New Years

O.K...I took the great advice that I was given a few weeks back and did some research.

Besides experiencing a few bars for two nights (Alonzo%26#39;s then Conch Republic one night and a few on Duval the other night) my wife and I like the more laid back atmosphere and have some ideas of where we are going to eat and drink for our trip around New Year%26#39;s. However, are there any places that do anything out of the ordinary for New Year%26#39;s or are known for a great New Year%26#39;s night of eating and drinking.

New Years

There are three major areas to ';do'; NYE. On Upper Duval you have Sushi dropping in a shoe at midnight, at Sloppy Joe%26#39;s the Conch shell drops at midnight and at Schooner Wharf Bar there is the Wench drop. In between you will find many places having their own little celebrations.

New Years

Do you have to make reservations at these places, or just show up?

Just show up. Follow the crowd.

There are many restaurants that do great dinners on NYE. But the key is to just pick someplace you like, call to see if you need reservations than go and enjoy. We are a bit low key here. If you show up without a reservation you will probably get a seat...if they are busy you may have to wait.

BTW

Just for the record, ';Sushi'; is a drag queen. They don%26#39;t actually put raw fish in a shoe.

Just so you know, New Years%26#39; is like a smaller version of Fantasy Fest. The streets are crowded and there is body painting; we were there for New Years and it was a lot of fun!

Duval on New Years Eve is absolutely HEAVING!

We had our laziest day / night last year on NYE - sunset cruise, drinks and dinner at the bar at Conch Republic and then back to our accommodation for a float around the pool with a bottle of bubbly (plan to do the same this year) - Happy New Year!

However, have heard that the %26#39;dropping of the drag queen%26#39; is an institution!

Sushi has been one of three %26#39;live%26#39; location shots for CNN for the past three years... New York, and Las Vegas were the others.

The dropping of the Conch at Sloppy Joe%26#39;s is the one that I avoid at all cost. The corners of Greene and Duval is completely over-crowed. You can not move!! It took 45 mintues to get from in front of %26#39;Ricks%26#39; over the %26#39;Last Flight Out%26#39; on Greene. Damn near getting crushed to death in the process.

i second that i go every year for both fantasy fest and new years i cant wait . I would go see the drag queen drop from the shoe myself

Ya gotta love the %26#39;Lowering%26#39; of the Wench at the KW Bight. (Evelina makes it EXTREMELY clear that it%26#39;s a lowering, not a %26#39;dropping%26#39;. Heads will roll otherwise!:-)

This will be our third NYE on the ';Rock'; 2005 we were front and center for ';Sushie'; What an awsome time. The ';ladies'; put on a great show from about 9 til Midnight. It is definitly crowded so plan on that, but it is a BLAST. We will be there this year, and are absolutly looking forward to it.