Besides going to our very own amazing New Years Eve bash, which is going to be AMAZING (and features a full open bar, Philippe of Fatback and Que Sera, Autorock, Chris Burns, DJ Stylus, Lil E, magicians, AND THE SPANISH AMBASSADOR’S ENCHANTED FORMER RESIDENCE as the location: GET DETAILS AND TICKETS HERE) here’s a roundup of everything else happening in the city…

People often call New Years the ultimate letdown holiday. The build-up is rarely worth the inevitable lines, cost, crowds or the stampede to the open bar. Well, we here at BYT can’t promise to solve all of your NYE dilemmas, but we will certainly try to guide you in the right direction.

Parties:

(in no particular order, though we are obviously partial to our own)

• A Jazz New Year’s Eve: Freddy Cole & the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band
• When: 7:30PM – 12PM
• Where: The Kennedy Center
• 2012 goes out with a bang when singer/pianist Freddy Cole and the Dizzy Gillespie All-Star Big Band, a reverential supergroup, usher in 2013.

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• Black Cat New Years Eve Ball
•  When: 8PM – 2AM
• Where: The Black Cat
• The annual event features swing music by Peaches O’Dell and her orchestra. DJs spin modern music on the back stage.

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• Come Out And Play New Years Eve
•  When: 8PM-2AM
• Where: Marvin
• Marvin presents a “Warriors”-themed New Year’s Eve party starring DJ Jahsonic, who usually spins at Monday night’s wildly popular Main Ingredient party, and DJ Moose. Expect loads of old-school hip-hop and classic R&B and disco all night. “Warriors” costumes are encouraged.

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• MOD NYE
•  When: 8PM – 1:30 AM
• Where: T Square Lofts
• WORN Mag + No Kings Collective + Dandies and Quaintrelles DC team up for a swinging 60s evening. Early bird tickets are $45, then they jump to $55 and include: Complimentary open bar 8-9pm, 1 free drink (after 9pm), complimentary champagne toast at midnight, cash bar, DIY grilled cheese + tomato soup station + bacon

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• Annual RNR Hotel NYE Bash
• When: 8PM-2AM
• Where: RNR Hotel
• A bunch of DC favorites DJ (Bad Domes, Keenan, Sami Y…), there is a silent disco on the rooftop, open bar, no dress code. Simple, effective.

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• Driveby Truckers w/ North Mississippi Allstars
• When: 7PM – 1AM
• Where: 9:30 Club
• Enjoy some dirty-ass blues rock from this fine pairing of Southern rock’n'rollers.

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• NYE with Volta Bureau
• When: 9PM – 2AM
• Where: U Street Music Hall
• U Hall does a good job of “this is just another night” kind of NYE. So-for a low pressure good time, drop $10 at the door, enjoy the band headlined by co-owner Will Eastman, and experience no open bar rush pressure etc.

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• NYE with The Roots
• When: 9PM – 2AM
• Where: Fillmore
• You, The Roots, New Years. Pretty awesome. Please do note that the ticket does not seem to involve any kind of beverages included in it.

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• U Street NYE with Questlove
• When: 9PM – 4AM
• Where: LIV/Tap & Parlor
• $50 gets you open bar till midnight (VIP tables are $600) and a whole bunch of 90s, top 40, hiphop, raggae and more. Special guest DJ set by the man who just DJed Justin Timberlake’s wedding.

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• Big Night DC New Year’s Eve 
• Where: Gaylord National Harbor
• The night will feature 35,000 more square feet of live bands, DJs, dance floors, food and beverage stations, casino games, karaoke, party favors and more

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• DEEP SECRETS NYE with Vicenzo, Jubillee, Solomon Sanchez, Raffi.
• Where: Zucchabar (next to Napoleon)
• Get (very) deep

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• Grandeur & Glamour
• When: 8 PM-2 AM
• Where: P.O.V. Lounge at the W Washington
• Ring in the New Year at the hottest hotel in Washington for a night of glitz, glamour and one of the best views in DC.

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• NYE with WILLY JOY
• When: 9 PM-3 AM
• Where: Little Miss Whiskey’s
• Willy Joy is pretty great and $65 gets you open bar till 1am (after that, cash bar) and no persons under 25 are admitted, limiting the shitshowness level slightly.

