No Place to Go New Year’s Eve? These Spots Open

It’s New Year’s Eve. Do you know what your party plans are?

No? You’ve waited until the last minute for divine inspiration? Fear not. You don’t have to sit alone watching “New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” and sipping Cold Duck from a jelly glass. There are places to go that don’t take much planning.

The Palace (1735 N. Vine St., Hollywood), for instance, offers a $50-per-person package that includes a dinner buffet, a live show featuring the Bus Boys and comedian Sandra Bernhard, a champagne toast at midnight, dancing, a laser light show and a breakfast buffet, all from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. After midnight tickets are $25 per person and include dancing and the breakfast buffet. Information: (213) 462-3000.

Other clubs offering New Year’s Eve programs include Vertigo (1024 S. Grand Ave.), which will be open from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and features a reggae band, a magician and dancing. The $40-per-person ticket includes entrance fee, a breakfast buffet and entertainment. For $79, add on a four-course dinner that includes tax and tip. Information: (213) 747-4849.

If the club scene is too raucous, dance to music of another era at Kelbo’s (11434 West Pico Blvd.). Under the Coco-Bowl (a giant coconut shell that hangs over the 22-foot dance floor) couples swing to taped big band music of the ‘40s while slides of famous performers and bandleaders flash on the wall. There is a charge of $20 per person, which can be used toward food and drinks, the latter being the exotic kind with little umbrellas. Kelbo’s will be open from 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Information: (213) 473-3050.

Feel like hauling out the tuxedo this year? Nipper’s (421 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills), the lush champagne and caviar bar, is having a black-tie bash New Year’s Eve that begins at 9 p.m. and goes to 4 a.m. (no alcohol after 2 a.m., of course). Each person will be charged a minimum of $75 per person, which will be applied to the final bill, and a deejay will play the greatest hits of 1986. “Nipper’s is what New Year’s Eve is all about,” confided a Nipper-ite. “We try to do this every night.” Information: (213) 859-8747.

Singles looking for a good time (and some good business contacts) should check out the Y.E.S. (Young Executive Singles) Network, a group of 25- to 45-year-olds who are making their way up the corporate ladder. “We try to combine the best of a Chamber of Commerce mixer with a singles bar, but without the singles-bar atmosphere,” said Deborah Winkler, co-founder of the organization.

The group’s first New Year’s Eve bash is at 20th Century Fox Studios (10201 Pico Blvd. at Motor Avenue) from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The cost is $25 per person and includes hors d’oeuvres, a midnight champagne toast and dancing. Information: (213) 657-5500.

Local comedy clubs are offering New Year’s Eve programs. At the Comedy Store (8433 Sunset Blvd.) there is an 8 p.m. show in the Original Room for $25 per person, a 9 p.m. show in the Main Room for $35 and a 10:30 p.m. show in the Belly Room for $15. Prices include a glass of champagne, and there is also a two-drink minimum. Comics include George Miller and Angel Salazar. Information: (213) 656-6225.

Entertainment Lineup

Igby’s Comedy Cabaret (11637 Tennessee Place, West L.A.) has two shows New Year’s Eve; management anticipates the late one being sold out by today, but tickets should still be available for the early show, from 7:15 to 9 p.m. The lineup includes comics Rosie O’Donnell, comic magician Randy Lubas, and comedy group The Riot Act. The $21 per person fee includes a champagne toast. Information: (213) 477-3553.

Theme parks are doing their bit for the holidays. At Knott’s Berry Farm (8039 Beach Blvd., Buena Park) an “evening of contemporary Christian entertainment” geared to young adults is back for another year. Tickets are $17 per person and the evening, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m., will feature 14 live groups, including Steve Taylor. At midnight there will be an aerial fireworks show and free hats and noisemakers, and all the rides will be open. Why the Christian theme? According to a Knott’s spokesman, “We were looking for an event that parents would feel comfortable having their kids attend. It’s a pleasant night in the park with good, clean, wholesome fun.” Information: (714) 827-1776.

The Queen Mary/Spruce Goose complex (southernmost point of the Long Beach Freeway, Long Beach) boasts “The Biggest Party on Earth” on New Year’s Eve. Several parties take place simultaneously aboard the ship and the plane, all for $25 per person. The entertainment on the Queen Mary includes Woody Herman and his Thundering Herd in the Grand Salon, and Jack Mack and the Heart Attack in the Queen Salon. At the Spruce Goose there are two bands scheduled, one playing pop hits and the other country rock. At midnight a fireworks display rings in the New Year. Information: (213) 437-1163.

Call Before Going

Many restaurants and hotels hold special New Year’s Eve dinners and parties, but call for availability before you get dressed up to hit the town. There should still be late seating at Pinafini restaurant (8612 Beverly Blvd.) on the street level of the Beverly Center. The $25 per person prix fixe dinner includes party favors and dancing after 10 p.m. Information: (213) 854-3039.

If you desire a little more action, try the Canoga Park Bowl (20122 Vanowen St., Canoga Park), also open 24 hours. To keep bowlers posted on New Year’s events, television monitors will blast the countdown to midnight. Information: (818) 340-5190.

Partygoers who want to get into shape for the long night ahead might want to stop in at Body Express (7660 Melrose) for some aerobics and stretching classes. Sessions go from 6:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and are $8 each, but party hats (for that festive touch) will be included at the noon and 1 p.m. classes. Information: (213) (655-5572.

Now that the plans are made, there’s just one small detail left: What to do with the kids? The Hollywood YMCA (1553 N. Hudson, Hollywood) is offering its sleep-over party for children aged 5 to 12. The fee is $20 per child, and they should be dropped off between 7 and 8 p.m. and picked up no later than 10 the following morning. Children should bring a sleeping bag.

Activities for the young set include games, popcorn, swimming and movies. There is adult supervision. Information: (213) 467-4161.

The Community Service Agency in Tarzana will take reservations until 5 p.m. for baby sitters on New Year’s Eve. Rates start at $37 for the first five hours for one child, $7 an hour after that. There is also a $3.50 transportation fee. Information: (818) 996-2229.