I’ve indulged in the $15 2-hour open bar deal before, twice in fact. Last year it was at Royal. It can get a little crowded towards midnight, but both bars are great so it’s worth it.
Plus, you pick the two hours — you could do 9-11, 10-12, 11:30-1:30, etc. — so it’s flexible, which is great.
Call the bar of your choosing for more info.
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James Restaurant in Bella Vista is putting on a special New Year’s Eve five-course, prix-fixe menu complete with hawaiin prawn tempura, express- braised short rib ragu, bluenose bass, and extras like caviar, foie gras and exquisitely delicious cheese. $85 for five courses.
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North Bowl in Northern Liberties
Who doesn’t love a little bowling?? I know I’m jealous I won’t be going here.
“NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY 8pm-2am - The party keeps rolling… First come, first serve on the lanes. A bottle of Freixenet Blanc Champagne at $30 and $2.00 Miller High Life all night long. Group toast at Midnight! DJ Carl will take control of the decks….”
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National Mechanics in Old City could be a great option for you. Great bar. Close to fireworks. Etc.
From Foobooz:
No cover, noise makers and champagne toast for all. Or get a table and for $75 per guest you get top shelf from 9 to 1 plus a bottle of Moet and Chandon White Star for the table.
Definitely a legit option.
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Bill Burke lll & Bill Burke lV “Little Billy”
It’s the day before the big show. At the PA Convention Center, you’ll find nervous jitters, dancing critters and rainbow glitters. From young to old, everyone has gathered yet another year to get their fancy on. As the performers, handlers, and artists put the finishing touches on their numbers, we pulled aside a few good men who aren’t afraid to take to the streets clad in tights, feathers and make-up.
Name:
Bill Burke lll & Bill Burke lV “Little Billy”
Age:
29 & 10 months
Occupation:
CPA
Brigade Affiliation:
Golden Crown NYB
Theme this Year:
“SeaCret of the Deep”
How many years have you been a Mummer?
26. This is the little Billy’s first one.
Practice hours logged:
“Two days a week for three months”
Most memorable routine theme:
“Cats” back in 1985. It was unbelievable, my dad was sensational!”
Funniest or most embarrassing moment?
“One time the music stopped, but I kept dancing. I missed my cue to exit and my dad was like stop! I was six. This is the little one’s first time, and he’s going to be a lobster.”
Why do you do it?
My dad is a Mummer. I grew up with this stuff. It’s in my blood. It’s all about Family, Friends, Faith and Features”
What’s your favorite part?
The dancing, the showmanship – You’ll be able to pick me out, I really get into it.
—
Name:
Nicholas Laska
Age:
26
Occupation:
Stagehand
Brigade Affiliation:
Saturnalians NYB
Theme this Year:
“UBAR: The Forgotten City of the Sands”
How many years have you been a Mummer?
24 years!
Practice hours logged:
Four hours a week for 24 weeks.
Most memorable routine theme:
“Marionettes in Motion” – 1986 Dude, we got a perfect score!
Funniest or most embarrassing moment?
I accidentally cursed out loud and it was covered on TV! I was just so pumped up!
Why do you do it?
My father’s been doing it for 30 years. It’s just part of us.
What’s your favorite part?
I really like the prep work that goes into it and the happiness it brings to Philadelphians and also those visiting our great city.
—
Name:
Robert Finnigan - Visual Designer/Costumes & Props - Past performer too
Age:
66
Occupation:
Designing sets and costumes for this annual event is my full-time hobby. Years ago I was the visual marketing retail director for quintessential Philadelphia stores like Wannamaker’s and Gimbels.
Brigade Affiliation:
I have worked with all the string bands and brigades!
How many years have you played such an important role with this organization?
I have been involved since I was 16 – since 1959! My dad was in the Navy yard at that time and his friends were in a string band. I got recruited to help them with their costumes because I loved to draw as a student at Cherry Hill West. (I ended up taking design at Columbia U.)
