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PARTY ON THE STRIP
TIËSTO AT HAKKASAN Did you know that Tiësto was knighted by the Queen of Holland? His Royal Dutchness returns to Hakkasan to blow the royal roof off of NYE. 8 p.m., $125-$175, MGM Grand.
ALESSO AT XS The Swedish EDM powerhouse blew up our summer at Light and Daylight and moves to the biggest stage possible for the biggest night of the year. 9 p.m., $75-$150, Encore.
EVOLVE VEGAS NYE The only gay New Year’s Eve party on the Strip returns to the Havana Room, with an entertainment lineup including Trixie Mattel, Scott Nevins, Z Lala, DJ Amphion and more. 8:30 p.m., $99-$149, Tropicana.
FETTY WAP AT MARQUEE Bruno Mars is gonna swing by after his show at the Chelsea, but Fetty’s in charge of the midnight countdown at Marquee. 9 p.m., $101-$179, Cosmopolitan.
Calvin Harris plays Omnia this New Year's Eve.
CALVIN HARRIS AT OMNIA Biggest nightclub of the year, biggest DJ in the world ... it’s a simple equation, and one that will make your NYE Vegas memories last forever. 8 p.m., $150-$250, Caesars Palace.
NICKI MINAJ AT DRAI’S Rap’s reigning queen puts a fitting cap on the year when Drai’s emerged as the Strip’s dominant hip-hop force. 9 p.m., $150-$200, Cromwell.
PETE WENTZ AT VANITY Fall Out Boy’s lyricist and bassist oversees NYE festivities at the typically mothballed nightclub with a special DJ set. 9 p.m., $30-$50, Hard Rock Hotel.
PLUS: Diplo at Surrender, 9 p.m., $75-$150; Scott Disick at 1 OAK, 9 p.m., $50-$75; J. Cole at Light, 10 p.m., $100-$150; Nick Jonas at Foxtail, 8 p.m., $100; DJ Khaled at Lavo, 9 p.m., $78-$101; Nina Sky at LAX, 9:30 p.m., $50-$75; Snoop Dogg at Tao, 9 p.m., $128-$179. –BR
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PARTY DOWNTOWN
THE LIQUE This upbeat, genre-crossing and steadily ascendant local outfit will offer one of the few opportunities to see a live and original band Downtown this NYE. The grooves and beats continue with Totescity and Ryan Pardey behind the booth. 8 p.m., $10, Bunkhouse.
SCARLET This special edition of the recurring Goth/New Wave party will have none of the overtly celebratory and poptimistic tunes you usually encounter at NYE parties. But there will be dancing and merriment nonetheless, courtesy of DJs Style, Morpheus Blak and Grenadier. Free midnight Champagne toast included. 9 p.m., free, Artifice.
ATOMIC HAYRIDE There’s a lot going on at this shindig, which actually continues on January 1. NYE night will feature an old Hollywood glam theme, live bands such as Shanda & the Howlers, DJs like Lucky LaRue, food trucks, a car show and a Miss Atomic beauty pageant. 8 p.m., $15-$20, Backstage Bar & Billiards.
The Get Back moves things up a day at Velveteen Rabbit for an NYE edition of the funky soul dance party.
THE GET BACK No, it’s not First Friday. DJ/founder John Doe and his funk/soul crew are moving things up a day for a NYE edition of the venerable urban throwdown. Commemorate the big night with pics from the photo booth, and indulge in the midnight Champagne toast. 8 p.m., $5 donation, Velveteen Rabbit.
ESCAPE MASQUERADE You can get down inside and outside (with heating towers, fire pits and spiked toddies) with DJs Wizdumb and Freddy B and ’90s cover act Empire Records at Gold Spike, which is promising to throw in a few surprises. Free midnight Champagne toast, 8 p.m., $10.
ODDFELLOWS You’re a Downtown New Year’s veteran, and want something new. Give the Ogden hangout a try. DJs will be playing a mix of its weekly musical fare (indie, ’80s, funk/soul) in the dance room, while bartenders will be peddling bottles of Champagne for only $25. And maybe the ouija boards will tell you what 2016 has in store. 9 p.m., free.
DOWNTOWN COCKTAIL ROOM Where to go, Downtown househeads? It’ll be business as usual at the speakeasy on the Boulevard, which means deep and global grooves, the best cocktails on Fremont East and no cover. I’ve spent more New Year’s Eves at DCR than any other spot in Las Vegas, so trust me—you’ll want to at least stop by. 9 p.m., free. –MP
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PARTY IN THE 'BURBS
The Golden Tiki.
THE TOLEDO SHOW The LA group brings cabaret-style tunes to the holiday environs of the Golden Tiki, where the entry fee includes a buffet and a Champagne toast at midnight, or augment with $45 all-you-can-drink wells. 8 p.m., $40.
NEW YEAR’S EVE MASQUERADE Andiron Steak & Sea goes beyond its special prix fixe menu of favorite dishes for NYE by incorporating live music and dancing ... and $99 all-you-can drink Perrier-Jouët. 8:30 p.m., $95, Downtown Summerlin.
JELLO BIAFRA’S INCREDIBLY STRANGE DANCE PARTY Not exactly on the Strip or a conventional dance party, the local DJ debut of the punk/political firebrand and former Dead Kennedys frontman will be gifting us a tradition-bucking NYE mix of celebratory musical fringe at the only venue fit to host it. With Bargain DJ Collective. 9 p.m., free, Double Down.
NYE AT LAKE LAS VEGAS MonteLago Village’s free fireworks show at midnight is just one of the NYE activities at Lake Las Vegas, which also include a 75-minute La Contessa yacht cruise with Champagne ($25) and dinner and entertainment packages at the Hilton and Westin resorts. lakelasvegas.com.
