ome people think New Year's Eve is about a house
party and a few sloppy kisses at midnight. . Others
would rather catch the night on cable IV from their
sofa because they don't want to be out driving the
streets with all the drunks on the road.
BORRRRRRING!
Take a risk. Slip into that party dress, snap on those cuff-
links and go party like it's 1996. You can shoot a wild game
of pool, power bowl a 300 game, screech along with a blues
band, prance in the streets, take in a comedy revue or a play,
go disco dancing, gorge on an intimate din-din or let rIbd
Nugent rev you up. Just get there.
Here's a sampling of some New Year's Eve happenings
around town. Just remember: A New Year's Eve without
nightlife is no life at all.

.

PHOTOS BY GLENN TRIEST

For Couples ...

ROCHESTER CHOP HOUSE — 306 N. Main,
Rochester, (810) 651-2266.
Listen to the eclectic piano strains of Henry Feinberg
at this softly lit, suburban dinner club. He's the restau-
rant's regular entertainer who plays a variety of dance-
able pop tunes. Best dining bet is the highly seasoned
sirloin. When you tire of steak and piano man ditties, you
can romp over to Mr. B's watering hole across the street
and hang with the locals.

Tab: Price of dinner. Menu items range from $13.95-$24.
Starts: About 7 p.m.
Dress: Your choice, but somewhat dressy.
Reservations: Call now; filling up.

FOX & HOUNDS — 1560 N. Woodward, Bloomfield
Hills, (810) 644-4800.
This venerable spot will have two floors of upscale mer-
riment.
There'll be a buffet featuring slow-roasted prime rib
and chicken breast in the Reynard's Den upstairs. Here,
Jimmy Jackson and The Connection blues band will keep
you on your feet. In the downstairs dining room you can
choose from the menu and wiggle to a live pop music band
(yet to be announced).

Tab: $80 a person in Reynard's Den. In the dining room, it's the cost of
food/drinks.
Starts: About 7 p.m.
Dress: As black tie as you can get.
Reservations: Call now; they're filling up.

GRUB STREET — 2865 W. Maple, Troy, (810) 435-
5858.
This place was hot for Somerset Park apartment sin-
gles in the 1980s, and owner John Lauri is doing every-
thing to bring it back. Voila! He's offering a bargain New
Year's Eve package featuring a bottle of champagne and
your choice of a chicken, seafood or prime rib dinner. He's
= hoping to snag the Black Market reggae band as evenings
'-u
entertainment.
(.0
— Tab: $24.95 per couple.
Starts: About 7 p.m.
LU
Dress: Casual, jeans even. Remember, you'll probably be limbo
dancing, mon.
-
cc Reservations: Call now. Everyone likes a bargain.

c) HOTEL ST. REGIS — For $59 per couple, enjoy a sump-
L1-1 tuous feast, live entertainment, champagne and more at
1— Hotel St. Regis downtown. Too tired to schlep back home?
Hotel St. Regis has some overnight specials. Call (313)
873-3000.

74

v -

A

For Single Folks Or Those Who
Wish They Were...

NEW YEAR'S EVE SINGLES JUBILEE AT THE
TROY MARRIOTT — 200 W. Big Beaver, (810) 680-
9797.
If you don't have a date, or a mate, go solo and prac-
tice your finest pick-up lines. Eddie Rogers, a local DJ,
is tossing this singles jubilee bash. There will be three
parties in one — food, bands and DJ music galore. At
midnight a balloon drop in the main lobby will herald
the new year. If you haven't found a significant other
by the witching hour, here's your chance to plant a
smacker on the person you've been eyeing all night. Ask
him or her to coffee at Hershel's Deli across the street,
or drive over to Spectadium, a fun sports pub a short
drive down Livernois.
Tab: $50 per person.
Starts: 8 p.m.
Dress: Look sexy — you're single.
Reservations: Call the hotel, (810) 680-9797; or DJ Rogers at
810-373-7878. Call now; filling up.

TIME SQUARE H , Downtown Pontiac.
You want outdoor excitement? There will be fireworks,
a laser show and a big-band sound by the Phoenix Cen-
ter at the end of S. Saginaw. Minutes before midnight,
a huge ball will saunter up a pole, the crowd will do a
countdown, and chaos will erupt when the ball hits the
top — which means it's midnight. Some 4,000 partiers

were at this event last year. It was a
total blast, and city officials expect
more folks this year. Great starting
off point is Industry nightclub, 15 S.
Saginaw at Pike, where a disco soiree,
with the DJ spinnings of Mike Scrog-
gs, will be featured.
Other pubs like 7th House, Dia-
monds & Spurs and Sanctuary are do-
ing cool things as well. Comedian Dan
Wilson will perform at Just For
Laughs.
Tab: Outdoor stuff is free. Industry cover is $10.
Other covers vary.
Starts: 8 p.m.
Dress: Don't do platforms,
and dress warm.
Have a "ball"
You'll be outside a lot.
at Plush Pocket Reservations:
Billiards.
Call Maureen McCurdy
at Industry for all
information on events at
(810) 334-1988, Ext. 14.

THE COFFEE BEANERY, 152 N.
Woodward, Birmingham, (810) 646-
6022.
Want to avoid the alcohol drinkers totally and slide
into 1996 on a caffeine buzz? Then hit this haunt that's
becoming famous as a tony single-mingles haven. It
will be open past midnight, and owners say they're dec-
orating New Year's Eve style. A jazz combo will provide
the back beat.
Tab: Cost of coffee, about $1 for a cup of regular.
Starts: Anytime.
Dress: Coffeehouse casual.
Rcervations: Don't bother.

PLUSH POCKET BILLIARDS CLUB AND
SPORTS BAR, 28202 Dequindre, Warren, (810) 751-
2222.
Want to lord over some pool table and look important
as you sink the eight ball? Then venture out to this spot,
which is offering a casual New Year's Eve featuring deli
sandwiches, pizza and imported brews (for those 21 and
over). Anyone 18 and older is invited. If you want to
go by yourself, you'll feel comfy. If you want to take a
group of folks, that's fine. At midnight they'll do the horn
and hat thing. No band is in tow.

Tab: It's $8 for an hour of pool. No cover.
Starts: When you get there.
Dress: Casual, but probably no jeans.
Reservations: Needed if you're bringing a bunch.

