With the pricey cost of party tickets and pressure to dress to the nines, New Year’s Eve can be a blast … or a letdown. Instead of banking your savings on one blowout night that might not match your big-dollar expectations, lower the price tag and celebrate knowing you got the biggest bang for your buck.
Mary’s Rec Room & Mary’s Attic
5400-5402 N. Clark St. 773-784-6969
Get ready for a Studio 54 vibe in Andersonville at this bash, dubbed Club 5400 for the address. Wander between the Attic’s dance party and the Rec Room, which morphs from sports bar to lounge.
Price: $10
Drinks: Cash bar, champagne toast
Food: Appetizer buffet
Extras: Coat check
Tickets: Purchase in person at the bar; a limited number usually are available at the door
Red Kiva
1108 W. Randolph St. 312-226-5577
Hobnob with local literati at this West Loop lounge during the Stories & Bubbly party, which starts with storytelling by 2nd Story authors and continues with DJ sets after midnight. 10:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Price: $25 in advance; $35 at the door
Drinks: Champagne toast, cash bar including $10 champagne cocktails
Food: Snacks, dessert bar
Tickets: storiesandwine.org
Mac’s
1801 W. Division St. 773-782-4400
Keep it low-key at this Wicker Park tavern, where you can stake out a booth (first come, first served) for your crew or dance in the aisles to pop and rock beats. 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Price: $35 drink package
Drinks: Domestic beer, wine and call liquor (10 p.m.-1 a.m.)
Food: Regular a la carte menu available
Extras: Party favors, champagne toast; $5 champagne cocktails for those opting out of the $35 drink package
Tickets: By phone at 773-782-3040
The Rockbox
2624 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-871-0205
Cover band Men from Mars mans the stage at this late-night Lincoln Park bar.
7 p.m.-4 a.m.
Price: $39 for general admission; $49 for VIP tickets
Drinks: Domestic and import beer, wine, call liquor (8 p.m.-midnight)
Food: VIP tickets include an appetizer buffet (8-10 p.m.)
Extras: VIP partiers also get access to a DJ-fueled dance party on the second floor.
Tickets: Buy in person at the bar
Celtic Crown
4301 N. Western Ave. 773-588-1110
Ring in 2010 the Irish way at this laid-back Lincoln Square pub. Tables are first come, first served, so arrive early to stake out space for your group. 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
Price: $40
Drinks: Domestic beer, wine and call liquor (8 p.m.-midnight), champagne toast
Food: Regular a la carte menu available
Extras: Party favors
Tickets: Buy in person at the bar
Fat Cat
4840 N. Broadway. 773-506-3100
Missed out on tickets to Lumen’s sold-out ’20s-themed bash? Take your feather boa or fedora to this Uptown hangout’s annual anti-prohibition-themed party. 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Price: $45
Drinks: Domestic beer, select premium liquors and wine (9 p.m.-1 a.m.), champagne toast
Food: Appetizer buffet
Extras: Party favors
Tickets: Call the bar at 773-506-3100
Angels & Mariachis
1721 W. Division St. 773-227-7772
Sip margaritas till well past midnight at this Wicker Park cantina. 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
Price: $50 drink package
Drinks: Beer, sangria, house margaritas and premium liquor (10 p.m.-1 a.m.), champagne toast
Food: Unlimited taco bar
Extras: Party favors, option to opt out of drink package
Tickets: angelschicago.com
Transit
1431 W. Lake St. 312-491-8600
It’s not the freshest hangout in town, but it’s one of the most affordable tix in the club category. 8 p.m.-4 a.m.
Price: $50
Drinks: Beer, wine, premium liquors (8 p.m.-midnight)
Food: None
Extras: Party favors
Tickets: groovetickets.com or 312-491-8600
Crossroads Public House
2630 N. Clark St. 773-248-3900
Leave it to this Lincoln Park bar, known for its $20 Friday night eat-and-drink packages, to pack lots of value into NYE. The open bar lasts an impressive six hours. 7 p.m.-2 a.m.
Price: $50
Drinks: Beer, wine, premium liquors (7 p.m.-1 a.m.)
Food: Dinner buffet and late-night breakfast snacks
Extras: Party favors; free New Year’s Day brunch ($15 value) for the first 25 ticket purchasers
Tickets: Call the bar at 773-248-3900
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lmarnett@tribune.com
