FEATURED MUSIC
New Year’s Eve With No Worries
Written By Author (listings@hippopress.com)
Images: Stock Photo
For the first time in seven years, New Year’s Eve falls on a Saturday, affording most folks two days of recovery time. For those looking to get an early start, regional favorites Pat & the Hats play a Friday night party at Concord’s Area 23. Here’s a long list of ways to ring out 2016 and welcome 2017:
• 603 Bar & Lounge (368 Central Ave., Dover, 742-9283) 11 p.m. $20 covers Champagne toast at midnight and party favors (hats, noisemakers, etc.) with a DJ playing the hottest music to dance into the new year.
• Alan’s (133 N. Main St., Boscawen, 753-6631) 8 p.m. DJ Tom plays dance music with a buffet featuring honey ham and prime rib carving station plus Champagne toast at midnight. Call for reservations.
• American Legion Post 47 (551 Foundry St., Rollinsford, 742-5833) 7:30 p.m. Acoustic Radio & Hilton Park entertain; bands are coming off recent CD releases and gaining attention from all over the U.S. $12.
• Area 23 (State Street, Concord, 881-9060) holds a New Year’s Eve Eve party at 9 p.m. on Dec. 30 with Pat & the Hats.
• Ashworth by the Sea (295 Ocean Boulevard, Hampton, 926-6762) 7:30 p.m. Uptown Celebration plays at 9 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom; hors d’oeuvres and cash bar reception until 8 p.m. Overnight packages available.
• Auburn Pitts (167 Rockingham Road, Auburn, 622-6564) 8 p.m. Mo’ Guitar Blues, a weekly favorite at the venue’s open-mic night, provide First Night entertainment.
• Blue Mermaid Island Grille (409 The Hill, Portsmouth, 427-2583) 7 p.m. Boom Lava brings its unique brand of funky reggae, funk, hip-hop and rhymes. $5 cover.
• Blue Ocean Music Hall (4 Oceanfront North, Salisbury, Mass., 462-5888) 7 p.m. Once again, The Fools ring it in; there’s an optional dinner buffet, Champagne toast, party favors and midnight balloon drop. Dinner and show is $90; show only is $26 general admission.
• Boston Billiard Club (55 Northeastern Boulevard, Nashua, 943-5630) 7 p.m. DJ Anthem Throwback spins popular and classic dance music as the balls keep banging.
• Bridgewater Inn (367 Mayhew Turnpike, Bristol, 744-3518) 8 p.m. The popular prime rib buffet returns. $25 includes party with Express Revival downstairs, DJ Di upstairs, party hats and tiaras, noisemakers, beads, glow bracelets and Champagne toast. Reservations strongly recommended. Party only is $15.
• Canoe Club (27 S. Main St., Hanover, 643-9660) 8 p.m. Lydia Gray, Ed Eastridge & Andy Bourke — a first-rate jazz singer, uber-noted guitarist, and bassist extraordinaire serve up a sophisticated jazz mélange.
• Chop Shop (920 Lafayette Road, Seabrook, 760-7706) 6 p.m. Doubleshot Boston and American Ride perform, with dinner, breakfast buffet, party hats, horns and Champagne toast at midnight. $40 at the door.
• City Sports Grille (216 Maple St., Manchester, 625-9656) 8 p.m. Family New Year’s Eve party from 4 to 6 p.m. $54.99, from 7 to 9 p.m. $64.99, and from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. $99.95. Each slot includes two-hour lane rentals, music laser light show, pizza, soda, noisemakers, etc. Vital Signs play live music — $5 per ticket for just the band.
• Club Manchvegas (50 Old Granite St., Manchester, 222-1677) 8 p.m. Cross the Divide and Prospect Hill rock the downtown spot with DJ Bino. Tickets are $14.50 at ticketweb.com.
• Coach Stop Tavern (176 Mammoth Road, Londonderry, 437-2022) 7 p.m. Steve Tolley performs an early set.
• Coat of Arms (174 Fleet St., Portsmouth, 431-0407) 7 p.m. Enjoy a Greenwich Mean Time toast, sing “Auld Lang Syne” and dance to ’90s-themed DJ music with party favors and a toast at midnight.
