Citify your New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve festivities in the Kelly home bounce between ringing in the year at private house parties to lounging at home with appetizers, drinks, and movies.

“We’ve never done the Downtown NYE party scene, Evie,” said hubby Patrick last week as we sat sipping cocktails at Polite Provisions.

“I’m on it,” I coyly smiled. A few days later, I did my best saleslady presentation and laid out our options to the man.

“Grab your best black and white party outfit, and head down to the W San Diego Hotel at 9 p.m. for their Black and White Party. The party continues on until 2 a.m. with three rooms of live DJ sets. The Rooftop Patio, Great Room, and Upstairs Bar will all be partying. And at the stroke of midnight, three balloon drops will add to the festivities. Premium open bar tickets are $150 [thewsandiegohotel.com].”

“Or if you’d rather channel your inner Don Draper, we could hit the Westgate for their Mad Men New Year’s Eve,” I continued.

“Would you mind the serial infidelity?” Patrick asked.

“Well, yes, I would. But I wouldn’t mind cocktails, five-course dinner, dancing to live music by the Lorraine Castellanos quartet, and champagne as the balloons drop at midnight. Festivities begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $179 [westgatehotel.tix.com].

“Or we could try our luck on a $1000 balloon drop at the House of Blues New Year’s Eve 2015 Block Party,” I offered. “Three party rooms, music, the bash starts at 9 p.m. and goes until 2 a.m. Tickets bought December 28 or later are $45 [hobblockparty.com].

“If we want some bay view, then the Hilton San Diego Bayfront is throwing the Big Night San Diego New Year’s Eve Gala. Your ticket is all-inclusive, honey, so we can leave your wallet at home. Drinks, buffet, and entertainment amid 12 party areas, with six dance floors, which should bring enough party even for you,” I said. “Partying from 9 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. and tickets start at $119 [bignightsandiego.com].”

“Any parties not in the Gaslamp?” asked Pat.

“Porto Vista Hotel in Little Italy is hosting a Totally ’80s New Year’s Eve bash,” I said.

“Have you been missing the crimped hair and leg warmers? Michael Jackson and Madonna? All you can drink cocktails from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. and a champagne toast at midnight. General admission is $99. Or we can reserve one of their cabanas and invite eight of our BFFs. Two bottles of cocktails, mixers, two hot appetizers and snacks, all for $800 for ten people [portovistasd.com].

“And the Bahia Resort Hotel is offering a party package that includes a hotel room and boat party cruise on Mission Bay,” I said. “Live entertainment, cash bar, champagne, cruise on the bay from 8 p.m. until 1 a.m.” Cost is $269 per couple (bahiahotel.com).

“New Year’s Eve on a boat, I like the sound of that,” smiled Patrick.

“Another boat option is the Hornblower New Year’s Eve cruise,” I added. “A four-course dinner cruise for four hours with a live band or you can opt for DJ pumped tunes. Champagne, party hats, views of the skyline, this option sounds like you, baby.” Boarding at 8 p.m., tickets are $195 (hornblower.com).

“If you want to feel your inner beat, the World Beat Cultural Center is hosting an Alternative New Year’s Eve Ascension party. African drum and dancing, vegan vegetarian buffet, healing drum circle, Kirtan chanting, the party starts at 7 p.m. [worldbeatcenter.org].”

“You lost me at vegan,” Patrick said.

“Another musical New Year’s Eve option is Balboa Park. It is celebrating its 100th year anniversary with a concert from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Bagpipers will process down the El Prado and there will be different musical acts following. The event is free.”

“Any options for celebration with the kids early on New Year’s Eve?” asked Patrick.

“The Living Coast Discovery Center in Chula Vista is hosting a New Year’s Eve Celebration,” I answered. “Champagne or sparkling wine to toast the East Coast New Year’s at 9 p.m. Hot chocolate bar with cookies, wildlife viewing, arts and crafts for the young ones, trail walks for star viewing along San Diego Bay.” Tickets at the door are $16 for adults and $14 for children. The event runs from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. (thelivingcoast.org).