Happily, that most festive of holidays falls on a Saturday in 2022, providing an extra day to recover before the work week begins. Clubs and venues around the South Bay have planned accordingly. All events are on Dec. 31, unless otherwise noted.
Live and Inside
At Mama Kin, a downtown San Jose live music spot that still has that new club smell, The Humidors will lay down funk and soul for the masses starting at 9pm. Tickets are $30 ($350 for VIP table). 374 S 1st St, San Jose | caltix.com
The venerable Caravan Lounge has booked Hot Laundry, Douglas Irvin’s Carnival and Gidget & The G-Spots, with a champagne toast at midnight for the 21-and-over crowd. Free; 9pm-2am. 98 S. Almaden Ave, San Jose
It’s a four-act pile-up at NYE Live at the Rec Room, with Miles Medina, Rcade, Spicy and Slasher on the bill at the downtown San Jose club. Email [email protected] to book a table. 1 E San Fernando St, San Jose
The focus is on dancing at Charley’s LG, with a house band that features musicians from some of the region’s top tribute bands. DJ Paige Lauren gets the party started at 7pm on New Year’s Eve, as the appetizers are passed, with live music at 9pm. Dance contests with $500 in cash prizes (single, couple, group) will keep folks moving until the balloons drop and the bubbly is popped. 15 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos | $50 ($30 in advance) | 408.898.9568
Up in Sunnyvale, the Quarter Note nightclub calendar promises singer Jackie Turner and hard rock band Circles of Sin, with a balloon drop and champagne toast. Doors open at 9pm. 1214 Apollo Way, Sunnyvale | 408.732.2110
Fantastic Negrito, fresh off releasing the new album White Jesus Black Problems, will appear at the Guild Theatre on the big night. Also on the bill: Monophonics, who released their own opus recently, titled Sage Motel. Tickets are $80-$120; doors open at 8pm. 949 El Camino Real, Menlo Park | 855.999.4025
Pepe Promotions presents un Gran Celebración De Año Nuevo 2023 at Tacos Al Carbon Bar and Grill. In addition to performances by Banda La Indeleble Super Clave and DJ Sweet, there will be confetti cannons, a balloon drop and a midnight champagne toast. Free admission; private tables with 24 cervezas. 1733 Story Road, San Jose | 408.509.2575
Party like it’s 1963 at Club Fox with the Sun Kings, who promise a Beatles tribute show “as nature intended,” filled with Fab Four songs presented with “Hamburg energy and musical authenticity.” For information on reserved seating ($100), email [email protected]. Show begins at 9pm on New Year’s Eve. Club Fox, 2209 Broadway, Redwood City
Over the hill, fans of Los Lobos can find the band sharing its almost five decades of music history at the Rio Theatre. Tickets start at $85.05; the band hits the stage at 9:30pm. 1205 Soquel Ave, Santa Cruz
Not in the mood for music? Cum Town podcast host Nick Mullen is booked for five shows at the San Jose Improv, including two on New Year’s Eve. The comedian will bring his internet-savvy wit to Silicon Valley, drawing fans who follow him on his podcasts and social media feeds, and his blog on Thought Catalog. Tickets are $40; shows are 21 and older. 62 S 2nd St, San Jose | 408.280.7475
In the lull between Christmas and New Year’s Eve, one flurry of excitement comes in the form of the Champions of Magic, an evening of illusions and special effects featuring four acts: Young & Strange, Alex McAleer, Hollie England and Fernando Velasco. Shows take place Dec. 27-29. San Jose Civic, 135 San Carlos St, San Jose | 408.792.4111
Take a Staycation
While it’s nice to go out on the town and ring in the new year, driving home usually isn’t, given all the crazies on the road during the holidays. Parties at hotels come with a built-in solution: just stay over and greet 2023 with room service.
