Oh, “Auld Lang Syne.” You know, that traditional song sung at the stroke of midnight when balls drop, champagne kisses are sloppy and 12 months of Gregorian timekeeping flips anew. Let’s be real–no one really knows the lyrics to this ol’ Scottish tune anymore, and anyway it doesn’t matter because we’re all too drunk to bother with being proper (or at least, ought to be).
Still, everyone manages to at least get the first part right, which is the most important: “Should old acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?” It’s a rhetorical question, and the answer (though we need none), is hell no! The New Year holiday is a time to celebrate all those dear, whether or not they’re near; a time to make amends and a time to make new friends, too.
So, as you “run the slopes” and “paddle the stream” and “take a good-will draught,” give a thought to your fellows–and foes–and we’ll “all take a cup of kindness yet.” To help you figure out where you’ll toast to a year past and yet to come, here’s a roundup of happenings across the isle. Cheers!
SOUTH MAUI
AMBROSIA’S NYE SHINDIG – Everything is awesome at Ambrosia, no matter the night–but especially on New Year’s Eve! Indulge in a different shot special every hour, watch the NYC ball drop on Ambrosia’s giant screen, and gulp bubbly at the stroke of midnight. Meanwhile, trip the light fantastic with DJ Decka. No cover. 7pm-2am. Ambrosia Martini Lounge (1913 S. Kihei Rd.); 891-1011
DIAMOND’S NYE PARTY – Countdown to midnight with The John Grover Band. No cover. Diamonds Ice Bar & Grill (1279 S. Kihei Rd.); 874-9299
DOG & DUCK’S NYE DANCE PARTY – Ahh. That’s the onomatopoeia for a sigh of relief; because as we head into 2012, we can finally file-away 2011’s The Dougie alongside 1995’s Macarena (what we like to call the first international folk dance) and 1976’s Electric Slide. But who knows? Get your groove on at this party and maybe you’ll invent the first dance craze of the new year. But if you do, make sure it’s a good one, m’kay? No cover. Dog & Duck Irish Pub (1913 S. Kihei Rd.); 875-9669
GANNON’S NYE PARTY – Enjoy music by DJ Dan and dancing in the main dining room, plus late night and dessert buffets and a champagne toast. $75. 8:30pm-12:30am. Gannon’s (100 Wailea Golf Club Drive); 875-8080; gannonsrestaurant.com
LIFE’S A BEACH’S NYE PARTY – Dat Guyz featuring Keola play Jawaiian favorites (PS: you can catch ‘em every Fri. night, too) and LAB’s giving away party hats and horns plus a champagne toast at midnight. No cover. 9pm-close. Haui’s Life’s A Beach (1913 S. Kihei Rd.); 891-8010
FAIRMONT KEA LANI’S NYE GALA – An undersea theme evening of island cuisine, entertainment, tropical cocktails and dancing. Begins with a premium open bar and pupus followed by a gourmet buffet. Reservations required. $250 / $150 16-to 20-year-olds / $60 six-to 15-year-olds / free for keiki 5-years-old and younger. The Fairmont Kea Lani (4100 Wailea Alanui Dr.); 875-22290; concierge.kealani@fairmont.com
LULU’S KIHEI NYE SHINDIG – Barbara & Neto spice up the dance floor with live Latin music. $15 advance. LuLu’s Kihei (1945 S. Kihei Rd.); 879-9944
MONKEYPOD KITCHEN’S NYE ENTERTAINMENT – Enjoy the wide repertoire of Randall Rospond. 6:30-8:30pm. Monkeypod Kitchen (10 Wailea Gateway Pl.); 891-2322; monkeypodkitchen.com
MULLIGAN’S ON THE BLUE’S NYE EXTRAVAGANZA – Mulligan’s on the Blue has the best view of Wailea fireworks. So find your phone (quick!) and make reservations for their annual NYE Extravaganza–which always sells out in a hurry. If you’ve already got a midnight engagement, check out their early bird special ($35; 5:30-7:30pm), seated inside, with music by Joyce and Gord. Or, stick around for the extravaganza with The House Shakers, featuring Paul Marchetti, Kenny Blue, Fulton Toshombe and Lenny Castellanos, plus special guests Felicity and Kelly Covington ($65 dinner package; 7:30-9:30 dinner seating). General admission: $15 advance / $20 door. Mulligan’s on the Blue (100 Kaukahi St., Wailea); 874-1131; mulligansontheblue.com
OCEANS’ NYE BASH – Ring in the New Year at this ragin’ Southside watering hole. $10. 10pm. Oceans Bar & Grill (1910 S. Kihei Rd.); 891-2414
SOUTH SHORE TIKI LOUNGE’S NYE DANCE PARTY – Get hooked up with mad party favors, then get your groove with DJ LX, until their midnight balloon drop and champagne toast. No cover. South Shore Tiki Lounge (2411 S. Kihei Rd.); 874-6444