Most embarrassing moment?:
Back in ‘72 I committed to being in two performances as a mummer! That meant I had to march up Broad Street twice. Well, my timing was off because I was late for the second performance. I ended up running 8 blocks to catch up to the band…clad in nothing but my long johns and gold boots – yes, it was captured on camera.
What are you most proud of?:
Well, I’m proud that my hard work and artistry has led to 22 first prizes through the years.
50 years is a long time! What do you think about the way the performances have changed throughout the years?
You know, back then we were 64 men with Bagpipes. Now, there are a lot of high-tech features and special effects woven through the performances. Things rise, twist, light up and smoke. Technically, I think it’s wonderful – really entertaining. Tradition has its place (especially with regard to the string bands) but the crowd really gets excited with the artistry, showmanship and drama of it all. It’s just a spectacular thing to witness, especially as a family!
To get completely Mummerfied, log on to www.fancybrigade.com. There you’ll find details on all New Year’s Day celebrations and events! The Comics start at Broad and Washington at 10:00 a.m. The Fancies start at Broad and Morris at 10:30 a.m. The String Bands and the Fancy Brigades start at Broad and Oregon at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively.
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Another stand-out option for New Year’s Eve dinner is Southwark at 4th and Bainbridge.
They have a six-course tasting menu for $85, $120 with wine pairing.
Southwark New Years Eve 2008 - Menu Overview
1st
Mushroom Consommé, Veal Stuffed Leek
2006 Rully, Louis Picamelot2nd
Housemade Penne, Moulard Duck, Quail Egg, Herbs
2006 Chardonnay, Kooyong “Clonale”3rd
Seared Scallop, Foie Gras, Smoked Caviar, Preserved Orange
2005 Sept Grains, Barmès Buecher4th
Steak, Salsify, Grilled Apple
2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Beckmen Vineyards5th
Baby Herb Salad, Brandied Plum, Cheese, Nut Tuille
2005 Tempranillo, Ercavio, Más Que Vinos6th
Dried Fruit Cake, Almond Ice Cream, Cranberry Sauce
Madeira, Boston Bual, Rare Wine Co.$85 per person | $120 with wine pairing
Some items may change due to availability
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Supper on South Street is hosting a five-course prix-fixe New Year’s Eve Dinner.
Bonus: You’ll be a short walk away from Penn’s Landing to watch the fireworks display at midnight.
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Thinking about getting a last minute hotel deal in Center City? A quick check of rates on the gophila.com hotel booking engine powered by Travelocity returned some great rates at some equally great Center City hotels.
Here are some rates we just found.
Broad Street, perfect for waking up with the Mummers:
Ritz Carlton - $299
Park Hyatt - $325
Doubletree - $259
Elsewhere:
Loews - $249
Marriott - $259
*Radisson Warwick - $189*
Holiday Inn Express Midtown - $159
Hampton Inn - $150
CLICK HERE to check rates and book your stay.
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Alright, so we’ve had plenty of New Year’s Eve party-related posts up here on Uwish in the past few weeks. Now, here’s a New Year’s Day related one. And this party won’t cost you hundreds of dollars. This one is free.
Let’s be honest here. There are two ways most of us spend our New Year’s Day. Either at the Mummer’s Parade or recovering from New Year’s Eve. Or hey, if you’re a true Philadelphian, you’re doing both, and you haven’t slept yet.
On New Year’s Day, the Kimmel Center will be opening their doors and offering up plenty of free entertainment and music. In the Commonwealth Plaza, you’ll find everything from face-painting for kids to martinis for adults.The entertainment and face painting is free, but the brunch will cost you.
You can learn more about the Kimmel’s New Year’s Day events over on their website. Take a look! It’s a great place to spend part of the day.
