New Year's Eve is for amateurs. I should know -- I used to be one.
Let me tell you about the last time I went out on NYE and acted stupid (coulda been last year; coulda been 10 years ago -- I ain't telling!). Whatever the case, I spent the next day huddled over some shiny white porcelain. Disgusting, I know. The year before that, I sloshed through the snow searching for a friend who got kicked out of the club (only to find this said friend splayed out on the sidewalk).
Like I said: Embarrassing.
So, this year I'm not going to give you a guide to the biggest, wildest, drunkest parties that our club scene has to offer. This list is the opposite. Call it the anti-NYE. By all means, celebrate, but do you really need an all-you-can-drink ticket to blackout-ville?
If you must go out, here are some great NYE spots where you won't be beset by drunk people dancing on the bar with nothing on but those obnoxious "2012"-shaped eyeglasses.
ASTER CAFE
- It's for: Overzealous music nerds (that's a good thing!).
- What to expect: The all-star improv band, Coloring Time (featuring members of Peter Wolf Crier, No Bird Sing and Kill the Vultures), is inviting bargoers to bring their own instruments for one big NYE jam. Or just come as you are and enjoy the sounds at this St. Anthony Main gem. Cover is $10.
- Find it: 125 SE. Main St., Mpls. 612-379-3138. www.aster-cafe.com.
TOWN HALL BREWERY
- It's for: Beer lovers.
- What to expect: A "Cheers"-type atmosphere with beer geeks reveling in their hoppy suds. The brewpub's recently released Festivus beer (a la "Seinfeld") will be on tap. It's a winter black lager brewed with more than 300 pounds of tart red cherries. That's cause to celebrate.
- Find it: 1430 Washington Av. S., Mpls. 612-339-8696. www.townhallbrewery.com.
KING AND I THAI
