Fun with no cover charge
Return to menuA Karaoke New Year at Slash Run
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Slash Run’s monthly karaoke, hosted by the appropriately named Extra Michael, focuses on punk, new wave, hard rock and metal, though you can also pick from hundreds of retro pop hits, show tunes and power ballads. In other words, it’s a guaranteed good time, with burgers, whiskey and beer. 9 p.m. 201 Upshur St. NW. slashrun.com. Free.
A Sparkling NYE at Lulu’s Winegarden
There’s a full day of New Year’s fun at Lulu’s Winegarden, kicking off at noon with the usual Sunday brunch and make-your-own mimosa kits. Happy hour begins at 3 p.m., with discounted cocktails, wines by the glass and bottle, and dips and snacks, and runs until last call. (Bottles of sparkling wine are $35 all day.) There’s also music trivia from 3 to 5 p.m. Reservations are suggested, but the bar does hold space for walk-ins. Noon to 12:30 a.m. 1940 11th St. NW. luluswinegarden.com. Free.
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Back to the ’80s at the Tombs
It’s ’80s Night at the Tombs — a Georgetown landmark that, to be fair, was already old enough to drink in the actual ’80s. Dress up to go dancing to the retro hits: There are $100 and $50 prizes for the best outfits, chosen at 11 p.m. Drink specials include $10 cocktails and $15 Coors Light pitchers. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. 1226 36th St. NW. Free.
Boundary Stone
Happy hour runs from 3 to 10 p.m. at the Bloomingdale pub, followed by live music to ring in the new year. Open at 10 a.m. for brunch. 116 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Free.
Brendan’s Voyage at the Dubliner
Veteran Irish trio Brendan’s Voyage performs multiple sets of traditional ballads and up-tempo singalongs at the Dubliner, the 48-year-old Irish pub inside Capitol Hill’s Phoenix Park Hotel. 7:30 p.m. 4 F St. NW. dublinerdc.com. Free.
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Caboose Commons
The Virginia craft brewery hosts acoustic cover duo Falling Home at its Fairfax location, with a free midnight toast. 8 p.m. 2918 Eskridge Rd., Fairfax. Free.
The Blagden Alley hangout is keeping it chill on New Year’s Eve, with a full day of board games, happy hour and hot spiked drinks from 1 p.m. through the ball drop. Play games like Uno, Hungry Hungry Hippos, Clue or Scrabble while sipping a beer or cocktail ($2 off) and snacking on totchos. There’s a free sparkling toast at midnight. 1 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 50 Blagden Alley NW. Free.
Cotton and Reed
Union Market’s first rum distillery is keeping its tasting room bar open until 2 a.m., but other than that, it’s business as usual. Open at 4 p.m. 1330 Fifth St. NE. Free.
Decades of Decadence at the Red Derby
The formula doesn’t change for the Red Derby’s New Year’s Eve party: 1990s hits on one floor, 1970s disco and funk on the other, no cover charge, open seating at both bars and a midnight toast. Why tamper with success? While it’s pay-as-you-go, there are drink packages that include bottomless house beers and sparkling wine ($50) and unlimited beer, wine and cocktails ($100). 7 p.m. 3718 14th St. NW. Free.
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Dew Drop Inn
DJ Eskimo, whom you might have caught spinning hip-hop at Dew Drop, Looking Glass Lounge or the hip-hop bar crawls on U Street, provides the beats at Dew Drop’s hassle-free New Year’s Eve. 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. 2801 Eighth St. NE. Free.
Five, Four, Three, Two, One at Free State
The Chinatown bar caps its Sparkling December celebration with a night of specials on sparkling wine, party favors and music from DJ Nate Geezie. 10 p.m. 501B G St. NW. Free.
Franklin Hall
A midnight toast with the champagne of beers (Miller High Life, duh), a free food buffet from 9 to 11 p.m., discounted drinks and a DJ are on the agenda for Franklin Hall’s New Year’s Eve party. No reservations are required, but guests can ask about saving a space. Open at noon. 1348 Florida Ave. NW. Free.
Watch pop-up drag performances by Citrine, Evry Pleasure and Sirene Noir Sidora Jackson; play bar games; and get a free midnight toast at the Dupont Circle fixture. 10 p.m. 1519 17th St. NW. Free.
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Jackie Lee's
Pick your poison: Brightwood fixture Jackie Lee’s offers customers a choice of whiskey, tequila or a shooter at midnight. Otherwise, it’s the usual good time with no cover or dress code, and the kitchen stays open until 1 a.m. 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. 116 Kennedy St. NW. Free.
It’s going to be a late night around Union Market, with dance music and all-night drink specials at the perennially packed Last Call. Open at noon. 1301-A Fourth St. NE. Free.
Little Miss Whiskey’s
The H Street nightspot has party vibes on the second floor courtesy of DJ Ball Tech, with no cover. 10 p.m. 1104 H St. NE. Free.
Mattie and Eddie's
Don’t feel like staying up until midnight? Mattie and Eddie’s is staying on Irish time, which means celebrating with a toast at 7 p.m. — the moment 2024 arrives in Dublin. Singer and guitarist Rocky Guttman provides the entertainment. Open at 11 a.m.; party from 7 to 10 p.m. 1301 S. Joyce St., Arlington. Free.
