Where to celebrate the new year in Salem

Make it A Wild New Year’s Eve Party with Wild Ire and Sunwell ringing in 2022 with a fusion of pop-rock and progressive music. The show begins at 9 p.m. Friday, December 31 at Venti Cafe + Basement Bar, 325 Court St. NE. Tickets are $10 in advance; $15 on day of show. Click here for tickets.

Take in New Year’s EVErything as Infinity Room, Salem’s vegan kitchen, celebrates its grand opening on New Year’s Eve with two shows: an all ages one at 7 p.m. and one for those 21-and-older at 10 p.m. The shows will feature Chad Johnson, Jane Malone, Julia Corral, Jay Shingle, Jamie Carbone and music by Showtigers. The all ages show is $15 in advance/$20 on day of show. The 21-and-older show is $25 in advance/$30 on the day of show and includes a champagne toast, too.

Welcome the new year with a black light party featuring beer pong, Jell-O shots and black light twister, plus DJ music with King 10:30 p.m. at The Best Goose, 440 State St inside Fork Forty Food Hall.

Dance your way into the new year with the Salem Salsa NYE Dance Party on Dec 31 at Gilgamesh Brewing, 2065 Madrona Ave SE. Doors open and music begins at 8 p.m. with a beginner-friendly lesson around 8:30 p.m. Dance salsa, Bachata and Cumbia to tunes by DJ Escobar and DJ Melenko. Plus a champagne toast at midnight. Cost is $40 and includes a $20 gift card good for food and drinks at any Gilgamesh location. Age 21 and older only. 

Ankeny Vineyard hosts a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Party with wine and wood-fired pizza, plus music by the Sarah Saul Trio, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31. Attendees are encouraged to dress up with Venetian-style masks. The Ankeny staff will be donning mysterious masks for a fun final evening of 2021. Call 503-378-1498 to reserve your spot.

(And if you need an outfit for the big night, Gatsby Boutique can help you get your fancy on. All party dresses are on sale!)

Make way for a movie at Salem Cinema to welcome 2022. Two new features open Friday: Red Rocket and The Tender Bar. Red Rocket, directed by Sean Baker (The Florida Project, Tangerine) is a darkly funny, raw, and humane portrait of a uniquely American hustler and a hometown that barely tolerates him. The Tender Bar, directed by George Clooney, tells the story of J.R. (Tye Sheridan), a fatherless boy growing up in the glow of a bar where the bartender, his Uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck), is the sharpest and most colorful of an assortment of quirky and demonstrative father figures. Get your tickets at http://salemcinema.com/

Silver Spur is hosting a Boots and Bling NYE Party on Dec. 31. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. with a dance lesson at 7 with dancing until 1:30 p.m. Country formal attire is recommended but not required. Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight.

Roll your way into 2022 at AMF Firebird Lanes, 4303 Center St NE. Two options are available: Family (daytime) or Ball Drop (evening) and include unlimited bowling, shes, and a champagne or sparkling cider toast. Call for more details and reserve your spot at 503-581-1697.

Or ring in the new year with a tune: 

• Catch Never2Late beginning at 9 p.m. at the Half Penny Bar & Grill, 3743 Commercial St SE.
• Code Red will perform 9 p.m. at South Liberty Bar and Grill, 4682 Liberty Rd S. $5 cover charge.
• Dylan Santiago will play at 7 p.m. at Shades of Brew Tap House and there will be champagne to celebrate the NYC Ball Drop at 9 p.m.
• Rock in the new year with JFK at The Yarn Food Park from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at the door.

And for the kids…

Take part in the Noon Year’s Eve Party 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31 at Gilbert House Children’s Museum. Join in the fun as the balloons drop from the giant Erector Set at the strike of noon! Play in the museum. Drink from the hot chocolate bar. Make New Year’s and Winter-themed crafts. Tickets are required for all attendees (adult and child). Cost is $15 for non-members; $5 for Gilbert House Members and includes entry to the museum, too. Purchase your tickets here. 

Ring in the noon year at Get Air Trampoline Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. where you can celebrate with a countdown and balloon drop at noon, plus games, giveaways and prizes. Everyone is welcome. Price is the same as regular ticketing: $14 an hour and $10 an hour for jumpers under 46″.

Author: The Instigator