COMMUNITY CELEBRATIONS
Pensacola Pelican Drop
Set to take over the streets of downtown Pensacola for the fourth year, organizers of the annual New Year’s Eve celebration estimate that more than 50,000 revelers will flock to to the streets of downtown Pensacola to enjoy music and entertainment as they wait for the big bird to drop, setting off a huge fireworks display and welcoming 2012.
Most of the core streets in the downtown entertainment district (Palafox Place from Garden to Zaragossa streets; Romana, Intendencia and Government streets from Jefferson to Spring streets; Jefferson Street from Intendncia to Zaragossa streets) will be blocked off for one of the biggest street parties of the year, including three stages of entertainment and the main event: a giant illuminated pelican perched above the celebration at the intersection of Palafox Place and Government Street, which will descend at the stroke of midnight amidst fireworks and confetti.
Helping add to the excitement this year is pop/R&B singer-songwriter Andy Grammer, whose hit “Keep Your Head Up” peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard Adult Pop Songs chart, ranking as the No. 14 song for the year on that chart. Grammer headlines the entertainment at this year’s Pelican Drop, performing just before the giant, illuminated waterbird descends over Plaza Ferdinand.
Cat Country Stage
Palafox Place at Intendencia Street
» 5 to 8 p.m.: Children’s Pelican Celebration with an expanded children’s area. At the stroke of 8 p.m., the Pelican will rise and light up along with the annual bubble stomp.
» 8 to 9:30 p.m.: The Retreat.
» 10 to 11:30 p.m.: Alvarado Road Show.
GoPensacola.com Stage
Palafox Place and Romana Street
» 8 to 9:30 p.m.: Bad Habits.
» 10 to 11:30 p.m.: Mo Jiles.
The Main Stage
Palafox Place and Government Street
» 9 to 10:30 p.m.: Musical Fantasy.
» 10:45 p.m. to 12:15 a.m.: Andy Grammer.
» Midnight: The Pelican descends from 100 feet above the street as revelers count down to the New Year, leading up to a huge fireworks display.
For more information
» Call Terri Kuvach at 434-5371, or visit www.pensacolapelicandrop.com.
Islandwide Fireworks Celebration
Enjoy a dazzling fireworks display at midnight from the end of the Gulf Pier on Pensacola Beach. 932-1500, or visit www.pensacolabeachchamber.com.
Pensacola Symphony Orchestra presents ‘Celebrate the New Year’
7 p.m. Saturday. Join in the celebration with a mix of popular jazz, classical and movie hits. Trumpeter Ryan Anthony has performed with top orchestras around the nation and is bringing his world-class musicianship to the stage of the Saenger to help ring in the New Year. Tickets: $17 to $76, available at the Saenger Theatre box office, Ticketmaster outlets, Ticketmaster.com or charge by phone at (800) 745-3000. Additional fees may apply. Saenger Theatre, 118 Palafox Place. 595-3880, or visit www.pensacolasaenger.com.
BARS & NIGHTCLUBS
Seville Quarter New Year’s Eve Party
Ring in the New Year at Seville Quarter, 130 E. Government St., with a variety of party packages to suit nearly anyone’s expectations and budgets. The New Year’s Eve party will feature live entertainment including the Modern Eldorados, Schofield and the Rosie O’Grady’s Duelling Piano Show and DJ Mr. Lao spinning high-energy dance music in Phineas Phogg’s. All guests will get party favors and enjoy a Cristalino Cava Brut toast at midnight.
The “Stay and Play” package from Seville Quarter and Courtyard by Marriott Downtown and Residence Inn by Marriott is $209 per couple (plus tax), which includes get a room at the hotel of your choice; complimentary shuttle to and from the party; and late check out. To make reservations, call the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown at 439-3330 or the Residence Inn by Marriott Downtown at 432-0202 and ask for the Seville Quarter stay and play package.
A Gourmet Wine Dinner by Executive Chef Brandon Melton will be served in Seville Quarter’s Heritage Hall with seatings at 6:30 and 9 p.m. The cost is $125 per couple (plus tax and gratuity), and guests are invited to stay and enjoy the party at Seville Quarter.
The Membership Party Package is $35 in advance or $40 at the door, and includes a 2012 Seville Quarter Membership card and party admission.
For those who just want to dance the night away, choose the Dance Package for $20, with access to all rooms in the main complex.
Everyone will get party favors and there will be a complex-wide countdown and Champagne Toast to ring in 2012. For details or ticket purchase, call 434-6211, or visit www.sevillequarter.com.
New Year’s Eve with The Heaters
The Heaters, a female-fronted variety rock party band from Baton Rouge, La., will perform live in concert on New Year’s Eve at Vinyl Music Hall, 2 Palafox Place. Promising to always deliver a high-energy and exciting performance, The Heaters come complete with dueling flute and guitar solos, powerful vocals and a tight cohesion from the rhythm section. The Heaters’ set list rangers from the ’60s to the ’80s to today, delivering classic dance and party songs. Doors open at 8 p.m. Free for ages 21 and older. $5 for ages 18 to 21. Visit www.vinylmusichall.com.