New Year’s Eve at Perry’s
The party at the venerable Adams Morgan restaurant starts with a three-course dinner from acclaimed chef Masako Morishita ($85), followed by one of Perry’s legendary drag shows, which starts at 10:30 p.m. and features a midnight champagne toast. If you just want to see the drag show, enter anytime after 8:30 p.m. to sit at the bar. Dinner begins at 5:30 p.m. 1811 Columbia Rd. NW. Dinner $85-$130; admission to drag show free.
New Year’s Eve Celebration at Hellbender Brewing
For some reason, many D.C. breweries close early on New Year’s Eve or don’t open at all. Hellbender is extending hours at its Fort Totten taproom beyond the usual 1 to 7 p.m. The NYE Celebration features music from DJ TLH, food by El Jefe Wood Fired Pizza, vintage video games and plenty of fresh beer, so you can hang out and chill. 8 p.m. to midnight. 5788 Second St. NW. hellbenderbeer.com. Free.
New Year’s Eve Doubleheader at Showtime
Get your New Year’s Eve started with a performance by Granny and the Boys, Showtime’s house funk and soul band, whose leader Alice Donahue turned 91 this month. They play from 6 to 8 p.m., and $15 tickets are required. At 9, DJs AC Rowland and AV pick up the baton and spin dance music into 2024 with no cover charge and free “champagne” — the bar’s quotes, not ours — at midnight. 6 and 9 p.m. 113 Rhode Island Ave. NW. Free-$15.
New Queers’ Eve Glitter Ball at As You Are
Barracks Row’s most welcoming bar marks New Year’s Eve with a dance party featuring DJ Snake. Glittery outfits are encouraged, and there’s a free toast at midnight. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. 500 Eighth St. SE. asyouaredc.com. Free.
New Year’s Eve Three Ways at Jack Rose Dining Saloon
Jack Rose offers a trio of ways to celebrate on New Year’s Eve. From cheapest to most expensive: The downstairs saloon, home to the largest whiskey selection in North America, is open from 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. with no cover and no reservations required. The staff bourbon experts have put together their annual “24 whiskeys to try before the ball drops” list, which features new and vintage releases at various price points. Other drink specials include $13 champagne cocktails and Old-Fashioneds, and $10 caviar deviled eggs. Upstairs, the heated and covered rooftop terrace is open from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with music by DJ Boss Player, and no cover or tickets. How much sparkling wine is too much on New Year’s Eve? Jack Rose’s Bottomless Bubbly ticket offers unlimited champagne and “fun and funky styles” of sparkling wine for $35 from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Finally, for those who already have late-night plans, or don’t want to have late-night plans, the rooftop opens from 4 to 7 p.m. for New Year’s Eve Rally Hour, an all-you-can-eat-and-drink pig roast with sides, bottomless beers and a whiskey flight for $65. Times vary. 2007 18th St. NW. jackrosediningsaloon.com. Free-$65.
Pitchers and A League of Her Own
The Adams Morgan LGBTQ bars are open without a cover, and providing dancing with DJ Tezrah, party favors and a midnight toast. 2317 18th St. NW. Free.
The Pond at Neptune Room
It’s a “low-key New Year’s Eve” in Brightwood Park, with doors opening as usual at 5 p.m., and local band the Pond rocking out from 10 to 11:45, before a free toast at midnight. 5 p.m. 5405 Georgia Ave. NW. Free.
Renaissance and Resolutions at the Dirty Goose
“Renaissance and Resolutions” is the theme at the Dirty Goose, with music from resident DJ Alex Love and a midnight toast. 10 p.m. 913 U St. NW. Free.
Service Bar
It’s a regular Sunday night at one of D.C.'s top cocktail bars, plus champagne specials all night. 8 p.m. 926 U St. NW. Free.
Snappy's Small Bar
This brand-new Petworth hangout, opened by a team of industry veterans in early December, is keeping things simple on its first New Year’s Eve: $5 combos until 9 p.m.; a $25 “Cheap Date” special consisting of a pair of Miller High Life bottles and a two-ounce serving of (vegan) caviar and chips; and a midnight High Life toast. The late-night food menu contains bagel bites and dino nuggets. Open at 5 p.m. 3917 Georgia Ave. NW. Free.
Sol Roots at Fitzgerald’s
The sister bar to the nearby 1789 restaurant hosts a performance by well-known blues and funk band Sol Roots, which should add a touch of New Orleans to the festivities. Guests are asked to “dress to impress,” and food and drink are a la carte. Reservations are available but not required (still, snag them to be on the safe side). Doors at 6:30 p.m. 1232 36th St. NW. Free.
Vagenesis and Dabatha Christie host the party at the 14th Street LGBTQ bar, while Strikestone! provides the music. There’s a countdown at midnight, and, the bar’s Instagram feed promises, “Maybe another countdown later, who knows.” Open at 2 p.m. 1410 14th St. NW. Free.
Tropical Heat Dome at Marx Cafe
DJs Crown Vic, Leon City Sounds and Nico Sophia spin “tropical music from around the world” on vinyl at Mount Pleasant’s corner bar, which means cumbia, Latin soul, chicha, salsa dura, ska and rock en espanol, among other genres. 10 p.m. 3203 Mount Pleasant St. NW. Free.
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