Events

If you’re reading this list, it’s not too late—you’ve still got time to do all of the bad things that you swear you’ll swear off in 2016. Or maybe you want to end 2015 in classy fashion and set the right tone for the next year. Either way, we’ve probably picked out the perfect party for you and your pals. Here is our list of the top 16 New Year’s Eve parties happening in Western New York.

Electric Tower Ball Drop
Free, 535 Washington St., Buffalo
For the 27th year in a row, the people of Buffalo will gather in front of the iconic Electric Tower to count down the seconds until the new year. An almost emergency level lack of funding this year hasn’t stopped the popular event from continuing on into 2016. Approximately 40,000 people are expected to show up for the celebration.

Big Ditch Ball Drop
$25-$35, 55 East Huron St., Buffalo
If you’re planning on attending the ball drop at the Electric Tower, then Big Ditch Brewery, just a couple of blocks down Ellicott is both a great pre-gaming and post-gaming spot. They’ll be offering special packages which include drink tickets and a buffet which includes some of their

The Countdown at the Waiting Room
$65-$80, 334 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
Features EDM, Top 40, and hip hop DJs DSTAR, Dovey, Heat, GLDN GIRLS, and P Nasty. Four hours open bar, some tasty-sounding cuisine by Kevins Catering, party favors, a free photo booth, and champagne toast at midnight.

Gypsy Parlor New Year’s Eve
$5-$30, 376 Grant St., Buffalo
Music by the Sleepy Hahas, the Naturalists, and Feverbox. Prime rib dinner buffet and complimentary champagne. $30 for dinner starting at 8pm, $5 after 10pm for live music.

The Tea Party New Year’s Eve at Rapids Theatre
$35-$40, 1711 Main St., Niagara Falls
The Tea Party returns to the Rapids Theatre to perform their classic 1995 record The Edges of Twilight in its entirety on New Year’s Eve as part of their 20th Anniversary tour. Special guests Dirty Smile will open the show.

Lift New Year’s Eve Party
$55, 257 Franklin St., Buffalo.
This is the New Year’s Eve party for the clubbers. DJ Scott Andrew will provide some trance and EDM and the venue will provide a light buffet, an open bar, and some fun party gear like hats and noisemakers. They’ll also be passing out a complimentary champagne toast just in time for the new year.

Transmission Dance Party: New Year’s Edition at Mohawk Place
$5, 47 E Mohawk St., Buffalo
The underground usually unites on this night at Mohawk Place, where Transmission Dance Party holds it down with a mix of new wave, alternative, and indie dance. No frills here, just cheap beer, good tunes, and an affordable cover.

Statler City Ice Ball
$130-$160, 107 Delaware Ave., Buffalo
This is probably the fanciest party on the list. Which means, if you don’t have tickets yet, you should get on that soon. This year marks the 5th annual Ice Ball, and as usual, ticket holders will be privy to five hours of open bar, lots of food, party favors, a champagne toast, and live music. Live music includes Boys of Summer, Jeremy Hoyle and the Strictly Hip, Jeff Toy, and more.

First Night at the Convention Center
$10-$12, children under two free, 153 Franklin St., Buffalo
This drug and alcohol-free event is geared toward teenagers and adolescents, but it sounds like it’ll be fun for people of all ages. Who doesn’t want to try some American Ninja Warrior training, or get down in a Bubble Black Light Dance Party or Laser Maze? Entertainment includes the comedy of Jonathan Burns; the Animal Guy, Jeff Musial, and music by Kevin McCarthy.

Hard Rock Cafe New Year’s Eve
333 Prospect St., Niagara Falls
This year’s Hard Rock Cafe New Year’s Eve Party will take place indoors and will feature the music of Joyride. For this event, the band will bring along their horn section, the Hitmen Horns, to cover everything from 1970s soul and funk, to 1990s rock and R&B, and today’s Top 40.

Duke’s New Year’s Eve Party
253 Allen St., Buffalo
If you’re in Allentown and looking for a funky party, Duke’s is your spot on New Year’s Eve. They’ll have old school hip hop DJs SNM Crew, Milk & Cochise, Biacco, Charles Masters, Lopro, Dovey, and Looney Tunes. Since it’s Duke’s, of course there’ll be a complimentary grand buffet. They’ll also have a bottomless champagne fountain, party favors, and a $30 surf and turf dinner. This is your after hours spot too, since they’ll be rocking an all night license (and even a smoking permit).

Dress to Kill at The Foundry Suites
$125, 1738 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo
If you plan to Dress to Kill this New Year’s Eve, then the Foundry Suites Hotel is your spot, as they’re hosting a James Bond-themed party—specifically Casino Royale. The Suites will even be hosting a special room with slot machines and casino tables. Entertainment will be provided by Big City Horns. Expect hors d’Oeuvres, dessert, a countdown with confetti and a champagne toast, and five hour premium open bar.

Salvatore’s Masquerade Ball
$115-$135, 6461 Transit Rd., Depew
Probably one of the classier parties on the list, Salvatore’s is celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Bellamore Ballroom with a Masquerade Ball featuring the music of the Steve Balesteri Band. They’ll also have a separate gala in the Venetian Ballroom.

New Year’s at Nietzsche’s
$5, 248 Allen St., Buffalo
There’ll be plenty of familiar faces at Nietzsche’s on New Year’s Eve as they’re hosting some regulars including Folkfaces, Intrepid Travelers, Soul Butchers, Lazlo Hollyfeld, Rhubarb, and more. And it’s only $5.

Black Diamond Affair at The Lodge   
$20-$30, 79 West Chippewa St., Buffalo
The Lodge will be warm and cozy whether we have snow to deal with on New Year’s Eve or not. This year they’re hosting a party called the Black Diamond Affair. They’ll be serving a special dinner from 5pm until 9pm, after which DJ Drop D will turn up on their huge sound system.

New Year’s Eve with Frank Sinatra
647 Ridge Rd., Lackawanna

Start spreading the news: Frank Sinatra will be a part of it this New Year’s Eve. Complementing a city that feels frozen in time, Old Blue Eyes himself—or a crack impersonator of the iconic crooner—will entertain dinner guests on Thursday, December 31 at Curly’s Grille. Limited seating tickets are available. Their special $79 package deal includes a four course. surf and turf dinner. Sinatra’s repertoire, given new life by the great Jack Civiletto, will be aimed to get diners out of their chairs and on to the dance floor. That’s amore.