Vegas New Year’s Eve 2008 Festivities

This year, instead of firing off the main Strip fireworks from the roof tops of hotels, all seven of the firing locations will be on the ground or on top of hotel parking garages. These start with the Mandalay Bay convention center parking lot to the south and include a lot across from the Luxor, as well as the parking garages and lots at MGM Grand, Caesars Palace, TI, Las Vegas Convention Center and Stratosphere. A map of the firing locations can be found online.

More than 30,000 effects will be fired during the 8-minute show and with a lowered firing height, it may be difficult for those not on or near the Strip to see the fireworks this year, due to the height of some of the new resorts on Las Vegas Blvd.

Here’s a rundown of other events happening around town to close out 2008:

Downtown

• Beauty Bar (517 Fremont St) - Live music from Punk Bunny, Afghan Raiders, Skooners and Neon Facade. Tickets: $20

• Fremont Street Experience - Ring in 2009 with “TributePalooza” featuring eight top tribute bands performing classics from the likes of Aerosmith, Billy Joel, David Bowie, Eagles, KISS, Queen, the Rolling Stones and U2. FSE will also be debuting its newest Viva Vision extravaganza, “KISS Rocks Vegas” and the whole thing wil be capped by midnight fireworks. Tickets: $20 (call 877-834-2748 to purchase)

• Hennessey’s (425 Fremont St) - Live music from Damndest Things and drink specials. Cover: None

The Strip

• Bellagio NYE Package - Dinner at Fix, admission to Caramel and VIP admission to The Bank. Tickets: $325; bottle service additional.

• The Bank (at the Bellagio) - Grammy-award winning musician Usher hosts with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets: $200; bottle service additional.

• The Beatles Revolution Lounge (at the Mirage) - Music by Shane Thomas and DJ Trens plus open bar from 10pm until midnight. Tickets: $75; bottle service additional.

• Brand Steakhouse (at the Mirage) - Live music plus DJ, plus a four-course pre-set dinner with seating times at 9pm, 9:15pm, 9:30pm and 9:45pm. Tickets: $85; two-guest minimum per party.

• Caramel (at the Bellagio) - Music via DJ and complimentary midnight champagne toast. Tickets: $40; bottle service additional.

• Christian Audigier (at TI) - Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt host with complimentary midnight champagne toast. Tickets: $125; bottle service additional.

• Coyote Ugly (at New York-New York) - Drink specials and complimentary midnight champagne toast. Tickets: $50

• Diablo’s Cantina (at the Monte Carlo) - Live music from Dope MC’s and KLAS Channel 8 will be broadcasting live reports all evening from the club’s open air patio. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a hosted bar from 8pm until 11pm. Tickets:$125; bottle service additional.

• Dick’s Last Resort (at the Excalibur) - Live music, no dress code, midnight complimentary Jello shot and free lapdances by Taco. Cover: None

• Fix (at the Bellagio) - Live music plus DJ, plus a four-course pre-set dinner with four seating times between 8:30pm and 10pm, and complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets: $250; two-guest minimum per party.

• Hawaiian Tropic Zone (at the Miracle Mile) - DJ Miss Saigon spinning plus top shelf open bar until 2am and hor d’oeuvres by chef David Burke. Tickets: $180; bottle service additional.

• Jet (at the Mirage) - New Kids on the Block’s Donnie Wahlberg and Danny Wood host with music by video DJ Roonie G. Tickets: $150; bottle service additional.

• Lavo (at The Palazzo) - Musician Fergie hosts with sounds by DJ Reach. Enjoy open bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres from 9pm until 11pm. Tickets: $200; bottle service additional.

• LAX (at the Luxor) - The Kardashian sisters host with tunes by DJ Casanova and complimentary midnight champagne toast. Tickets: $150; bottle service additional.

• Mirage NYE Package - Includes dinner at Stack and VIP admission to Jet nightclub. Tickets: $250; bottle service additional.

• Mirage Volcano - Daredevil Robbie Knievel, son of Evil Knievel, will attempt to jump the renovated Mirage volcano between 8:30pm and 9:30pm as a tribute to the 41st anniversary of his father’s famous Vegas jump at Caesars Palace. Fox’s live NYE broadcast will air the jump during the show. Tickets: Free

• Mist (at TI) - Music via DJ and complimentary midnight champagne toast. Tickets: $30; bottle service additional.

• New York-New York “Party at the Brooklyn Bridge” - Includes outdoor entertainment from DJ Chris Landry and four hours of open bar. Also includes admission to Nine Fine Irishmen bar featuring live entertainment from Sin E Ri Ra. Tickets: $150.