Capt’n Fun Beach Club
Capt’n Fun Beach Club will be handing out party favors to everyone at the door starting at 7 p.m. Drink specials and contests will be going on throughout the night, while Video DJ Tony C keeps the party going on the turntables. Partiers can toast Champagne and count down to the new year with a balloon drop at midnight. The cost is $5. For more information, visit www.facebook.com/captnfuns. Portofino Boardwalk, 400 Quietwater Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.
New Year’s Eve at Live Nightclub
Live Night Club rings in the New Year with Tye Gazoo, Dewey Rose and the Southern Drifters. VIP Packages: $75 to $150 for a table; or $50 for individuals. General admission: $10 for ages 21 and older; $20 for ages 18-20. 9121 Pensacola Blvd. 607-2950.
New Year’s Eve at Chan’s
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Chan’s Nightclub, 610 E. Nine Mile Road, with door prizes, party favors, a Champagne toast and money balloon drop. Tickets: $15 in advance; $20 at the door. Doors open at 9 p.m. 477-9961, or visit www.chanspensacola.com.
Emerald City
Ring in 2012 at Emerald City, 406 E. Wright St., with DJ Dewight’s Top 10 Countdown of 2011 leading up to midnight. The Jewels of the Emerald Coast will perform throughout the night, and midnight will being a free Champagne toast, free party favors and a balloon drop with door prizes. Cover charge is $10 for ages 18 and older. For more information, visit www.emeraldcitypensacola.com.
Cabana Nightclub
Cabana, 7164 N. Ninth Ave., will celebrate with free Champagne and a $1,000 cash drop with balloons at midnight. Details: 478-4867, or visit www.pensacolacabana.com.
A New Year’s Eve Cabaret
Doors open at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, and Lebrado and his band will perform live with Pensacola’s own Groove Control featuring Henry Tony Williams. DJ Maestro will spin your favorite hits. This is a BYOB affair. $20 in advance; $30 at the door. Hadji Temple, 800 W. Nine Mile Road. 393-3028.
New Year’s Eve: Kristy Lee Unleashed Fire & Ice Party
Celebrate, unwind and unleash 2012 with Kristy Lee’s Fire & Ice New Year’s Eve Party at The Hangout, 101 E. Beach Blvd., Gulf Shores, Ala. Just finishing her tour with the legendary Leon Russell, Lee will perform at the Hangout before joining G. Love and Special Sauce for select national tour dates. Also performing will be DJ Tony Skratchere of New Orleans. This former DMC champion’s music is a mix of ’80s smooth rock infused with New Orleans bounce, hip hop, and top notch turntablism. A Champagne toast and finger food will be served. Doors open at 8 p.m. Tickets: $20 at the door; $15 with a military ID. For ages 21 and older. (251) 948-3030, or visit www.thehangout.com.
Flora-Bama New Year’s Celebration
Doors open at 7 p.m. at the Flora-Bama Lounge & Package, 17401 Perdido Key Drive, with two stages of entertainment, a dinner buffet, party favors, Champagne and breakfast. $35. Tonia Turner, 492-0611, or visit www.florabama.com.
Bamboo Willie’s
Rock band Mainstream gets the party started at 8 p.m. at Bamboo Willie’s. Balloons will drop at midnight, and free Champagne will be passed out to toast in the new year. The cover is $10, and everyone will receive party favors. For more information, visit www.bamboowillies.com. Portofino Boardwalk, 400 Quietwater Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.
Sandshaker Lounge & Package Store
The Sandshaker is throwing two parties: a New Year’s Eve warm-up party on Friday and a New Year’s Eve bash on Saturday. High-energy rock ’n’ roll band Trunk Monkey will play both nights from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Complimentary Champagne and party favors will be given out on Saturday, and there will be a great view of the fireworks at midnight. For more information, visit www.sandshaker.com. 731 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.
Sabine Sandbar
Dale’s Big Deck serves as the perfect spot to sip Champagne and watch the fireworks show at midnight. Southern Breeze and Ronnie Miller will perform from 8 p.m. to midnight, and you don’t want to miss Sabine Sandbar’s first balloon drop. For more information, visit www.dalesbigdeck.com. 715 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.
Paddy O’Leary’s Irish Pub
Ring in the New Year on Irish time at Paddy O’Leary’s with a free Champagne toast at 6 p.m. Petty Cash will be rocking all night and Texas Hold ’em starts at 7 p.m. For more information, visit www. paddyolearysirishpub.com. 49 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach.
The Dock
The Dock will have its annual ball drop with complimentary Champagne to toast at midnight. Drink specials will be available all night, and there will be a clear view of the fireworks off the pier. For more information, call 934-3625. 4 Casino Beach Boardwalk, Pensacola Beach.