It’s even possible to catch live music before such a mini-vacation. An Epic New Year’s Eve with the Tortilla Soup Band spices up the Holiday Inn Grand Ballroom, playing dance sounds across the decades on New Year’s Eve. They’ll be joined by R&B/soul singer Pepe Marquez, plus Santana tribute band Zebop and a tribute to War by the aptly named Cisco Kid. In between, DJ Cheatos will keep the beats going. And room deals are available for those who don’t want the fun to end. Tickets are $80-$105; the event begins at 7pm. 1350 N 1st St, San Jose | 408.828.3229
No one gets a party started like Chuy Gomez. Currently heard on 102.1 JAMS (and for more than 20 years on KMEL), the legendary DJ hosts New Year’s Eve Extravaganza VI at the downtown San Jose Marriott, spinning the finest grooves from the Bay’s airwaves straight onto the dancefloor. With 10 full bars and options for bottle service, the Extravaganza provides many ways to celebrate—party favors available for purchase. And since it’s inside a hotel, savvy guests won’t even have to get in a car at the end of the night. Tickets are $90-$125; for bottle service, call 408.690.5999. 301 S Market St, San Jose.
Those who relish something more sedate might enjoy a night at Hotel Valencia Santana Row. The New Year’s Eve gala kicks off with a six-course feast at Oveja Negra, the hotel’s Spanish-inspired restaurant, followed by DJ tunes and other diversions, topped by a champagne toast. Tickets are $150. 355 Santana Row, San Jose | 855.596.3396
The Hilton Garden Inn Suites in Palo Alto is throwing a Splendid Soirée by the Bay on New Year’s Eve. A cocktail mixer will begin the festivities at 7:30pm, giving guests an opportunity to mingle before the DJ brings out dance hits around 8:30. The party space includes the social lounge, the ballroom and a large outdoor patio. Dressy attire is encouraged. Tickets are $40. 4216 El Camino Real, Palo Alto | 408.444.6769
DTSJ Scene
Downtown San Jose nightclub the Ritz has its plans laid for New Year’s Eve. DJ Basura and DJ Bit will take care of the music, playing new wave, disco and alternative. Doors open at 8pm, and attendees must be 21 or over—so they can enjoy the free champagne. Tickets are $15-$20. 400 S 1st St, San Jose
SP2 Communal Bar + Restaurant brings back its 8th annual Black Tie NYE Event, a dressy affair with cocktail attire recommended. On the decks are The Les, Wreck a Noize and Double A, serving up an aural mix of Top 40, R&B, hip hop and house. Guests must be 21 and over. The event runs 8pm-1:30am and tickets are $25-$35. For bottle service, call 415.737.5772. 72 N Almaden Ave, San Jose
Viva Las Vegas…and viva spandex and legwarmers. San Pedro Square Market is the place to find both at an ’80s Vegas New Year’s Eve. Guests will be served a welcome cocktail by Three Sisters Bar and appetizers from the market’s eateries while they check out casino games, a photo booth and music curated by DJ Worldwise. And at the end, they’ll bid farewell to 2022 with a champagne toast and balloon drop. The festivities begin at 8:30pm; tickets are $120 ($100 presale). 170 W St John St, San Jose
Anthony Midas and FORTHECAUSE provide hip hop and R&B sounds for the New Year’s Eve Party | Black & White Edition at the Glasshouse, hosted by Seven x Paradox. The evening begins at 8:30 on Dec. 31. Tickets ($50-$80) are available on Eventbrite; for bottle service, call (415) 577-2057. 9pm-2am | 84 W Santa Clara St, Suite 100, San Jose
The Guildhouse is throwing its own NYE PARTY, inviting all kindred spirits to “ring in the New Year in the nerdiest way possible.” The bash begins at 9pm. 420 S 1st St, San Jose | [email protected]
Starting at 9pm, sounds by Musubi, Bitesize and Ivy will fill the room at LVL 44 for , keeping the crowds moving before the balloons fall and the champagne pops at midnight. Tickets start at $20. 44 S Almaden Ave, San Jose.
