Happy New Year!

Better Late than Never.  I realize February is almost over... but anytime is a good time to blog about New Years Eve in NYC.  So for those of you who want to know: Here's how I spent the night of December 31st.
New Years Eve in New York City is a celebration of the city itself.  Sure, another year has passed, and sure, we're a bit older, but it's really a chance for Manhattan to strut her stuff.  And there's a lot to show off.  Yes, we're all familiar with the yearly Times Square bash, but this really only begins to scratch the surface of what is going on in the city on this night to end all nights.  I was fortunate over New Years Eve to have my family come to visit, but they, of course, wanted to stay on the square and watch the ball drop.  From what I know, though, there are several practical reasons to opt out of Times Square.
1) No bathrooms.  You have to get there early that morning if you want any type of view.  And there are no...erm... provisions made for bodily functions.  So bear this in mind when making your plans.
2) No drinks.  You can't drink in the streets in New York, and while I'm sure that rule isn't particularly enforced, good luck bringing enough libations to last you throughout the day.  Also, see #1.
3)  No choice of music.  I mean, if you really love Taylor Swift, this year would be wonderful for you.  If not, I'm not sure.  Just not sure.

So what did I do on my first NYE in NYC?  Joe and I opted to dance the night away at historic Webster Hall in the Village.  Webster Hall boasts itself the oldest nightclub in the United States.  It was a favorite stomping ground for iconic figures from Frank Sinatra to Ray Charles to Jefferson Airplane.  The club is situated in what feels like an aging mansion in Greenwich village.  The building was recently restored, but all of the old charm was preserved.  We may have been listening to techno, but one could easily imagine a jazz band lighting up the stage.  There are two main dance halls, one that played mostly pop music and one that leaned towards electric music.  Joe and I mostly stayed in the pop area, but we braved the massive, two-story techno room for the fabled midnight balloon drop.  Forget the ball drop.  This was the single most exciting New Years countdown I have ever experienced.  Never mind that I was a little nervous I was going to get trampled in the mosh-life mob beforehand.  Once the balloons feel from he ceiling I literally felt there was a layer of balloons above me, covering a layer of wildly dancing young people. Swimming through balloons while dancing in the New Year is a memory I will never forget. It was beyond exhilarating. Too bad I lost my feather hat. :-(

Here are the cons of Webster Hall New Years:
1) It took a long time to get drinks.
2) Way too much dub step for those of us who don't do drugs.
3) Douchy people. Like the guy who called my boyfriend a rather choice name when he was simply trying to keep me from being trampled.

Here are the pros:
1) Unlimited drinks, which were quite strong, once you got them.
2) Lots of people and dancing.
3) Pizza for sale
4). Free party favors.
5.) A no-cover membership card for the entire year of 2013.  (Which Joe and I will absolutely use.)
6.) Breakfast if you make it late enough.

So, as you can see, its really no contest.  Next year, though, I'm sure we won't be there.  We'll be somewhere else awesome.  I love this city.