Tippy’s Tavern
Tippy’s Tavern, 3790 Barrancas Ave, will feature live music with Glen Lewis plus a complimentary Champagne toast and party favors. The kitchen will be open until 10 p.m. and shot specials will be offered throughout the night. There is no cover charge. 549-3268.
HOTELS
Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front
Enjoy an elegant five-course dinner with wine pairings at the Hilton’s H20 Cajun Asian Grill. Head outside to Latitudes Bar after dinner, cozy up to the fire pit and kick back and enjoy the fireworks.
The Hilton also is offering a slumber party for children ages 3 to 12 in the hotel ballroom. There will be a kid-friendly buffet dinner, karaoke, a bouncy castle, a balloon drop and various activities from 5:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The cost is $60 per child, or $49 if parents are dining in H20. The price includes a T-shirt and a poster. Special rates on rooms will be available for the night. For more information, visit www.hiltonpensacolabeach.com. For dinner reservations, call 343-6791. 12 Via de Luna, Pensacola Beach.
Margaritaville Beach Hotel
Play it safe this year and spend the weekend out on the beach. Margaritaville Beach Hotel is offering a “New Year in Paradise Celebration Package,” which includes a Friday and Saturday night stay, a complimentary bottle of Champagne, paradise party favors, two drinks at the LandShark Landing, entry into the Margaritaville New Year’s Eve Party and New Year’s Day brunch on Sunday. For package pricing or to book a room, visit www.margaritavillehotel.com. 165 Fort Pickens Road, Pensacola Beach.
RESTAURANTS
The Fish House
The Fish House, 600 S. Barracks St., celebrates New Year’s Eve with a four-course wine dinner, live music and complimentary Champagne toasts at midnight. Seatings are available at 6 and 9 p.m. for a special dinner menu created by Chef Billy Ballou with wines selected by Beverage Director William Morse and Premier Beverage Company. The cost is $100 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. For reservations or details, including the complete menu, call Melissa Bailey at 433-9450, or visit www.goodgrits.com.
After the dinner, guests are encouraged to dance the night away at the Fish House Deck Bar. Entertainment will be provided by Jerry Dawson of the Shiz and guest musicians from the Astronauts. Complimentary party hats, noisemakers, streamers and a Champagne toast at midnight to welcome the New Year will be provided. There is no charge to attend the Deck Bar’s New Year’s Eve performance.
Jackson’s Steakhouse
Jackson’s, 400 Palafox Place, is adjacent to the Pensacola Pelican Drop’s drop site, and will be offering seatings at 7 and 9 p.m. in the President’s Room. The evening will feature the culinary creations of Chef Irv Miller with a fixed-price, three-course menu, and bottomless Champagne. The cost per person is $125, with complimentary favors and valet services included.
For those wishing to attend the 7 p.m. symphony performance at the Saenger Theatre, or for those making early New Year’s Eve plans, Jackson’s will open at 5 p.m. and will feature service from the fall/winter dinner menu. Additionally, they will be offering general dinner reservations in the Governor’s Room with service from the fall/winter dinner menu all evening long.
After the Pelican drops, stop by Jackson’s and enjoy complimentary Hoppin’ John for all.
For reservations and more information, call 469-9898.
The Grand Marlin
The Grand Marlin is cooking up a three-course dinner for $45 per person. The Forrest Williams Band will perform on the North Drop Bar deck from 8 p.m. to midnight, with party favors and complimentary Champagne to toast in the New Year. For dinner reservations, call 677-9153. 400 Pensacola Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.
The Wine Bar
The Wine Bar will be serving a four-course dinner with a complimentary glass of Champagne. The cost is $50 per person, and seating is between 6 and 9 p.m. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 916-1009. Portofino Boardwalk, 400 Quietwater Beach Blvd., Pensacola Beach.
FOR THE HOSPITALITY PROS
B.A.R.E. Ball 2012
Since everyone who works in the hospitality industry is busy waiting on YOU on New Year’s Eve, Seville Quarter offers a special, slightly delayed celebration for bar and restaurant employees. The 2012 New Year’s B.A.R.E. Ball us set for 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tuesday, and features an all-star DJ showcase in Phineas Phogg’s, dance music in Apple Annie’s with Rumor Mill, the Adam Holt Band in Lili Marlene’s and Daren Boyd back at the End O’the Alley Bar.
The party also features a complimentary dream well in all rooms, a lavish cocktail buffet and breakfast at midnight. Black tie is preferred, and you should dress to impress — no jeans or casual wear.
Tickets are $45 or $80 per couple, and you’ll need to show your work ID or a pay stub to purchase. Limos are available for $5 per person each way within a 10-mile radius from Afleet Limo Services or Ambassador Limo. Call Peggy at 712-5466 by Friday to make your reservation. Yellow Cab rides also are available for $5 per person within a 10 mile-radius. Formal wear rental is available at B.A.R.E. Ball discount rates at Randall’s Foraml Wear, 432-8246, or Gents Formal Wear, 434-3272 or 969-0397.
