Americans love to ring in the New Year in their own unique ways. In New York City’s Time Square, they drop a big ball. In Atlanta’s it’s a giant peach. And Las Vegas puts on a pyrotechnics display that makes the strip look tame.
Although North Myrtle Beach has no tradition of dropping or blowing up things to signal the start of a new calendar, it does carry on the rites of having a good time Grand Strand style – with live music, dancing, food and fireworks. Say goodbye to 2014 and hello to 2015 with a smile on your face at one of these five North Myrtle Beach hot spots:
* 21 Main: Avoid the headaches and high costs of going out for New Year's Eve and spend a fun and relaxing night on-site at 21 Main. Make your last meal of 2014 the best of the year with a special menu served by North Beach Plantation's award-winning steakhouse, and retire to the bar for after dinner drinks and a party to ring in the New Year with friends and fellow guests. If you really want to ring in 2015 in style, book The Bridge penthouse suite and throw a bash that will be remembered for years to come.
* Barefoot Landing: North Beach Plantation guests are only a short cab ride away from Barefoot Landing, where a special New Year's Eve party will be held at the popular entertainment, shopping and dining complex. Enjoy dinner at one of the many fine restaurants at Barefoot Landing before visiting the Alabama Theatre's symphony orchestra's presentation of “New Year's Eve: A Viennese Celebration” at 6 p.m. Be sure to catch the free fireworks show over Barefoot Lake at 7 p.m.
* Comedy Cabana: Ring in the New Year with laughter at this establishment, which is a few miles south on Restaurant Row but well worth the cab fare. Comedy Cabana puts on a special New Year's Eve show each year, with big-name comics and a champagne toast. Comedy Cabana features a main room where the acts take the stage and a separate bar area where guests can chat without fear of becoming part of the show. The mix of pro comics in the same room with amateur partygoers makes for an extra hilarious night.
* Fat Harold's: This legendary shag club puts on the Ritz for New Year's Eve with its annual “It's a Grand Affair” evening. Beginning at 7 p.m., party guests arrive in their sharpest 1920s attire and enjoy a Great Gatsby-inspired evening of music and dance. Of course, the shag always reigns supreme at Fat Harold's. Dancers swing their partners around the dance floor and do the state dance that was founded and popularized along this stretch of coastline in the mid-1900s. If you don't know how to shag, some friendly local will take you for a spin and have you doing the dance before you know it.
* House of Blues: The HOB puts on two New Year's Eve parties – one more formal affair that includes a formal dinner, live music by Tru Soul, dancing and a champagne toast in the main concert hall. But for a less formal and equally fun way to ring in the new year, check out the 1980s Dance Party with music by Rubix Kube in the Crossroads bar. Both venues will be hopping all night long and into the early morning hours. In fact, you might even want to start the New Year off with breakfast at the HOB.
(Posted: 12/1/14)
