Usher in 2017 at a new suburban bar
This has been a particularly crazy year, but it's time for a fresh start as we head into 2017. Declare out with the old and celebrate New Year's Eve with live music, food or drink specials and other festivities at one of these new suburban spots.
<b>At Work Sports Bar & Grill,</b> 1190 E. Higgins Road, Elk Grove Village, (847) 871-9490, atworksportsbar.com: Classic rock band Big D and the Nomads plays from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. There's no cover so you can save your money to order a 200 milliliter bottle of Korbel Brut for $10.
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Bub City and Joe's Live,</b> 5441 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 261-0399, bub-city.com/Rosemont: Feast on a barbecue dinner buffet paired with premium drinks, domestic beer and wine, bubbly and soda while you watch a performance by Rod Tuffcurls and the Bench Press. The party starts at 9 p.m. and a confetti blast goes off at midnight followed by a late-night breakfast buffet. Tickets cost $99, or $180 if you want a spot on the VIP balcony. It includes $10 off Bub City's New Year's Day brunch.
<b>Downers Sand Club Sports Bar & Grill,</b> 1211 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, (708) 497-9689, downerssandclub.com: DJs play a mix of drum and bass, techno and house music on three stages so you can dance the night away and celebrate the end of the year with a midnight champagne toast. Music begins at 7 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. Cover is $15 before 10 p.m. and $20 after.
<b>Empire Burgers + Brew,</b> 48 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville, (630) 355-9000, empireburgerbar.com: Cover band The Student Body plays party music hits starting at 9:30 p.m. Admission is $20 or you can reserve a four-person table for $200. Both options include a champagne toast at midnight.
<b>I.C.E. Invitation to Class & Elegance,</b> 30 DuPage Court, Elgin, (630) 649-1160, ice-invitationtoclassandelegance.com: Get dressed up for a bash featuring music from PTP and DJ Dre, a comedian and drink specials. Admission is $30 in advance or $40 at the door and includes party favors, a champagne toast and appetizers. Doors open at 9 p.m.
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Leland Legends Pub & Grill,</b> 1 S. Stolp Ave., Aurora, (630) 264-5000, lelandlegends.com: Raise a toast with a $5 champagne cocktail, $2 pint of Miller Lite or Bud Light, or $6 Death By Chocolate martini and share a recap of your year with friends while snacking on a plate of half-price nachos. There's no cover and the bar offers prizes and giveaways all night long plus a free midnight champagne toast.
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Lucky Star,</b> 1175 W. Lake St., Bartlett, (630) 830-7200, luckystarbar.com: Take a line dance lesson and then show off your new skills when Cowboy Jukebox takes the stage at 10 p.m. to play modern country and top 40 hits. For $25 you'll get admission and a dinner buffet from 7 to 9 p.m. and you can also add a call drink package if you pay $45. If you want to come later, $35 gets you the drinks from 9 p.m. to midnight.
<b>McBride's North,</b> 2340 S. Eola Road, Aurora, (630) 692-9606, mcbridespubandgrille.com: Enjoy music from DJ Tommy Corona, a free champagne toast and sandwiches at midnight, and drink specials including $10 domestic buckets and $3.50 bombs. The party goes from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and the bar will provide discount codes for Uber so you can get home safely.
<b>Old Town Pour House,</b> 1703 Freedom Drive, Naperville, (630) 448-6020, oldtownpourhouse.com/naperville: A video DJ provides music while you dine on specials including quinoa-crusted corvina with lemon-marinated lump crab meat ($21), braised beef ribs with broccolini ($25) and braciole made with flank steak, provolone, egg, Italian sausage and served with tomato sauce and house-made Parmesan gnocchi ($27). There's no cover and the restaurant serves complimentary champagne at midnight.