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• Eventstir/Third Edition New Year’s Eve Celebration
• When: 9 PM-12 AM
• Where: Third Edition, 1218 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
• Have a shitshow with Georgetown and GWU undergrads

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• New Year’s Eve at Carnegie Library
• When: 9 PM-1 AM
• Where: Carnegie Library
• Held at one of the most amazing gala venues in DC, the night will feature four party levels of bands, DJs and premium liquor.

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• Downtown Countdown
• When: 9 PM-2 AM
• Where: Washington Hilton, 1919 Connecticut Avenue, NW
• Grouplove and G. Love And Special Sauce team for a night of drinking, dancing and bidding adieu to 2012.

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• New Year’s Eve At Sphinx Club
• When: 9 PM-2 AM
• Where: The Sphinx Club, 1315 K Street NW
• Brought to you by Smith Point in Glover Park, enjoy this New Year’s Eve at the Sphinx Club, where you may find scattered remnants of our Halloween party still wafting around.

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• New Year’s Eve At The Huxley
• When: 10 PM-3 AM
• Where: The Huxley, 1730 M Street NW
• Enjoy New Year’s Eve at one of the District’s most buzzed about new venues.

Food And Drink:

• Poste Moderne Brasserie plans a Cabaret-style meets Parisian Speakeasy evening with a swing band, outdoor winter bar fare, champagne specials and cocktails, staff in period uniforms, and options for bar snacks or a more leisurely five- or seven-course meal.
• Award-winning Chef de Cuisine Chris Watson and Sommelier Matt Carroll will pair the perfect wine and food for four- and six-course dinners at BRABO by Robert Wiedmaier.
• Recently remodeled Firefly will offer Rat Pack dinner specials from Chef de Cuisine Todd Wiss and daring cocktails (read: frankincense bitters) from mixologist Jon Harris.
• Jackson 20 is back at it again with their popular Roaring 20s party. This time, it’ll feature fun additions like a bathtub photo booth, live band, and a morning after walk of shame brunch on New Yea’s Day.
• The Grille at Morrison House is well known for its piano bar’s former White House talent and Washington Opera singers, all of whom will ring in 2013 with a live performance in tribute to Cole Porter. Chef Brian McPherson will prepare an elegant six-course meal for the festivities.
• A five-course prix fixe Asian-inspired meal of sushi, Susur Lees Singapore slaw, dumplings and more can be enjoyed at Zentan.
• Chef John Critchley marries Northern Italian and Provencal fare at Urbana Restaurant, and will offer a five-course $65 menu with wine pairings for an additional $35.
• Blue Duck Tavern is offering two seatings, the first is available at 5:30 PM featuring a three-course menu with a choice of appetizer, entrée and dessert priced at $75 per person or $145 with wine and Champagne pairings.
• Latin-Asian neighborhood hot spot Masa 14 is offering a prix fixe New Year’s Eve menu on the main level with two seatings. Guests dining before 9 PM can delight in the $50 prix fixe menu of edamame, three plates from the featured menu, and dessert. On New Year’s Day, Masa 14 will serve their bottomless prix fixe brunch from 11 AM and 3 PM. Priced at $35 per guest (tax and gratuity excluded), the prix fixe brunch includes an unlimited selection of brunch drinks and the menu features a selection of Flatbreads & Salads, Eggs, Benedicts & Omelets and Sandwiches & Such options.
• In the trendy 14th Street neighborhood El Centro is offering three dinner seatings on New Year’s Eve to savor a prix fixe menu which includes a beer or a traditional margarita, a choice of appetizer and entrée, followed by Chef’s selection of desserts.
• Three-and-a-half star restaurant, The Oval Room, located just steps from the White House, is offering a five course, prix fixe menu from 5:30 PM to 10 PM, priced at $85 per person or $125 with wine pairings.
• Rasika guests will enjoy Executive Chef Vikram Sunderam and Chef de Cuisine Niraj Govil’s specially crafted New Year’s Eve fare with two seatings available. A three-course menu priced at $55 (tax, beverages and gratuity excluded) will be available from 5:30 PM to 8 PM. During the second seating from 8 PM to 10:30 PM, a four-course menu will be available which is priced at $80 per person.
• Head to Art and Soul‘s Mad Men-themed New Year’s Eve celebration with a special three-course dinner menu inspired by 1960′s-era food with a modern, Southern twist. Guests dining at the restaurant will enjoy live music by the Jeremy Carlstedt Quartet, party favors and a complimentary champagne toast. For a more casual option, ArtBar will serve the New Year’s Eve dinner menu a la carte until midnight, along with champagne, sparkling wine and cocktails until 2am. ’60′s garb is encouraged, but not required.
• Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Bandolero‘s all-inclusive “Mexican Cowboy Countdown” bash in Georgetown. The party will include passed hors d’oeuvres and stations, along with margaritas, cocktails, cava, beer and wine. Food service stops at midnight, but drinks will be flowing and a DJ will be spinning until 2am.
• A five-course small plates chef’s tasting will be prepared for each guest, including options from Graffiato‘s popular a la carte menu and New Year’s Evespecials like venison tartar, marinated salsify with lemon and trout roe and black truffle tagliatelle. A DJ will be spinning on the first floor pizza bar from 11:00pm – 2:00am, so guests can stay to watch the ball drop.
• Ring in the new year with an elegant, champagne-filled evening at Ripple. The five-course tasting menu includes highlights like Nantucket Bay scallop ceviche, beef loin with crispy marrow and olive oil pistachio financiers. Also available is a special “10 to Toast” list with 10 champagnes by the glass and “Gotta Wear Shades,” the featured New Year’s Eve cocktail made with sparkling wine, cherry bitters, shaved pear and a housemade orange sugar cube.
• Caviar, roasted foie gras and Alba truffles are just a few of the decadent delights in store for guests dining Bourbon Steak on New Year’s Eve. The modern American steakhouse will offer two seatings for the night at 5:30 PM and 8:30 PM. Guests at the first seating will enjoy a special four-course tasting menu created by Executive Chef Adam Sobel, priced at $90 per person without wine pairing and $135 per person with wine pairings.
• Fiola will welcome the New Year with a live band, special tasting menus and Champagne toasts. The modern Italian trattoria is offering a special six-course tasting menu as well as a five-course prix fixe on New Year’s Eve. Both menus will be priced at $125 per person for early seatings before 6:30 PM and $175 per person for seatings after 6:30 PM, inclusive of a Champagne toast, but not including tax and gratuity. Guests have the option of including premium wine pairings for  $110 per person.
• Champagne is the flavor of the night as Proof rings in 2013 with incredible bubbly specials. The wine-centric Penn Quarter hotspot will set the tone for the year by offering 40% off all Champagnes by the glass and a 1/3 off bubbles by the bottle. The Champagne promotion will be offered in the bar and lounge area on New Year’s Eve only.
• The Source by Wolfgang Puck has a treat in store for fans of tasting menus this New Year’s Eve. The Asian-inspired fine dining destination is giving guests not one but two tasting menu options. Diners can choose between a five-course menu, priced at $125 per person with an additional $65 for wine pairings, not including tax and gratuity, or a seven-course menu for $150 per person with an additional $75 for wine pairings, not including tax and gratuity.
• Up in Frederick, MD, at Bryan Voltaggio’s VOLT you can get an 8-course tasting menu at $150 per person with optional wine pairing. And at Family Meal you can enjoy complimentary sparkling wine and sparkling cider for dinner guests on 12/31.
• For New Year’s Eve, Jaleo will offer a traditional celebration on December 31st at all three locations. From 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the dining room, and all night at the bar, Jaleo will offer an a la carte New Year’s Eve menu featuring some of the most delectable Spanish dishes suitable for this magnificent celebration. At 8:30 p.m., a second seating with unlimited tapas from the New Year’s Eve Tasting Menu will be offered at $90.00 (tax and gratuity excluded) per person at Jaleo downtown and $85.00 (tax and gratuity excluded) per person at Jaleo Crystal City and Jaleo Bethesda.
• Oyamel Cocina Mexicana invites guests for an unforgettable and enchanting Mexican New Year’s Eve. Inspired by José Andrés and his culinary team’s recent journey to Oaxaca City, Oyamel will offer elegant large plates, or “platos fuertes”, as the last savory course of the year. Festivities include live music by Sabor a Salsa, one of DC’s most talented latin musicians led by stunning vocal performer, Laura Sosa, who will usher in the New Year with live salsa music from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
