Where to Go If You’re…
…a Rock-and-Roll Geek
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 W. 34th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-485-1534
The self-made Brooklyn quintet wrap up a stellar year with a performance of contagiously popular rock ditties.
• Time: 9:30 p.m.
• Price: $35–$42
…a Velvet-Rope Vaulter
Capitale’s Fourth Annual New Year’s Eve Gala
130 Bowery, nr. Grand St.; 212-334-5500
A busy, boozy bacchanal with drop-ins (if you’re lucky) from celebrities du jour.
• Time: 7 p.m.–6 a.m.
• Price: $150; $200 VIP access; $275 VIP Table
…a WNYC Subscriber
Radio 4
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St., nr. Essex St.; 212-260-4700
You’ll probably be hungover during Brian Lehrer’s January 1 broadcast, so catch this NYC raggae-punk band for an edifying dose of politics.
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Price: $25
…a Graying Grup
Ida, With Mates of State
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., nr. Church St.; 212-219-3132
If you shop at Brooklyn Industries but you like to get to bed before midnight, catch Ida at 7:30 p.m. The openers’ lovely, textured avant-garde rock might just upstage the headlining Mates of State.
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Price: $20
…a $20 Martini Quaffer
Tribeca Grand 2007 Party
2 Ave. of the Americas, at White St.; 212-519-6600
There’s a ball-dropping at midnight, but Times Square seems a million miles away at this glam hotel affair.
• Time: 9 p.m.–1 a.m.
• Price: $149–$249
…a Bernhard Diehard
Sandra Bernhard: New Year’s Weekend
Joe’s Pub, 425 Lafayette St., nr. Astor Pl.; 212-539-8777
The foul-mouthed comedienne disses the year that was with inimitable style.
• Time: 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
• Price: $45–$150
…a CBGB Refugee
Patti Smith
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St., nr. Bowery; 212-533-2111
Another year. Another concert. And a punk poetess who’s like no other.
• Time: 9 p.m.
• Price: $40–$55
…a Sucker for the Old TRL
The Official Carson Daly New Year’s Eve Party
Roseland Ballroom; 239 W. 52nd St., nr. Broadway; 212-247-0200
The biggest and most affordable of the city’s big-box celebrations, pre-hosted by 50 Cent and joined by the invincible Carson Daly after midnight.
• Time: 9 p.m.–4 a.m.
• Price: $35 general admission; $85 seated VIP
…a Union Square Bongo Banger
New Years Eve Late-Night U-Melt
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., nr. Church St.; 212-219-3132
These prog-rock groovers’ last album was stonerifically titled The I’s Mind. Plus they jam for, like, seven hours, which will transport you deep into the New Year.
• Time: 2 a.m.
• Price: $20 advanced; $25 day of show
…a Bushwick Blogger
Return of the 12 Hour Party People
Williamsburg White Room,S. 3rd St. at Roebling St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
With Filter Magazine sponsoring and disco-punkers Foreign Islands playing, this sun-down-to-sun-up blowout promises to be the ultimate year end destination for indie rock scenesters.
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Price: $15
Additional reporting by Amos Barshad.