Reno celebrates New Year’s Eve

Fireworks
Midnight, Downtown Reno

By Katherine E. Hill

Reno has pulled out all the stops again this year with live entertainment, music, parties and fireworks at midnight in downtown Reno among the festivities on tap at the city’s casinos and resorts. Make your plans early as tickets to many of the hottest parties will go fast. And, don’t forget to book your room to stay overnight.

Between 7 p.m. and 4 a.m., RTC will be offering free rides on RTC RIDE, RTC RAPID and RTC RAPIDCONNECT around the Reno-Sparks area; no ticket required. Reno’s downtown bus system, RTC Sierra Spirit, is always free and will be running its regular schedule on New Year’s Eve. Call (775) 348-7433 for details.

Reno. DOWNTOWN FIREWORKS SHOW. Ring in the New Year with downtown Reno’s most explosive fireworks as Circus Circus Hotel & Casino Reno, Club Cal Neva, Eldorado Hotel Casino, Harrah’s Reno Hotel Casino, Silver Legacy Resort Casino and the City of Reno team up for a special New Year’s Eve Fireworks celebration at midnight. Fireworks will be fired from the top of the Silver Legacy, Harrah’s and Club Cal Neva rooftops. Hundreds of sparkling pyrotechnics will be shot off and synchronized to music. The show will help ring in the first 15 minutes of the New Year.

Reno. ELDORADO CELEBRATIONS. The Eldorado Hotel Casino party starts at BuBinga Lounge for the biggest blowout of the year as one of four special celebrations with the Black and White Bash. Tickets are $45 in advance or for $65 enjoy a hosted premium bar from 8 to 10:30 p.m. Table reservations (775) 378-4569.
The Brew Brothers New Year’s Eve features Crashers and DJ D.Rek. $15 includes entry to Brew Brothers and Roxy’s, party favors, balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. Roxy’s Bar and Lounge mixes it up with Reno’s Best Martinis and Best Vodka Selection with Gil and Carcy on the piano bar from 4:30 to 10 p.m. with DJ JT stepping in to turn it up into the wee hours of the morning. $15 includes party favors and midnight champagne toast. Cin Cin features artisan cocktails with a countdown and champagne toast to welcome in 2012 at midnight, with no cover charge. (775) 786-5700 or www.eldoradoreno.com.

Reno. SILVER LEGACY NEW YEAR’S EVE. Count down to 2012 in style at Silver Legacy Resort Casino, where guests will be Rockin’ the Dome featuring DJ Kentot, with complimentary party favors and a midnight champagne toast. $30 with one drink included. Or, enjoy VIP bottle service, dancing, party favors and a midnight champagne toast at Aura Ultra Lounge for $20.
For a more casual New Year’s, enjoy dueling pianos at Rum Bullions Island Bar, where $20 takes care of cover, party favors and a special midnight champagne toast. The laughs continue all night at Catch a Rising Star Comedy Club, where two special New Year’s Eve shows are scheduled for 7:30 and 10 p.m. $25. Special dinner at Sterling’s Steak House. Reservations (775) 325-7401.

Reno. ATLANTIS CELEBRATIONS. Atlantis features live music at the cabaret stage and free champagne with casino-wide balloon drop and party favors. Dinner specials at Bistro Napa, Atlantis Steakhouse, Toucan Charlie’s, Oyster & Sushi Bar, Purple Parrot, and Manhattan Deli. (800) 994-5900.

Reno. TEEN NEW YEAR’S PARTY. CommRow hosts an adults-free New Year's Eve celebration for high school students in Cargo, its third floor venue. High school juniors and seniors are invited to bring in 2012 New York City-style, with New York street food and non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase, a disc jockey mixing music accompanied by videos on a big screen and a sparkling cider toast while watching the ball drop in Times Square at 9 p.m. Party-goers are encouraged to wear semi-formal or formal attire and have a commemorative photo taken. The party winds up at 11 p.m. Tickets must be purchased by a high school junior or senior, or their parents. Freshmen and sophomores may attend if accompanied by a junior or senior. $30 advance, $40 at the door. Student identification will be required for entry. Visit www.commrow.com.

Sparks. NEW YEAR’S AT NUGGET. John Ascuaga’s Nugget hosts New Year’s Eve celebrations in The Casino Cabaret at 9 p.m. with free champagne toast, party favors and countdown to midnight. (800) 648-1177.

Reno. PEPPERMILL NEW YEAR’S. Peppermill hosts New Year’s Eve with live music, cocktails, party favors, dancing, champagne toast and more in the Capri Ballroom with the Ballroom Bash from 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. for $60. Ring in the New Year with a balloon drop in front of the Cabaret Lounge at midnight, with live music from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. followed by a champagne toast at midnight. The VINTEDGE party inside the EDGE nightspot features complimentary cocktails and champagne from 8 to 10 p.m., then celebrate with a champagne toast at midnight complete with a balloon drop. Masquerade masks and party favors provided. Vintage cocktail attire encouraged. Tickets $45 in advance, $55 at the door. (866) 821-9996.

Reno. NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE KNIT. The Knitting Factory will feature KJ KOS spinning tunes, videos on the huge screens and go-go dancers for a dance party starting at 8 p.m. 18+. $10, $125 VIP booth for four. Tickets (775) 323-5648.

Sparks. GREAT BASIN PARTY. Great Basin's annual New Year's Eve party/concert features Dead Winter Carpenters and Dad's LP staring at 10 p.m. Tickets (775) 355-7711.