Metro Detroit New Year's Eve Party Round-Up
By Christy Strawser
CBS Detroit Managing Editor
Remember those forced holiday get togethers with ugly reindeer sweaters and Grandma's special Jell-O ? Your reward comes this weekend when New Year's Eve lets you do whatever you want with whomever you want.
Whether you prefer glitz and glamour or a low-key buffet, rocking out or smoothing it out with jazz, salsa dancing or lounging with friends, a champagne brunch or pizza -- it doesn't matter.
There's something for everyone to do in metro Detroit. Here's our round-up of some of the biggest, best New Year's Eve parties in the area.
Dearborn
Expect a champagne explosion at this party that takes over the Hyatt Regency, 600 Town Center, Dearborn. Live entertainment here will include acrobatic acts, comedy, fortune tellers, a photo booth, and more. Tickets are $109. Get them here. A buffet opens at 1 a.m., hors d'ouevres are served starting at 9 p.m., champagne pops at midnight.
Detroit
Roberts Riverwalk Hotel & Residence, 1000 River Place Drive, in a beautiful historic setting overlooking the Detroit River, is holding a soiree 8 p.m.- 4am. A special New Years Eve package includes an hors d' oeuvres reception, two complimentary drinks, party favors and live entertainment, a champagne toast at midnight and a 1 a.m. buffet breakfast.
Party packages are $75 per person, $140 per couple. For more information or to make a reservation, contact
the hotel sales department directly at 313-262-4515.
The Drop
Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh will emcee "The Drop," a party that starts at 9 p.m. at the Compuware Atrium and Hard Rock Café. The party will include a midnight ball drop, with a 7-foot-tall LED sign dropping from 100 feet in the air.
"The Drop" this year will be located on Woodward Avenue facing Campus Martius and everyone is invited to watch it fall New York City style. DJ Psycho of the Detroit Techno Militia and DJ RC, with a Midnight special DJ set from Paradime of Kid Rock's Twisted Brown Trucker Band will perform. Drinks, food, psychic readings, and a light show all encompassed in the Compuware Atrium.
Private cabanas are also available which will include fare from Small Plates Detroit, Just Baked Cupcakes, Peteet's Cheesecakes with bottle service and a private server. After midnight the entire audience inside this soiree will be treated to complimentary American Coney Island Coneys.
This year The Heat and Warmth Fund (THAW) will receive a portion of the ticket proceeds from the event.
Tickets are available here. This indoors portion of the event is 21 and over, though all ages are welcomed outside to watch the "D" drop at midnight. Tickets to the Compuware/Hard Rock party are $95 until Friday; $120 on New Year's Eve.
The Works
About a dozen DJs will ring in the New Year in style at this Corktown party at 1846 Michigan Avenue, Detroit, headlined by Afrobeta. Expect every kind of music you've ever heard. Cost is $20 at the door. And be sure to pace yourself because this party gyrates on until 6 a.m. Call 313-961-1742.
Ferndale
If you want to party, we mean really, really party -- put Boogie Fever on your list. Boogie Fever, on Woodward in downtown Ferndale, is hosting a party complete with DJs, dancing, party favors, a champagne toast and a late-night pizza buffet. Cover is $30 at the door.
Lincoln Park
A New Years Eve Music Comedy Jam Fundraiser will happen 8 p.m.-1 .m. at the Park Diamond Banquet Center, 25160 Outer Drive, Lincoln Park.
The event features a performance by Detroit's queen of the blues Thornetta Davis, and Star Search comedy award winner Horace HB Sanders. A VIP reception, buffet dinner, and silent auction round out the night. It's a fundraiser for the Lincoln Park Rotary Club, which provides community services. Cost is $70 per person. For tickets, call Jerry Sawicki at 734-216-2433 or email jerry@douglaselectricco.com.
Mount Clemens
Let the Emerald Ballroom show you there's no party like an east side party with its New Year's Eve event starting at 9 p.m. Visit http://www.emeraldtheatre.com/ for information on VIP packages and more.
Pontiac
Host George Stager III, Mike Anthony, Jay Towers, Byran Chin, Matt A, & Eric Allen Lenz have teamed up for what they're billing as "the official New Years Eve party in Detroit."
Marriott Centerpoint, 3555 Centerpoint, Pontiac, will be transformed with hors d'oeuvres, specialty drinks, dancing and live entertainment for more than 1,400 revelers. Get tickets here.
Royal Oak
Visit the Royal Oak Music Theatre, 318 W. Fourth, starting at 9 p.m. for "The Countdown," a party with appearances by Ben Sharkey, Free Beer and DJs Simon Matty and Chuck Hollywood. The event includes party favors, dancing, a midnight champagne toast and balloon drop. VIP tickets are $50 each and include five drink tickets and balcony seating; general admission is $25. The bar is cash. Get tickets here.
Salsa Explosion
Visit Sangria at Fourth and Lafayette in Royal Oak for all the Latin heat you can stand, including music, fiery food and dancing. Cover is $15. Call 248-543-1964 for reservations or visit http://www.sangriaroyaloak.com/.
Southgate
Downriver's largest New Year's Eve party happens at Crystal Gardens, 16703 Fort Street, featuring live entertainment, and the "supreme buffet" with chef carved roast prime rib of beef flambe, chicken cordon bleu with champagne sauce, Italian sausage and meatballs, breaded pork tenderloin, shrimp bowtie alfredo, and more. There will also be a flowing chocolate fountain at the pastry table at a continental breakfast starting at 1 a.m.
Must be at least 21 years of age to attend and proper attire is required. Get tickets here.
Troy
The Met Hotel, 5500 Crooks, Troy, will host an extravaganza in a 12,000-square-foot ballroom complete with a martini bar, fancy hors d'oeuvres, a "confetti storm" and a live broadcast of the ball drop in Times Square. There will be live entertainment and a karaoke room. Get tickets here.
Warren
The Alexander Zonjic New Year's Eve event begins at 7 p.m. with dinner at 8 p.m. at the Andiamo Celebrity Showroom, 7096 E. 14 Mile, Warren. Call 586-268-3200 or visit http://www.andiamoitalia.com/. Tickets cost $99-$125 and include dinner, an open bar, dancing, party favors and all that jazz -- plus actual jazz.
Looking for some Middle East style fun? Check out the St. Sharbel Maronite Church New Year's Eve party. It kicks off at 8 p.m. at the St. Sharbel Banquet Center, 31601 Schoenherr Road, Warren. Tickets are $70 per person and includes music, dinner, a champagne toast, and breakfast. It's BYOB. Get tickets here.
It's also a great party for parents of teens: Because a second lock-in party is being hosted at the same place from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. for teens 13 to 19 years old. Tickets for the teen party are $25 each.
