New Year’s Eve celebrations offer something for everyone

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There are dozens of party and dinner options across the city for ringing in the New Year with friends and family.

Updated: December 22, 2011 6:10PM

Some people like to celebrate New Year’s Eve quietly at home, but for those who prefer to party, Chicago restaurants and other venues are offering a vast array of choices this year.

Most restaurants are taking reservations for specific seatings, with package prices rising as the hours edge closer to midnight. A few, though, are making it easier for folks who don’t want to spend the whole evening watching the clock but would rather slip into a restaurant or nightclub shortly before midnight.

All of the Morton’s The Steakhouse locations (mortons.com) except the original on State Street are offering late seatings for a three-course meal for two for $109.99 or a la carte ordering at regular pricing. The prix fixe choices include a salad, choices of two of the following: single-cut filets, broiled sea scallops, shrimp Alexander or jumbo lump crab cake. Potato and vegetable sides and dessert are included.

Times of the last seatings vary by location, said spokesman Roger Drake, but those coveted late seatings are being offered at Morton’s at 65 E. Wacker Place and in Northbrook, Naperville, Rosemont and Schaumburg.

Celebrants who want some Las Vegas-style entertainment can find it at numerous spots closer to home, although the more desirable seating times may be sold out. However, events planners say that many people don’t book their engagements till the last minute, so they expect to still have tables available the week after Christmas.

Carnivale (702 W. Fulton, 312-850-5005, carnivalechicago.com) can hold 1,000 guests for its dinner and cabaret show featuring burlesque, a fan dancer, a drag queen, a tableside magician and other acts. The restaurant also can accommodate walk-ins in its bar, who can enjoy the entertainment with no cover charge, said Michael Sands, general manager.

“The bar will have white tablecloths and the same food. Or, people can eat elsewhere and come in at 10:30 or 11 for drinks, entertainment and dancing. They can celebrate at a very low cost,” Sands noted.

Kit Kat Lounge and Supper Club, (3700 N. Halsted, 773-525-1111, kitkatchicago.com) also is opening its lounge to walk-ins. Guests with table reservations for either 7 p.m. or 10 p.m. will pay $75 or $95, depending on the time, for a four-course dinner and the best seats for the annual “Glitter and Glam Gala,” featuring two female impersonators transformed into pop icons such as Lady Gaga and Beyonce.

The gambling glamor of Las Vegas (with play money) marks the third annual Bootlegger’s Ball at The Red Canary (695 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-846-1475, theredcanarychicago.eventbrite.com). Dinner seatings, reserved only for those attending the ball that begins at 9 p.m., can be reserved between 7 and 8 p.m. for $30 for four courses. After that, an $80 cover charge will include the table games, a premium open bar, passed appetizers and DJ-spun music from 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Prizes will be awarded throughout the night to winning high rollers.

Setting their New Year’s Eve feast to a Brazilian beat is Sushisamba Rio (504 N. Wells St., 312-595-2300, sushisamba.com), complete with samba dancers, drummers, a DJ and related entertainment. Wearing white is encouraged for those who follow the Brazilian Reveillion tradition of making a wish for the coming year to the goddess of the sea, said Hayes Swope, director of operations. An American touch will be a live broadcast from New York’s Times Square at midnight.

A retro all-American style New Year’s Eve can be had at Benjamin Restaurant (1849 Second St., Highland Park, 847-748-8737, benjaminrestaurant.com). Pianist Robert Irving III will play Sinatra and ’50s jazz throughout the evening. The $99 prix fixe menu will include classic supper club fare — shrimp scampi, lobster bisque, Waldorf salad, prime rib, baked sole and chocolate cake, plus Champagne, of course. Seatings are between 6 and 7 p.m. only.

Families who want to celebrate the occasion together at a festive restaurant have quite a few choices in the city and suburbs. Two of them are Park Grill (11 N. Michigan, 312-521-7275, parkgrillchicago.com) and Koi (624 Davis St., Evanston, koievanston.com). Park Grill’s seatings between 6 and 9 p.m. include children’s menus, accompanied by hot chocolate or “mocktails.” The ice rink in front of the restaurant will be open for anyone who’d like to skate before or after dinner. Park Grill also offers a Countdown Package after 9 p.m., aimed at adults, with live jazz and a free trolley ride home option for anyone staying within two miles of the restaurant.

An early countdown for families will take place at 7:59 p.m. at Koi, complete with party hats and favors. Koi owner Sandy Chen said parents like that time because their younger children usually are still wide awake then.

“This is the eighth year we’re doing that, and it’s getting really popular,” Chen said. “The kids can act like grown-ups.” Koi’s children’s menu includes such Chinese favorites as shrimp, lo mein noodles and fried rice.

Other restaurants that welcome children on New Year’s Eve include Prairie Fire Restaurant (215 N. Clinton, 312-382-8300, prairiefirechicago.com) and sister restaurant Prairie Grass Cafe (601 Skokie Blvd., Northbrook, prairiegrasscafe.com). Dining hours are limited to 5 to 9 p.m.

Adults who like cruising can book their New Year’s Eve celebration on one of Entertainment Cruises’ ships that docks at Navy Pier — Mystic Blue (877-299-7783, mysticbluecruises.com) the Odyssey (866-305-2469, odyssey.com) and Spirit of Chicago (866-273-2469, spiritofchicago.com).

“It’s a unique experience to be out there on the water, in contrast to restaurants, bars and hotels,” said Entertainment Cruises’ spokesman Dan Russell. “It’s very beautiful out on the water with the spectacular skyline.”

There is a range of package prices on the boats. A highlight is having climate-controlled seating to view the fireworks shot off of Navy Pier at midnight. Weather permitting, guests may go out on the deck. In 20 years, it has never happened that weather keeps us from sailing.

Another good viewing spot for the fireworks is from the Crystal Gardens (700 E. Grand Ave., 312-595-5436, crystalgardensnye.com) party on Navy Pier. The $110 fixed price includes substantial hors d’oeuvres catered by Phil Stefani Signature Events, a full premium bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., DJ-spun music and dancing.

Another mega-party is the official Playboy New Year’s Eve Celebration, which expects 4,000 partygoers at the Hilton Chicago (720 S. Michigan, 312-226-6990, newyears12.com). The party, with tickets ranging in price from $155 to $215, will focus on a live concert featuring Eva Simons, Baby Bash and Chet Haze (an up-and-coming rapper and son of actor Tom Hanks).

In addition to their New Year’s Eve dinner packages, some smaller venues are welcoming guests who don’t want the full dinner experience to their lounges, with reservations suggested. Roka Akor (456 N. Clark, 312-477-7652, rokaakor.com), for instance, is charging $45 after 11 p.m. for a prix fixe appetizer menu of specialties like mini-wagyu chibi burgers, hamachi serrano rolls and grilled scallops, along with a midnight glass of Champagne.

Celebrants who just want a good dinner without all of the entertainment frills will have plenty of choices, from French fine-dining bastions like Le Titi de Paris (1015 W. Dundee Rd., Arlington Heights, 847-506-0222, letitideparis.com) to low-key neighborhood restaurants and bars all over town.

Happy New Year!

Carolyn Walkup is a local free-lance writer.