• Common Man (88 Range Road, Windham, 898-0088) 8 p.m. Karen Grenier mixes originals with an extensive catalog of cover tunes.
• Concord Holiday Inn (172 Main St., Concord, 224-9534) 8 p.m. Comedians Harrison Stebbins and Ryan Gartley top a bill of laughs, with DJ dancing. $84 per person, $168 per couple includes three-course dinner.
• Cork n’ Keg (4 Essex Drive, Raymond, 244-1573) 8 p.m. Switchtrack entertains with party favors etc.
• Country Tavern (452 Amherst St., Nashua, 889-5871) 8 p.m. Soulshine performs.
• Crow’s Nest (181 Plaistow Road, Plaistow, 974-1686) 9 p.m. Jonny Friday and Bite the Bullet provide sounds.
• Daniels Hall (186 Route 4, Nottingham, 942-8525) 9 p.m. A DJ dance party is a fun and inexpensive night at $15; bring your own liquor and party favors.
• Davignon Snowshoe Club (218 Wilson St., Manchester) 9 p.m. Higher Ground Band plays at this members-only club.
• Derryfield Country Club (625 Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-2880) 9 p.m. Last Kid Picked rocks the party. $15 ticket includes admission to see the band, Champagne toast at midnight and party favors.
• Dolly Shakers (38 E. Hollis St., Nashua, 577-1718) 9 p.m. Nasty Geckos provide musical entertainment.
• Dolphin Striker (15 Bow St., Portsmouth, 431-5222) 8 p.m. Michael Troy, plus $50 three-course dinner with toast.
• Dover Brickhouse (2 Orchard St., Dover, 749-3838) 8 p.m. Gazpacho rocks New Year’s Eve.
• Ellacoya Barn & Grille (2667 Lakeshore Road, Gilford, 293-8700) 9 p.m. Paul Warnick performs at 9:30 p.m., $35 four-course dinner with 5, 7 and 9 p.m. seatings.
• Executive Court Banquet Facility (1199 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, 669-7469) 7 p.m. Majestic Theatre presents While The Lights Were Out, An Off-the-Wall Murder Farce, which features a dinner menu.
• Fireside Inn (25 Airport Road, West Lebanon, 298-5900) 7 p.m. Shana Stack Band plays country rock at this Inn, with multiple ticketing options including $135 and overnight packages.
• Flying Monkey Movie House (39 Main St., Plymouth 536-2551) 8 p.m. Adam Ezra Band and Boston-based singer-songwriter Jay Psaros perform. $24.
• Fody’s Tavern (9 Clinton St., Nashua, 577-9015) 7 p.m. ShakesBEER comedy show and supper with three-course meal and comedic performances by The Nashua Theater Guild at 6, 8 and 10 p.m. Champagne toast at midnight. Meal-and-show tickets $60 per person.
• Fratello’s (155 Dow St., Manchester, 624-2022) 8 p.m. Paul Luff plays an early set from 7:30 to 11 p.m.
• Fratello’s Italian Grille (194 Main St., Nashua, 889-2022) 9 p.m. Justin Cohn plays solo covers and originals.
• Fury’s Publick House (1 Washington St., Dover, 617-3633) 9 p.m. Amulus anchors a high-energy party.
• Giuseppe’s (312 Daniel Webster Highway, Meredith, 279-3313) 9 p.m. Andre Balazs featured on guitar and vocals early, DJ and dancing later (advance tickets $10).
• Goosefeathers Pub (Mt. Sunapee Resort, Newbury, 763-3500) 9 p.m. DJ Rick Davis, food served until 8 and the fireworks begin at 9 p.m. on Eggbeater, just outside the Pub.
• Governor’s Inn (78 Wakefield St., Rochester, 332-0107) 8 p.m. NYE Comedy Ball with Boston comedian Ace Aceto following a prime rib buffet, capped by DJ dancing into the new year. $70.
