New Year’s Eve options in Wichita: dancing, dining and toasting
Music, mystery, memorable menus and more beckon Wichitans looking to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Just don’t mull your options too long. Many events fill up early, so get tickets or make reservations early to avoid being left out of the fun. Here’s a sampling of highlights around town:
Music
Las Vegas-style party at Century II: The first of what organizers hope will become an annual “Vegas-style” New Year’s Eve bash takes place at Century II, headlined by a DJ from that city, VJ Blaze. DJs Konnect and Magnum will make guest appearances, and a balloon drop at midnight should spread some holiday cheer. Details: 9 p.m.-6 a.m. at Century II, general admission $27.50, balcony access $38.50, or $275 for a table of eight. Call 316-303-8100 or visit wichitatix.com for more info.
Carrie Nation at Crown Uptown Theatre: Local-band-made-good Carrie Nation and the Speakeasy brings its rootsy, raucous music back for an all-ages show at the Crown Uptown, with the Dewayn Brothers opening. Details: 8 p.m. at 3207 E. Douglas; tickets $10 at naymlis.ticketleap.com.
Grandmaster Flash at Barleycorn’s: Hip-hop founding father DJ Grandmaster Flash, the Bronx-born entertainer credited with inventing many of the tricks that are now standard in his trade, manipulates his turntables at Barleycorn’s, with local jock DJ Carbon opening. Details: 9 p.m. at 608 E. Douglas; tickets $35 to $75 and available at barleycornswichita.com.
Logan Mize at the Cotillion: Kansas native and country music recording artist Logan Mize headlines a show at the Cotillion that also features Jill Martin, DJ Panda and MC Marshall Stanhope. Details: 8 p.m. at 11120 W. Kellogg Drive; tickets $25 in advance, $30 day of show, available at the Cotillion or by calling 316-722-4201.
Dinner and dancing
The Ambassador Hotel: The downtown hotel is offering a New Year’s Eve package that includes dinner at Siena Tuscan Steakhouse, valet parking, music by The Source and a champagne toast at midnight. Details: 8 p.m.-1 a.m. at 104 S. Broadway; tickets $99 at eventbrite.com. Room packages are also available.
Olive Tree: Latour is putting on a party at its new catering venue that will feature dinner by the Piccadilly Catering team, live music from George Matta, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Details: 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Olive Tree Banquets & Catering, 2949 N. Rock Road. Tickets are $50 a person, $90 a couple, at 316-681-1100 or www.olivetree-catering.com/nye2015/.
Oeno Wine Bar: This Old Town bar is serving up a buffet dinner of steak, chicken and seafood, a champagne toast, live DJ and balloon drop. Details: 7:30 p.m. at 330 N. Mead; tickets $55, register online at empireks.com.
Hangar One Steakhouse: A blind wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, a champagne toast and music by Lady and the Tramps are on the bill at Hangar One Steakhouse. Details: 9 p.m. at 5925 W. Kellogg Drive; tickets $39.99, call 316-941-4900 for reservations.
B-98 New Year’s Eve Party: The station is hosting a party at the Kechi Best Western that will feature a dinner buffet, a champagne toast at midnight and music from the Ernie Biggs Dueling Piano Roadshow. Details: 6:30 p.m., 915 E. 53rd St. North; tickets $99 a person, packages including overnight stay plus breakfast, $285 for two. Call 316-832-9387 for reservations.
Clubs
Whiskey Dicks: Drink specials, a complimentary buffet, music from DJ Cooky and a midnight champagne toast are on tap at Whiskey Dicks. Details: 9 p.m. at 801 S. Seneca.
Mort’s: Wacky rock and rollers Sunshine the Bunny perform at Mort’s in Old Town. Details: 8 p.m. at 923 E. First St., $2 cover.
Club Rodeo: The dance club is throwing a party that includes a buffet dinner, balloon drop with prizes and bull riding. Details: 10001 E. Douglas, doors open at 6 p.m.; tickets are $20 a person, $35 for a couple.
Restaurants
Taste and See: The restaurant is serving up a five-course menu designed by Chef Jason Febres featuring braised chicken wrapped in pancetta, a South American tamale, ham-and-cheese stuffed puff pastry and more. Details: Seatings from 5-9 p.m. at 255 N. Washington; $33 per person, call 316-260-4233 for reservations.
Hotels
Hyatt Regency: If staying put all night and checking out late the next day are what you desire, the Hyatt Regency Wichita offers a couples package that includes a dinner buffet, party with music by Lucky People, hotel room and breakfast buffet. Details: 400 W. Waterman; $319 per couple, make reservations at wichita.hyatt.com or by calling 316-293-1234.
The Wichita Marriott: This hotel is offering a smaller package that includes music by the Private Stock band. Details: 9100 E. Corporate Hills Drive; $280 per couple (must be 21), reservations at marriott.com/ictwe or 316-651-0333.
Theaters
Mosley Street Melodrama: The Old Town theater reprises favorite songs and skits from 2015 – plus a few surprises – with a cast that includes Tony Harshbarger, Steve Hitchcock, Michael Karraker, Dylan Lewis, Briley Meek, Jenny Mitchell, Megan Parsley, Molly Tully, Kyle Vespestad, Monte Wheeler and Joella Wolnik. A buffet dinner will be served, and the cast will lead karaoke until a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Details: Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at 234 N. Mosley; tickets $50 or $360 for a table of eight, call 316-263-0222 for reservations.
The Loony Bin: Ventriloquist Marc Rubben will perform, with an after-party and champagne toast following the late show. Details: 7:30 and 10 p.m. at 215 N. St. Francis, tickets $13 and $26, available at looneybincomedy.com.
Family fun
The Wichita Public Library: The downtown branch is staging an interactive murder mystery for ages 12-17 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. For kids 3 and up, the library will host an 11:30 a.m. party complete with noisemakers, confetti, party hats and sparkling grape juice. Details: Free at the library’s main branch, 223 S. Main. Call 316-261-8500 for more info.
This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 3:55 PM with the headline "New Year’s Eve options in Wichita: dancing, dining and toasting."