So long, 2021. Here are 5 ways to ring in the New Year in Columbia and the Midlands
It’s almost time to put 2021 in the rear view mirror.
And while downtown Columbia is not having its typical city-sponsored New Year’s Eve bash, there are still numerous smaller celebrations planned in the Midlands.
Typically, the Famously Hot New Year party takes over downtown Columbia on New Year’s Eve. That event has been known to draw tens of thousands of people and has, in the past, featured headlining musical acts such as George Clinton, Lauryn Hill and En Vogue. But the 2021 edition of Famously Hot New Year was canceled earlier this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
But the New Year’s Eve calendar for Columbia and the Midlands is still pretty full. While this is far from a comprehensive list, here are five things you could get into to ring in 2022.
▪ Fireworks — While the formal Famously Hot New Year celebration won’t happen, there will be fireworks downtown at midnight on New Year’s Eve. At a Dec. 21 meeting, Columbia City Council approved $15,000 in hospitality tax dollars for a pyrotechnic display. Officials said the fireworks would be displayed over the State House, where they will be visible from locations across downtown.
▪ Food and (retro) games — On most New Year’s Eves, folks often think of the year that is to come. But at least one New Year’s Eve party will give revelers the opportunity to take a video game trip to the past. Transmission Arcade, the bar in the 1700 block of Main Street that specializes in food, drinks and retro arcade games, is having a ticketed New Year’s Eve event. For $65 you get free arcade play all night, a multi-course meal, a themed cocktail and a champagne toast at midnight.
▪ Be jazzy — You can head across the river to West Columbia to put a bit of jazz and soul into your New Year’s, as Chaye Alexander presents the fifth Jazzy New Year’s Eve Soiree at Chayz Lounge at 607 Meeting St. The event will feature music from the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and beyond performed by The Groove Masters and Beth Inabinett, as well as hors d’oeuvres throughout the night, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $85 and organizers say “dressy attire” is required.
▪ “Acoustic fury” at an Irish pub — Downtown Lexington is set to ring in 2022, as O’Hara’s Public House on Main Street will host musician Brandon Mullis at the O’Hara’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve party. The pub’s Facebook event page invites revelers to welcome 2022 “with open arms, great food, abundant drink, and 3 hours of acoustic fury.” Mullis refers to himself as a “Swiss Army knife of live musicians” and plays everything from outlaw country to Irish folk to classic rock.
▪ Live music in The Vista — It likely comes as no surprise that there will be a New Year’s party in the Vista entertainment district in downtown Columbia. The Tin Roof and The Senate, the side-by-side music venues on Senate Street, will host the Dressed Up to Get Down New Year’s Eve bash. Nick Hickman will play at the Tin Roof, while Candela will hit the stage at The Senate. One cover charge gets you into both venues. There will be three bars, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, as well as a balloon drop at The Senate and a confetti cannon at The Tin Roof at midnight. The general admission cover charge is $20 at the door, but there are VIP packages available at The Senate’s website.