• Gunstock Mountain Resort (719 Cherry Valley Road, Gilford, 293-4341) 8 p.m. Classic rockers Sum X perform. Unlimited skiing is $44-$59; enjoy s’mores at the Fire Ring and midnight mountainside fireworks.
• Haluwa Lounge (Nashua Mall, Nashua, 883-6662) 8:30 p.m. Slakas play, with a dinner buffet from 4 to 10 p.m.; no cover, Champagne toast.
• Harlow’s Pub (3 School St., Peterborough, 924-6365) 8:30 p.m. Roots of Creation jams into 2017 at a party that sells out every year.
• Headliners (700 Elm St., Manchester, 988-3673) 8 p.m. One of the year’s biggest parties, with four comics in one room and Dueling Pianos in another, plus a full complement of food, drink and dancing. Full range of packages starting at $30.
• Hermanos (11 Hills Ave., Concord, 224-5669) 8 p.m. Mike Stockbridge plays a jazz-infused mix of covers and originals.
• Hillsboro Moose Lodge (15 School St., Hillsboro, 464-6024) 6:30 p.m. Scott “Snake” Miller & The Helljacks with special guest Cash Dixon playing some good old Southern rock and country music. $5 cover.
• Homestead (641 Daniel Webster Highway, Merrimack, 429-2022) 7 p.m. Brad Bosse plays an early set.
• Jewel (61 Canal St., Manchester, 836-1152) 8 p.m. Alec MacGillivray performs modern country music.
• La Mia Casa Pizzeria (1 Jaffrey Road, Peterborough, 924-6262) 7 p.m. Luther “Guitar Junior” Johnson rings in the new year. $40 per couple and $30 per single ticket includes buffet dinner and Champagne toast at midnight.
• Magrilla’s (19 Hanson Road, Rochester, 330-1964) 8 p.m. Dancing Madly Backwards plays this year’s party.
• Main Street Grill & Bar (32 Main St., Pittsfield, 436-0005) 6 p.m. Nicole Knox Murphy plays country favorites.
• Margate Resort (76 Lake St., Laconia, 524-5210) 6 p.m. Along with DJ music, Back 2 Back (formerly Undercover Operatives) play hits from the ’50s through ’80s. $249-$339 inclusive with hotel, buffet dinner, complimentary Champagne and ball drop; there’s a breakfast buffet in the morning.
• Martingale Wharf (99 Bow St., Portsmouth, 431-0901) 9 p.m. Black and White Ball with hors d’oeuvres stations, martini and Champagne bars, party favors, photo booth, a midnight Champagne toast and more, $125.
• Molly’s Tavern (35 Mont Vernon Road, New Boston, 487-2011) 8 p.m. NYE Entertainment with rock band Next of Kin starting at 8:30 p.m.
• Mountain Meadow Events Center (478 Route 4, Canaan, 769-4093) 9 p.m. Party Crashers rock out. $15 ticket includes an appetizer spread and Champagne toast at midnight. Four-course meal package is $49.95 for adults.
• Mountain View Grand Resort (10 Mountain View Road, Whitefield, 827-2100) 8 p.m. A Crystal Ballroom gala offers a cocktail reception and dinner, music and dancing by the Sharon Jones Band, with a Champagne toast and fireworks display at midnight. $120 per person. Ages 16 and up only.
• Murphy’s Taproom (494 Elm St., Manchester, 644-3535) 9 p.m. Wize Crackaz promises a raucous First Night party.
• Old Salt Tavern (409 Lafayette Road, Hampton, 926-8322) 9 p.m. Jimmy D is back, with room packages at Lamie’s Inn once again available.
• Palace Theatre (80 Hanover St., Manchester, 668-5588) Recycled Percussion is home for the holidays to ring in 2017 with junk rock at two shows, 4 & 7 p.m.
• Pasta Loft (241 Union Square, Milford, 672-2270) 7 p.m. Baby Jakes plays country-infused rock in the restaurant’s Country Strong room.
• Pat’s Peak Ski Area (686 Flanders Road, Henniker, 728-7732) 6 p.m. Party & POP (skiing) family celebration with dancing to The McMurphys, comedy show, fireworks and lots of food — Party&POP tickets are $50-$90, party-only $35-$70, POP-only $41.
