In the immortal words of David Bowie: let’s dance.
The horror that was 2014 is finally (almost) behind us, and the only thing to do is put on your red shoes and dance the blues away until the year is but a distant memory. And whether you prefer to do that in a sweaty mosh pit or a laser-lit dance-floor, Brooklyn has a party to suit every musical preference. So we have compiled an authoritative guide to all the New Year’s Eve shows in the borough that haven’t sold out yet (as of writing; no guarantees), arranged by price for your convenience.
Let’s go crazy
Don your best velvet suit for Videology’s “Purple Rain” party. The bar-theater will screen the film and serve up Prince-themed cocktails followed by DJs playing tunes from the ’70s to the ’90s.
9:30 pm at Videology [308 Bedford Ave. at S. First Street in Williamsburg, (718) 782–3468, www.videology.info]. Free.
Sing it off
Be your own entertainment at Greenpoint bar the Diamond, which is throwing a karaoke party. Your first drink is half-price, and those who dress in “party attire” get free champagne at midnight.
8 pm at the Diamond [43 Franklin St. between Calyer and Quay streets in Greenpoint, (718) 383–5030, www.thediamondbrooklyn.com]. Free.
Red, white, and blues
Break out the whiskey — Americana band Rue Snider and No Strand heads up the bill at Pete’s Candy Store, supported by futuristic rock outfit the Sky Captains of Industry and jazzy singer-songwriter James Margolis.
8 pm at Pete’s Candy Store [709 Lorimer St. at Richardson Street in Williamsburg, (718) 302–3770, www.petescandystore.com]. Free.
Rasta la vista
The annual Reggae Prom returns, with Rastafarian rhythms from bands the Far East and the Frightnrs, plus selectors Grace of Spades and Jonny Go! Figure. Dress fancy and bring your own alcoholic libations.
8 pm at the Tea Factory (175 Stockholm St. between Wilson and Knickerbocker avenues in Bushwick). Free before 9 pm, $7 after.
Hallelujah
Feel the spirit at Union Pool with the gospel stylings of Reverend Vince Anderson and the Love Choir, plus the promise of special guests.
9:30 pm at Union Hall [484 Union Ave. between Skillman Avenue and Conselyea Street in Williamsburg, (718) 599-1450, www.union-pool.com]. $10.
Horn-y
Upbeat jazz and blues band the Rad Trads will bring its party-starting horn section to Radegast Hall and Biergarten for a literal blowout.
9 pm at Radegast Hall and Biergarten [[113 N. Third St. at Berry Street in Williamsburg, (718) 963–3973, www.radegasthall.com]. $10.
Get trashed
Trash Bar goes hard with an open bar from 8–9 pm and hardcore band Murphy’s Law headlining.
8 pm at Trash Bar [256 Grand St. between Roebling Street and Driggs Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 599–1000, www.thetrashbar.com]. $12.
Raga-muffins
Indian classical music collective Brooklyn Raga Massive is ringing in the new years with the sound of the subcontinent. Raga Kids will play a family-friendly sing-a-along at 4 pm, followed by a marathon evening of raga music, headlined by the Brooklyn Raga Massive All-Star Party Band and capped off with a midnight jam session.
6 pm at Art Cafe [886 Pacific St. at Underhill Avenue in Crown Heights, (347) 533–8662, www.brooklynragamassive.com]. $20.
Diplomatic unity
Groove into the new year at Barbes with guitarist Mamady Kouyate and his Guinean Afro-jazz group Mandingo Ambassadors.
10 pm at Barbes [376 Ninth St. at Sixth Avenue in Park Slope, (347) 422-0248, www.barbesbrooklyn.com]. $20.
How bazaar
Electro artist Machinedrum headlines Brooklyn Night Bazaar with a three-hour set, supported by DJ Spinn and Taso, DJ Earl, Dan Wender and Blacky II, Dave Q, Mess Kid, and Tripletrain.
9 pm at Brooklyn Night Bazaar (165 Banker St. at Norman Avenue in Greenpoint, www.bkbazaar.com). $30–$85.
High spirits
Stomp along to local folk-y bluegrass outfit Spirit Family Reunion in the cavernous confines of record store Rough Trade. Support comes via “grunge gospel” band Mail the Horse and Spirit Family offshoot Twain.
10 pm at Rough Trade [64 N. Ninth St. between Kent and Wythe avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 388–4111, www.roughtradenyc.com]. $35.
Chk yourself
Dance punk band !!! headlines the Knitting Factory’s New Year’s Eve festivities, supported by the psych-y sounds of Prince Rama and rapper Cakes da Killa.
9:30 pm at Knitting Factory [361 Metropolitan Ave. bear Havermeyer Street in Williamsburg, (347) 529–6696, bk.knittingfactory.com]. $40–$45.
Mix masters
Rapper Mykki Blanco, punk outfit Perfect Pussy, dance producer Ricky Eat Acid, and psych-rockers Sunflower Bean are just some of the acts on the eclectic bill at Baby’s All Right. There will also be an open bar from 7–9 pm.
7 pm at Baby’s All Right [146 Broadway at Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 599–5800, www.babysallright.com]. $40–$45.
Hold on
Hometown heroes the Hold Steady are not just celebrating the new year at this show with the So So Glows at the Music Hall of Williamsburg — the band is also toasting bass player Galen Polivka’s birthday. As such, you can also buy a ticket to a post-show birthday party, where the band will DJ and give you a signed poster.