• Zaytinya’s New Year’s Eve lively celebration will feature exotic belly dancers and an outstanding DJ spinning music and energizing guests well into the wee hours of the night. There will be two seatings; the first includes a complete a la carte menu and luxury specials available from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. The second seating, from 8:00pm – 10:30pm, will offer a four-course prix fixe menu priced at $65 per person, or $90 with beverage pairings (tax and gratuity excluded), or a five-course Chef’s Experience tasting menu for $80 per person, or $120 with beverage pairings (tax and gratuity excluded). Both menus include a complimentary glass of sparkling wine for toasting, two shows of belly dancers at 9 p.m. and 11 p.m., as well as the choice of either artisanal cheese or dessert to complete the meal.
• At Cedar Restaraunt, Chef Aaron McCloud’s three-course menu offering priced at $45 per person with alcohol and gratuity not included, available from 5 until 7 p.m., will consist of a first course selection including a seasonal apple tart with braised pork belly, an entrée course with choices from veal shank to rockfish to a vegetarian rutabaga and sweet potato gratin and a dessert course featuring his version of spumoni complete with house made cherry marshmallows.
• Napoleon Bistro will be celebrating New Years Eve with a $65 4-course tasting menu, and two “after hours” parties, one in the upstairs bar and the other in their Champagne Lounge downstairs. Seating for dinner will begin at 5:30pm, with limited seating available after 7:30pm. A complimentary glass of champagne will be offered with the tasting menu. The tasting menu will also be offered a la carte at the bar. Napoleon’s “After Hours” Party will begin at 10:00pm and go until 4:00am. A 3 hour premium open bar package will be offered for $100 from 10:00pm-1:00am With live streaming showing the ball drop.
• To ring in the New Year, Café Bonaparte, located in Georgetown, will be featuring a $65 4-course tasting menu with a complimentary glass of champagne. Dinner will be open for two seating’s, 6:30pm and 8:30pm. The tasting menu will feature a choice of two items for each of the four courses.
• This New Year’s Eve, Lincoln Restaurant will host a special Vegas-Style Blowout Celebration featuring one of DC’s favorite 10-piece bands, David Akers and The Epitome, culinary delights by Executive Chef Demetrio Zavala, and a variety of package options to ring in 2013. One lucky guest of the night will win a 2-night stay at the ultra posh, 6.3 million square feet Revel Resort in Atlantic City.
• To ring in 2013, on December 31st, SAX is preparing a Grand Masquerade Ball replete with Mini Cocktail Toasts, Four-Course Dinner Menu with seating beginning at 9pm, Champagne Toast at Midnight, Decadent Party Favors, Costumed Burlesque Performances throughout the evening and Dancing to Musical Beats by Rhythmic Prodigy, DJ Oz. The Grand Masquerade Ball will be priced at $125.00 per person.
• Whether you’re toasting or recovering, Founding Farmers is a nice enjoy brunch on New Year’s Day. In addition to offering lunch and dinner, both the DC and MoCo locations will be serving up their full brunch menu from 9am – 2pm on January 1. What better way to say hello to 2013 than with Red Velvet Pancakes and a Bloody Mary? Book a reservation online at WeAreFoundingFarmers.com.
• Make your first meal of 2013 a great one — head to Georgetown and enjoy the full brunch spread at Farmers Fishers Bakers at The Washington Harbour. From 10am – 2:30pm, feast on farm-fresh egg dishes, breakfast tacos, cinnamon rolls, sushi bites, pizza, and more. Top it all off with a few drinks from the Bottomless Bloody Mary Bar or a brunch cocktail bowl for the table. Check out the full menu and make a reservation at FarmersFishersBakers.com.
• If you’re looking for an original and tasty way to indulge in the southern New Year tradition of eating Black-eyed peas, then look no further. In hopes of bestowing good luck and prosperity in the New Year, Del Frisco’s Grille is offering a Black-eyed pea Hummus. With subtle flavors of cumin and garlic mixed into a smooth black-eyed pea spread, you’ll feel lucky just eating it.
• New Year’s Eve should be special, but it doesn’t have to be costly. On Monday, December 31, Matchbox (Capitol Hill location) will offer a pre-set menu featuring items like Lobster Salad, Prime Rib and a sneak peek of some of the doughnuts that will be featured at Ted’s BULLETIN on 14^th street in early 2013, accompanied by 20 wine pairings.
• Ring in the New Year with a feast that Father Time himself would stop the clock for. Ris is offering a five course menu with regional favorites such asParsnip and Wild Mushroom soup, Nantucket Bay Scallop and Lobster Risotto, Peppered Venison and Chocolate Baked Alaska. Wine pairings are optional.