• Patrick’s (18 Weirs Road, Gilford, 293-0841) 8 p.m. Justin Jaymes performs at the infamous No Hassle No Frills Party with hats, noisemakers and a Champagne toast at midnight — oh, and there’s a photo booth.
• Peddler’s Daughter (48 Main St., Nashua, 821-7535) 5 p.m. Great Craic, Pure Irish; three-course meal for two with four drinks (beer or wine) is $80 and served 5 to 10 p.m. with party favors and midnight Champagne toast.
• Penuche’s (96 Hanover St., Manchester, 666-3667) 9 p.m. Supernothing performs with a Champagne toast when the ball drops, along with games and prizes all night long.
• Penuche’s Ale House (6 Pleasant St., Concord, 228-9833) 9 p.m. Evidence Lies rocks the basement bar.
• Pit Road Lounge (388 Loudon Road, Concord, 226-0533) 8 p.m. Dirty Looks Band performs at a party with a $20 cover that includes midnight Champagne toast and party favors.
• Pitman’s Freight Room (94 New Salem St., Laconia, 527-0043) 8 p.m. Racky Thomas Blues Band plays at this popular BYOB Lakes Region haven for original music.
• Portsmouth American Legion (96 Islington St., Portsmouth, 436-7575) 9 p.m. Rosie rocks at this members-only club; free admission, but guests must be signed in by a member.
• Portsmouth Gas Light (64 Market St., Portsmouth, 430-9122) 8 p.m. A triple treat, with the elegant and swanky Gatsby Party upstairs. $60 tickets include plenty of party favors, passed hors d’oeuvres, a Champagne toast and a late-night buffet. Downstairs it’s Clint LaPointe in the Grille and Ryan Williamson in the Pizza Pub.
• Press Room (77 Daniel St., Portsmouth, 431-5186) 7:30 p.m. Dance party with BlacKat Productions starring Sarah Blacker & Aaron Z. Katz, Vitamin C and members of Percy Hill. $12/$15, 21+.
• Radisson Inn (11 Tara Boulevard, Nashua, 888-9970) 8:30 p.m. Billy Joel and Elton John tribute show, both performing with full bands.
• Red Door (107 State St., Portsmouth, 373-6827) 9 p.m. DJ Patrick Barry ignites a dance explosion, “dusk till done” party.
• Ri Ra Irish Pub (22 Market Square, Portsmouth, 319-1680) 7:30 p.m. Red Sky Mary performs a Great Gatsby-themed party, or is that O’Gatsby?
• River Casino & Sports Bar (53 High St., Nashua, 881-9060) 7 p.m. At the former Arena Sports Bar, it’s Casino Royale Night with DJ dancing and gambling. Arrive “dressed to impress” and receive $20 in match play for poker and blackjack tables; champagne toast at midnight.
• River’s Pub (76 Derry St., Hudson, 943-7832) 9 p.m. Project Mess plays rock covers at this party.
• Riverwalk Cafe (35 Railroad Square, Nashua, 578-0200) 7 p.m. Parsonsfield brings its unique brand of roots and Americana to this Nashua music room, with great craft cocktails.
• Rudi’s (20 High St., Portsmouth, 430-7834) 6 p.m. PJ Donahue performs at this party.
• Salt hill Pub Hanover (7 Lebanon St., Hanover, 676-7855) 7 p.m. Michael Spaulding performs, with the usual array of party favors and Irish spirit.
• Salt hill Pub Lebanon (2 West Park St., Lebanon, 448-4532) 9 p.m. Conniption Fits, fresh off winning new single “Misinformed Informant,” provide the music.
• Salt hill Pub Newport (58 Main St., Newport, 863-7774) 9 p.m. Regular favorites Flew-Z perform at an upstairs party that features Irish charm and noisemakers aplenty.
• Salt hill Pub Sunapee (1407 Route 103, Newbury, 763-2667) 9 p.m. Tirade plays the party at Salt hill’s resort location, nestled a stone’s thrown from Mount Sunapee.
