Clubs

Downtown Scottsdale’s Ultimate Block Party has become the city’s largest bash. The party will mark its fifth year Monday with live music, food booths, a midnight fireworks display and champagne toast.

Choose from upscale or laid-back New Year's Eve celebrations

By Shanna Hogan, Get Out

December 27, 2007

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Champagne and high heels, or a bottle of beer and jeans. Which New Year’s Eve party better suits you?

In one corner of the Valley — mostly Tempe — clubs are preparing for a relaxed, casual New Year’s Eve celebration complete with cheap cover charges, live local music and all the beer you can drink.

Meanwhile, a few Valley dance clubs — mostly in Scottsdale — are ready to kick off 2008 with all the swanky decor, body glitter and champagne they can squeeze into one evening (without breaking fire codes).

But they’re not exactly battling it out. The clubs offer something for different people, says Tempe Dos Gringos general manager Eddie Zeilstra.

“We’re just laid-back,” Zeilstra says of the Dos Gringos New Year’s Eve bash. “It’ll be a chill, relaxed atmosphere, not a typical club atmosphere.”

The party at the Tempe location will feature live music, drink specials and a Corona toast at midnight. Best of all, there’s no cover charge, so patrons can party cheap. The Scottsdale Dos Gringos, on the other hand, is part of Scottsdale’s fifth annual Ultimate Block Party.

“We have no rules,” he says. “If they want to dance they can dance, if they want to sit back, drink and talk to their friends they can do that too.”

That’s a very different scene from many of the parties in Scottsdale, which have hefty cover charges and strict dress codes.

The Mondrian’s two nightlife hangouts, Red Bar and Sky Bar, will host parties that include DJ music and free champagne toasts in luxurious resort surroundings. Of course, guests will be paying $85 each, plus purchasing tables for an additional charge, to start with.

“Our goal is to provide each guest with an intimate and fun experience,” says Gary Reed, Skybar/Red Bar manager. “It will be a refined traditional party, with a touch of sophistication and exuberance.”

Here are some of the chill celebrations and posh parties at popular night spots throughout the East Valley.

CHILL CELEBRATIONS

LAID-BACK PARTY
Swap your champagne glass for a beer bottle at the laid-back New Year’s Eve celebration at Tempe’s Dos Gringos Trailer Park (1001 E. Eighth St.). The event features live music and drink specials.
Begins: 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: (480) 968-7879 or www.dosgringosaz.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH AT LAST EXIT
Popular Arizona bands including Tramps and Thieves, Truckers on Speed and Los Guys will perform at Last Exit Bar & Grill’s (1425 W. Southern Ave., Tempe) annual bash.
Begins: 9 p.m.
Cost: $10
Info: (480) 557-6656 or www.lastexitlive.com.

CONQUISTADOR’S BALL
Salty Senoritas Mesa location (1860 S. Stapley Drive) is celebrating the last party of the year with a Conquistador’s Ball. The party, which starts at 8 p.m., features an ice luge, noisemakers, dinner spread, champagne margarita toast and a complimentary cab service. The Old Town Scottsdale location (3636 N. Scottsdale Road) is offering a dinner package that includes a champagne margarita toast, while the north Scottsdale location (14950 N. Northsight Blvd.) is offering a full menu, music and a complimentary margarita champagne toast.
Begins: 8 p.m.
Cost: $35 cover.
Info: (480) 632-8226, (480) 946-7258, (480) 922-6274 and www.saltysenorita.com.

ROCKIN’ BASH
If you’re tired of Top-40 DJs, come to check out the New Year’s Eve Bash at Club Red (2155 E. University Drive, Tempe). The party features live music from Sylence, 68 Guns and Krak Smokin’ Grannies. It also includes a buffet dinner, party favors, champagne toast, and raffles all night.
Begins: 7 p.m.
Cost: $25 cover.
Info: (480) 966-4733.

HIP-HOP BASH
Kick it to live hip-hop performances at the Clubhouse Music Venue (1320 E. Broadway Road, Tempe). Bands include Antedote, the Insects, Crusher Sound System, Solid Ground, Drunken Immortals All-Stars, DJ Terra and DJ Reflex. Patrons of all ages are welcome.
Begins: Doors open 9 p.m.
Cost: $15 cover.
Info: (480) 968-3238.

