Read this to the tune of Rufus Wainwright’s version of “What are You Doing New Year’s Eve,” and you’ll get the perfect vibe for where this holiday feature is going.
By the time you get to this, many of the previously announced event things announced for ringing in the New Year will be canceled due to Omicron’s surge. So far that includes stuff at the Philadelphia Mausoleum of Art (PhilaMOCA), Johnny Brenda’s and Rivers Casino. Even Low Cut Connie cut their New Year’s Eve date at Atlantic City’s Anchor Rock Club due to Covid. Then again, Dr. Dog at Union Transfer, the Disco Biscuits at the Fillmore and the Pennsylvania Convention Center’s dubstep festival, Hijinx, are on and welcoming additional customers, pandemic be damned.
So far.
With that, it seems as if restaurants, bars and cafes are the only place guar-own-teed to stay open on December 31, Omicron or not. Here are a few items or ideas I thought looked like fun. Remember though, staying home, drinking and eating heavily and smoking scads of weed is a very viable option. There’s always next year.
Maybe.
So this ends at 9 pm but, start early and get home for fireworks: the Thirsty Dice game café in Fishtown is hosting a drag bingo party with prizes and bedazzled performances from queens Venus Stratton, Lady Geisha Stratton, Aloe Vera Stratton and Emily Valentine. Plus, I think they’re spiking the coffee.
Chris Kearse’s Franco-philing eatery Forsythia in Old City is mixing up tony, tiny small plate meals, drinks, and roller boogie for his occasional French Disco Dance Party. Clear the floor.
The Twisted Tail on Headhouse Square is going for a Burlesque and Blues Masquerade Party with an open bar, food and the blues. Wait, are the blues cool on New Year’s Eve since we’re already kind of blue? Damn, right they are.
Figo Italian in Northern Liberties is working Enchanted, a child-friendly dining event with a visiting princess and a heated igloo to eat in.
Helium Comedy Club on Sansom Street is hosting two shows with stand-up comedian and Conan and Kimmel favorite, Kellen Erskine. If he makes Conan laugh, he’s okay by me.
The Marcie Turney-Valerie Safran tag team are opening their Gayborhood salons Barbuzzo, Little Nonna’s and Bud & Marilyn’s to a $65-per-person prix fixe at each restaurant. See, I would make it mix-and-match, but that’s the type of hairpin I am.
A curve ball for my Italian Market entry: Taqueria La Veracruzana on Washington Avenue. Tell you why: along with amazing, hearty food, there’s room to dance if you bring a boom box, and I’m pretty sure you can bring your own booze.
As for my last entry for dining and drinking New Year’s Eve style, I’m going to rock you back and forth between Rittenhouse Square and all the way up in Port Fishington with Stephen Starr. Start the evening with an opulent boutique steakhouse experience at the standard bearing Barclay Prime, then speed up north for Starr’s new Baja Cali inspired bar-restaurant-library LMNO for end of times cocktails, deserts and snacks.
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