Community Corner

Where To Celebrate New Year's Eve In The North Shore/Northern Suburbs

Here are options for the tiniest tots to the toniest fine-dining restaurants, as well as a polka bash, a 60s song-fest, a magic show and a hotel overnight.


EVANSTON

First Night Evanston is back this year after an eight-year hiatus, with multiple music performances and children's activities planned downtown.

First Night 2013 will have nearly 30 musical and theatrical performances, a poetry slam and several events for children. Headliners include Grammy Award-winning harmonicist Howard Levy, folk and blues singer Corky Siegel, jazz guitarist Bobby Broom and bluegrass singer James King.

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Tickets are now available online for $15 through Dec. 26. Kids ages 9 to 17 are $10, while children under age 8 are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

Quince is offering four-course New Year’s Eve dinners with a glass of sparkling wine. The regular menu is $90 and includes the likes of bison served with cauliflower, huckleberry and smoked onion, and the vegetarian option is $75, with courses such as a polenta with meyer lemon.

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GLENVIEW

Kohl Children’s Museum is holding its New Year’s bash at child-appropriate hours. From 8:30-11 a.m. the party will be geared toward preschool-age kids and from 12:30-3 p.m. it will be geared toward elementary school-aged kids, though all ages are welcome at both parties. There will be music, party hat making and a Times Square-style confetti drop. Tickets are $24 for non-members, advance ticket sales are available for members for $14.

Another option for kids is the Glenview Park District’s Happy “Noon Year” Party. Kids 3-9 can make crafts, jump on inflatables and end with a balloon drop. The party runs from 10 a.m. to noon and costs $6 for residents and $7.50 for non-residents. Last year’s party sold out, so register now.

DEERFIELD

Bobby’s Deerfield will offer its regular menu and a lot more including New Year’s geared items like surf and turf. There will be a DJ from 9 p.m. on and every hour there will be a raffle for a bottle of Prosecco. There will also be a Champagne toast at midnight.

Biaggi’s in Deerfield will have a special price fixed three-course menu for $35 as well as its regular menu at everyday prices.

Trax Tavern & Grill will be offering its regular menu but will be the place for viewing every sports event available on television.

NILES

“Chicago’s Premiere Polka New Year’s Eve Celebration” is taking place at White Eagle Banquets on Milwaukee Avenue. Doors open at 7, dinner at 8, music from 9 to 1. $118 per couple, or $59 per person. Family-style dinner, appetizers, and traditional champagne toast, dessert bar and coffee bar at midnight are included. Cash bar for drinks. Dance to American music and polka by Lenny Zielinski’s D-Street Band. Tickets on sale through Dec.28, or call to check. Tickets available at White Eagle, or KNC, 847-468-0112, or www.kncentertains.com.

“New Year’s Eve Skate” will be held at the Niles Park District’s Iceland, 8435 Ballard Road, Niles (at Cumberland).  There will be party hats, fun music, noisemakers, games for kids and a countdown at “midnight.” $5; skate rental is $3. Noon to 2 p.m.

It may be 2014, but you can dance to music from the 1960s on up with the live band Route 66 at the New Years Eve Bash at Chambers Seafood Grille and Chop House on Milwaukee Avenue in Niles. If you want to get an early start, dinner is served anytime after 3:30 p.m., with evening seating starting at 8 p.m.


NORTHBROOK

Pinstripes’ New Year’s Eve Celebration for All Ages

The celebration will kick off with two balloon drops, the first one at 8:00 p.m., perfect for the kids, and the second at midnight. All evening long, guests can toast with a complimentary glass of champagne as they listen to the sounds of live music from Skinny Williams. Pinstripes’ regular menu will be available for dining and both the bowling lanes and bocce courts will be open as the New Year ‘rolls’ in.

New Year's Eve at Prairie Grass Cafe

For this year's holiday celebrations, Chef/Owners Sarah Stegner and George Bumbaris at Prairie Grass Cafe in Northbrook will enhance their regular dinner menu with specials to enliven the spirit and warm the soul.

"As a community service, we are serving an early New Year's Eve dinner so guests can party on- their-own," says Stegner. In addition to its regular menu, Prairie Grass Cafe will feature Empress Crab Claws with Cocktail, Mustard Seed and Cognac Sauces ($18) as an appetizer special. The special entrees are All Natural Filet of Beef or New York Strip with Mushroom Gratin over Thick Cut Potato Slices, with Béarnaise Sauce ($39) and Wild Striped Bass with Warm Grain Salad and Butternut Squash Puree ($36).

Dinner will be served from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. The restaurant will be closed for lunch on New Year's Eve and all day on New Year's Day.

New Year's Eve @ Hilton Chicago Northbrook & Allgauer's

NYE Gala Party in the Grand Ballroom!

7:30 pm - 1:00 am

Cocktails & Hors d'Oeuvres reception, four course dinner, wine with dinner, 5 hours of open bar, champagne toast at midnight with party hats and favors, non-stop dancing all night with an elite DJ from Charizma Entertainment, overnight accommodations, full use of pool, whirlpool spa, sauna and fitness center.


BUFFALO GROVE

In addition to the regular menu, Prairie House will offer a New Year’s Eve special with a prime rib, grilled salmon or tilapia and shrimp cocktail. Domestic beers will be sold for $2. Karaoke will begin at 9:30 p.m. Special offers will include a champagne toast, party favors and free pizza at midnight.

Buffalo Grove’s new Brunswick’s entertainment center is offering two New Year’s Eve packages. A family package is available from 4-7 p.m. For $80, up to four people will get a bowling lane, shoes, a $5 game card per person, one Urban Mission laser tag pass per person, one kid’s menu item for all kids 12 and under, a sparkling cider “midnight” toast, “midnight” countdown, noisemakers and party hats. It’s an additional $10 per person for parties larger than four. A party package is available for a later night crowd, which will celebrate from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. For $100, up to four people will get a bowling lane, shoes, a $5 game card per person, one Urban Mission laser tag pass per person, a choice of three small plates, midnight countdown and champagne toast, noisemakers and party hats. It’s an additional $20 per person for parties larger than four.

Skokie

Libertad, a fine-dining restaurant in downtown Skokie, is offering a five-course New Year’s Eve meal with a glass of bubbles for $70. Add the sommelier’s wine pairings for $35. Make reservations.

Bring the kids to “Itty Bitty New Year” at the Skokie Park District’s Exploritorium Children’s Museum and Oakton Community Center, which are transformed into a miniature Times Square. It starts at 10 a.m. with activities and a DJ, and has a “countdown to noon” balloon drop. 4701 Oakton Street,  Skokie.

Would your kids enjoy some New Year’s Magic? The Skokie Library offers “The Spellbinder” presenting a magic show.  Families must arrive promptly at 10:45 a.m.; a countdown will begin at noon. Register in advance.

HIGHLAND PARK

Abigail’s Restaurant will offer a special four course meal for $75 at its first seating between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m. and a five-course dinner for $85 for its second seating between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m.

Café Central will add some New Year’s specials to its regular menu at regular prices.





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