9:30 pm at the Music Hall of Williamsburg [66 N. Sixth St. between Wythe and Kent avenues in Williamsburg, (718) 486–5400, www.musichallofwilliamsburg.com]. $45, $75 birthday ticket.
Rub down
The Bell House’s monthly dance party the Rub is on New Year’s duty, with DJs Ayres and Eleven spinning danceable hip-hop, disco, funk, and soul tracks.
9 pm at the Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third streets in Gowanus, (718) 643–6510, www.thebellhouseny.com]. $50
Hey, Mr. DJ
Cameo has dance music across two rooms, including Morgan Geist (also known as Storm Queen and one half house duo Metro Area), disco band Midnight Magic, and LCD Soundsystem’s Pat Mahoney amongst many others.
9 pm at Cameo Gallery [93 N. Sixth St. between Berry Street and Wythe Avenue, (718) 302–1180, www.cameony.com]. $50–$60.
Last call
This may be the hottest ticket in town. Glasslands is promising four mystery guest performers from the past for its final show ever (sniff). There will be an hour-long vodka open bar and a midnight champagne toast so you can say “cheers” to the end of 2014 and one of Brooklyn’s most beloved venues.
8 pm at Glasslands (289 Kent Ave. between S. First and S. Second streets in Williamsburg, www.theglasslands.com). $50.
Ticked off
Rhode Island alt-rock band Deer Tick is celebrating 10 years of existence with a six-night run at Brooklyn Bowl. Its final show will be on New Year’s Eve, where it will perform a set chosen entirely by its fans.
6 pm at Brooklyn Bowl [61 Wythe Ave. between N. 11th and N. 12th streets in Williamsburg, (718) 963–3369, www.brooklynbowl.com]. $50.
Wave hello
The Way Station’s annual New Wave Eve party returns, with DJ Pseudo Iguana spinning ’80s new wave tracks all night, plus burlesque performers and go-go dancers from Wasabassco. Stick around for the free (very) early brunch at 2 am.
8 pm at the Way Station [683 Washington Ave. between St. Marks Avenue and Prospect Place in Prospect Heights, (347) 627–4949, www.waystationbk.com]. $50.
Let it go
The costume party extraordinaires at Gemini and Scorpio are putting on a huge winter bash this year dubbed “The Court of the Snow Queen.” The theatrical party will feature live jazz and swing music, aerial and contortion performers, face and body painting, large-scale art, and a snowy photo booth. Come in an appropriately winter wonderland-inspired costume.
9 pm at Irondale Center (85 S. Oxford St. between Lafayette Avenue and Fulton Street in Fort Greene, www.geminiandscorpio.com). $60 ($20 after 12:30 am).
On the John
Say goodbye yellow brick road, hello 2015 with Elton John at Barclays. There weren’t many tickets left last time we checked, but ABC will broadcast some of the show live as part of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
9 pm at Barclays Center [620 Atlantic Ave. at Flatbush Avenue in Prospect Heights, (917) 618–6100, www.barclayscenter.com]. $69.50–$700.
European union
Output is bringing Europe to Brooklyn. The club’s bill includes German techno disc jockey DJ Koze, fellow Deutschlanders house band Wareika, French duo Masomenos, and unpronounceable Romaian trio [a:rpia:r] amongst many others.
10 pm at Output [74 Wythe Ave. between N. 11th and N. 12th streets in Williamsburg, (917) 333–1000, www.outputclub.com]. $90–$100.
Glitterati
Williamsburg club Verboten will shine — literally — with its “All That Glitters” party, for which the venue promises to be decked out as a “futuristic diamond paradise.” Attendees are also expected to break out their sparkliest duds. Music comes via veteran house DJ Lee Burridge, plus Andhim, Matthew Dekay, Bedouin, and Mike Khoury.
10 pm at Verboten [54 N. 11th St. between Kent and Wythe avenues in Williamsburg, 347) 223–4732, www.verbotennewyork.com]. $70–$150.
Far out
Party promoter Bang On! NYC is putting on a “time and space” themed bash. Music will be provided by DJ Lee Foss, singer Anabel Englund, and French producer Shiba San, amongst many others, but the real draw may be the “holographic countdown” and “flying saucer blast-off” at midnight.
9 pm at Brooklyn location to be announced (www.bangon-nyc.com). $60–$175.
Stolen good
Unicorn Meat NYC’s “Steal This Warehouse” party will feature DJs across three stages and more than 30 large-scale interactive art installations. Music spinners include Simon Posford of Shpongle, Phutureprimitive, and Liquid Stranger, among many others.
8 pm at Brooklyn location to be advised (www.unicornmeatnycnye15.eventbrite.com). $70–$90.
Bach to the future
Give 2014 a sophisticated send-off at floating concert hall Bargemusic, where violinist Mark Peskanov and pianist Steven Beckmwill perform an evening of music from Johann Sebastian Bach. Keeping it classy, there will be free apple cider and chocolate.
7:30 pm at Bargemusic [Fulton Ferry Landing near the corner of Old Fulton and Water streets in Dumbo, (718) 624–4924, www.bargemusic.org]. $100.
Block heads
Brooklyn Brewery is hosting an indoors “block party” (so, a party?), with an open bar featuring different 14 beers, barbecue from Mable’s Smokehouse, raffles, and DJ SeekTen spinning funk and hip-hop.
10 pm at Brooklyn Brewery [79 N. 11th Street between Berry Street and Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 486–7422, www.brooklynbrewery.com]. $115.