STELLA BLUES CAFE’S NYE EXTRAVAGANZA – The roof is on fire (metaphorically speaking) with fireworks of funk by Soul Congress (featuring Josh Greenbaum, Shawn Michael, Clay Mortensen and Chris Sendry), playing the tunes of Prince, P-Funk, Earth Wind & Fire, Stevie Wonder and more. Your all-night funk pass includes heavy pupus like ahi poke spoons, oyster shooters and caprese skewers (9-11pm) and a champagne toast (12am). Advance tickets available at Stella Blues and 808 Deli (Kihei). $40 (late night pass 11pm-close) / $60 (all night pass 9pm-close). Stella Blues Cafe (1279 S. Kihei Rd.); 874-3779; stellablues.com
THREE’S NYE BASH – No matter the night, Next Level Entertainment brings the goods, and on NYE they’re hosting Maui’s biggest balloon drop. Best of all, it’s all free. No cover. 10pm. Three’s Bar & Grill (1945 S. Kihei Rd.); 879-3133; threesbarandgrill.com
WEST MAUI
BUZZ’S WHARF’S “UNDER THE SEA” NYE PARTY – Enjoy live music and dancing with Wolf (5-8pm) and Deja Vu (9pm-12:30m). Bring your smartphone and interact with hosts to win great prizes. $80 four-course dinner / $100 with shuttle (available with second seating time). 6pm first seating. 8:30pm second seating. Buzz’s Wharf (Ma’alaea Harbor); 244-5426; buzzswharf.com
BLUE LAGOON LAHAINA’S NYE BALL DROP – Drop it like it’s hot while the ball drops with DJ Mike, who spins ‘80s dance hits. Cover charge includes pupu buffet featuring sashimi and their menu’s best grinds. $15 cover / $100 table service (for four) includes party favors and bottle of champagne. Blue Lagoon Lahaina (658 Front St.); 661-4900
CAPTAIN JACK’S & COOL CATS’ NYE SHINDIGS – These neighboring joints mean you get twice the chance to enjoy live music and dancing, plus a late night menu served ‘til midnight. Captain Jack’s / Cool Cats (Wharf Cinema Center, Lahaina); 667-0988 / 667-0908
HARD ROCK’S NYE PARTY – Seattle’s DJ Liam Grist keeps the dance floor lively, and patrons can enjoy a complimentary champagne toast and gift bags. No cover. 10pm. Hard Rock Cafe (900 Front St.); 667-7400
KIMO’S NYE PARTY – Enjoy lively tunes from DJ Ron and complimentary party favors. Plus, visit the restaurant’s website and download a coupon for a free Hula Pie dessert with the purchase of two entrees on NYE. No cover. 9:30pm-12:30am. Kimo’s (845 Front St., Lahaina); 661-4811; kimosmaui.com
LULU’S LAHAINA’S NYE BLOWOUT PARTY – Six sexy go go dancers rock the stage while DJ MOney Mike and DJ Big Mike play booty shakin’ beats while MC Philly Blunt keeps the hype up. Plus, LuLu’s offers a video countdown to midnight and a champagne toast. 9:30pm-2am. LuLu’s Lahaina (Lahaina Cannery Mall); 661-0808 / text 446-6180 for VIP info.
TIMBA’S NYE BLACK AND WHITE PARTY – Ring in the New Year in swanky style at Timba’s annual black & white party (read: dress accordingly). Tickets sell out fast and include a complimentary bottle of Moet and bunches of B&W favors. Advance tickets available at groovetickets.com. 9:45pm. Timba (505 Front St., Lahaina); 463-1371; timbamaui.com
CENTRAL/UPCOUNTRY MAUI
“DANCE INTO THE LIGHT” –
Welcome 2012 with a midnight peace flame ceremony and the sounds of Dust of Vraj, Maui Underground, Diane Patterson, Molten Soul, Maesyn, Dreaming Bear, Extremely High Frequency, SacredEarth Ensemble, Mirayah Delamar, SacredEarth Bellydance Troupe, Gabriel Wolf Child, plus Mekila. Sponsored by Sacred Earth Assembly, Temple of Peace and Mystic Island Festival. Tickets available at Paia’s Mandala Ethnic Arts. 7pm-4am. Held at a private North Shore estate. For more information, check out SacredEarth Assembly on Facebook.
CASANOVA’S NYE PARTY – NYE treats abound at Casanova. For your ears: the happy, future-surf tunes of Nectar Collector, plus DJ Sid and The Guilty Pleasures. And for your eyes: the bonny beauties of Kit Kat Club Cabaret and live visual projections by Gabe Mott. Midnight bubbly and party favors included with cover! Presented by Origins Music and Tasty Pie Productions. $20 door. 9:30pm. Casanova (1188 Makawao Ave.); 572-0220; casanovamaui.com / facebook.com/originsmusic
CHARLEY’S NYE PARTY – Bob Jones & The Drive, MOTHxp and Owaila take over the North Shore’s famous saloon, Charley’s. Party includes favors and a champagne toast at midnight. $20. 9pm. Charley’s (142 Hana Hwy.); 579-8085; charleysmaui.com
STOPWATCH’S NYE PARTY – Party it up Upcountry at this Makawao rager with Eddie & The Promises. $5. 9pm-1am. Stopwatch Sports Bar (1127 Makawao Ave.); 572-1380
For the freshest thing to do, visit MauiTime’s events blog at: mauivents.com
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