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NEW YEAR’S EVE GUIDE 2009

Two thousand ten or twenty ten?
Dec 23, 2009

John hook

NEW YEAR’S EVE GUIDE

Compiled by Margot Seeto

However you decide to pronounce the coming years of the next decade, ringing in the new should be all about having a good time. No empty resolutions and no false hope during a time of war and recession. But you can take a night off and ponder the past and the future while gazing at your reflection in your champagne glass. Or in the water of the toilet bowl you may be hugging at 4am. However your night ends up, enjoy the fireworks and the company of loved ones. Be safe and really, have a Happy New Year.

Concerts

Get kicked in the head by snot-nosed youth trying to crowd surf or sit at a white-clothed table while gracefully sipping a flute of champers. Either way, enjoy being entertained on the last night of the year.

Misfits

The New Year’s Evil show brings the celebrated (and perhaps feared) punk band well into its third decade of making everyday Halloween. Opening acts include Preachers That Lie (see the Weekly’s Dean Carrico drum his arse off), Psychotic Perverts, 86 List and Phoenix Rose.

Pipeline Cafe, 805 Pohukaina St., 8pm, $30 pre-sale, $40 day of show, $75 VIP (pre-sale only), [groovetickets.com], (877) 71-GROOVE

Stylistics

Need more soul in your life? Let the ’70s show you how, Philly style. Get a drink with your ticket purchase or a bottle of champagne per couple. Bubbly plus “Betcha by Golly, Wow” equals one smooth entry into 2010.

Coral Ballroom, Hilton Hawaiian Village, 2005 Kalia Rd., 9:30pm, $49, [ticketmaster.com], (800) 745-3000

Village People

It’s amazing that band members can still fit into their outfits. Brings back meaning to the YMCA beyond pilates classes.

Sheraton Waikiki, 2255 Kalakaua Ave., 8:30pm, $75–$150, [ticketmaster.com], (800) 745-3000

Marine Corps League New Year’s Eve Comedy Show and Silent Auction

Comedian Bo Irvine and friends help you laugh out your stress from 2009 and welcome 2010, all smiles (and maybe a few side cramps). A fundraiser for the Marine Corps League Scholarship Fund. Pupu included.

Kaneohe Marine Corps Base–Klipper Golf Center, 8pm, $60 general, $75 VIP, 254-7563

Clubs

You like moving. Or just ogling. Maybe a little bit of both. Look good and get ready for more than Christian sidehugs at these sure-to-be-packed club events.

Flash and Matty Boy’s White Party

As most people outside of the Miami club circuit–at least those of us who never made it onto Sean Combs’ party invite list–don’t own spanking white clothes, get thee to the nearest fashion outlet. All white mandatory. Nothing too casual. Or ugly.

Apartm3nt, Century Center, 1750 Kalakaua Ave., 3rd floor, happy hour until 7pm, must wear all white after 8pm, cover TBA, 21+, [flashandmattyboy.com], 955-9300

New Year’s Eve Circus

DJ Harvey and the thirtyninehotel All-Star Tigers DJ in the New Year with what owner Gelareh Khoie would call “real music.” So obviously, get ready to shake it. And maybe pop it, too.

thirtyninehotel, 39 N. Hotel St., 9pm, $20, 21+, [thirtyninehotel.com], 599-2552

New Year’s Eve at Elegant Dive

If Top 40 tunes from the ’80s through today draw you in, there will also be a champagne bar, LED bar and great view of the Waikiki fireworks.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, 2424 Kalakaua Ave., 9pm–1am, no cover, 21+, [waikiki.hyatt.com].

Hula’s

Expect something racy for each year’s party. The theme to close out 2009 is “Tuxedo to Thong.” No further explanation needed.

Hula’s Bar & Lei Stand, 134 Kapahulu Ave., 9pm–close, 21+, [hulas.com], 923-0669

Fusion

Even if your name isn’t Alice, you’re still invited to this “Wonderland,” which will include showgirls, a massive midnight balloon drop and a chance to win prizes (including a Wii).

2260 Kuhio Ave., 9pm–close, $10 advance, $15 door, 21+, [fusionwaikiki.com], 924-2422

Moana Surfrider

Local band eightOeight’s sounds will make you hit the dance floor. In between songs, take a break at the pupu and dessert buffet and enjoy the party favors.

