No New Year’s Eve plans yet? No worries. There’s still time to figure out how to ring in 2025 and more than a few options in the Elgin area.
Rosie O’Hare’s Public House in East Dundee is holding an Irish New Year’s Eve party. The 702 Water St. restaurant’s first champagne countdown toast will be at 6 p.m. and for anyone who wants to celebrate twice can hang out at the bar for the traditional countdown at midnight. Hats and party horns are provided and admission is free.
“It’s just chill, and everyone gets together,” said Michelle Richardson, who has worked at the restaurant’s bar for eight years. It’s also pajama night, so everyone is welcome to come in their PJs, she said.
Musician Jon Babin, a Rosie’s favorite, is performing from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
East Dundee has a bountiful number of bars and restaurants in its historic downtown, making it a perfect New Year’s Eve pub crawl location. Check out River Street Tavern, at 102 N. River St.; Bandito River Lee’s, 6 E. Main St.; The Distance Social, 314 N. River St.; and Bandito Barney’s Beach Club, 10 N. River St., all of which will be ringing in 2025.
Feeling nostalgic for the original B96 DJs? Then head out to Old Republic Kitchen + Bar’s Mixmasters New Year’s Eve Ball in Elgin. The night features Tim Spinnin’ Schomer, Bobby D, DJ-Spin, DJ Markski, and a special guest.
Tickets are on sale for $25 at Eventbrite.com and $30 at the door. The night includes an appetizer buffet, late-night snacks/pizza, a complimentary champagne toast and party favors. Doors open at 8 p.m. The restaurant is at 155 S. Randall Road.
If you’re looking for a more low-key celebration, check out Danny’s Pizza, 231 Douglas Ave., Elgin, where country legends Smokin’ Gunz are headlining a NYE bash. A $30 cover allows you to enjoy an all-you-can-eat pizza buffet, champagne toast at midnight, party favors, a balloon drop and music. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/new-years-eve-with-smokin-gunz-tickets-1097742109199?aff=ebdssbcategorybrowse.
Elgin’s El Patio at 64 S. Grove Ave. is having a welcome to the new year celebration complete with a champagne toast and fresh grapes for good luck. The party is from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m. with a DJ and a free champagne toast at midnight. The restaurant is offering its regular menu and full bar. If you want to splurge, they’ll be selling bottles of Mark Wahlberg’s Flecha Azul Cristalino bottle of tequila for $200. They’re taking reservations at 224-238-3153.
El Diablo Cantina’s New Year’s Eve party runs from 9 p.m. through 2 a.m. The restaurant, located at 113 S. Western Ave. in Carpentersville, has tickets starting at $25 to an open bar ticket for $40.
They’re calling it the “biggest mega Latin party” in the area. Three DJs, including Bad Boy, are performing. For tickets, go to eventbrite.com to search for the event.
If you’re searching for an elegant black-tie event, the African American Coalition of Kane County is hosting a holiday celebration at the Holiday Inn ballroom, 495 Airport Road, Elgin.
General admission tickets are $105 per person and include a three-course dinner, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. VIP admission is $125. The event is from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. For ticket information, go to events.eventnoire.com/…/midnight-magic…/tickets.
Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.