Profusion of parties for New Year’s Eve

ADG illustration by Ron Wolfe Jan cover
ADG illustration by Ron Wolfe Jan cover

No plans tonight?

It’s not too late to plan last-minute New Year’s Eve revelry.

With an array of bars, Little Rock’s River Market District offers several venues for partiers seeking to celebrate New Year’s Eve. Several other establishments around the city - and state - are hosting parties to bid adieu to 2013 and ring in 2014 with a hearty, warm welcome. Raise the glasses, sound the horns, and let the confetti fall where it may!

LITTLE ROCK

Cache Restaurant & Lounge, Little Rock

Those attending this fete beginning at 7 p.m. will get a sneak peek at the new upscale restaurant set to open to the public Jan. 7. The venue, opening inside the newly constructed Arcade Building in Little Rock’s River Market District, will offer music by vocalist and saxophonist Michael Eubanks from 7-9 p.m. and Party Planet from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., as well as heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

Admission is $75 per person with space limited to 400.

Cache Restaurant, 425 President Clinton Ave. Call (501) 850-0265 or visit CacheLittleRock.com.

Little Rock Marriott

A multifaceted party gets started here at this recently rebranded downtown hotel (formerly the Peabody Little Rock) at 9 p.m. and runs until 2 a.m. New Year’s Day.

Entertainment in the Grand Ballroom will feature the sounds of Tragikly White and disc jockey Brandon Peck. Over in the Arkansas Room, a ’70s-era discotheque will be rocking, while in the hotel lobby Dueling DJs will perform. Meanwhile, in the Velvet Humidor, Dueling Pianos will be playing, while a New Orleans-style DJ will be spinning tunes in the Pinnacle Room.

Drink tickets ($5 each, which includes taxes and fees but not gratuity) may be exchanged for bottled water or sodas (one ticket), mixed drinks (two tickets), or Long Island Iced Teas (three tickets). Pancetta To Go will offer a limited menu of food for sale from 9 p.m. to midnight.

Tickets, available at the front desk and online at tinyurl.com/mymbdxf, are $65 and include hotel access, cash bars (where drink tickets may be exchanged), and entertainment throughout the hotel.

Little Rock Marriott, 3 Statehouse Plaza. Call (501) 399-8062 or visit tinyurl.com/mymbdxf.

Cajun’s Wharf

Ring in the new year with music at Cajun’s Wharf in Little Rock’s Riverdale area beginning at 9 p.m. with music by Third Degree. A $30 cover charge includes a champagne toast at midnight and party favors and a limited buffet.

Cajun’s Wharf, 2400 Cantrell Road. Call (501) 375-5351.

The Afterthought Bistro and Bar

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Afterthought to the sounds of Karen Jr. from 6 to 8 p.m. with no cover charge and That Arkansas Weather from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. with a $15 cover, which includes party favors and two cash bars (beginning at 10 p.m., the adjoining Afterthought restaurant’s dining room will be open for bar seating with an additional bar).

The Afterthought, 2721 Kavanaugh Blvd. Call (501) 663-1196.

Loony Bin

This Little Rock-based comedy club urges revelers to “Ring in the New Year With Laughter” with two shows by comedian Pat Godwin, aka Paddy G.

The first show, at 7 p.m., is $12 while a second show at 10 p.m. will “Ring in the New Year” and include hats, horns, leis, party poppers, snacks and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets to the second show are $25.

Loony Bin Comedy Club, 10301 N. Rodney Parham Road (at Interstate 430). Call (501) 228-5555 or visit loonybincomedy.com/LittleRock.

Embassy Suites Little Rock

This New Year’s Eve Party features two bands - the longtime popular band The Rockets and Catmandu. Doors open at 8 p.m. with the party kicking off at 9 and lasting until 1 a.m. The shindig includes hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $50 each. Also offered are room packages for $225, which includes a two-room suite, two party tickets, complimentary parking, a 5:30-7:30 p.m. reception, heavy hors d’oeuvres from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and the champagne toast at midnight).

Embassy Suites Little Rock, 11301 Financial Centre Parkway. Call (501) 312-9000.

Crowne Plaza Hotel KKPT-FM, The Point 94.1 hosts a New Year’s Eve party at this west Little Rock hotel with two parties in one - The Big John Miller Band in the main ballroom and a DJ spinning dance tunes in another disco-theme room.The $45 tickets include hors d’oeuvres and a champagne toast at midnight. To buy tickets, visit point941.com or buy them at the door.

Crowne Plaza Hotel, 201 S. Shackleford Road. Call (501) 223-3000.

HOT SPRINGS

Racing fans can ring in 2014 at Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, which was organized in 1904 and opened in 1905. Offerings include a $5,000 drawing from 8 p.m. to midnight, a prime rib dinner offered in The Carousel and entertainment in Pop’s Lounge.

Oaklawn Jockey Club, 2705 Central Ave. Call (800) 625-5296 or visit oaklawn.com.

BENTONVILLE

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville

In celebration of ushering in a new year, the Northwest Arkansas-based museum is hosting a “New 365” party beginning at 8 p.m. on New Year’sEve and concluding at 12:30 a.m. The soiree features music by Leah & the Mojo Doctors of Fayetteville and DJ Havok of Minneapolis. Food offerings include Cubano Sliders; Reuben Sammies; Lobster Rolls; and Pork Belly Steamed Buns. Meanwhile, baby doughnuts, biscotti, cookies and milk will be offered in the coffee bar all evening.

The price of admission includes choices of California red and white wines, Italian prosecco, and a signature winter pear cocktail, while a cash bar offers a selection of martinis, gimlets and cocktails.

Tickets, $85 each ($68 for members), are available at:

Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, 600 Museum Way. Call (479) 657-2335 or visit crystalbridges.org/eleven/ new-365/.

FAYETTEVILLE

Last Night Fayetteville 2013

This event, held for the first time this year, is an all-ages celebration to ring in the new year. The performing arts festival, held at various indoor venues around the Fayetteville Square from 6 p.m. until 2 a.m., features musicians, actors, artists, and other performers. Highlights include a VIP Lounge, beer and champagne gardens, children’s entertainment, a giant puppet parade, a midnight Hog Drop countdown, and a fireworks finale. Tickets range from $5 for children 2 to 12 to a limited number of VIP tickets for $65, which includes express check-in, access to all performance venues and preferred seating at select venues, access to the VIP Lounge at the Main Stage with hors d’oeuvres and artisan cocktails and a champagne toast at midnight.

Fayetteville Town Center, 15 W. Mountain St. Visit lastnightfayetteville.com.

Style, Pages 27 on 12/31/2013

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