New Year’s Eve: Here are some party options in the Wichita area for ringing in 2020

There’s a New Year’s Eve party in Wichita for a range of styles and budgets, from a 1970s disco party at WAVE, where you can get in the door and enjoy a midnight champagne toast for $5 per person, to a $500 per person 1920s-themed soiree at Mark Arts that organizers are calling the “party of the century.”

There are options priced between the two for adults looking to end the year with a public celebration. At least seven venues in the area are mixing the old with the new, using a ’20s theme to play off the impending 2020 date by incorporating speakeasy scenes, vintage libations along with period-appropriate décor, dress suggestions and music.

Gatsby: A New Year’s Eve Soiree at Crown Uptown Theatre is the lone event in town featuring a big band and a 1928 venue. Event organizer Krista Ybarra, owner of AddisonGrace Events, said they are keeping decorating simple to let the time capsule of an original Vaudeville theatre shine.

The balcony will be outfitted by Endless Treasures Vintage Rentals to become a speakeasy and sweeteasy lounge, with a private liquor bar and candy bar available to VIP ticket-holders. Twenties era candies like Chick-o-Stick and Charleston Chew will be available, as well as port wines and cognacs. Throughout the theater, guests can order prohibition-era cocktails like a Mary Pickford in addition to a full bar.

Doors open at 8 p.m. with a quartet playing, followed at 9 p.m. by The Aerotones Big Band, a Wichita-based 19-piece orchestra that plays everything from the jazz age to funk, blues and pop. There will be swing dance and best dressed competitions

Tickets range from $75-$99 per person depending on whether you want a reserved seat. There are also seating upgrades available, as well as $150 VIP tickets that included a bottle of champagne, dedicated waitstaff and access to the speakeasy lounge.

All tickets include appetizers by George’s French Bistro, three drink coupons and champagne toast.

There’s a dedicated website – gatsbynyewichita.com – for the event, which Ybarra said they hope to make an annual tradition at the Crown, 3207 E Douglas.

Another historic venue option is about 60 miles north of Wichita: The 133-year-old Elgin Hotel in Marion.

Their Roarin’ ’20s New Year’s Eve Bash starts at 8 p.m. and includes a DJ playing current music with some 1920s sounds mixed in, heavy appetizers popular in the twenties (for example, a meatball bar and Caesar salad cups) and prepared by the in-house Parlour 1886 chef-run restaurant, group games and contests, with a countdown including a lighted ball drop, fireworks and champagne toast.

Twenties attire is encouraged at the event, which is $55 per person in advance and $60 at the door. Packages including an overnight stay in one of the hotel’s 12 suites starts at $280 per couple. At the time of writing, there were still a few rooms available. Call 620-382-3200 to purchase tickets or see historicelginhotel.com for more info.

The New Year’s Eve bash at Mark Arts isn’t just ringing in a new decade but a new century for the visual arts organization that started in 1920. The party supports arts programming at the nonprofit, and $400 of the $500 ticket price is tax deductible.

Tickets are all-inclusive, from hors d’oeuvres and small plates served by Scotch & Sirloin to full bar service. As guests enter the Mark Arts building at 1307 N. Rock, which opened with a New Year’s Eve party on Dec. 31, 2017, a cirquesque acrobat will be dangling from the ceiling pouring champagne. Twenties inspired drinks will flow throughout the evening, including a Hemingway Daquiri, Gin Charlie and the Secret Sidecar, a special cocktail that guests will have to use clues to discover.

Guests should expect over the top around every corner, said Dara Geoffroy and Polly Gentry, Mark Arts board members who are co-chairing the party. They didn’t want to give away all the surprises, but mentioned an immersive digital fireworks show that will be part of the countdown.

“What differentiates this party from anything else in the Wichita market, is that it’s a party you would see in a city like New York, LA or Miami,” Geoffroy said. “The ticket price not only supports the vision of Mark Arts, it allows us to throw an event to the level that you don’t see very often in Wichita.”

Added Gentry: “It’s going to be the party of the century.”

Valet parking with LED lighting and video will make arrivals a spectacle, then once inside the big city vibe continues with bathroom attendants and California and New York based performers. In one area, the band Liquid Blue, which includes a horn section, will perform high-energy cover sets. In another, New York-based The Vintage DJ will spin his collection of original 45s, 33s and 78s from the 1920s through the 1970s on two tube-powered vintage record players.

Vintage attire is optional, and organizers said they expect to see creative couture that will blend with the modernized twenties décor that will include a speakeasy. Buy Mark 100 event tickets at markartsks.com/mark100.

Last year, event planners at Hexcode Designs, a Wichita-based marketing shop, and Shaken or Stirred bartending service teamed up to put on the first of what they plan to be an annual New Year’s Eve party at The Venue at Madison Avenue City Park, 512 E. Madison in Derby.

The events are called Hollywood Glamour, then can be further themed when needed, which is the case this year. Hollywood Glamour’s Roaring Into the ’20s party is 8 p.m.-1 a.m. and includes DJ, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, two drink tickets, prizes, an escape room experience inside the venue, champagne toast, swag bag and food after midnight provided by Olive Tree Catering. General admission is $75; $110 VIP tickets include a private lounge and other upgrades. More info at hollywoodglamourevent.com.

