Find an event
New Year’s Eve giveaway
Win tickets to five top New Year’s Eve events.
For all the hype behind December 31, the lion’s share of New Year’s Eve events are, shall we say, underwhelming. And the good ones either (a) sell out, or (b) cost more than the amount of open-bar booze you’re actually going to drink. (Often, both.) To help, TOC’s offering a pair of free tickets to four bashes worthy of their buzz—and reserving you two coveted spots at Girl & the Goat’s first NYE celebration.
Win 2 tickets!
Rusko at Congress Theater
With everyone from Katy Perry to Justin Bieber racing to get on the dubstep bandwagon, the genre is no longer on the fringe. U.K. expat Rusko is a veritable titan on the scene, working dubstep from all sides since before it became a pop fad. The party-ready youth (think: 17 and up) know it, and this concert is where they’ll be ringing in the New Year. 2135 N Milwaukee Ave (773-598-0852). 8pm; $75, in advance $60, all-night drink package $110 at clubtix.com.
Score a res for 2!
Dinner at Girl & the Goat
This season of Top Chef may have a disproportionate number of Chicagoans competing, but they’ve got more than just their fellow chef-testants to beat. Season four winner Stephanie Izard is still on top of the culinary world with Girl & the Goat. Her free-flowing New Year’s Eve dinner includes multiple stations featuring favorite menu items, passed hors d’oeuvres and specialty cocktails. For this one, we’ll reserve you space at the sold-out bash; the $350 ticket price per pair is up to you. 809 W Randolph St (312-492-6262). 8:30pm; $175 at girlandthegoatnye.eventbrite.com.
Win 2 tickets!
New Year’s Eve Rock ’N’ Roll Ball at the InterContinental O’Hare
Downtown can be a nightmare on NYE—jam-packed buses, no taxis in sight. Find more controlled chaos in the ’burbs at this hotel bash. It’s got three rooms of music, an open bar (until 12:30am) and a slew of guest suites if you get too sloshed to make it home. The main attraction is Rhett Miller and fellow alt-country rockers the Old 97s, but Jefferson Starship frontwoman Cathy Richardson, ’80s rockers Hairbangers Ball and Circuit party alum DJ Roland sweeten the pot. 5300 N River Rd, Rosemont (847-447-4130). 8:30pm; $75 at icohare.com.
Win 2 tickets!
Cat’s Pajama Party at Everleigh Social Club
You know you want someone to smooch when the clock strikes 12. Why not cut to the chase and steam up the entire night at this risque party? Your best undress (a.k.a. pj’s—and we’re probably not talking the flannel kind) is required, but from there, the rules don’t apply. Let loose with some dance moves, sip vino from the open bar (wine-only, with a Champagne toast at midnight), watch Michelle L’amour and the Naked Girls entertain with a sultry striptease and, well, with no cameras allowed you should just use your imagination for the rest. 939 W Randolph St. 9pm; $90, couples $150 at everleighsocialclub.com.
Win 2 tickets!
Windy City Soul Club at Logan Square Auditorium
While most of Chicago rings in 2012 with the usual routine—pour Champagne, say cheers, repeat—a select group of in-the-know hipsters will be cutting a rug to the infectious, vintage sounds of Windy City Soul Club. The six-man dusty DJ crew saved its monthly Northern soul revue for New Year’s Eve. No open bar? So what? Dapper partygoers who prefer getting down Motown-style will have a blast. 2539 N Kedzie Blvd (773-252-6179). 9pm; $20 at logansquareauditorium.com. 17 and up.
