New Year’s events in the Annandale area
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| Ready to party anaconda style. |
If you’re looking for something fun to do on New Year’s Eve close to home, here are several places to celebrate in the Annandale area:
Diamond Lounge, 7203 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, 703/354-1261,
571/32-0488: Masquerade Ball, with two DJs, hosted by contestants in the
2012 Miss Angola USA pageant and sponsored by PalavaHut. Tickets are
$50 if ordered online and $75 at the door. There also a special online deal for $35 tickets. Tickets cover a full-course
dinner, drinks, and mask. Participants should wear something “classy and
distinguished.” 8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Dogfish Head Alehouse, 6220 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, 703/534-3342: Special dinner with beer tastings. First seating, starting at 5:30 p.m., is $65. The second seating, starting at 9:30 p.m. with a beer toast at midnight, is $85. The MSJ Project starts playing at 10 p.m.
JW & Friends, 6531 Backlick Road,
Springfield, 703/451-4556: The band Route 66 is playing. Champagne toast
at midnight. A special meal is planned but the restaurant is already
booked. Seats at the bar are first come, first served. No cover.
Kilroy’s, Ravensworth Shopping Center, 5250-A Port Royal Road,
Springfield, 703/321-7733: Champagne fountain with complementary toast
at midnight. DJ and dancing. A special menu is planned but not finalized
yet. No cover charge.
Nick’s, 642 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, 703/751-8900: Ramblin Fever band, karaoke. Dinner package ($50) includes four-course meal with chicken cordon bleu, prime rib, swordfish, or pasta primavera; party favors; champagne toast. $20 without dinner.
Public House No. 7, 6315 Leesburg Pike, Seven Corners, 703/942-638: New
Year’s Eve party 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. with party favors and Champagne toast;
no cover charge. Special New Years’ Eve dinner for $35 features choice
of scallop salad or seafood chowder, tenderloin fillet or salmon en
papillote, and apple crumble or chocolate cake.
toast at bar on the house at midnight. People planning to come with a
party of six or more on Dec. 31 can call ahead to arrange a table several days early.
(Under the regular policy, you can only call ahead on the day you plan to
come.)
Velocity 5, 8111 Lee Highway, Merrifield, 703/207-9464: Live band and DJ. You must purchase tickets in advance, the sooner the better because they expect to sell out. For $35 you get hors d’oeuvres and Champagne toast at midnight. $60 gets you unlimited drinks before 9 p.m. and a bigger selection of hors d’oeuvres. Dinner not included.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly New Year’s Eve event, bring the kids to the free City of Falls Church Watch Night, 7 p.m.-midnight, at the intersection of Broad Street and Washington Street.
Several bands will perform, including Hello Headlights, made up of JEB Stuart High School students and alums, on the main stage, 7:30-8:30 p.m. Also on the agenda: swing dancing, karaoke, DJ dance, face painters, Velcro wall, moon bounce, fire pits, balloon artists, and at midnight, the countdown and lowering of the Falls Church Star.
Another option for the family is First Night Alexandria, with more than 100 live performances throughout Old Town. The festivities go on all afternoon and evening with food trucks, kids’ activities, and entertainment, ending with a fireworks display on the Potomac River at midnight. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased online. Kids 12 and under are free.
