). Plus it's at Port Discovery (and my Junior prom was there and I've been wanting to show it off to my Finacee) plus $25 is tax deductile (goes to Carign Community) and there's open bar and food (which is a plus for the money I'm spending).
I hope it ends up being a fun time so while I may not recomend it, it did seem like the best I could find (although not the cheapest but better than some).
Posted by: Matt K | December 18, 2009 10:54 AM
two words: disco party.
Posted by: ryan97ou | December 18, 2009 12:05 PM
I'll be back down here for the New Year. I'm going to a traditional Scottish New Year party called "Hogmanay". Only this one will be only one evening, not four days.
new year's eve captcha: great wastered
Posted by: PCB Rob | December 18, 2009 12:46 PM
Trixie,
I was serious
My wife drug (dragged?), me there years ago with several of her friends.
I had a blast
Posted by: Bud J. | December 18, 2009 3:36 PM
So, anyone up for a D@L bourbon tasting at the Hippo?
Posted by: Lissa | December 18, 2009 3:56 PM
Plan early. My wife and I drove around a few years ago looking for a spot at like 8pm and ended up at Paul Chens Hong Kong at Charles and 25th. I would avoid this place on special occasions at all costs... truly depressing.
Posted by: The Interweb | December 18, 2009 4:03 PM
Not that anyone here cares, but Courtney and I are going to Philly on NYE to see a three movie marathon live show by Cinematic Titanic, the new project from the cast of MST3K.
Hey, [i]I'm[/i] looking forward to it.
Of course, we care. I love hearing what other people are doing. EL
Posted by: Jon Parker | December 18, 2009 7:14 PM
Jon, I wasn't aware of Cinematic Titanic, but it sure is good to see Joel Hodgson back in a show with an MST3K format. He's hoping they'll make it to Baltimore one of these days. (BTW, don't forget to use angle brackets, rather than hard brackets, if you want to italicize any part of your post.)
Posted by: hmpstd | December 18, 2009 7:50 PM
That should have read -- "Here's hoping they'll make it to Baltimore one of these days." (Sorry, I can't read Joel Hodgson's mind.)
Posted by: hmpstd | December 18, 2009 7:53 PM
The Black Olive will have $75 New Year's Eve Menu http://bit.ly/6V3Cze
Posted by: Andy Ellis | December 22, 2009 11:06 AM
Is anyone open on New Years DAY? I know it's a holiday, but it's also a Friday night and would be nice to have dinner out if anyone is open.
Do you know of any?
Posted by: Dave | December 23, 2009 1:11 PM
Dave, in my experience everybody is open New Year's Day. I'm pretty sure that the list of who is closed is tiny.
Posted by: Owl Meat GroupToursAvailable | December 23, 2009 8:47 PM
Donna's in Cross Keys is offering a fixed price menu with wine for $48 New Year's Eve. That's got to be one of the cheaper ones.
Posted by: Joanne | December 29, 2009 7:43 PM
I've been looking for any local Baltimore restaurants or pubs that might be hosting a Hogmanay celebration... It truly is a good time, and it would be a shame for such a fun tradition to not catch on, especially in some of the city's British/Irish/Scottish pubs... Anyone know of any?
I've even got my Het Pint ready to go...
Posted by: Jonathon | December 30, 2009 12:47 PM