New Year’s Eve Survival Guide

Las Vegas is one of the best places in the world to ring in a New Year (they don’t call the celebration on the Strip “America’s Party” for nothing). Not only are the crowds huge as midnight approaches on Dec. 31, but the spirit is unusually festive as most revelers are on vacation and away from the responsibilities (and inhibitions) of home.

The New Year’s Eve festivities at Fremont Street Experience in Downtown Las Vegas have traditionally been a locals’ favorite. On New Year’s Eve, the FSE hosts a dozen of the nation’s best tribute bands, performing on three stages from 6:15 p.m. to 1 a.m. Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman will once again lead the midnight countdown and there will be real fireworks synchronized with virtual fireworks on the Viva Vision screen. Admission is $20 on New Year’s Eve — the only night of the year that Fremont Street charges a cover.

Rock and rap collide on New Year’s Eve at the swanky new Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, when music heavyweights Jay-Z and Coldplay share the stage at the brand-new resort. Each act will also play solo sets, with performances broadcast on the hotel’s 65-foot marquee overlooking the Strip.

There’s more rock ’n’ roll at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, with the accomplished blues-rock of the John Mayer Trio, fronted by the Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/guitarist (and serial celebrity-dater). Tickets start at $96; doors open at 9 p.m.

For out-and-out Sin City extravagance, look no further than the Champagne Ballroom New Year’s Eve Glitz n’ Glamour! at Paris Las Vegas. This will be the 7th annual celebration at Paris and includes a sit-down dinner, “Glitz n’ Glamour” dinner show, premium bar, multiple rooms of dancing and more. Tickets start at $150 per person and the event begins at 7 p.m. (For more info call 888.609.5964.)

No Vegas celebration would be complete without a Kardashian (or two) popping up and, sure enough, Kim Kardashian will be hosting the New Year’s Eve bash at TAO Las Vegas nightclub at the Venetian (she celebrated her birthday at TAO in October).

If a full-blown production show is more your New Year’s fancy, “Le Rêve” at the Wynn Las Vegas luxury resort is offering its VIP Indulgence Package that night, complete with champagne bottle service and behind-the-scenes (and below-the-water) video monitors. “Le Rêve” is a captivating coming-together of comedy, dance, passion and athleticism and has been running at the Wynn Theater since 2005. The VIP Indulgence Package is $195 per person and the show begins at 7 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Also at Wynn, Surrender Nightclub and Blush Boutique Nightclub offer discerning clubbers the night of a lifetime. For ultimate exclusivity, Surrender offers eight opulent bungalows, each with a private balcony from which to watch the fireworks and enjoy a magnum of Dom Perignon. General admission at Surrender on NYE starts at $75, while tables start at $1,000. For bungalow pricing, call 702.770.7300. The more intimate Blush offers an open-air patio and private tables. General admission at Blush starts at $50. For more pricing info call 702.770.3633.

Finally, to recover the day after, might we recommend the New Year’s Day Brunch at Mandalay Bay’s Bayside Buffet, which boasts everything from bacon and grits to beef stroganoff — perfect to soak-up that spectacular hangover.

—Paul Rogers, Custom Publishing Writer