• Savory Square Bistro (32 Depot Square, Hampton, 926-2202) 9 p.m. Husband-and-wife duo Mel & John perform.
• Shaskeen (909 Elm St., Manchester, 625-0246) 8 p.m. Lock the Doors Bash is reprised with limited $60 tickets covering a food buffet, midnight Champagne toast, giveaways, DJ music and open bar. The club will be closed to anyone without tickets (21+ only).
• Sheraton Hotel (250 Market St., Portsmouth, 431-2300) 8 p.m. Comedy — early show $25, late show $35 with Carolyn Plummer, Steve Scarfo and Mike Koutrobis. Tickets at livefreeordielaughing.com.
• Smokey’s Tavern (11 Farmington Road, Rochester, 330-3100) 9 p.m. Poor Howard and the Bullfrog perform.
• Stella Blu (70 E. Pearl St., Nashua, 578-5557) 9 p.m. Mystical Magic party at this tapas restaurant.
• Stone Church (5 Granite St., Newmarket, 659-7700) 6 p.m. DeadBeat makes the tie-dyed crowd “grateful” on New Year’s Eve
• Strange Brew Tavern (88 Market St., Manchester, 666-4292) 9 p.m. Howard Randall & Friends perform at the popular taproom and restaurant.
• Tandy’s Top Shelf (1 Eagle Square, Concord, 856-7614) 8 p.m. Black & White Party with DJ Iceman at 10 p.m. Grand Buffet from 6 to 9 p.m. is $30 per person, $50 per couple. Standard admission $10, starting at 8 p.m.
• Taverne on the Square (2 Pleasant St., Claremont, 287-4416) 8 p.m. Erin Harpe and the Delta Swingers play rootsy rock music. $75 per couple includes dinner for two, party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight.
• Telly’s (235 Calef Highway, Epping, 679-8225) 8 p.m. Max Sullivan performs rock ’n’ roll music.
• The Yard (1211 S. Mammoth Road, Manchester, 623-3545) 8 p.m. Headliners Comedy starring Larry Norton and Main Event DJ, with a buffet dinner and Champagne toast. $75.
• Thirsty Moose (21 Congress St, Portsmouth, 427-8645) 9 p.m. Jamsterdam gets down and dirty in the basement music space, while great beer flows on both floors.
• Thirsty Turtle (8 Temple St., Nashua, 402-4136) 8 p.m. Gate City Sound provides live music, with Champagne toast at midnight. No cover charge.
• Union Coffee Co. (42 South St., Milford, 554-8879) 8 p.m. Wink & A Smile, Crowne Victoria, Jake McKelvie & the Countertops and DJ Tekhed perform.
• Village Trestle (25 Main St., Goffstown, 497-8230) 9 p.m. Off Duty Angels play rock and country covers at this good-time bash.
• Wally’s Pub (144 Ashworth Ave., Hampton, 926-6954) 9 p.m. The Bars rock out at this popular Seacoast bar.
• Wentworth by the Sea (588 Wentworth Road, New Castle, 422-7322) 9 p.m. Casino Royale Black Tie Affair has seven-piece show band Protege, blackjack, roulette and craps tables and midnight toast. $235.37 at presstosell.com.
• Whiskey’s 20 (20 Old Granite St., Manchester, 641-2583) 8 p.m. Biggest party of the year with DJs Shawn White, Chris Drake and DJ EP, $10, with VIP packages starting at $200.
• Wild Rover (21 Kosciuszko St., Manchester, 669-7722) 9 p.m. DJ Ron entertains at this no-cover party, with midnight Champagne toast and Captain Morgan/Crown Royal sampling from 10 p.m. to midnight.
• Wolfeboro Inn (90 N. Main St., Wolfeboro, 569-3016) 9 p.m. DJ Shamar spinning tunes in Wolfe’s Tavern with dancing, favors, Champagne toast.
• Woodwards Resort (527 Route 3, Lincoln, 745-8141) 8 p.m. Jimmy & Marcelle perform.