Guide to Celebrating New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve is a great night to go out, grab a bite and head to a bar or club to ring in the New Year. To ensure a safe and fun night, it's best to head to one area and stay put for a while. Which begs the question - where to go? Downtown and midtown Sacramento boast five areas that offer enough choices in the way of restaurants, bars and clubs that the only decision you'll have to make come New Year's Eve is who to kiss at midnight (sorry, we can't help you there!).
Downtown/L Street
Sacramento, CA
Just northeast of Capitol Park on L Street is a bevy of restaurants, clubs and bars where you can spend any evening, including New Year's Eve. While you can't go wrong at pretty much any given eatery in the neighborhood, we've singled out MIX Downtown, 3 Fires Lounge and The Park Ultra Lounge as the best spots where you can eat, drink and merry your way into 2012.
Insider tip: All three are swanky and sophisticated spots, so dress to impress.
MIX Downtown
1525 L Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 442-8899
Hours: Tues 4 p.m. – 12 a.m., Wed – Fri 4 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sat 6 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sun 8:30 p.m. – 2 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/54139-Mix-Downtown-Rooftop-Lounge
3 Fires Lounge
1501 L Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 267-6823
Hours: Sun – Thurs 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Fri 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Sat 5 p.m. – 12 a.m.
http://www.3fireslounge.com/
The Park Ultra Lounge
1116 15th Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 442-7222
Check website for event hours
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/54262-Park-Ultra-Lounge
Downtown/K Street
Sacramento, CA
Between 10th and 11th on K Street is a fairly new area that is already a local favorite—a veritable K Street trifecta, if you will, that covers all of one's food, beverage and fun needs for the night. That's right—I'm talking about District 30, Pizza Rock and Dive Bar, three fun ducks in a row ready and willing to show you a good time on New Year's Eve. (Insider tip: These spots are bound to get crowded as the New Year's Evening progresses, so head there early to ensure you'll get your fill of calzones and champagne before the clock strikes midnight.)
District 30
1016 K Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 737-5770
Hours: Wed – Sat 9:30 p.m. – 3 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/123708-District-30
Pizza Rock
1020 K Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 737-5777
Sun – Tues 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Wed 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Thurs – Sat 11 a.m. – 3 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/118019-Pizza-Rock
Dive Bar
1016 K Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 737-5999
Daily 4 p.m. – 3 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/118020-Dive-Bar-Fire-Safety
Lavender Heights
K and 20th streets
Sacramento, CA
Whether you're gay, bi or straight, there's always something to do in Sacramento's Lavender Heights neighborhood. Not only are two of the best dance clubs in Sacramento (that's Faces and Badlands, FYI) located here, but also there are plenty of places to grab dinner, whether you're in the mood for a slice of pizza, or you're thinking more along the lines of a gourmet bite. Our picks in Lavender Heights include Lounge On 20 and Luigi's for food and drink, and Badlands for ringing in the New Year on the dance floor.
Lounge On 20
1050 20th Street, #100
Sacramento, CA
(916) 443-6620
Tues – Wed 5 p.m. – 10 p.m., Thurs 5 p.m. – 12 a.m., Fri – Sat 5 p.m. – 2 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/52784-Lounge-On-20
Luigi's
1050 20th Street, #150
Sacramento, CA
(916) 447-1255
Mon – Wed, Sun 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Thurs 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Fri – Sat 11 a.m. – 2:30 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/52827-Luigis-Slice
Badlands
2003 K Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 448-8790
Mon – Thurs 6 p.m. – 2 a.m., Fri – Sat 5 p.m. – 2 a.m., Sun 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/118281-Badlands
Capitol and 18th Streets
Sacramento, CA
The area of Capitol and 18th streets is always vibrant and alive, probably due to all the great restaurants in such close proximity. Dining options run the gamut around here, and, if you're thirsty, there's a wine bar just around the corner. In other words, Capitol and 18th is the perfect spot for you to spend New Year's Eve eating and drinking the night away at The Press Bistro, Zocalo, and 58 Degrees & Holding.
The Press Bistro
1809 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA
(916) 444-2566
Tues – Wed, Sun 4 p.m. – 9 p.m., Thurs – Sat 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/86447-Press-Bistro
Zocalo
1801 Capitol Avenue
Sacramento, CA
(916) 441-0303
Mon – Wed 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Thurs 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Fri – Sat 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/52770-Zocalo
58 Degrees & Holding
1217 18th Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 442-5858
Mon – Wed 11 a.m. – 10 p.m., Thurs – Sun 11 a.m. – 12 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/52781-58-Degrees-Holding-Co
R Street Corridor
Sacramento, CA
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of midtown and downtown Sacramento, between 14th and 15th on R Street, is a great block that boasts diverse food, beverage and fun options. If you head here on New Year's Eve, your choices will include the laid back R15 (a bar), where you can shoot pool and grab a beer; the prohibition throwback Shady Lady, where you can enjoy a Gin Daisy; and the tasty and tempting Magpie Cafe between the two.
R15
1431 R Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 930-9090
Mon – Fri 11 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sat 10 a.m. – 2 a.m., Sun 9 a.m. – 2 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/52816-Cafe-Bernardo
The Shady Lady
1409 R Street #101
Sacramento, CA
(916) 231-9121
Mon – Fri 11 a.m. – 12 a.m., Sat – Sun 9 a.m. – 12 a.m.
http://directory.sacramento.cbslocal.com/directory/listing/100/52776-Shady-Lady
Magpie Cafe
1409 R Street
Sacramento, CA
(916) 452-7594
Mon – Sat 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
http://www.magpiecaterers.com/cafe
Juliet Farmer was born and raised in Sacramento, where she resides with her husband, two cats, and rescued greyhound. She is a freelance writer who regularly writes about food, pets, health and wellness, entertainment, and more.
