OK, so you failed to keep the promise you made last year to stop procrastinating, and you’ve put off making plans for New Year’s Eve.
The nicer restaurants are all booked up by now. Many ticketed events have been sold out for weeks. And when your significant other looks at you and asks what “our” plans are this year, you forehead beads up and gets a little shiny.
No sweat. There are a plethora of places inside and outside the Perimeter where you can walk in the door and have a good time.
For one, there is always the Underground Atlanta Peach Drop, though that may feel a little too “last minute” to really pull off the impression you had planned the evening. Still, it is family-friendly and has a variety of activities, including Beatles tribute band Abbey Road Live. Underground Atlanta, 50 Upper Alabama St. S.W., Atlanta. 404-523-2311.
If you want something a little more dress-up, try the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra with crooner and pianist extraordinaire Tony DeSare. It will be an an evening of great American standards, from Rodgers and Hammerstein to Cole Porter and Prince. 8 p.m. $31 to $69. Symphony Hall, 1280 Peachtree Street N.E., Atlanta. 404-733-4900, aso-info@woodruffcenter.org.
Trader Vic’s Acapulcoplypse in the Hilton Atlanta offers an iconic tiki bar with music by Kingsized spinoff Bogey and the Viceroy. Tickets are $15 at the door. A four-course dinner is $55 each, including admission to the party. 255 Courtland St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-221-6339, www.tradervicsatl.com.
Couldn’t afford the Rolling Stones’ latest gigs? Try cover band the Jagged Stones at the Earl Smith Strand Theatre in Marietta. Lead vocalist Stephen Skipper sounds like and has an uncanny resemblance to Mick Jagger. Guitarist Barry Zion slinks and slithers while riffing like Keith Richards. The nearby Marietta Hilton is offering a special: $199 gets you a room, two tickets, transportation to and from the venue and breakfast. The concert starts at 9 p.m. $35. Earl Smith Strand Theatre, 117 N. Park Square, Marietta. 770-293-0080, www.earlsmithstrand.org.
If a Stones cover band is too high-brow for you, try the Proof & Provision White Trash Bash, which has the slogan, “Just show up with your trucker hat or tramp stamp and drink with the coolest people in town.” The bar is open 7 p.m.–2 a.m. Midnight toast with Miller High Life, “the Champagne of Beers.” Georgian Terrace Hotel, 659 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-897-5045, www.proofandprovision.com.
Little Big Town hits Wild Bill’s in Duluth. The group is up for a Grammy, so expect plenty of tunes from its latest album, “Tornado.” Tickets include party favors, a balloon drop and a midnight champagne toast. Ticketmaster still had tickets as of late Friday for $36. Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Dance after the performance until 2:30 a.m. Wild Bill’s, 2075 Market St., Duluth. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
At Leon’s Full Service in Decatur, it’s no reservations, no prixe fixe dinner. Snag a table or grab a seat at the bar, where the full menu is offered. Later, step around the corner for a beer at Brick Store Pub. 131 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-687-0500, www.leonsfullservice.com.
At CinéBistro, dinner guests will ring in the new year as the Times Square ball drop is broadcast live on the big screen. There’s a complimentary dessert tasting at 11 p.m., champagne toast at midnight. Selected champagne splits and full bottles are available. Town Brookhaven, 1004 Town Blvd., Atlanta. 404-333-0740, www.cobbcinebistro.com/brookhaven.
Have a few laughs (ahem, adult laughs) with Bridget Everett at the Punchline in Atlanta. She’s repeatedly made New York City best-of lists for her cabaret act, but is perhaps best known for her role as Shonda on the CBS sitcom “2 Broke Girls.” At 6, 8 and 10 p.m. $30 (6 p.m.); $40 (8 p.m.); $50 (10 p.m.). 280 Hilderbrand Drive, Atlanta. 404-252-5233, www.punchline.com.
In addition to the regular menu, the Midtown and Buckhead locations of Flip Burger Boutique will offer a $25 New Year’s Eve menu until 9 p.m., with a choice of salad, burger, side and dessert or shake, plus a complimentary glass of champagne. 1587 Howell Mill Road, Atlanta. 404-352-3547. And 3655 Roswell Road, Atlanta. 404-549-3298, flipburgerboutique.com.
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