Ring in 2009 at these low-cost New Year's Eve celebrations
Last year, splurging for $100-per-person tickets for a New Year's Eve bash might have seemed like a good idea. Or at least feasible.
But if you don't want to spend the beginning of 2009 pinching pennies to make up for your party spending, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday. These budget bashes provide some financially guilt-free fun, no matter how you like to celebrate come Dec. 31.
Famous Freddie's, 1799 S. Busse Road, Mount Prospect; (847) 593-2200; famousfreddiesroadhouse.com
Rock the night away at Famous Freddie's with a performance by Bon Jovi tribute band Bad Medicine at 9 p.m. The $10 cover includes party favors, a champagne toast, a video countdown and balloon blasts. The bar is open until 3 a.m. and admission is based on space, so you might want to show up early.
Finn McCool's Irish Sports Pub, 72 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake; (815) 356-1155; finnmccoolschicago.com
It's hard to beat the price of free. There's no cover to this party, which runs from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Get in and start drinking early for a countdown to the new year in Ireland at 6 p.m. Then stick around for a DJ, party favors, a balloon drop, a video countdown and a midnight champagne toast.
Moretti's Ristorante and Pizzeria, 164 S. Route 12, Fox Lake; (847) 973-1800; morettischicago.com
Moretti's party for kids was so popular last year that they decided to do it again. Bring your family at 5 or 7:30 p.m. for a party featuring a pizza and pasta buffet for $9.99 for adults and $6.99 for kids. Festivities include a video countdown, balloon blasts, party favors and a DJ.
Lucky Strike Lanes, 100 Yorktown Center, Lombard; (630) 916-8681; bowlluckystrike.com
Whether you're going to Lucky Strike to bowl or just have some drinks and enjoy the vibe, you won't have to pay any cover on New Year's Eve. Drinks are cheap, too, with half-price Effen cocktails all night. There are no reservations taken, so show up early, with the added incentive of cheaper bowling before 5 p.m. at $4.95 per person, per game, or $30 to get a lane for an hour. After that you'll pay $5.95 per person or $45 to rent the lane, with $3.95 for shoe rentals. You must be 21 or older to be there after 9 p.m. and the party goes until 2 a.m.
McNally's Traditional Irish Pub, 201 E. Main St., St. Charles; (630) 513-6300; mcnallysirishpub.com
Come to McNally's early to celebrate the new year the Irish way with traditional Irish music from 5 to 7:30 and a champagne toast at 6 p.m. when midnight arrives in the Emerald Isle. After that, stick around for live music at 9 p.m. by Soda, a 1980s and '90s cover band. There's no admission fee and you'll have another champagne toast and a balloon drop at midnight.
Brookfield Zoo, 3300 Golf Road, Brookfield; (708) 688-8000; czs.org
From 6 to 8 p.m., Radio Disney will lead the celebration with music, games and prizes in the Holly Jolly Theater. The performance ends with an early countdown. The party is included in regular zoo admission, which is $11 for adults, $7 for kids ages 3-11 and seniors, and free for kids age 2 or younger. So come early and check out all of the animals while strolling along walkways illuminated by more than 1 million lights.