Concerns regarding yet another new COVID-19 variant may end up shifting your New Year’s Eve party plans. While huge parties and fancy galas have been the age-old tradition, the multiyear pandemic has taught us that there is always the promise of excitement when you revamp a custom. Therefore, as the saying goes: out with the old and in with the new. Here are some alternative — yet equally festive — options to ring in the new year around metro Atlanta.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Pin Down a New Tradition
Knock back a few drinks and knock down a few pins when you take your end of the year celebrations to the bowling alley. The Painted Pin and The Painted Duck are each hosting New Year’s Eve events, which promise a live DJ/band, a midnight champagne toast, full bar/menu and, of course, bowling. Both venues offer complimentary pub games; bowling lanes are $40 per lane, per hour. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the lanes are first come, first served (no reservations accepted). Groups are limited to two lanes for up to two hours.
7 p.m.–2 a.m. Dec. 31. $20 per person cash cover charge to enter. The Painted Pin, 737 Miami Circle NE, Atlanta. 404-814-8736, thepaintedpin.com; The Painted Duck, 976 Brady Ave., Atlanta, 404-352-0048, thepaintedduckatl.com.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
A Suite Start for 2022
For the last two years, our homes have become the perpetual setting for our workdays, movie nights, dinner socials, and more. So why not bring in the new year with a new scene? Consider closing out 2021 and kickstarting 2022 with a staycation.
The Bellyard hotel’s Drawbar restaurant will be hosting a festive evening, which will include a dinner buffet, dessert buffet, live entertainment and midnight champagne toast. The event is open to all guests at $100 per person, however, guests who reserve a night at the hotel will receive special pricing. Best of all, after an evening of imbibing, overnight guests won’t have far to travel. Not to mention, waking up to in-room breakfast might just be the perfect rebound from all the revelry.
Drawbar event begins 8 p.m.–1 a.m. Dec. 31. $100 per person. Bellyard, 1 Interlock Ave. NW, Atlanta. 404-806-8333, bellyardhotel.com.
A Blast in the Ballpark
Discover plenty of ways to celebrate the last day of 2021 at the Battery, where multiple venues are hosting NYE events and special programming. CRÚ Food & Wine Bar, open from 5 p.m. until midnight on Dec. 31, will offer diners a $75 prix fixe, four-course dinner. Music lovers can enjoy a night at Park Bench, which will treat guests to a live piano show at 6 p.m. and a DJ set after 9 p.m. General admission starts at $35 and includes party favors and a champagne toast. Tickets are limited; and private tables are available for purchase. Additionally, guests should pop into the Battery Plaza, where they will find free entertainment, including live bands and countdown celebrations at 8 p.m. and midnight.
And note: if you are in search of those traditional big party vibes, Live! at Battery Atlanta provides just that for the 21+ crowd (private booths are available for purchase).
See individual websites for more details. Dec. 31. The Battery Atlanta, 800 Battery Ave. SE, Atlanta. batteryatl.com, cruwinebar.com, parkbenchbattery.com, liveatthebatteryatlanta.com.
Big Fun for the Little Ones
Forget the 21 and older demographic, the true party animals drink juice boxes and have early bedtimes (as any parent can attest). So, allow your petite party people to burn off some energy at the Children’s Museum of Atlanta, which is hosting a kid-friendly New Year’s Bubble Bash. With two session options (9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-4:30 p.m.), the Bubble Bash will feature a DJ, noisemaker and party hat crafts, bubble wrap popping and more. Advance purchase is required.
Session A: 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or Session B: 1:30-4:30 p.m. Dec. 31. $22 per person or $10 per person for museum members. Children’s Museum of Atlanta, 275 Centennial Olympic Park Drive NW, Atlanta. 404-659-5437, childrensmuseumatlanta.org.
Credit: Handout
Credit: Handout
Renewed for the New Year
Leave all your tensions in the past, and start your 2022 anew by booking a spa stay at Chateau Elan. Their special New Year’s Romantic Spa Escape includes a two-night stay, an intimate four-course dinner at Fleur de Lis, choice of spa treatment and breakfast for two.
But if a low-key spa weekend isn’t your lane, then the resort is also offering luxe and lively options with their additional NYE packages, which include overnight stays, dinner, champagne toasts and admission to their cocktail gala and afterparty.
See website for package details and pricing. Chateau Elan, 100 Rue Charlemagne, Braselton. 678-425-0900, chateauelan.com.
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