Don’t even try it; we’ve already heard every excuse in the book for why you haven’t yet firmed up your New Year’s Eve plans. NYE ain’t Christmas, folks, and while a last-second trip to CVS may have yielded a suitable gift for Grandma Gertie, no one’s gonna help when it’s 10 p.m. Saturday and you’re frantic for festivities.
Except us. Not that we advocate putting off ’til tomorrow what you can reserve today. While these bashes still have tickets as of Wednesday, super-slackers aren’t guaranteed entry if they wait until Saturday night to call. So quit your dawdling, get on the horn and save yourself a spot at these not-yet-sold-out bashes.
For the first-to-the-partiers
Where: Just-opened Juniors Sports Lounge, 726 W. Maxwell St.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
How much: $90
What you get: Open bar from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., buffet, party favors and champagne splits.
Why go: Don’t wait for next week’s bowl games. Get an early serving of sports at this brand-spankin’ new bar (opening Wednesday) from the Cans and Salud folks, who’ve partnered with Bears legend Gale Sayers for this Maxwell Street newcomer.
Tickets: 773-276-7582
For the West Loop foodies
Where: Fulton Lounge, 955 W. Fulton Market
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
How much: $95
What you get: Premium open bar, champagne toast, appetizers, dessert, DJ entertainment and party favors.
Why go: It’s an easy stroll from Randolph Street’s restaurant row, so you can dine and wine your way into the new year without coughing up cash for cabs between spots.
Tickets: 312-942-9500
For the play-it-by-ear types
Where: Negro League Cafe, 301 E. 43rd St.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
How much: $30
What you get: Champagne toast, buffet from 9 to 11 p.m.; DJs Question and Mark Fullaflava spin.
Why go: This bastion of South Side revelry should be right up procrastinators’ alley: You don’t need to reserve tickets ahead of time; just be sure to show up early.
Information: 773-536-7000
For the see-and-be-scenesters
Where: SushiSamba Rio, 504 N. Wells St.
When: 6 p.m. Saturday
How much: $75-$125
What you get: Open bar, appetizers and DJs.
Why go: You can’t exactly raise the roof at this River North rooftop fete, but you can clink drinks with a well-heeled crowd.
Tickets: 312-595-2300
For the livin’ la Vida locals
Where: Vida, 1248 W. George St.
When: 8:30 p.m. Saturday
How much: $60-$65
What you get: Open bar, buffet, champagne toast and party favors; live music by Kronica.
Why go: The heat is on every weekend at this Latin-inspired Lakeview newbie, so we’re expecting an especially fiery New Year’s Eve.
Tickets: 773-935-5700
For the beer-and-a-shot set
Where: Joe’s Bar, 940 W. Weed St.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
How much: $100
What you get: Top-shelf open bar, appetizers, midnight breakfast buffet, favors and champagne toast; live music by Then Again.
Why go: You say Miller High Life is the champagne of beers? You can have your brew and bubbly both–and drink them too–at this fete for those not hip to donning a tux and tails.
Tickets: 312-337-3486 or ticketmaster.com
For the glass-is-half-full folks
Where: The Tasting Room at Randolph Wine Cellars, 1415 W. Randolph St.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
How much: $150
What you get: Wine varietals from Napa Valley, Australia, Germany and France; champagne bar; appetizers.
Why go: At $150, this bash ain’t cheap, but it’s a heckuva lot more affordable than jet-setting to Bordeaux–which makes this international tasting tour seem downright reasonable.
Tickets: 312-942-1212
For the late-night loyalists
Where: L8, 222 W. Ontario St.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
How much: $100
What you get: Open bar, appetizers, buffet, champagne toast and favors; DJ X spins.
Why go: This spot from the minds behind Sound-bar and Y is no longer open to the public on a regular basis, but New Year’s gives fans a chance to toast here again.
Tickets: 312-771-9500 or uniquenye.com
For the sealed-with-a-kiss crew
Where: Midnight Kiss at W Hotel-City Center, 172 W. Adams St.
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
How much: $145
What you get: Appetizers, premium open bar, champagne toast, DJs and a burlesque performance by Michelle L’amour.
Why go: It’s the official metromix/RedEye NYE extravaganza. Need we say more?
Tickets: 312-421-7672, ext. 42 or ticketweb.com
For the just-can’t-wait-until-Saturday squad
Where: Eve of the Eve, in the Great Hall at Union Station, 210 S. Canal St.
When: 8 p.m. Friday
How much: $110-$125
What you get: Open bar and appetizers; live music by The Pete Fleming Orchestra.
Why: Prefer a cozy night in with your sweetie on New Year’s Eve? You can still get your drink on by starting the party Friday at this annual bash benefiting High Sight.
Tickets: 312-787-9824 or highsight.org
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metromix@tribune.com
