OT: NYE in Ann Arbor

I did NYE there in 2010 or 2011...can't quite remember.  Anyway, it was pretty decent, but you needed to buy a ticket in advance.  I would do some research, since there are a good number of places that require advance tickets these days. 

My limited experience:



Ashley's was closed, Charley's was closed (maybe a one-time thing), and the Jug was quiet. Seemed like Main St was the place to go. Wherever you go, though, I'd call first, because a lot of places close when the students leave.

Kidding. It pretty much sucks. Students are away, and a lot of people are at a bowl locale. Mainly overpriced fancy stuff like Weber's.

As others have suggested, it's honestly worse than a typical Thurs/Fri/Sat night in Ann Arbor because all of the students are gone. And I would agree that Main Street would be the place to go. The undergrad scene on South U pretty much shuts down over Christmas break.

That said, I have been to some great house parties for NYE in Ann Arbor, but I'm sure that's not what you're looking for.

You could party at my place.  I'll have some beers on hand and probably some pizza.  I'll need to excuse myself around 8:30 to put the kids to bed and then you'll need to split around 11:00pm cuz that is when I go to sleep.   Yeah, the A2 scene is hoppin'.

http://www.annarbor.com/entertainment/new-years-eve-2012-ann-arbor-ypsil...

There's a decent run down.

I've done AA NYE twice. Once was a house party I hosted, the last was two years ago. We actually ended up going out late, though (11:30) and got into Blue Lep for a $5 or $10 cover. Most places will have cover, including Charley's for the only night of the year.

I'm not exactly sure where my party will decide on going as I may have two groups of friends out in AA this year, possibly three. I think, though, that barhopping is what you want to avoid. Find a place and stick with it until the ball drops. Then make your rounds. That'll likely be my plan of attack. 

According to the link, here's some No-Covers:

ABC

Cafe Habana (The new and not-so-improved)

Mash? (Not sure if no cover, but I'm going to lobby my groups for Mash)

Mash is becoming a regular for one of my groups of friends. Great live music on Thursdays, Blue Tractor's improved beer, and a nice re-model of the former Habana.

If you want to go cheap and are up for the younger crowd (early-mid 20s) go to Blue Lep. It'll have your grad student and young professional types with a mix of non-Ann Arbor young folks.

Main street will be pricey, which is why you should look at Washington. Washington is the most underrated street in Ann Arbor: ABC, Arena, Blue Tractor, Mash, Grizzly Peak, and otheres.

The girlfriend and I went out with some friends last year at Heidelberg. That was actually pretty fun. If you get there between 8-9 you can definitely grab a table (we had a group of about 10). 

They passed out hats, kazoo type things, champagne I think, etc. 

I went to Rick's last year.  It was really busy and fun.

For a different kind of time there is a NYE party at Colonial Lanes.  We've never been there for the nighttime party; we've gone for the daytime thing for families but I'd imagine that's a different animal.

As an alum, you should know the answer: Rick's. Only Rick's.

I'd try Dominick's. Probably won't be too crowded.

Webers Inn isn't cheap, but they have a dj in one ballroom, a band in another, great food.  the only thing that sucks is that you have to buy your drinks (as opposed to being included in the package, which is stupid cause you pay hundreds of dollars per package),

STOP TALKING ABOUT BILL NYE THE SCIENCE GUY LIKE HE'S COCAIN!

/herm

As others have said, Ann Arbor is kind of empty on NYE.  It has been getting better as more things are open, whereas it used to feel like a near ghost town.  That said most of the open places are catering more to the adult townie crowd as opposed to students.  Plus most places jack the prices for NYE.  

Personally I'd say NYE is the one night to consider hitting up Novi or Royal Oak.  I've had more fun at those places since a lot of young professionals live there and that leads to a more lively scene.  

Vinology is decent for NYE. Most places are prix fixe 150-300 per head. And go buy something quick cause they fill up, or you could hang with the bums at the Fleetwood.

Came in expecting Bill Nye... disappointed

A group of friends and I will be at ABC. Maybe hop between there and MASH. I'm really shocked by the lack of things going on and it seems like those high priced things happening don't come with an open bar which is incredibly dissapointing after spending last NYE at an open bar next to Jackson Square in New Orleans.