POSH PARTIES

SKYBAR CELEBRATION
Posh New Year’s Eve celebration at the Skybar and Red Bar at Mondrian Scottsdale (7353 E. Indian School Road). The event includes a DJ, dancing and champagne toast. But this event is not for the thrifty.
Begins: 10 p.m.
Cost: $85; with tables available for purchase at an additional cost.
Info: (480) 444-0549 or
www.mondrianscottsdale.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE TRIPLE THREAT
Scottsdale nightclubs Axis/Radius, Myst and Suede are offering three New Year’s Eve celebrations for just one hot $45 ticket. Axis Radius (7340 E. Indian Plaza) will host a cosmopolitan Times Square New Year’s Bash. Myst (7340 E. Shoeman Lane) will hold a campy Burlesque Ball, complete with live entertainment. And Suede (7333 E. Indian Plaza) will present a sensual Sexy Satin New Year’s Party.
Begins: Doors open 9 p.m. at all clubs.
Cost: Single club tickets are $20 for Suede and $35 for Axis/Radius and Myst.
Info: (480) 970-1112 or www.axis-radius.com; (480) 970-5000 or www.mystaz.com; (480) 970-6969 or www.suedeaz.com.

ULTIMATE BLOCK PARTY
Love music. Food. Thousands of your closest friends. Scottsdale’s largest bash is back with the fifth annual Ultimate Block Party (Craftsman Court between Third and Fifth avenues). The party includes live music on two stages, exclusive access to clubs, culinary creations from renowned Valley chefs, a midnight fireworks display and champagne toast.
Begins: Gates open at 6 p.m.
Cost: $35 (patrons can enter any of the four clubs throughout the night). VIP access is $100.
Info: www.scottsdaleultimateblockparty.com.

MIAMI MASQUERADE
Scottsdale dance club e4 (4282 N. Drinkwater Blvd.) is ringing in the New Year South Beach style. The club will be transformed into a Miami-style bash hosted by Miami DJ Shawn Rudnick. The party includes a masquerade ball, champagne toast, and a raffle for an all-expense-paid trip for two to South Beach in Miami.
Begins: 9 p.m.
Cost: $25.
Info: (480) 970-3325 or
www.energyarizonafm.com or www.e4-az.com.

PROM PARTY
Break out the leg-warmers and piano key neckties for this ’80s prom party celebration at Martini Ranch (7295 E. Stetson Drive, Scottsdale). The party includes ’80s tunes, party favors and a champagne toast.
Begins: 7 p.m.
Cost: $20 cover.
Info: (480) 970-0500 or www.martiniranchaz.net.

GET SETS
Ring in the New Year with a fancy but affordable party at Sets (93 E. Southern, Tempe). The venue has three large rooms that will feature hip-hop and dance music entertainment all night long. Includes drink specials, shuffleboard and a champagne toast at midnight.
Begins: 7 p.m.
Cost: $125 for VIP; $30 general admission for couples; $20 general admission for singles.
Info: (602) 953-2728.

NEW YEAR’S EVE MASSIVE
Dance to music spun by 10 local DJs at The Rogue Bar (423 N. Scottsdale Road, Scottsdale). The party includes free party favors and champagne.
Begins: 8 p.m.
Cost: $8 before 11 p.m.; $10 after.
Info: (480) 947-3580.

PARTY WITH THE DEVIL
Both Scottsdale Devil’s Martini locations (10825 N. Scottsdale Road and 4175 N. Goldwater Blvd.) are hosting “all drinks, one penny, all night” parties. Tickets include a complimentary champagne toast and a breakfast bar after midnight.
Cost: First 300 tickets sold at $75, but will increase in price as they sell out.
Info: (480) 348-1666, (480) 947-7171 or
www.devilsmartini.com.

SWANKY SOIREE
Ring in 2008 at Tempe’s upscale dance club and record studio Phase 54 (1700 W. Drake Drive). Complimentary chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne toast at midnight included.
Begins: 9 p.m.
Cost: $10 cover.
Info: (480) 551-3970 or www.phase54.com.

BASH AT BARCELONA
Scottsdale’s Barcelona (15440 N. Greenway-Hayden Loop) will host a New Year’s Eve Celebration which includes live entertainment by the Valley cover band Envy followed by DJ-spun dance music. Includes a midnight champagne toast.
Begins: 7 p.m.
Cost: $40 cover in advance; $50 the day of the event.
Info: (480) 603-0370.

FOUR IN ONE
South Tempe’s Graham Central Station (7850 S. Priest Drive) will feature four rooms with entertainment including disco, country, dancing and DJs.
Begins: 6 p.m.
Cost: Free until 8 p.m., then a $15 cover.
Info: (480) 496-4336 or www.grahamcentralstationtempe.com.

MOTOWN PARTY
Ring in the new year “Motown style” at the ultra- new Farenheit 128 (7000 E. Shea Blvd. Suite 1990 second level, Scottsdale). The event includes a five-piece band that will play hits from the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The event includes a cocktail hour and four-course meal.
Begins: 8 p.m.
Cost: $60 in advance; $75 at the door.
Info: (480) 998-3181 or www.ravenevents.com.

Contact Shanna Hogan by email, or phone (480) 898-2339

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