2365 Kalakaua Ave., 8pm, $35 adult, $20 ages 5–12, under 4 free, [moana-surfrider.com], 922-3111

Royal Hawaiian Hotel

The Mai Tai Bar and Ocean Lawn join forces for this celebration. The Hot Club of Hulaville will take you tino 2010 with its energetic gypsy jazz sounds.

2259 Kalakaua Ave., 8:30pm, $50, [royal-hawaiian.com], 921-4600

Zanzabar

On the heels of its 10th anniversary, the club shows that partying into the ’tweens is all the rage. Two rooms of music. Dress to impress.

Waikiki Trade Center, 2255 Kuhio Ave., 21+, [zanzabarhawaii.com], 924-3939

Out and about

Here are a few chances to hit the pavement or the water for those who can’t be caged in one place all night.

Fourth Annual Quest for Father Time

Ravenchase Adventures’ city-wide scavenger hunt starts in downtown Honolulu and ends with an after-party filled with open bar, pupu buffet, live band, fireworks and champagne toast.

7pm–midnight, $125 per person, [fathertimerace.com], 266-0478, 203-8963

Makani Catamaran

Complimentary champagne all night plus two free drinks at the full-service bar. If that’s not enough to entice you–you’ll be on a boat! And you’ll get to see fireworks.

Kewalo Basin, 9:30pm–12:15am, $60 adults, $30 ages 4–12, [sailmakani.com], 591-9000

Star of Honolulu’s New Year’s Eve Cruise

Ring in the year on your sea legs. With fireworks, dinner, dancing, prizes and a champagne toast. Three cruise packages available.

Pier 8, Aloha Tower Marketplace, 10:45pm–12:45am, $155 and up, $125.55 and up for kamaaina/military, 21+, [starofhonolulu.com], 983-7827

Wholesomefun

New Year’s Eve at the Cathedral

An organ recital by John Renke followed by a blessing of the city will absolve you of your sins before you’ve even committed them.

The Cathedral Church of St. Andrew, 229 Queen Emma Sq., 10:15pm, free, open to the public, 524-2882, ext. 217

Eats

Alan Wong’s New Year’s Eve Dinner

A tasting of five appetizers, lamb Wellington, butter-poached lobster and more. Go big or go home–no a la carte menu available this night.

1857 S. King St., dinner available 4:30–10pm, $105, 949-2526

Azure

The 2010 Hale Aina award winner for Best New Restaurant will serve up a special five-course dinner by Executive Chef Jon Matsubara.

Royal Hawaiian Hotel, 2259 Kalakaua Ave., dinner seatings available 5:30–9pm, $150 adults, $40 ages 5–12, 921-4600

Chai’s Island Bistro New Year’s Eve Menu

Choose the size of your stomach’s celebration. An a la carte menu gives you the choice of assembling a three- to five-course dinner. Choose among baked stuffed clams with lobster, shrimp and crab, roasted butternut squash and lobster bisque, deconstructed Beef Wellington and more. And enjoy live entertainment by romantic crooner Danny Couch.

Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr., $60–$80 prix fixe deals, [chaisislandbistro.com], 585-0011

Ciao Mein

The Chinese and Italian fusion restaurant will introduce a new menu for New Year’s Eve.

Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach Resort and Spa, 2424 Kalakaua Ave., dinner available from 6–10pm, $55, [ciaomeinwaikiki.com], 237-6140

Don Ho’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Buffet dinner and fireworks, champagne and nightclub entry, prizes and general merriment.

Aloha Tower Marketplace, 1 Aloha Tower Dr., $60, 528-0807

Nobu

Be close to the Waikiki party madness at the trendy Nobu. Fill up on oysters and steamed abalone, lobster with uni butter, Washu beef short ribs with soba “risotto” and more.

2233 Hemuloa Rd., 5:30pm restaurant opens for dinner, $150, [noburestaurants.com], 237-6999

Vino

Pre-party for your eve of shenanigans with a classy wine tasting of five types at two ounces each. If you are feeling the spirit of Vino, stick around for a dinner created by Chef Keith Endo.

Restaurant Row, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., 9pm, $50 for tasting, $50 for dinner, [email: nmadosik], 533-4476

Wolfgang’s New Year’s Eve Menu

Surf and turf is the party on your plate. Filet mignon, Australian lobster tail and complimentary champagne might put you out before the ball drops.

2301 Kalakaua Ave., meal available 11:30am–1am, $65, opentable,com, 922-3600

SURFER, The Bar

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