• Paris Las Vegas’ Arc de Triomphe - Australian daredevil Robbie “Maddo” Maddison will attempt to land his bike on top of the Arc, then free-fall jump off 50ft back to a netted landing ramp. ESPN Red Bull New Year No Limits show will broadcast the jump live starting at 8pm. Tickets: Free

• Poetry (at The Forum Shops at Caesars Palace) - R&B artist Ray J hosts the evening. Tickets: $100; bottle service additional.

• Pure (at Caesars Palace) - Ashlee Simpson and Pete Wentz host with complimentary midnight champagne toast. Tickets: $200; bottle service additional.

• Prive (at Planet Hollywood Hotel) - Actress Denise Richards and musician/actor Lance Bass co-host with DMC of Run DMC on the turntables. Open bar from 9pm until midnight. Tickets: $200/person VIP; Tables $3,500 and up.

• Social House (at TI) - Five-course prefixe menu with complimentary midnight champagne toast. Tickets: $125

• Stack (at the Mirage) - Live music plus DJ, plus a four-course pre-set dinner with four seating times between 8:30pm and 10pm, and complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets: $125; two-guest minimum per party.

• Studio 54 (at MGM Grand) - DJ Frankie spins with open bar from 9pm until 11pm. Tickets: $100; bottle service additional.

• Tao (at The Venetian) - Carmen Electra hosts with sounds by DJ Vice. Enjoy open bar and complimentary hors d’oeuvres from 9pm until 11pm. Tickets: $200; bottle service additional.

• TI NYE Package - Includes dinner at Social House and admission to Christian Audigier The Nightclub. Tickets: $200; bottle service additional.

• Tryst (at the Wynn) - Music via DJ and drink specials. Tickets: $75 for ladies; $150 for men; bottle service additional.

• XS (at the Encore) - Special guest host, music from DJ and open bar from 9pm until 10pm during this grand opening party. Tickets: $75 for ladies; $150 for men; bottle service additional.

• Yellowtail Sushi Restaurant (at the Bellagio) - Enjoy a six-course Omakae dinner prepared by chef Akira Back, with a choice of five seating times between 8pm and 10pm. Also included is a complimentary sake toast and a great view of the fireworks from the patio. Tickets: $250 (two guest minimum per party).

Off-Strip Resorts

• Cherry (at Red Rock Resort) - DJ spinning tunes with open bar. Tickets: $150.

• eta lounge (at Aliante Station) - Live DJ and complimentary midnight champagne toast. Cover: None; bottle service additional.

• Ghostbar (at the Palms) - DJs OB-One and Greg Lopez provide the tunes with open bar and appetizers from 8pm until 10pm. Tickets: $225; bottle service additional.

• McFadden’s (at the Rio) - Enjoy unlimited top shelf open bar from 9pm to 1am, a dinner buffet and one bottle of champagne per person. Tickets: $100; upgrade to VIP table reservations with seating for four, for an additional $200 per party.

• Moon (at the Palms) - Dance to tunes spun by DJ R.O.B. and Mark Stylz. Tickets: $225; bottle service additional.

• Ovation (at Green Valley Ranch) - Live music from Steel Panther with free Ultimat Vodka cocktails from 10pm to 11pm. Tickets: $50; bottle service additional.

• Pearl (at the Palms) - Kid Rock live in concert at 8pm. Tickets: $130 to $255.

• Playboy Club (at the Palms) - Kid Rock hosts post-concert with complimentary champagne toasts. Tickets: $200; bottle service additional.

• Rain (at the Palms) - Perfecto featuring Paul Oakenfold, Liquid Todd and The Funkler will be helming the turntables, starting at 9pm. Tickets: $200; bottle service additional.

• Rio Parking Lot - New Zealand daredevil Rhys Millen will attempt to backflip a truck over an 80-ft distance. ESPN Red Bull New Year No Limits show will broadcast the jump live starting at 8pm. Tickets: Free

• Wasted Space (at Hard Rock Hotel) - Live performance by Pink plus tunes by DJ Sid Vicious. Top shelf open bar until 1am.  Tickets: $300.

Elsewhere

• Double Down Saloon (4640 Paradise Road) - Live music from Johnny Legend & the Rockabilly Bastards, The Vermin, Trailer Park Casanovas and The Bargain DJ Collective. Cover: None

• McMullan’s Irish Pub (4650 W. Tropicana) - Live music from John Windsor and free midnight champagne toast with party favors. Food and drink specials all evening including $3 Carlsberg pints and $4 Car Bombs. Cover: None

• Origin India (4480 Paradise Rd) - Raj Rathor Trio performs. Tickets: $60.

• Vox Wine Bar (2630 Horizon Ridge) - Live jazz from The Tommy Thompson Project with special guests The Uber Drum Machine & DJ. All-you-can-eat buffet for $48/person. 6-course tasting menu with seating at 6pm for $95/person. 8-course tasting menu with seating at 9pm for $135/person.