Miami’s 10 Best Affordable 2013 NYE Parties

New Year’s Eve is, if you weren’t aware, an old Tequesta Indian word meaning “Fleece New Yorkers.” So while no self-respecting Miamian is going to pay $600 to watch an almost-45 –year-old DJ plug in a USB stick at LIV, we still aren’t all sold on the killer concept of a Kendall house party either. If you wanna go out this December 31, but don’t want to look like a sucker while you do it, here’s some very-affordable NYE options in Miami, listed from cheapest to least-offensively-expensive.

1.If you wanna ring in 2014 like a real, South-of-Fifth Miami Beach local, and have some of the best craft cocktails in Miami all night, hit up Radio Bar where for $75 you’ll get a premium open bar from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., plus Sofi’s best beer selection and enough free popcorn to make you swear off it until 2015.

2. Patpong Road, the Red-light-district-themed bar over Khong River House, has an open bar from 9-10 with absolutely no cover, then a free champagne toast at midnight. You’re on your own from 10-12, but that’ll still run you a single-digit percentage of what they’re charging elsewhere.

3. Though they don’t have a set party, Monty’s Sunset will give you the best bar/pool/bay side view of the downtown fireworks of anywhere that’s not charging a cover/your friend’s apartment. So hit them up like you would any Tuesday and catch the show for no additional charge, plus enjoy their regular array of delicious food and reasonably-priced-for-South-Beach drinks.

4. The Butcher Shop in Wynwood is having a 3-course beer paring dinner where you can get one of their fresh grilled Ribeyes plus a Butcher Shop Bacon Sundae all paired with craft beers and free champagne for the unheard-of-for-New-Year’s price of $50.

5. Electronic Music legend Paul Van Dyk is previewing some tracks from his upcoming Politics of Dancing 3 and playing all night at Club Space, where $55 gets you an open bar if you can wrap your head around getting to Space before midnight. If not, well, $65 gets you in the door before 2 a.m. anyway with advance tickets.

6. Rap legends (like, they made the first popular rap song EVER) The Sugar Hill Gang will be performing at The Stage in midtown where $75 lets you check out their set PLUS get open bar.  Tickets are available here.

7. It only seems appropriate that the bar in Miami that’s been around the longest offer the longest open bar on NYE. Tobacco Road in Brickell lets you drink all you want for 7 hours (9p.m.-4a.m.) on the big night. Bet nowhere in Brickell City Centre ever has a deal like that.

8. For a mere $85, The Forge is gonna give you a premium open bar, plus your own bottle of Veuve Clique to do multiple midnight toasts, and, oh yeah, plates of Roasted Oysters, Lobster Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches, and Crispy Corn Ravioli.

9. The food at Haven is so good, you can hit their NYE party -  complete with passed appetizers from chef Todd Erickson and a live ball-drop form Times Square on their wrap-around TVs – you can consider the $100 you’ll shell out for unlimited food and cocktails your cost for dinner and drinks for New Years.

10. Leaving the country to gamble and watch fireworks is never a bad NYE decision, and the good folks aboard the Bimini Superfast will let you do just that for a mere $149, which includes a 9-hour cruise, a champagne toast, an all-night onboard outdoor dance club,  and fireworks over Bimini. For another $50, you get a 3-course dinner and your own VIP disembarkation lounge. Which, if you’ve ever been on this boat, is worth the $199 by itself.

Related Categories: Miami: Nightlife, About the Author: Matt Meltzer is a featured columnist at Miami Beach 411. See more articles by Matt Meltzer. See more articles by Matt Meltzer Was This Post Helpful? Please Share It With Others! Tweet

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.

Discuss the surrounding area in our hugely popular Miami forum.