Best places to ring in the new year

Before thousands of people pour into Washington for the inauguration, there will be a different event to celebrate: New Year’s Eve.

Revelers will have plenty of choices, from expensive galas to rowdy sports bars.  Some events will sell out, so buy your tickets early.

One of the biggest and most unique events will be the “007 License to Thrill Gala” at the Hilton in Alexandria. Last year there were over 1,600 guests, and Playboy ranked it as one of the country’s top five New Year’s Eve parties. There will be professional James Bond impersonators, exotic cars, martinis (shaken, not stirred of course), mock gambling and live music. Tickets start at $139.

Also on the classy end of the spectrum is the “Downtown Countdown” at the Grand Hyatt at Metro Center. The event features a five-hour premium bar, buffet and karaoke. Radio DJs Elliot in the Morning and the Class from DC101 will host.  The event organizers describe the dress code as “formal, creative, black tie optional ... kind of like MTV Music Awards.” Regular tickets are $129 and VIP tickets are $169.

The 9:30 Club will ring in the New Year with Robert Randolph and the Family Band. Audrey Schaefer, 9:30 Club spokeswoman, said “It’s more than a concert — it becomes a party.” She described the band as a “funky blues master” and said “They just get you to want to move.” The event includes a complimentary champagne toast, and tickets cost $55.

For people looking to laugh, the DC Improv Comedy Club is hosting a New Year’s Eve Celebration starring comedian DC Benny. He has performed on “The Chris Rock Show” and “Tough Crowd with Colin Quinn,” and was a finalist on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” But organizers note he is probably most famous as the “How You Doin’?” guy from the Budweiser ads. There are two shows and tickets range from $35 to $75. All tickets come with one free pass to a future show.

If you want to spend New Year’s partying with pirates, you should sail over to the Piratz Tavern, a pirate-themed restaurant in Silver Spring. The menu includes “Smokin’ Turkey Legs,” “Salt Cod” and a fruit salad called “Scurvy Buster.” The New Year’s Eve party offers “drynke specials,” a midnight toast and has no cover charge.

This is only a sampling of the many New Year’s Eve events in the Washington metro area. So whether you’re looking for a classy hotel gala or just want to go to a bar and watch the ball drop on TV with some friends, there is something for everybody.