Chris Phillips brings Zowie Bowie's Top 40 dance party to the Red Rock Resort to ring in 2016.
ZOWIE BOWIE The never-not-rocking Chris Phillips and crew take over at Red Rock Resort’s Rocks Lounge for a Top 40 dance party, with a DJ spinning between sets. 11 p.m.-1 a.m., $20. —BR
PARTY DOWN SOUTH Ryan “Daddy” Richards and Tiffany Heinen of CMT’s Party Down South (think rednecky Jersey Shore), host this NYE party at Revolver Saloon. 9 p.m., $25, Santa Fe Station.
THE RIDICULOUSLY FUN NYE CELEBRATION Neighborhood hip spot Lucky Foo’s offers a full dinner menu from 6-10 p.m., a hosted bar, local DJs and surprise musical performances and way too much Champagne. There’s also a $45 hosted bar option from 8-11 p.m.
V108 FLASHBACK NYE CELEBRATION If you dig on throwback R&B and used to groove to those jams at Club Tequila back in the ’80s, ’90s and early aughts, this is the New Year’s Eve party for you. 9 p.m., $30-$35, Fiesta Rancho.
ZERO POINT NYE Quivver, Audiovana, Black Irish, Brett Rubin, Camilo Cordoba, Danny Coker, Spacebyrdz and many more do the underground house and techno thing for the new year at a location that won’t be revealed until December 31. 8 p.m., $21+, zpnye.eventbrite.com. –BR
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PARTY WITH MUSIC
MAROON 5 Some of you will go to hear pop smashes like “Moves Like Jagger” and “She Will Be Loved,” some of you will go to swoon over lead singer Adam Levine, and some of you will go because Maroon 5 has become as much a local New Year’s tradition as fireworks and $200 club covers. 8 p.m., $91-$214, Mandalay Bay Events Center.
CARLY RAE JEPSEN Pop fans who’ve been enjoying this year’s Emotion as much as the critics apparently have won’t want to miss ringing in 2016 with the singer who’s proving she’s no one-hit wonder. 10 p.m., $76-$96, Venetian.
PRETTY LIGHTS He’s played Mandalay Bay Events Center and the streets of Downtown Las Vegas, but for New Year’s Eve (and Day), the electronic-music producer born Derek Vincent Smith will lord over a more intimate venue—whose dancefloor he’ll surely render a sweaty, writhing mess. With Supervision. 10 p.m., $80-$125, Brooklyn Bowl.
Bruno Mars brings some uptown funk to Cosmopolitan's Chelsea concert venue this NYE.
BRUNO MARS Last year’s Chelsea Ballroom resident will reprise his role as Cosmopolitan’s man of NYE with what’s sure to be another master-class performance full of hits (and maybe a little uptown funk). It’s sold out, but you might get lucky. 9 p.m., $150-$250.
SLASH Much like those Guns N Roses reunion rumors, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer guitarist just can’t quit. For those hoping to see what he’s cooking up these days—or looking for an inexpensive but noteworthy NYE option—catch Slash’s gig with his chief collaborator/vocalist Myles Kennedy and their Conspirators backing band. 8 p.m., $40-$65, House of Blues.
KANE BROWN Country-music fans have it easy this NYE: They can catch a familiar face perform, get in some dancing and avoid the Strip. Some will recognize Kane Brown from the X Factor talent show; others, from his viral Facebook video performances of Lee Brice and George Strait songs—and his own—which he’ll likely perform before the big countdown. 10:30 p.m., $65, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country.
THE SMITH CENTER The Great White Way will also be represented this NYE, as our performing arts center has dreamed up a program featuring four esteemed Broadway vocalists: Erich Bergen (Jersey Boys), Capathia Jenkins (Newsies), Norm Lewis (Phantom of the Opera) and Patina Miller (Pippin, Sister Act). Oh yeah: Smith Center resident and familiar face Clint Holmes is also on the bill. 7 p.m., $39-$125. –MP
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PARTY WITH FOOD
COSTA DI MARE Haven’t made it out yet to try the Wynn Italian restaurant formerly known as Bartolotta? NYE is the time. Chef Mark LoRusso does early and late menus ($195-$395) of stellar seafood, pasta and more, and a DJ and dancing are part of the celebration, too. 702-770-3305.
Have a classic celebratory NYE experience off-Strip at Del Frisco's.
DEL FRISCO’S DOUBLE EAGLE STEAK HOUSE If you wanna get away from the Strip but still crave a classic celebratory experience, Del Frisco’s does a $79 filet and lobster special in addition to full menu options. 702-674-6353.
BUDDY V’S Ring in the new year like a Cake Boss at Palazzo’s homey Italian hideaway, where you can go à la carte or enjoy three courses for $59 with the option of bottomless bubbly for $20. 702-607-2355.
EIFFEL TOWER RESTAURANT Okay, who wants to get sparkly? Choose from four fantastic dinner packages ($125 Sunset to $475 Gala) that all include unforgettable views and food at one of the Strip’s most iconic destinations. 702-948-6937.
New Year's Eve 2015
SUSHI ROKU Order your à la carte faves or indulge in omakase ($170) at the Forum Shops’ Japanese standard, which offers three seatings and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight if you take the late one. Bubbles go well with toro tartare and caviar. 702-733-7373.
TOM’S URBAN Wanna do the Strip on NYE but still have your own space? Try Tom’s Urban at New York-New York, serving up unlimited (and tasty!) small plates and free-flowing cocktails for $175. 702-740-6766. –BR
