Bringing in the New Year with A Bang...

If you need to ring in the New Years with the Champagne flowing and the bass thumping one of my favorite places to party without breaking the bank is the Sapphire Lounge at 249 Eldridge Street, off Houston ( http://www.sapphirenyc.com/).
This Lower East Side staple has been around forever and is so packed by 9pm on New Year's Eve that you take your chances not pre-paying for your admission or showing up at 8pm when the doors open. Some of the best DJs around spin everything from Hip-Hop, Reggae, R&B, Funk & Soul, Latin, House and old school classics and the music doesn't stop until New Year's day. The eclectic crowd ranges in age and always dresses to impress on New Year's Eve. The bar gets crowded and the dance floor, which isn't extremely large, gets packed but isn't that what hanging out on New Year's Eve is about?
Like all places in Mahattan there will be a door charge that night but you have options, including taking advantage of an open bar -
1)Open Bar 8pm-11pm, $40 ladies, $50 men, $80 couples,
2) Open Bar 10pm-3am, $80 ladies, $100 men, $160 couples.
3) General Admission: $20 ladies, $25 men, $40 couples.
If you already have plans there's always the option of their after hours party. It starts at 3am and continues well into New Year's Day afternoon. Admission is only $10 w/ flyer anytime after 3am.

Happy New Year!