Bars, restaurants ready for their first NYE celebration
If you’re looking to ring in the new year on Dec. 31, there’s no better way to do it than going somewhere new. These bars and restaurants all opened in 2012 and are gearing up to make their first New Year’s Eve memorable.
Ÿ The Chubby Bullfrog, 1959 Huntley Road, West Dundee, (224) 699-9432; thechubbybullfrog.com
Time: 8 p.m.
Price: $75
Fill up on a buffet of pasta and chicken and enjoy an open bar while a DJ spins. At midnight the open bar ends, but there will still be more food including sliders.
Ÿ EvenFlow Music & Spirits, 302 W. State St., Geneva, (331) 248-0269; evenflowmusic.com
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: $10
Cover band Spoken Four plays tunes from the 1950s, Top 40 hits and everything in between. Admission includes a champagne toast.
Ÿ Pinstripes, 7 Oakbrook Center Mall, Oak Brook, (630) 575-8700; pinstripes.com
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Price: No cover
If you’ve got kids, come to Pinstripes for dinner, bowling and bocce ball and an early countdown at 8 p.m. complete with party favors and a balloon drop. Adults can come later and share a free champagne toast at midnight. Saxophonist Ray Silkman performs all night.
Ÿ Kings Lanes, Lounge & Sport, 5505 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 233-0099; kingsrosemont.com
Time: 9 p.m.
Price: No cover
You can bowl, play billiards and dance to tunes from a DJ while watching music videos and the ball drop on more than 60 HDTVs and projector screens. The spot is also giving out party favors and a champagne toast. Party packages are available if you’ve got a group of nine or more.
Ÿ Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, 5441 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 678-0088; countrybaril.com
Time: 8 p.m.
Price: $25
Nick Lynch takes the stage at 9:30 p.m. at the country bar’s bash, which includes a midnight champagne toast. You can order from the regular food or drink menu or opt for one of their food and drink packages. The $75 dinner package includes rib-eye, salmon or pork chops with salad and dessert, and you can add open bar access for another $75. For a really special night out, the $350 per couple gold package gets you both dinner and the open bar with seating in the upstairs VIP area, which provides a great view of the midnight fireworks show.
Ÿ Five Roses Pub, 5509 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 233-0077; fiverosespub.com
Time: 10 p.m.
Price: No cover
DJ Buddha spins at this party, which includes a champagne toast and a balloon drop.
Ÿ Fresco 21, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont, (847) 447-4275; fresco21.com
Time: 5 p.m.
Price: $60
Chef de Cuisine Cameron Grant prepares a three-course dinner with options including cream of winter squash, ratatouille tortellini, mustard-braised Wagyu short ribs and Moscato sorbet.
Ÿ Bakersfield, 330 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont, (630) 568-3615; bakersfieldrestaurant.com
Time: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Price: Varies
If you’re looking for a pre-party dinner, check out one of the special dishes offered in addition the restaurant’s regular menu such as barrel cut filet prepared Oscar-style or a mix of East and West Coast oysters. All diners get a flute of champagne.