Atlantic City Weekly

Have a Ball! New Year's Eve celebrations abound By Ray Schweibert

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If being in Times Square to see the famed ball drop is not an option this New Year's Eve, you can still have a ball at several places that partake in the global tradition locally, via video feed. NYE parties are plentiful in and around Atlantic City. Here are just a few ideas:

The Pier Shops at Caesars (www.thepiershopsatcaesars.com) will host its annual "Beyond the Velvet Rope" celebration, which will include music by hip-hop legend Q-Tip as well as DJ Sat One, DJ Adam Bomb and DJ Explorer. The Trinity Irish Pub will feature the band Ravioli Shanker, and guests can enjoy premium open bars at Trinity and Game On! from 9pm-12:30am. There will also be a complimentary champagne toast, a live feed to Times Square, and special surprises at midnight. The celebration will continue from 12:30-4am with a cash bar. General admission tickets are $129 each and special VIP tickets are available at $179 and $199. For tickets or more info, go to www.newyearsac.com or call 345-3100. Also, Sonsie (www.sonsieac.com) at the Pier is offering three prix-fixe menus with wine and champagne pairings.

The Pool at Harrah's will feature music by DJ Klutch, a premium open bar from 9pm-midnight, a balloon/beach ball drop at midnight, complimentary admission to the Waterfront Buffet from 6-11pm, live video feeds from Times Square at midnight, New Orleans at 1am, Phoenix at 2am, and Las Vegas at 3am (with champagne toasts after each live feed), and continued fun until 4am. Visit www.harrahsresort.com for more info.

The Tropicana has all sorts of NYE parties taking place. The Cuba Libre complex (www.cubalibrerestaurant.com) in The Quarter has two exotic NYE celebration options, both of which offer access to its famed Latin floorshow. There will be a pre-NYE party during its happy hour from 3-7pm with half-priced cocktails and draft beer, a free hot and cold buffet, and an extensive bar menu. Packages include an a-la-carte dinner from 4:30-9pm (entrees starting $30), and a late dinner package (9:30 and 10pm seatings) including four courses for $115 per person. Call 348-6700. Also in The Quarter, Planet Rose Karaoke Bar (www.planetrose.com) bills itself the perfect spot "for drinkers who sing and singers who drink." There will be no cover charge before 11pm. Private VIP rooms are available for rental for the entire night, or by the hour, and come with a complimentary bottle of champagne and party favors. Call 344-6565. At A Dam Good Sports Bar (www.adamgoodsportsbar.com), a $10 cover will get you a free midnight buffet, DJ entertainment and drink specials. Call 347-7770. Firewaters (344-6699) is offering a sampling of beers from around the world to ring in 2009. A $10 cover includes free munchies, DJ entertainment and a champagne toast. Proceeds from the party benefit breast cancer research. The Comedy Stop will have shows at 7pm ($30) and 10pm ($70), with the late show featuring three headline comics and including a spot of champagne, party favors, and a rose for the ladies. At 32 Degrees Luxe Lounge (www.32lounge.com), DJ B Easy will be spinning hip-hop, house and party tracks for a $40 entry fee. A free party is taking place at the Trop's Fiesta Lounge, where DJs will be spinning house and dance tracks all night long. Providence nightclub's A.C. Balldrop '09 will be $150 per person ($250 for VIP tables) and will feature a five-hour premium open bar, hors d'oeuvres from 9:30-11pm, live DJs spinning on two towers until 4am, and large projection screens broadcasting the Times Square ball drop. See www.providenceclubac.com or call 345-7800.