You can also have a 1920s themed evening at Vorshay’s Cocktail Lounge, 417 E Douglas; O’Malley’s Irish Pub & Karaoke Room, 2405 W. 31st St. S.; and Tanganyika Wildlife Park, 1000 S. Hawkins in Goddard.

This is Tanganyika’s first NYE party. The park closes to the public for the winter but will bring animal ambassadors to the red carpet entrance and into the park’s event space throughout the night.

Tickets are $75 ($50 tax deduction for the Tanganyika Wildlife Foundation) or $125 ($85 tax deduction) depending on whether you want to arrive at 7 p.m. for dinner catered by 6S Steakhouse and access to a VIP speakeasy or arrive at 9 p.m., when 6S will serve hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are available at twpark.com and include music by Sidecar Royals, two drink coupons, balloon drop and champagne toast.

Among the New Year’s Eve parties in the Wichita area (prices are per person unless otherwise noted), including several holding their first year-end celebrations:

New Year’s Eve Disco Dance Party with DJ duo Merlin Brando and Dottie Green at Wave, 650 E. 2nd, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Tickets include a champagne toast and are $5 at waveict.com.

New Year’s Eve Party at Jenny Dawn Cellars, 703 E. Douglas, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., includes a three course meal with wine pairing, Jazz Plus during dinner followed by a DJ and dancing, then a sparkling wine toast for $75. More info at facebook.com/JennyDawnCellars.

NYE in the ICT, held the past two years at the now shuttered Abode Venue, has found a new home at Hyatt Regency Wichita, 400 W. Waterman. Other details remain mostly the same for the AddisonGrace Event organized party: Upscale nightclub ambiance and attire, DJ Carbon spins the music, appetizers and champagne toast provided, and organizers claim the largest balloon drop (2,020) in the city. The event is 8 p.m.-1 a.m.; tickets start at $75 in advance for general admission, including five drink tickets, and with add-ons for reserved and VIP seating. Search for the event on Facebook to purchase tickets. The Hyatt will validate parking and also is offering a special room rate.

Wichita Marriott, 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive, has Kansas City-based party band The Source starting at 9:30 p.m. along with appetizers, raffle prizes, balloon drop and champagne toast. Ticket options include entertainment only for $50, prime rib buffet in the ballroom starting at 7 p.m. followed by the party at 9:30 p.m. for $100, or an overnight stay at the hotel along with breakfast buffet for $320 per couple, $225 single. Reservations are required, and entertainment package only reservations must be made by calling 316-462-3128. Find an event link at facebook.com/wichitamarriott. Another option is to have dinner in the smaller, on-site Fireside Grille at your leisure and then add on the entertainment package for $40 per person. Seating is limited in the restaurant, so make a reservation by calling 316-462-3178.

A Night at the Oscars at Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich, 7 p.m.-1 a.m., is encouraging attendees to glam it up or dress as celebrities for the red carpet. Festivities include a DJ, dancing, heavy hors d’oeuvres, photo ops and champagne toast. Cost is $60 per person for the party or $200 for two and a room at Tru by Hilton hotel in the same complex. Both ticket options include two drink tickets per person and a hangover brunch on Jan. 1 at Chicken N Pickle. Tickets available at http://chickennpickle.com/wichita.

Comedian and musician Chris Killian headlines two NYE 2020 shows at Loony Bin Comedy Club, 215 N. St. Francis. Advance tickets only, from $15 for 7:30 p.m. show to $30 for the late show that includes snacks and champagne toast. Purchase at wichita.loonybincomedy.com.

Mosley’s Rockin’ & Ringin’ New Year’s Eve Spectacular at Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley, starts at 6:30 p.m. with a prime rib buffet followed by a show featuring highlights from the past season. Tickets, mosleystreet.com, are $60 and also include dessert and a champagne toast.

Logan Mize and Jill Martin headline a New Year’s Eve concert at The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg, starting at 9 p.m. Advance tickets are $35 through thecotillion.com shows $10 off through Dec. 20. Seating is general admission though Mize offers some VIP tickets.

Barleycorn’s, 608 E. Douglas, has a lineup of bands starting at 9 p.m.: Carrie Nation & The Speakeasy, The Travel Guide and Kill Vargas. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door; find more info at facebook.com/Barleycornswichita.

Moe Bandy concert at 9 p.m. at Wichita Union Stockyards, 6425 W. MacArthur. Tickets are $50 and include a champagne toast and breakfast. Buy at kwlsradio.com/moe-bandy-nye19.

Kansas Star Casino, 777 Kansas Star Drive in Mulvane, is hosting a New Year’s Eve Bash with country band Parmalee starting at 9:30 p.m. in its Kansas Star Arena. Tickets, available at kansasstarcasino.com, start at $35 and also includes a champagne toast. live DJ performance and dance party.

DJs in two separate rooms at Fever Night Life, 116 N. Mead, 9 p.m.-1:30 a.m. with balloon drop and champagne toast and cash and prize giveaways. Tickets are $20 general admission, with VIP and table reservations available at fevernightlife.com.

Party band Suite 68 is playing the NYE party at Port of Wichita, 1528 S. Webb, 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Reserve seats for $15 by calling 665-8133 in advance or pay $20 at the door, including a champagne toast.

This story was originally published December 23, 2019 at 5:01 AM.