COVINGTON, Ky. – If 2023 was great for you, then resolve to keep that momentum going and make 2024 even better. If that WASN’T the case, you know what to do: Break with those bad ties that keep dragging you down, make better decisions (and fix the bad ones you’ve already made), get your priorities straight, vow to do and be better (“Be Best!”), work smarter not harder, and get on with good living, dang it.
If you’re in the latter group and if you like us judge yourself with all the mercy of the dungeon scales at Threave (shout-out to “Silence of the Lambs” for that reference), we suggest that examining your conscience will be more productive with a glass of something strong.
If you’re in the former group, skip the self-flagellation and head out to one of the plenty of New Year’s Eve celebrations happening in The Cov. We searched the web, social media, and ancient texts to find and list these celebrations below. If you’re aware of others that we missed, please get on our FB page to help spread the word.
Stay safe, have fun, and make 2024 your best year yet.
You can watch the countdown to 2024 from the comfort of your home (just wear your toastiest pajamas and curl up on your couch with a pour of bourbon or bubbly) … or you can venture out to some of these NYE celebrations happening in The Cov:
- If your ideal New Year’s Eve evening calls for a slice or two of good pizza before clinking the stemware, then NYE on 7th at Braxton Brewing Co. is the venue for you, featuring an unlimited Dewey’s Pizza buffet, a photobooth, and a midnight champagne toast.
- New Year’s Eve at Juniper’s promises an “unforgettable” celebration with music, food, a lively atmosphere, and dancing to the music of the Chris Comer Quartet. Champagne toast at midnight.
- Hotel Covington’s indoor/outdoor Midnight on Madison New Year’s Eve Party returns with the beats of DJ Kombat, a dazzling lights on the dance floor, photo booth, balloon drops, confetti canyons, and more. Plus, there’s a raffle with prizes that include (drum roll, please …) a faux fur from Donna Salyer’s Fabulous Furs, a one-night stay at Hotel Covington, a $100 gift certificate to Coppin’s Restaurant, a $100 gift certificate to Opal Rooftop, an exclusive Barrel Pick Bundle of Corazon, Jefferson’s, and New Riff, a New Riff Distillery tour, and more.
- Maybe just a quiet dinner that you don’t have to prepare is the plan you have in mind. In that case, the Governor’s House Wine Bar & Italian Kitchen’s New Year’s Eve Dinner might suit you.
- Looking for an altogether different NYE experience? Mic’s Pub III has got you covered. Posing the question themselves – “Who knew Mic’s Pub III had some class?” – the Happy New Year Party at Mic’s Pub III presents an evening that offers wall status for the “cute” Polaroid pictures taken of you and yours, champagne, hats, confetti poppers, drink specials, live music, and a television for all to watch the ball drop at midnight.
- Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant will host its New Year’s Eve Celebration, featuring music from The Grey Dogs, the Irish New Year’s, the Bengals game, and more.
- Something Different NYE with DaveyC, Prymtime, Star Seed, Dru, Omar, Iceman, and Stapes at Madison Theater features 2 stages, 6 DJs, 5 bar locations, appetizers, a live projection display, a photo booth, and 2024 party supplies and light sticks. Upgrade to VIP tickets and you’ll get access to an express entry lane, an exclusive balcony, a VIP bar, appetizer, and restrooms, with a premium bar open from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- In the event that you prefer to ring in the New Year with some surrealist soulful gothic Appalachian blues rock music from the hillsides, back alleys, ditches, mountain streams, and hollers of Kentucky, and some arse-shakin’ rock n’ roll, you’ll find what you seek at New Year’s Eve with Muleshine and Chalk Eye at The Village Theater in MainStrasse Village.
- And finally there’s NYE at Second Story, an all-inclusive ticketed “night of bohemian frivolity and revelry,” with dancing, locally sourced food vendors, specialty drinks, and libertine vibes.
Close out 2023 with a “bang!” (and maybe a suplex, body scissors, or a well-timed smack with a metal chair) at the Northern Wresting Federation’s last live event of the year, The Fight After Christmas.
It happens Saturday evening at Hits Indoor Baseball and Sportsplex.
Who needs the mainstream Bengals and hardwood stars at UC or UK when you can watch the likes of “Next Level” Nikki Victory, The Thugs from Jollyville, and “Wildcat” Chris Harris?
As a hobby, this whole bourbon collecting thing has soared into the stratosphere, what with rap star special labels, single barrel unveilings, rarely seen historical bottles, billion-dollar pours, and staying in line all night (to get the mere chance) to buy the latest.
So … here at Revival Vintage Spirits & Bottle shop, Saturday brings Envy of Angels to The Cov, where you can get a special spirit at its absolute highest proof.
Finished in port wine casks, of course.
… or a Watermelon Radler and a White Iced Cake? A Cinnamon Twist and a Tropic Flare?
The pairings are endless when you combine hops & sugar. No doubt both are part of the DRIs from the National Academy of Medicine (but don’t hold us to that).
Anyway, tomorrow is the last Friday of the month, which means the taproom at Braxton Brewing Co. is hosting its monthly Graeter’s Donut Pop Up. Starts at 8 a.m.
Tip: Bring your laptop and tell your boss you’re working from (your) home (away from home).
Tonight: Beyond the Stage Live Presents Physco at Madison Live … The Missy Werner Band at Molly Malone’s Irish Pub & Restaurant … Alex Poteet at Smoke Justis.
Friday: Kenny Cowden at Smoke Justis … Poolparty at Molly Malone’s.
Saturday: T’was the Night Before New Year’s Eve with Moonshine Wine & Mason Hutchinson at Wunderbar … The Lee Dixon Duo at Smoke Justis … Floyd and the Walkmen at Molly Malone’s.
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