Nightlife

Holy Night

The Hot List: 2012 Holiday Parties

Your holiday party planning is coming along nicely. (Once a troupe of elves agrees to build your two-story ice luge, the rest pretty much takes care of itself.) But still, one thing remains: a place to host your soiree. So in the spirit of giving, here are six.

THE BRICK HOUSE

Off the Grid

You Require: Something low-profile.
You’ll Receive: From the street, this former power station still looks the part. Red brick, lots of steel, very industrial. But inside, it’s three floors of polished concrete and black leather, so go wild. Nobody can hear you scream (or carol, for that matter).

THE TRIPLE THREAT

The Venue at 400 North Ervay

You Require: A grand hall, a courtroom and a rooftop garden. Though not necessarily in that order.
You’ll Receive: A three-pronged party space right in the middle of Downtown. We’re partial to the rooftop, with its lounge chairs, majestic cityscape views and liberal BYO hot tub policy (okay, it’s sort of an unwritten policy).

THE CELLAR DWELLER

The Cellar at Perry’s Steakhouse

You Require: A wine-heavy underground hideout.
You’ll Receive: Your very own subterranean bunker for consuming bone-in rib eyes and endless glasses of cabernet. Claim a chair and a seafood tower, and dig in for the long haul. You’ve got enough wine to go the distance.

THE CHAMPAGNE ROOM

Candleroom

You Require: Something with leather couches and a roaring fire.
You’ll Receive: A low-lit lounge with a full bar, a stone fireplace and cozy banquettes. Find a quiet corner near the back, or make the rounds spreading tidings of joy/vodka cocktails.

THE BLANK SLATE

Old Red Museum

You Require: A stunner of a 120-year-old courthouse on the National Register of Historic Places. Wow, that’s specific.
You’ll Receive: A museum below, but a hardwood space up top with views of Downtown. That’s where you’ll be. Invite a few hundred friends, and transform the bare canvas into something special. And A Christmas Story–themed.

THE SAFE HOUSE

Hi/Lo at the Mason Bar

You Require: A subsurface cocktail den for clandestine drinking.
You’ll Receive: A below-deck lair of brown booths, candlelight and Prohibition-era drinks. Reserve it, and you’ll have the run of the place. You can even book your own entertainment... or just throw on the old Santa suit.