There are three separate NYE parties going on at Trump's Taj Mahal. The Casbah nightclub (www.casbahclub.com) party is always a festive affair, and this year's shindig will include the Ikki Twins -- sexy, blonde, twin sisters Rikki and Vikki who are the stars of MTV's Double Shot at Love. DJ Sojo will be spinning hits into the New Year, there will be a two-hour open bar, special surprises and a memorable toast at midnight. Tickets are $100 person. Doors open at 10:30pm, and the party goes all night. Call the Taj box office at 449-5150 or get tickets through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com) at 1-800-736-1420. The Taj will also host the Black and White Dinner Dance inside the Mark G. Etess Arena. It will feature an open bar, delicious cuisine and a live band for $150 per person. Room packages are available at the Taj Tower ($749) and the new Chairman Tower ($779), which includes admission to the dance and brunch the next day. In the Taj's Tiara Ballroom, legendary DJ Jerry "The Geator" Blavat will ring in 2009 with your favorite oldies, doo-wop and Motown dance tunes. There will be a buffet dinner with carving stations, a five-hour open bar, party favors, a champagne toast, and coffee and pastries after midnight for $125 per person. The party starts 8pm and keeps rockin' until 1am. See www.trumptaj.com for more information.

At the Wave nightclub inside Trump Marina (www.trumpmarina.com), there will be an open bar from 9-11pm, live entertainment and dancing with DJ/VJ Jim Stritch and the band Don't Call Me Francis. Tickets are $75 per person in advance or $100 at the door. Reserved seating is available at $300 per couple. Trump Marina is also offering gourmet dinner packages at DJ's Steakhouse, Harborview or Imperial Court at $235 per couple, which includes a bottle of champagne. There will also be a free party at the Atrium starting at 9pm. DJ Frank Jr. will entertain with music videos and sexy dancers.

A "Champagne & Jewels" NYE celebration will take place at the Borgata, where you can shine in 2009 with DJ Riz at MIXX ($50 per person), countdown to decadence with DJ Spider at mur.mur ($100), or fuel the New Year with the band Octane at Gypsy Bar ($20, including a tequila toast at midnight). Additionally, there will be overnight package deals offered that will include admission to the parties and a meal at one of the hotel's exceptional dining establishments. See www.borgatanightlife.com for more information or for bottle-service packages.

At Resorts (www.resortsac.com), you can ring in the New Year with a far-out party at Boogie Nights starting at 9pm. There will be a two-hour open bar and groovy music spun by DJ Gabor Kiss. It is $100 per person. Call 340-7698.

At Jay-Z's sports bar and lounge, the 40/40 Club (www.the4040club.com), several different NYE packages are available starting at $100 per person. All packages include a champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Call 449-4040.

The Chelsea Hotel will ring in the New Year with three overnight party packages, or you can attend its inaugural fifth-floor "Night at The 5" party for $75 per person in advance or $100 per person at the door. The Night at the 5 includes an open bar from 10pm-3am, a midnight champagne toast, and musical entertainment with a special guest DJ. Overnight stays include The Boardwalk package ($1,049 for two), the Night Is Young package ($895), and the Strangers in the Night package ($649). All packages include gourmet meals, free valet parking and admission to the party. See www.thechelsea-ac.com or call 1-800-548-3030 for more details.

The Tun Tavern (www.tuntavern.com) is having a four-course meal and an entertainment package for $79.95 per person (including an open bar from 9-10pm and a bottle of champagne), or $29.95 for a bar-and-entertainment package only that includes a live band from 9pm-2am. Call 347-7800 for reservations.

Billed as the biggest and best NYE bargain in South Jersey, the annual family-friendly Ocean City First Night Celebration offers 75 programs and eight hours of shows for just $14. Musical acts will include Gary U.S. Bonds, the Ocean City Pops Orchestra, the Hegman String Band, the Fabulous Greaseband and the Grammy nominated duo Trout Fishing in America. See www.firstnightocnj.com or call 525-9300 (weekdays) for more.

The Atlantic City Country Club, located at One Leo Fraser Drive in Northfield, is hosting a NYE Ball with the five-piece band Denise Black and the Rectangular Bop. It is $65 per person during a 6pm seating, and $80 per person during a 9pm seating. The latter includes a champagne toast and party at midnight. Call 236-4465 for reservations.