So, where to go? We've put together a list for you of the "Most" places: the Most Vegas New Year's Party in Brooklyn, The Bawdiest New Year's Show in Brooklyn, The Most Soulful New Year's Eve in Brooklyn, and more.
Compared to Manhattan, Brooklyn's New Year's events are affordable, too. Prices range from the sublime to the ridiculous: $5 to $250 per person.
"THE MOST" LIST: BROOKLYN'S TEN TOP NEW YEARS EVE VENUES 2012
1. MOST MEGA-WATT: NEW YEAR'S EVE AT BARCLAYS CENTER (FORT GREENE)
Say no more: Cold Play and Jay Z play the 18,000 seat arena at Barclays Center. Seat's aren't cheap but you'll have a party! Note: Bring binoculars, it's more fun. Friendly staff, visible security, lots of food and drink.
3. MOST VEGAS NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOW: Galapagos (in DUMBO, Brooklyn)
Galapagos
Guests are invited to dress up in the styles of the 1920's.
Why Paris in the roaring '20s? A spokesperson for Galapagos said, "Every year we make New Years Eve into the event we would want to go to if we weren't working that night. To that end, we have created a beautiful, over-the-top version of our weekly hit and flagship Saturday night show, Floating Kabarette."
- Where: 16 Main Street, DUMBO.
- When: Doors open 8 P.M., live show 10 P.M. Dancing from midnight until 4 AM.
- Admission: VIP tickets sold first at $200, which includes bottle service at the table; once these are sold out other tix will be $150. The admission price includes entertainment and an open bar until the wee hours.
- Contact/website: http://galapagosartspace.com
Need costume ideas? It's not very 1929ish. But then again, maybe it is: Occupy Wall Street costumes (DIY of course).
4. BAWDIEST PARTY: Knitting Factory—"Murray Hill's Extravaganza" (Williamsburg)
This well-known East Village drag king comedian hosts a bawdy, boozy variety show. Mr. Murray Hill is the self-described ringleader of a "circus of burlesque bombshells, ballsy and bawdy singers, legendary performance artists, a monkey" and other surprise acts.
- Where: 361 Metropolitan Avenue.
- When: Doors open at 9:30 P.M., show begins at 10:30 P.M.
- Admission: $35 - $100.
- Contact/website: Tel: (347) 529-6696. http://bk.knittingfactory.com
5. MOST ROCKIN' NEW YEAR'S EVE CONCERT: Music Hall of Williamsburg
For New Year's Eve, the excellent Music Hall of Williamsburg (read more about it) presents They Might Be Giants (whose latest release is Join Us and Moon Hooch with pre-show happy hour drink specials.- Where: 66 N. 6th St. near Wythe Avenue.
- When: Doors open at 8 P.M.; show starts at 10 P.M.
- Admission: 18 and over. $38 advance purchase. $40 day of show.
- Contact: (718) 486-5400.
6. MOST RUBBIN' NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCE-A-THON: Bell House (Gowanus)
Why fix what ain’t broke? Long gone Southpaw’s "The Rub New Year's," a "classics & hip-hop party" just moved to a new venue at the Bell House. "We do it Brooklyn style," say the organizers. Their recipe for a successful night out includes great dance music, affordable drinks, and "no dress code, no bottle service, no VIPs and no celebrity DJs." What's for certain is this: free champagne toast at midnight!- Where: 149 7th Street, in the Gowanus neighborhood.
- When: 9 P.M.
- Tickets $40
- Contact/website: (718) 643-6510. www.thebellhouseny.com.
7. MOST INTIMATE NEW YEAR'S EVE VENUE: Pete's Candy Store (in Williamsburg)
Pete's Candy Store, formerly an actual candy store, may prove a little inconvenient to get to, but that's part of its charm. The moody, shabby-chic interior and tiny backroom performance space lend new meaning to the term "intimate." Come to this classic Williamburg music-poetry-community venue on December 31st for what promises to be a great evening of action and live music until 4 A.M. Details to be announced, or check their site.- Where: 709 Lorimer between Frost and Richardson Streets.
- When: 8:30 P.M. — 4 A.M.
- Contact/website: (718) 302-3770. http://petescandystore.com.
8. MOST DELICIOUS ROCK CONCERT FOR NEW YEAR'S EVE: Brooklyn Bowl (in Williamsburg)
HOLY GHOST! with Midnight Magic, DJ Matt is, they say, already sold out! Doors open at 8 PM and the show is at 10 PM. BUT, you can still show up for the 1 AM late show with Juan McClean. Read a review of Brooklyn Bowl.- Where: 61 Wythe Ave.
- When: Doors at 12:30 AM, Jan 1.
- Tickets: $60
- Contact/website: (718) 963-3369. http://www.brooklynbowl.com/event
9. MOST CZAR-LIKE NEW YEAR'S EVE: Tatiana Russian Nightclub (in Brighton Beach)
Help out one of the boardwalk restaurants hit by Hurricane Sandy — and have a blast of your own! For a blow-out extravagant night with a large group of friends, book a reservation at Tatiana's Russian nightclub on the Brighton Beach Boardwalk. It's one of a handful of Russian nightclubs that have incredible floor shows every weekend. So of course, for New Year's Eve, they'll do it up even more; you can expect a completely over-the-top show, with live music and dancing.Advance reservations a must. After all that vodka, so is a pre-booked taxi or designated driver to get you home safely on New Year's Eve. Uh, New Year's Day that is.
- Where: 3152 Brighton 6th Street.
- When: 10 P.M. - 3 A.M.
- Price: $200 per person includes floor show, dinner and limited alcohol.
- Contact/website: (718) 891-5151. http://tatianarestaurant.com
10. MOST 5 NEW YEAR'S EVE: Union Hall (in Park Slope)
Some former Republican presidential candidates talked a lot about 9,9,9; at Union Hall this New Year's Eve, it's all about 5,5,5. This hip institution (what other bar boasts an indoor bocce court?) is celebrating its birthday this December by offering patrons a $5 entry.
They are also calling in some of their all time favorite acts — and giving away an iPad. Entertainment by DJ Lord Easy; karoke with Karoke Killed the Cat.
- Where: 702 Union Street off 5th Avenue in Park Slope.
- When: Festivities start at 8 P.M.
- Tickets/Admission: $5
- Contact/website: (718) 638-4400. http://unionhallny.com.