A literal high point for New Year’s Eve, up on the 17th floor, the Silicon Valley Capital Club plans a celebration for those 21 and over with five “beverage inspired epicurean experiences.” a sweet treats bar, DJ music, a photo booth, a midnight champagne toast and a “special surprise.” Tickets are $340; 8pm-12:30am. 50 W San Fernando St, San Jose | 408.971.9300
DJ Malimal keeps the sounds going at New Years Eve @ Tiki Pete, which promises “all you can drink” from 9pm to midnight, plus the essential midnight bubbly toast. Tickets start at $100. 23 N Market St, San Jose.
Four drinking establishments get into the act for Crawl ‘Til The Ball Falls: San Jose NYE Bar Crawl 2023. Pre-purchase a wristband and check in at O’Flaherty’s Irish Pub after 6pm; other crawl spaces include Dr. Funk, Five Points and the Brit. Tickets start at $20; information on eventbrite.com.
DJ Ark 1 pops in to provide a soundtrack of Top 40, hip hop, R&B, house and club hits at Nomikai’s New Year’s Eve 2023 Party. Doors open at 9pm; tickets are $15 ($20 at the door). 48 S. First St., San Jose
Around the Valley and Beyond
A New Year’s Eve Bachata and Salsa Descarga takes over at Dance Boulevard starting at 9pm on the big night, and the action continues until 3am. Tickets are $35-$45. 1824 Hillsdale Ave, San Jose
The Branham Lounge steps it up with a New Year’s Eve Bash featuring G-Wrex from the Bangers. VIP bottle service is available; otherwise, admission is free. The party runs 8pm to 2am, with a free champagne toast for everyone at midnight. For a table reservation, email [email protected].
1116 Branham Lane, San Jose
Bay 101 Casino claims to have a sure-fire bet for New Year’s Eve. The annual NYE production of Cirque, taking place in the Province restaurant, promises an “extraordinary premium experience,” complete with live DJs, a photo booth with backgrounds and live street cirque acts. With two separate rooms with different music on tap—Top 40, EDM, hip hop, Latin, Bollywood—guests can move around to find the sound that suits them best. General admission is $50-$100. 1788 N 1st St, #10, San Jose | cirquenye.com or theprovincesj.com
Founder Johana Vizcarra and Samba Conmigo will join forces with DJ Nelly to bring a Brazilian-flavored New Year’s Eve Party to Studio M Ballroom Club. The evening gets under way at 8:30pm and continues until 2am, with the Samba Conmigo Dancers counting down the clock at midnight, before the balloon drop and champagne toast. Tickets are $45. 3550 Stevens Creek Blvd, Suite 130, San Jose
Cardiff & Cocktails pours out shots of music from a quartet of high-powered DJs. Mr. V, Julius Papp, BB Hayes and Rated R will hit the decks for an action-packed farewell to 2022. The music begins at 9pm and flows all the way to 2023. Tickets include champagne toast at midnight and New Year’s party favors. $10-$15.
260 E Campbell Ave, Campbell
Opal Social Club pairs its Great Gatsby Party
with a hip hop soundtrack, welcoming
21-and-over revelers with “DJ, dancing, drinks and good vibes.” Tickets are $50 ($20 presale); 9pm-1:30am. For bottle service, text 650.204.9444. 251 Castro St, Mountain View | opalsocialclub.net
Expect multi-level partying to Fuego Sports Bar and Club at the Rooftop New Years Eve Party. Downstairs, in the Urban Room, Dj King Jr and Dj Dret will bring down the house, hip hop and Top 40. Upstairs, in the Fuego Room, Dj Klan & Dj MGD will play reggaeton, Latin pop, salsa and bachata. Doors open at 9pm; guests who arrive before 10:30pm get in free. Call 650.281.5391 for bottle service. 140 S Murphy Ave., Sunnyvale
Pure Nightclub invites guests on a trip to Midnight in Paris NYE 2022, Starting at 9:30pm on New Year’s Eve, the evening features thematic decor, a New Year’s countdown and balloon drop, and Las Vegas DJ Kid Conrad pumping out Top 40, hip hop and EDM for the 21-and-over crowd. Guests can enjoy two parties for the price of one by hitting the club on Jan. 7 and presenting their ticket stub for entry.
