New Year’s Eve comes just once a year – and maybe just once more period, if you believe in Mayan prophecies.
For those Turlockers looking to celebrate the end of 2011 with a bang, several local bars and restaurants will be offering special celebrations on New Year’s Eve.
Two Guys’ Red Brick Cafe will host a New Year’s Bash, opening at 7 p.m. with drink specials and appetizers. A ticket – $10 presale, $20 at the door – grants admission, the entertainment of DJ Brad Brown, and a glass of champagne at midnight.
For a more upscale evening, Toscana’s at the Tower will host a New Year’s Black and White Masquerade from 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. The costume-optional affair will include live music, drinks, and food specials, plus champagne midnight toast for $10 in advance, or $20 at the door.
A raucous celebration awaits at Grizzly Rock Cafe and Grill, where Broken Trojan – a rock, punk, and alternative-inspired band from Turlock, Riverbank, and Hilmar – will perform. A midnight champagne toast will cap the evening.
Center Street Grill, like most Turlock businesses, won’t offer any special promotions for New Year’s Eve; the eatery will offer dinner and drinks as usual. But employees said they expect New Year’s Eve to be one of the busiest nights of the year regardless.
By contrast, El Charro manager Luis Montanez expects only modest business on the last night of 2011. That’s despite various food and drink specials – including 99 cent margaritas all night long.
“New Year’s Eve is kind of slower,” Montanez said. “It dies out quick. New Year’s Day is going to be big.”
Though New Year’s Eve expectations differ between Turlock’s restaurants and bars, all contacted by the Journal expect to be open for business New Year’s Eve, some with later hours stretching into 2012.
All bars save for Al’s Billiards, that is, where owner Victor Borashan will enjoy a New Year’s Eve of his own.
“That’s the day I take off and go party myself,” Borashan said.
To contact Alex Cantatore, e-mail acantatore@turlockjournal.com, or call 634-9141 ext.2005.
