The weekend is taking it to eleven.
Ancient Japanese custom calls on specific rituals to ring in the new year. Among them: drinking sake to ward off evil spirits and ringing a bell 108 times to absolve the year’s 108 sins. We figure absolving a few sins can’t hurt—especially when a five-course dinner with garlic crab noodles, raw oysters and copious amounts of sake is involved.
The typical American New Year’s custom, on the other hand, involves a sharp focus on all-around revelry. Hence the S.O.S. party that’s like a throwback to Studio 54, with go-go dancers, flowing cocktails and bubbly, and a six-foot unicorn ice sculpture that doubles as a vodka luge. Nothing says New Year’s like a unicorn luge.
If you find yourself low on bubbly tomorrow, well, come here. You’ll be able to arm yourself with endlessly pouring sparkling wines from France’s Champagne region. It’s as close to being in Champagne as you’ll get, short of a flight to France.
A modern take on the Dickensian tradition of a goose feast along the lines of A Christmas Carol, Bar Agricole’s five-course dinner will include that featured bird along with a fair amount of rum and tequila. So while it might take you back a few centuries, you’ll still end up ahead.
Working on the theory that nothing beats a hangover better than Bloody Marys and barbecue, the crew at Absinthe is providing just that. Expect BBQ Sirloin Steak Tips as well as sides like mac and cheese. They’ll also have champagne cocktails at the ready—in case you haven’t gotten your fill.
There’s nothing like a few $5 margaritas, mojitos and sangria to kick off the new year. At least that’s the philosophy over at Maya. Every night, in addition to drink specials, they’ll have a $2 taco menu with pork belly, mahimahi and nopalitos on hand. A philosophy we resolve to embrace fully.
