I’ll be in LA for new years eve and then a few days after for the Rose Bowl. What should I do on new years eve and then later in the week. I’m a U of I student, I’ll be there by myself for new years eve, I like bars, but not clubs. Not going broke would be a plus.
If you’re staying anywhere near Pasadena, I’d recommend heading down to the bars in the area where the parade will take place. I think it’s called Old Town Pasadena or something like that. My friends and I partied down there on New Year’s Eve last year when we went to the Rose Bowl. There were several bars, a fun crowd, and the parade watchers camp out on the street all night.
Just don’t get too drunk and pop some poor kid’s balloon. You may think he won’t see you, and I know those balloons look extremely poppable, but try to resist the urge. The guilt will linger for at least a year.
Barney’s or Lucky Baldwin’s are both good bars in Old Town Pasadena to hang out at. (Barney’s is really more of a bar and grill place, but they’ll clear the front dining area before midnight, and it’s right on Colorado). Jake’s (burger joint up top, pool hall down below) is also reasonably fun (although the downstairs does turn kind of clubbish), and the kitchen stays open all night for New Year. I’ve taken to avoiding the 35’er ever since it has become more of a hangout for overflow from Hooters, and besides they almost never open up the basement anymore, though I’d guess that they will for New Year’s.
You don’t say where you’re staying; for bars, I personally prefer the Los Felix/Silver Lake area over Pasadena or Hollywood, as they tend to be more corner pub-ish. The Good Luck Bar (corner of Hollywood, Sunset, and Hillhurst) is one of my favorites, and only a short walk away from Fred 62 (all night diner). Just about anywhere is going to be packed to the gills, though; personally, I plan to spend New Year’s Eve in front of the fire with a snifter of Midleton Very Rare (a Christmas present from a couple of friends) and a biography of Andrei Sahkarov (another present; I have such great friends), so I’m old and boring.
If you’re not prepared to camp out on Colorado Blvd. starting from noon the previous day or have reserved seats in a stand or atop a building you’ll find it difficult to get a good view of the parade. Personally, I’m pretty meh on it–the Doodah Parade is a lot more fun–but I suppose if you’re here you’d going to want to be able to say that you’ve seen it lest you be mocked by others.
Stranger