Mar Vista may be a quiet neighborhood on New Year’s Eve, but if you’re willing to travel just beyond our borders, there are plenty of events for revelers and families alike. From partying on Spanish time to slipping into the Pacific for a New Year’s swim, here are our top picks for ringing in the New Year:
$10
Join Bar Pintxo at 3 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the Spanish New Year! Each guest will receive 12 grapes, because from Spain to Brazil, gobbling 12 grapes at midnight is a favorite way to celebrate the New Year. When it is midnight in Spain, each time the clock chimes, all of the people put a grape in their mouth. Then at 9 p.m., the after-hours party begins: For $10, Pinxto will offer complimentary Manchego cheese and tomato tapas; party favors; entertainment; and a complimentary cava toast at midnight.
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$60
Start 2012 off with good karma! Proceeds from this New Year’s Eve party will benefit Santa Monica-based nonprofit Thinking About Tomorrow. The historic will be transformed into a nightclub with two floors of live music, food and an open bar and a champagne toast at midnight.
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$85 MAGIC AND WINE AT THE SHORE HOTEL
Join David Minkin, world-renowned magician, who will headline the Shore Hotel's New Year’s Eve party. The hotel will host an early show, from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., with magic and a flight of four hand-selected wines from Rosenthal’s Malibu Estate. A late show, 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., will feature magic and champagne. Guests will sip bubbly and enjoy sweet treats poolside followed by a spectacular magic show.
$18
Swimmers will meet at the Venice Boardwalk, 517 Ocean Front Walk at 11 a.m. on Sun., Jan. 1. This is the 3rd Annual Polar Bear Swim, hosted by the San Gabrielle Valley Polar Bear Club. This Polar Bear Swim is a community event to raise money for City of Hope, a cancer research and treatment center. Last year the water was 61 degrees and the SGV Polar Bears took the plunge to help put cancer on ice. Come on out to celebrate the New Year and try something new. Your fee pays for admission, an event shirt, a certificate of completion and proceeds benefit City of Hope.
FREE
From 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Sun., Jan. 1 at , 10868 Washington Blvd. in Culver City you can cure your hangover by sampling chocolates instead of cocktails. Brownies are 2 for $4, lemon bars are w for $5, cookies are 2 for $1.50 and coffe and tea are each $1 off. Sundays there is special pricing on what else? Sundaes, of course!
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