Do It. Spend NYE in downtown L.A.

Spending New Year's Eve right in the thick of it all -- right in the middle of downtown -- is always a reliable choice, and this year, you've even got the excuse of a great bar crawl to take you all the way to midnight and beyond.

213 Nightlife, the owners of the bars that have basically revived the downtown nightlife scene all by themselves -- Broadway Bar, Golden Gopher, Casey's, Seven Grand, Cole's, etc. -- are holding NYE Downtown L.A., where crawlers can experience open bars at all eight of their downtown properties. Yes, open bar. (Obviously mostly applies for well drinks/beers on tap...fancier stuff is sure to still cost you if you so desire it). Plus, there'll be entertainment at most of the places, including a live performance by Gram Rabbit at Casey's.

Just can't get any better, right? It's downtown, it's New Year's Eve, we all need a drink from this past year, it's a bar crawl featuring the best bars in downtown (and arguably the city!), and hell, even the Metro is free all night (which you should definitely take advantage of if you take part in this). The night might cost you a pretty penny at $119 (but rumor has it that if you enter the code "blogdowntown" you'll get $20 off!), but that's how NYE in L.A. usually goes. And it's open bar -- as if I needed to remind you. Buy your tickets here. And be safe out there while celebrating!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: 213 Nightlife

Eat In. The Midnight Kiss [Thirsty Thursdays!].

If you're like me, you'd drink champagne for just about any appropriate occasion (birthdays, weddings, surviving that day at work), so drinking a glass of the bubbly at midnight tonight won't be any big deal. Let's add some twists to that, and make this a real celebration (because we surely all need it!).

I've adapted this recipe from one I found on the Food Network website for Prosecco, and have proceeded to name it The Midnight Kiss (clever, eh?):

4 oz. of Champagne (or Prosecco or any sparkling wine, if you so wish)
3 dashes of Angostura bitters (like Campari)
1 sugar cube

Add bitters and champagne to a champagne flute. Drop in the sugar cube, and the mixture should sparkle and fizz (!).

Mmm, what better way to start your new year than with a Midnight Kiss, right (wink wink)? Happy new year, and please stay safe out there tonight!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Food Network

Do It. Rose Parade float-viewing.

Is there any other New Year's tradition quite like the Rose Parade? A spectacle unique to Southern California, it brings people to volunteer their holiday time and gentle fingers to yield flower upon flower on monstrous wooden structures, and it brings others to camp out overnight(s) in the often unforgiving cold on unforgiving streets. That's (century-old) tradition, baby.

So don't let all this hard effort go to waste. These Rose Parade floats are, in fact, quite a spectacle, and even more so when seen close up. Thankfully, you won't have to give up your usual (and hopefully warmer) New Year's Eve plans to catch the floats.

If you wish to see the floats before their official unveiling, they'll be available for public viewing today until 5 p.m., tomorrow 11 a.m.-5 p.m., and on New Year's Eve from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. As Thursday will be the all-important time for finishing touches (or maybe major finishing rushes), be prepared to maybe lend a hand or two in throwing some flowers on a float if you're visiting then. Or, if you'd rather see the floats in all their finished glory, stop by on Jan. 1 from 1 p.m.-5 p.m. or Jan. 2 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Either or any way, it's $7, and not only will you get to see some awe-inspiring creations firsthand, you'll be taking part in something truly Californian and hand-made with love. Take pride, and start off the new year right!

-- Chau Tu

Photo credit: Tournament of Roses