• Dine, dance and devote yourself to an evening of effervescent fun at Roof Terrace Restaurant’s Annual New Year’s Eve celebration.  The night includes a prix-fixe four course dinner, complimentary glass of sparkling wine and live jazz performance by Rod Tompkins Music complemented by stunning skyline views.  Each patron will receive a free admission ticket to the Kennedy Center’s renowned Grand Foyer Celebration with the purchase of dinner, where the champagne will keep flowing and the crowd will toast to good health, friends and fortune for the year to come.
• Old Town’s landmark destination, Columbia Firehouse  will once again be hosting a sumptuous soiree on New Year’s Eve. In the dining room, a special three-course tasting menu will be available for $45 per person. For the party goers, Firehouse will be hosting a party in the decked and dazzling upstairs dining room beginning at 9PM. Tickets are $65 per person and include an array of passed and stationed hors d’oeuvres such as Crispy Po’ Boy Sliders, Bourbon Shrimp & Grits and Black Eye Pea Cakes with Braised Greens, access to three private cash bars will be serving up craft cocktails and fine beers and wine, a live DJ to keep the dance floor going, and a complimentary Champagne toast and ball drop. Tickets can be purchased in advance here. 
• BLT Steak is greeting guests on New Year’s Eve in all-out luxury: with a Champagne and Caviar cart. The indulgent cart will feature a selection of three different osetra and domestic caviars and six sparklers including vintage Dom Perignon and grower Champagnes which will range from $20-$80 by the glass.
• Vinoteca, popular neighborhood wine bar on U Street, will host an exciting New Year’s Eve celebration complete with three bars, live entertainment, a tented outdoor plaza with craft NYE cocktails, a champagne room, special NYE menu and more. Starting the night off, Vinoteca will offer a special 5-course NYE dinner menu with two seatings, at 6pm ($65/person) and 9pm ($85/person) in the dining room. Diners can add on beverage pairings for $30 or sparkling wine pairings for $35. The second seating includes noise makers and hats, a sparkling wine midnight toast, and the table until the New Year. Guests can add on the NYE Party package to either seating for $50 which grants them private early access at 9:30pm. For those looking to party more than dine, Vinoteca will also offer a special NYE PARTY PACKAGE for $85/person. The celebration will feature three bars (including their tented heated outdoor plaza) serving up craft NYE specialty cocktails, open bar from 10:30pm – 2:30am, a Champagne room, live entertainment in their upstairs lounge, bottomless sparkling wine from 11:45pm – 12:15am, a midnight snack buffet and party favors.
• Trademark in Alexandria will help cure late-night ails with its first-ever New Year’s Day brunch. Executive Chef Matthew Miller has created a creative, hearty menu with pork-heavy dishes like the BACON CANDY QUICHEmade with chef’s signature bacon candy and caramelized onion, and the PORK BELLY PANCAKESwith candied pecans, syrup and whipped butter. Master mixologist Christopher Bassett has also crafted two specialty New Year’s cocktails: the “Walk of Shame Bloody Mary” and the sparkling “Grand Mimosa,” both $8.
• Nothing says “party” like a pig roast, and Jack Rose Dining Saloon is pre-gaming with a “Punch, Pints & Pork” pre-game rooftop pig roast. This all-you-can-eat-and-drink pre-party will be hosted on the restaurant’s scenic heated rooftop from 6-9 p.m. and offer unlimited just-pulled-off-the-pig pork as well as a selection of beers and punches, all for $35 per person. For those who want to keep the party going, Jack Rose will transform into the ultimate NYE celebration. From 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., guests will enjoy an open bar, live DJ music, cigar specials, midnight Champagne toast, complimentary passed hors d’oeuvres from 8:30-9:30 p.m. and of course a photobooth to capture all of the evening’s memories. Tickets are available now and may be purchased for $100/person by calling 202-588-7388 or visiting www.jackrosenewyearseve2013.eventbrite.com.
• Nage Bistro is helping combat hangovers with a special New Year’s Day Hangover Brunch complete with Gatorade cocktails and hearty brunch fare from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Guests can chow down on Nage’s famous Kill It Skillet, a hot, meaty dish of mac n’ cheese, chorizo, bacon, truffled frites and a fried egg. Guests can replenish lost nutrients with Nage’s Electrolyte Lemonade made with Lemonade Gatorade, Lemongrass and Citrus Vodka, while the Bloody Swine, Nage’s own bloody mary with Bacon and Old Bay rim will provide a little “hair of the dog.” And for those who need a little extra “hair of the dog” can enjoy Bottomless Bloody Mary’s + Mimosas for $14 per person. The regular brunch menu will also be available.

FEEL FREE TO DROP SOME OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS