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New Year's Eve in Toronto, 2009 Planning Guide

Posted by Tim / December 27, 2008

New Year's Eve Toronto 2008 2009New Year's Eve is only five nights away and Toronto certainly isn't devoid of parties, events and other options to ring in the first moments of 2009. Unfortunately, the night can also be a bit of cash grab when only a house party will do. Most bars suddenly roll out a cover charge under the guise of champagne toasts at midnight and other party favours. Unique venues line-up sponsors like Skyy Vodka and Absolut, only to pair them with three figure entrance fees and a limited (if any) open bar.

At least the TTC makes things a little easier on the wallet. Once again this year public transit in the city will be free (and open) between 12-4am. And for those with families or looking not to spend a cent, there's live music and fireworks at Nathan Phillips Square.

And for everyone else there are plenty of intriguing options. Here are 10 that are shaping up to be some of this New Years' best.

New Year's Eve in a Fitness Studio

The I Love New Years Eve at Flirty Girl Fitness Studio
With Diesel Fitness now closed, nearby Flirty Girl Fitness fills the gap for those who like to drink, dance and, uh, sweat where they workout. Except instead of weight machines this studio has poles. As in pole-dancing. Tickets $25 in advance.

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New Year's Eve on College Street

Solid Garage & Footprints at Revival
Avoid the bad martini bars and head to Revival where Samba Elegua (led by blogTO alumnus Jonathan Rothman) and The Uma Nota Ensemble are just one of the many musical guests in attendance. Deep House compliments of Osunlade and beats from the Groove Institute, Dirty Dale and the Footprints crew. Tickets $25-$30.

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New Year's Eve in a Penthouse

New Year's Eve at the top of the Burroughes Building
A night at the Burroughes Building never disappoints. Take the stairs to the top floor and rooftop patio to ring in 2009 with DJs and indie music acts including the always entertaining Fritz Helder and the Phantoms, Nacho Lovers and Golden Girls. Tickets $65 - $80 all inclusive bar.

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New Year's Eve in a Warehouse

Promise + NuFunk New Years Eve
The organizers of Cherry Beach Sundays and the Harvest Festival are back with their second consecutive New Year's Eve soiree at 6 Noble St. in Parkdale. DJ Serious, Twonz, Eric Downer and more. Tickets $35.

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New Year's Eve in the Market

The Black and White Bash
Funky, dressy, retro, trendy...whatever. As long as your outfit is black and white you'll fit in at Kensington's Bread & Circus for the Black and White Bash. $20 per person or $30 for two.

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New Year's Eve in a Crystal

Crystal09 at the ROM
It's tough to recommend a party that costs over $100 AND doesn't include an open bar all night. But that's the price it costs these days to count down the last moments of 2008 inside one of Toronto's latest architectural masterpieces/mistakes. Semi formal. Tickets $100-$125.

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New Year's Eve in a Church

Minutes to Midnight at the Berkeley Church
This event must be trying to lure NYE-goers from the 905 as the promotional material includes a hotel stay at the Delta Chelsea for $149. DJ Undercover, Marko Bongo, Geoff Brown and Vinyl Poetry are on the lineup. But this ain't cheap either. Tickets are $125.

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New Year's Eve with Broken Social Scene

Broken Social Scene Presents Cuz It's a Dance Party
BSS pals Brendan Canning and Kevin Drew plus Jimmy Shaw of Metric aren't strangers to The Phoenix so maybe it makes sense for them to be winding down what's been a very successful year for them here. DJ duo The Gang of Two, Andy Capp and Rod Skimmins will all be making an appearance. Tickets $25.

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New Year's Eve with Women

New Year's Eve at the Palais Royale
Well, you'll need to be a woman. New Year's for the lesbian community means plenty of options at one of the city's favourite Bar-Mitzvah venues. Tickets $75 for a show and dance. $150 includes dinner.

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New Year's Eve Bollywood Style

Besharam Presents NYE at the Great Hall
DJ Amita spins Bollywood and Bhangra and Sheesha & Her Hookahs also make an appearance at the corner of Queen and Dovercourt. Tickets $40 in advance.

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Do you have a New Year's Eve event in Toronto you'd like to recommend? If so, just add it to the comments below. Photo by skullworth on Flickr

Discussion

8 Comments

Z / December 27, 2008 at 11:09 am
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i'm most excited for the mod club new years jam with sadie may crash
Corina / December 27, 2008 at 11:55 am
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That photo was hilarious until I looked closer and realized the guy isn't puking, he's adjusting stage equip. Must be early in the night... :)
Julie / December 27, 2008 at 02:03 pm
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New Year's Eve @ Comedy Bar
(945 Bloor St. W. - just across from the Delaware exit of the Ossington subway station):

It's $50, open bar with champagne at midnight, music by DJ Tighten Up... at pretty much the coolest space going.

Event info:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=35260684649&;ref=ts

Stuff being written about Comedy Bar this week:
http://torontoist.com/2008/12/heroes_and_villains_2008_heroes.php?gallery22270Pic=6#gallery
http://www.eyeweekly.com/arts/comedy/article/48334 http://www.nowtoronto.com/stage/story.cfm?content=166521
Andy / December 27, 2008 at 03:20 pm
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F'UNREAL NEW YEARS
December 31, 2008

RING IN NEW YEAR'S EVE WITH THE BOYS FROM 74 IN THE BIGGEST F'UNREAL PARTY YET!

Featuring DJS:
WELL SAID, KEKE, TY, SLATER, AND L-SOS

$12

DRESS TO IMPRESS - THIS IS A FORMAL EVENT
More...

**F'UNREAL is a collective of Dj's that host nothing less than a no-holds-barred party of incomparable proportions each and every time. Tired of the general club scene? F'UNREAL brings out music from virtually every genre to create an entertaining, un-pretentious dance party for all to enjoy!
Location The Boat (158 Augusta Ave. Kensington)

Trev / December 27, 2008 at 04:06 pm
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NEW YEAR'S EVE AT THE SECOND CITY?
NEW YEAR'S EVE AT MYSTERIOUSLY YOURS?
BUELLER?
ABOOODY / December 29, 2008 at 03:06 am
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THE MOST LUXRY PARTY IS THE ROM
Someone / December 29, 2008 at 10:41 am
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I did the Mod Club New Years in 2006 and it was the biggest waste of time and money with most of the club clearing out at 12:15. Last year I tried the Dance Cave and you really can't go wrong for $12.50 cover and cheap drinks all night.
cabala / September 3, 2009 at 09:00 am
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In it something is. I thank for the help in this question, now I will know.

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