New Year's Eve...and the Weekend Before

We survived the apocalypse and Christmas. And now there's one more weekend of reveling left in 2012. Will we survive all this partying?

New Year’s Eve is a Monday night so we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention a few events happening this weekend.

But the majority of the 13 (for 2013, of course) nuggets listed below fall on Monday. And while it may be a Monday, there’s plenty going on this particular Monday.

Happy New Year – and be safe!

• Gecko’s Grill & Pub, 4310 S.R. 64 E., isn’t waiting until Monday to host of New Year’s Eve celebration. So if you want to get the party started early, the crew at Gecko’s is hosting its End of the Year bash starting at 9 p.m. Friday with live music from Kettle of Fish, drink (Van Gogh Vodka drinks) and shot (Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey) specials.
• Also on Friday, country music singer/songwriter Michael Ray is performing at Joyland, 5520 14th St. W. Click here for tickets or get them at the door. Tickets are $10. Doors open at 7 p.m.; music starts around 9 p.m.
• There’s one more NFL Sunday left. Catch the action at Clancy’s Irish Sports Pub & Grill, 6218 Cortez Rd., where there are plenty of televisions and NFL Sunday Ticket to accommodate everyone. Get a bucket of six domestic beers for $10 and free Jell-O shots at half time.

New Year's Eve...

• Live music from the band Hot Ice from 7 p.m. to midnight on Old Main Street. The street is closing between Manatee and Third Avenues west closes to vehicles at 2:30 p.m. Monday to make room for the stage, food vendors, beer trucks, tables of arts, crafts and other wares. Don’t forget to check out the action in the pubs that line Old Main Street, starting from north to south with McCabe’s Irish Pub, Old Main Pub, Lost Kangaroo Pub, Cork’s Cigar Bar, O’Bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar and Distillery Tavern. Bar hopping is permitted while the street barricades are up but please put your drink in a plastic cup before leaving one of the bars. All ages are welcome on Old Main Street, but you must be of drinking age to get inside the bars.
• Mannatees Sports Grill, 7423 Manatee Ave. W., has live music from the Muphin Chuckrs (full band) from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Food, drinks, party favors and champagne. No cover.
• Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar, 801 Riverside Drive E., is offering dinner specials for $25 per person. Dinner (your choice) includes dessert and a drink, either a domestic beer, house wine or well. See the flyer in the photo section for more information.
• The Cellar Bar, 4307 26th St. W., is celebrating from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with DJ music, dancing, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, party favors and more than 1,000 balloons poised to drop at midnight. Catch the action live from New York City on The Cellar’s big screen televisions. Dress up; cocktail attire is recommended. Tickets are $20 or $40 for VIP seats and they’re going fast. Call (941) 751-9111.
• Ace’s Lounge, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., has live music from Willie Miller and The Collaboration starting at 9 p.m. and a special dinner for $18.95 with your choice of entrée. Cover is $10. Visit www.aceslivemusic.com for more information.
• Pier 22, 1200 Barcarrota Blvd., has three parties happening on New Year’s Eve. Prices vary; Check out their flier for information. Live music from The Arch from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Complimentary champagne toast and free party favors.
• Last Call Sports Bar & Grill, 2604 Manatee Ave. E., is hosting its “full bar grand opening” on New Year’s Eve. It’s official: Last Call is now serving liquor. Enjoy a free midnight champagne toast and live music from Ricci D. Festivities start at 8 p.m. No cover.
• Cortez Clam Factory, 10104 Cortez Rd., starts the festivities early with music from DJ Mike at 5 p.m. followed by the Randy McNeeley Band at 9 p.m. Free party favors, a midnight champagne toast, plenty of drinks and a prime rib and shrimp dinner.
• Tommy Knockers Saloon, 5627 14th St. W., has DJ dancing and karaoke, party favors and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. No cover.