Bethesda New Year's Eve parties 2015/2016

Kanika Kapoor headlines a
Bollywood New Year's Eve bash
in North Bethesda

New Year's Eve events in Bethesda aren't hard to come by, but the real question is, which one is right for you or your group? That's where this guide comes in for New Year's Eve 2015.

Union Jack's Bethesda

Union Jack's is hosting a Countdown Extravaganza from 6:00 PM to 2:00 AM. For $20 presale (order tickets online), you'll get the ubiquitous DJ and dancing, heavy hors d'oeuvres from 7-10 PM, pool and darts, party favors, and a Champagne toast at midnight.

4935 Bar and Kitchen

Party like Jay G. himself at 4935's Great Gatsby Gala. Guests are encouraged - but not required - to dress in 1920s attire at this bash on two floors, each with their own DJ. Pose for photos with 1920s-lingerie-clad models, and enjoy Chef-owner Ashish Alfred's buffet from 9-11 PM, 2 drink tickets, and a free Champagne toast at midnight for $45. You can get in for just the dancing and toast for $20 at the low end, or call for VIP table packages. Purchase your tickets now online.

Mon Ami Gabi

Prefer Paris to Long Island? Call (301) 654-1234 to make your reservation now for New Year's Eve at Mon Ami Gabi at Bethesda Row. French cuisine and fine wines will be capped off with a Champagne toast at midnight - and who knows Champagne better than the French?

Vino Volo

Or head to Vino Volo next door, for live music starting at 9:30 PM, and fine food paired with wine selections chosen by their in-house wine experts. See the full menu and price options on their Facebook event page.

Del Frisco's Grille

Del Frisco's is focusing on the dining side of New Year's Eve, pairing its 16 oz. dry aged Prime Rib with hand-mashed potatoes for $42. Their full menu will also be available. Make reservations online now.

City Perch

Another option at Pike & Rose is City Perch, which will be offering a farm to table five-course tasting menu ($75 per person/$35 wine flight).  Menu highlights include a Yukon Gold baked potato, wild mushroom soup, pan-seared scallop and fennel salad, fillet mignon and butter poached lobster tail, and raspberry + vanilla Baked Alaska. Their full menu will also be available upon request.

Jaleo

For a Spanish take on New Year's Eve, head to celebrity chef Jose Andres' Jaleo at Bethesda Row. From 5:30 PM - 7 PM they will offer their full menu, along with some New Year's Eve specials. Available all night at the bar.

Their second seating begins at 8 PM, with a special tasting menu from both the holiday and seasonal menus at $85 per person.

At midnight, each guest will be presented with a glass of cava for toasting and twelve grapes per the Spanish holiday tradition. A band familiar to longtime readers, Rudy y su Locura, will be playing live starting at 9 PM.
Call now to make your reservation at 301-913-0003.

Bethesda Marriott North

Bollywood meets Bethesda at TicketHungama.com's New Year's Eve Gala at this hotel and conference center right on the Metro Red Line at the White Flint station. Bollywood playback singer Kanika Kapoor headlines the bash, which requires your choice of Indian or American formal attire. Indian cuisine will be served. Tickets are available online from $125 to $5000 for the true high-rollers.

The Barking Dog

They're keeping the draw at The Barking Dog pretty straightforward this year - the DJ and dancing upstairs, and all-you-can drink open bar from 9:00 PM to 2:30 AM. Your $60 ticket also provides appetizers, party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight. The dress code is "smart casual", for those who don't fancy having to rent a James Bond tux for the night.

NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENTS IN BETHESDA 2014

Making late plans for tonight in Bethesda? Here are some events around town:

Positano 

The colorful Italian restaurant on Fairmont Avenue will be open from noon until 10:00 PM tonight, and open on New Year's Day from noon until 9:00 PM. Both days will feature the regular menu, and regular prices.

Union Jack's

Tonight:
Heavy Hors D'oeuvres (7-10pm)
DJ and Dancing until 2:30am
Free Jamaican Trip Giveaway Raffle/Door Prize
Dress to Impress
Champagne Toast at Midnight
Party Favors
Pool & Darts

Call today to book your tickets at 301-652-2561. If you're still going on New Years Day, they will offer a Recovery Brunch featuring $1 Mimosas and Bloody Mary refills.

4935 Bar & Kitchen

This 4935 Cordell Avenue restaurant and nightspot is celebrating from 10:00 PM to 3:00 AM tonight, with DJ Chris Blackstar, a buffet, and a Lingerie Fashion Show. $25 at the door tonight.

The Parva Tequila Bar

Head over to this Latin hotspot on Woodmont Avenue for dinner and a New Year's Eve bash tonight.

BETHESDA NEW YEAR'S EVE EVENTS GUIDE - JUST ADDED: GRINGOS AND MARIACHIS!

Making last-minute New Year's Eve plans? Here is my guide to some of the more intriguing New Year's Eve events at Bethesda bars and restaurants this year. The biggest news is the last-minute entry of the highly-anticipated Gringos & Mariachis restaurant to the list of New Year's Eve options.

Gringos and Mariachis

This is the one people will be talking about around town, given that the restaurant hasn't opened to the public yet! For only $45, be one of the first to try the food here (which you'd expect to be outstanding, coming from the folks behind Bethesda's popular Olazzo restaurant). Choose one item from each course on the 4-course menu:

Course 1:

Pineapple guacamole, halibut ceviche, or duck nachos.

Course 2:

Kale Caesar, tortilla chicken soup, or roasted tomato soup.

Course 3:

Lamb mixiote, red snapper Vera Cruz, or pistachio-encrusted chicken.

Course 4:

Coconut flan or rice pudding.

Vegetarian options will also be available. Email olazzo [at] yahoo.com for reservations. Phone: 240-800-4266. 4928 Cordell Avenue.

Guardado's

Guardado's is offering an All-You-Can-Eat menu for only $50, including Champagne and noisemakers at midnight. 4918 Del Ray Avenue. 6:00 PM-midnight.

The Parva

Table service is already sold out in the upstairs lounge, but you can still enjoy two floors of music all night ($30) and add a 3-course dinner for $20 more. Ironically, one of the appetizers on the menu is Beef Empanadas, a New Year's Eve tradition for me.  Call 301-312-6488 to reserve your dinner seat now. 7904 Woodmont Avenue. Starts at 6:00 PM.

Positano Ristorante

Positano will be open for lunch and dinner New Year's Eve, and there is no fixed menu or price; you can order whatever you like from the menu. They are also open on New Year's Day, from noon to 9:00 PM. Once again, you can order your preference from the regular menu. You may want to verify what the closing time is on New Year's Eve when you make your reservation. To reserve a table, call 301-654-1717, or email reserve@epositano.com. 4948 Fairmont Avenue.

Redwood

Redwood has a 1920s Prohibition theme, and numerous packages for all price points. There's even back room "gambling." If you just want to get into the party for $56, whisper this password to the bouncer after 9:00 PM: "blind tiger." See all the packages, and order tickets on Redwood's special website. 7121 Bethesda Lane. Dinner: 6:30, Speakeasy Party starts at 9:00.

Union Jack's Bethesda

Union Jack's presents its 8th Annual British Invasion Ball, complete with heavy hors d'oeuvres from 8-10 PM, a live DJ and dancing until 2:30 AM, party favors, midnight champagne toast, early morning Continental breakfast, billiards and darts, and drink specials all night. Order tickets online, or for a higher price at the door. 4915 St. Elmo Avenue. 8:00 PM - 2:30 AM.