New Year’s @ The Kimmel
www.kimmelcenter.org/news/item.php?item=2008-12-15
Kimmel Center
260 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102
www.kimmelcenter.org
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New Years Eve
If previous years are any indication, some of the hottest 30-something young professionals in the city will be spending New Year’s Eve at the Crystal Tea Room at the 3rd Annual 12Midnight New Year’s Eve Celebration. The 9pm-2am party will shake, rattle and roll with a top-shelf open bar, heavy on the fancy snacks, all the champagne you can drink.
No detail has been left out for this black-tie optional gala, which also includes party favors, a professional photographer, complimentary coat check and a to-go water/coffee/dessert station. There’s a silent auction to benefit CHOP, and a free trolley will carry revelers who don’t want the night to end to an after-party at Zee Bar (extra ticket required).
1,400 tickets have already been sold but there are a few left, on sale for $125. There’s also a VIP option for $175, which buys you guaranteed seating in a private lounge, an extra hour of open bar, gourmet food stations and a dedicated DJ.
This is where I’ll be tonight. Look for me. You know, the one wearing the black dress and sipping a cocktail
Crystal Tea Room, Wanamaker Building
100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA
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Upstairs at Johnny Brenda
You have two options at Johnny Brenda’s for NYE:
Upstairs: Patern is Movement will be playing live Upstairs, followed by DJs after midnight — $5 cover. Info.
Downstairs: “Lush Puppy and Reggie Ryder bring you the finest in special drinks and fashionality! [Sic] With DJ Brian Sokel from 9pm-2am! No cover!” Info.
CLICK HERE for more info.
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Tria in Washington Square West
Both Tria locations are keeping it low-key for New Year’s Eve, offering neither a prix-fix menu nor an open bar party. So if you’re looking a more laid back New Year’s, Tria may be a perfect choice…
No $100 per plate surf & turf special. No tacky decorations. No forced whoopin’ it up. Stop by Tria before, after or for your main event and add a touch of festive chill to your New Year’s Eve celebration.
Toast the new year with three trios of our favorite sparkling wines, luscious cheeses and celebratory beers in addition to our regular menus.
CLICK HERE for more info.
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The newest bar in Northern Liberties, El Camino Real in Northern Liberties, is hosting a New Year’s Eve party to help you get to know it better. From PaperStreet:
“After his homerun success at Bar Ferdinand, restaurateur & designer Owen Kamiraha has just opened El Camino Real next door. El Camino is half Mexican and half Texan. It is an amazing bar, it feels like it’s from a 1920’s cowboy movie. They have everything you need on NYE with over The 40 Tequilas & 50 Whiskeys on the menu.”
Cover for the NYE party is only $5 if you rsvp in advance…
CLICK HERE for more information.
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New Years Eve
Photo by R. Kennedy for GPTMC
If New Year’s Eve just doesn’t feel like a party to you without fireworks, you might want to head on down to Hibachi to meet up with a young professional crowd who will be dancing away the night away. Then they’ll bring their champagne glasses to the glass windows to admire the city’s midnight fireworks display and usher in 2009 while hugging and kissing their friends – old and new.
This party is hosted by Jellybeene Productions and NYE Philly, the same people who bring you the annual NYE galas at the National Constitution Center and the Crystal Tea Room, as well as the Hair O’ the Dog bash in January. Individual tickets start at $105 and tickets for a waterfront table for your group cost up to $125 per person. 400 tickets have already been sold and there are only about 100 left.
Everyone who goes to this party will receive invitations to attend open-bar “reunion parties” at various venues throughout the year.
Hibachi, Penn’s Landing
325 Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106
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Our pals over at Foobooz have posted a rather comprehensive New Years Eve guide to dining, drinking, and all-around partying here in Philadelphia. They’ve even got a handy little key that lets you know more about each pick. Is there a champagne toast or an open bar? Is the place vegan friendly? A BYOB? Etc. Etc.
Take a look, and see why I’m jealous that I didn’t think of this myself. Well done Arthur!
Foobooz New Years Eve Guide
www.foobooz.com/2008/12/new-years-eve-guide
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