A few of the upcoming New Year’s Eve events in the Buffalo area, taking place Tuesday, December 31st, 2013.
First Night Buffalo – 5 to 10 p.m. at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, 153 Franklin St. in downtown Buffalo. It’s Buffalo’s biggest drug- and alcohol-free New Year’s Eve celebration, with family activities throughout the evening. Tickets are $8 in advance at WNY Wegmans stores, children 2 and under are free; tickets will be $10 at the door.
Hard Rock Café New Year’s Eve Guitar Drop – beginning at 8 p.m. at the Hard Rock Café Niagara Falls USA, 333 Prospect St. in Niagara Falls. The fifth annual Guitar Drop will feature a free outdoor concert from Living Colour with special guests Breakerbox and Randle & The Late Night Scandals. Food and beverages will be available on the street and in the Hard Rock Heated Party Tent, open to the general public.
New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Soiree – beginning at 8:30 p.m. at Acqua, 2192 Niagara St. in Buffalo. Admission includes four hours of open bar (9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.), hors d’oeuvres, champagne toast and midnight buffet. General admission tickets are $75 (limited seating or standing room), and VIP passes are available for $100 (guaranteed seat, private bar and food service and waitress service).
Statler City Ice Ball – at the Statler City, 107 Delaware Ave. (entrance will be on Franklin and Genesee Sts.) in downtown Buffalo. The third annual event will feature live music and DJs, food and beverages, and much more. The menu will include a Chilled Seafood Station and Salad Station, Carving Stations, a Whipped Potato Bar, a dinner buffet including Stuffed Shells, Poached Fillet of Salmon, Meatloaf Bites and more; there will also be a late-night menu of chicken fingers, pizza and deli sandwiches. Tickets include five hours of premium open bar, food, champagne toast and seating for all guests
NYE @ Banchetti – beginning at 7:30 p.m. at Banchetti by Rizzo’s, 550 N. French Rd. in Amherst. Features live music from Route 66, Big City Horns and Mike Nugent, food stations, five hours of open bar and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75 per person – call 716-691-4045 for more information and tickets.
Hyatt Regency Big Gatsby New Year’s Eve Party – 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Hyatt Regency Buffalo in downtown Buffalo. Features the 16-piece Buffalo Swing and Jazz Band, a costume and dance contest, five hours open bar, dinner buffet and more. Party only tickets are $99 per person, late night (after 10 p.m.) tickets are $49 per person and overnight packages are $299 per couple – call 716-855-4860 for party tickets and 1-800-223-1234 for overnight packages.
Gateway Harbor Ball Drop – beginning at 6 p.m. at Gateway Harbor in Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. Events include pub crawl (21-and-over), scavenger hunt, kids’ zones and fireworks – find more details at the event’s Facebook page.
Salvatore’s Mionetto Prosecco Bubbles Ball – at Salvatore’s Italian Gardens, 6461 Transit Rd. in Depew – $150 per person. Other packages available, including the Venetian Ballroom (open bar, hors d’oeuvres, dinner, DJ and more for $115 per person) and the Dining Room (four-course dinner menu starting at $55).
Samuel’s Grand Manor – beginning at 8 p.m. at Samuel’s Grande Manor, 8750 Main St. in Williamsville. Package includes open bar, champagne toast at midnight, music from the Boys of Summer and DJ Debbie, dinner and more – cost is $170 per couple.
Hotel Lafayette’s Great Gatsby Party – beginning at 8 p.m. at the Hotel Lafayette, 391 Washington St. in downtown Buffalo. Features open bar, live music and DJs, hors d’oeuvres, food stations, desserts and more. Tickets are $150 per person and are available through Eventbrite.