Okay, breath a sigh of relief. The crazy holiday shopping frenzy and commiserating around the dinner table with challenging in-laws is over! Now it’s party time! Where do you want to be when that big beautiful glittery New Year’s Eve ball makes it descent into 2018? Perhaps you want a night of music and dancing? Or something a little fancier and more highbrow to celebrate a memorable event or life goal with that special someone? Maybe a little indoor sports action with family and friends? For whatever your New Years’ Eve vibe read on for some suggestions for what’s going on right here this side of the Pawcatuck River.
Knickerbocker: The Duke is back! Duke Robillard and his band rock in the New Year at The Knickberbocker Café. Its blues and booze as Duke comes back to his musical roots to bring the house down. Duke has been a local musical legend throughout RI and internationally since the 60’s, performing with bands such as Roomful of Blues as well as solo and was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2014. Jazz, blues, and rock n roll jams will fill the air at “The Knick” on New Year’s Eve. Doors open at 7 p.m., show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets required.
Ocean House: Feeling a little Bondish? James Bond that is. Inspired by the international charmer himself, the Ocean House is hosting a gala 007 black-tie affair featuring musical bands Body & Soul and Java, gourmet hors-d’oeuvres, a raw bar, and dessert stations and complimentary cocktails starting at 7:30 pm until 1 am. Stay over in one of their luxurious rooms or come back for the New Years Day brunch for a buffet and a la carte items and a dessert display sure to please. Seatings are offered from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Reservations required.
Weekapaug Inn: If you’re feeling a little more foodie, the Weekapaug Inn will host their Chef’s final masterpiece of the year five-course meal in the Garden Room as music fills the festive air. This year a bagpiper will be part of the enchanted evening and dancing will be featured in the Sea Room where dessert and coffee will keep you going until the New Years’ Eve toast at midnight. “It’s a magical event, where we are continuing the traditions of what our guests enjoy,” says Laurie Hobbs, Group Director, Public Relations and Marketing. Reservations required.
Alley Katz: Dust off those bowling shoes and round up the family for a cosmic game of bowling at Alley Katz. Party like its going to be 2018 with unlimited bowling from 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and a champagne toast for the adults. “This is our annual family-friendly celebration,” says Manager David Foss.
And on the Flip Side: Get out that gold and come celebrate at Flip Side, Westerly’s first and only pinball bar, for their Solid Gold New Years’ Eve Party from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dress in any type of gold gear and receive a commemorative Flip Side pin and a free game of pinball. A guest DJ will be spinning tunes from the Golden Age of Hip Hop until the wee hours of 2018 as you enjoy watching the pinball machines light up your score.
Clydesdale Tavern: Westerly’s secret hideaway spot will feature free jukebox music all night long, a champagne toast and free dinner from 7 p.m. to whenever the food and fun starts to wind down. Rack’em up at the pool table, get sandy with hand shuffleboard, or play a little table tennis, owner Rose Turdo just wants people to “come in and have fun.”
Let’s Skate! The Washington Trust Community Skating Rink will be open New Year’s Eve night and what better way to start your celebration than with a cup of hot chocolate, under a starry sky, slicing through the ice. The rink will be open from 1-9pm for public skate, which leaves plenty of time to see where the rest of the night takes you into the New Year!