146 S Murphy Ave, Sunnyvale | 408.732.2121
Club Papi and Valentino present a Latin New Year’s Eve at Maya Nightclub, and they’re aiming to draw a crowd, because the first 250 people with Eventbrite tickets will be admitted free. Additional enticements include an appearance by Melissa Befierce (a contestant from the first season of the Boulet Brothers’ Dragula), a cash balloon drop, and the prospect of watching one sexy papi after another hitting the dance floor. The event takes place 9pm-2am; admission ranges from free to $250 for bottle service. 1776 Broadway, Redwood City
Hurray for Bollywood
Subcontinental rhythms are rising in Silicon Valley—just witness the array of events available on New Year’s Eve. Bollywood mixes and bhangra freshen up the usual hip hop and Top 40 hits at this Bollywood New Year Party thrown by the Bay Area promoters of BollyTadka. DJ SSB brings it all together for the 21-and-over crowd. The event runs 9pm-1:30am; tickets are $30-$120 ($1,000 for bottle service. Back Bar | 418 S Market St, San Jose | 214.926.9296
Liquid Lounge is also awash in Desi rhythms with the Bollywood Ball NYE 2023, produced by 3M Productions, Ecstacy Productions and the WLEA. The party starts at 9:30 and continues until 2am. 32 S 3rd St, San Jose
The dress code is black and gold for the NYE 2023 Bollywood Party at the Continental Bar in downtown San Jose. DJ Brown Buoy will mix Bollywood sounds with Top 40 and house, culminating in the essential champagne toast and balloon drop. Tickets are $40; for bottle service, text or call 323.482.7070 or email [email protected]. The fun runs from 9:30pm to 1:30am. 349 S 1st St, San Jose
The India Community Center is throwing a kid-friendly New Year’s Eve 2023 starting at 7:30pm. Tickets are $90 for adults, $30 for kids. Seating will be assigned based on the time of purchase. 525 Los Coches St, Milpitas
Inni Entertainments takes over both Club Rio and Club Rodeo for a Happy New Year affair with the capacity to bring together a crowd of 1,500. Two separate rooms will house four DJs, with finger food served until 9pm. And there will be go go dancers, dhol players and a photo booth. The musical fare ranges from Bollywood and bhangra with DJs Dru and Neil and a hip hop/EDM/house/reggaeton mix with DJs Reggie C and Kev. In addition, singer Manas Manu will perform an hourlong, multilingual set starting at 7:30pm. Admission is $30. 610 Coleman Ave, San Jose | sulekha.com/innihappynewyear2023
Can’t wait for Dec. 31? On Dec. 29, My Royal Palace hosts a Pre New Year Bollywood Bash 2023 at 9:30pm. Produced by Vamsha Events; tickets start at $50. 246 Serra Way, Milpitas
The Royal Palace in Fremont has big plans for the 31st: Bollywood Glitz NYE 2023 – War of the Eras 80s Vs 2020s. Instant Karma presents the event beginning at 7pm in the banquet hall; tickets start at $29. 6058 Stevenson Blvd, Fremont
Kidding Around
Aside from Enchant at PayPal Park and Christmas in the Park, which are featured in the cover story on page 10, there are other kid-friendly ways to ring in the new year.
Happy Hollow’s Noon Year’s Eve at Happy Hollow Zoo is all about outdoor fun for the little ones. From 11am to 4pm on Dec. 31, guests can enjoy activities, crafts, games and entertainment, all included in admission. 748 Story Rd, San Jose
Over at California’s Great America, New Year’s Eve at WinterFest starts at 4pm on New Year’s Eve. Rides will be open and the celebration lasts until 12:30am. 4701 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara; 408. 988.1776
Still looking for just the right place to celebrate? Check out the calendar section on MetroSiliconValley.com.
