By Charly SHELTON

Christmas is almost here and that means New Year’s Eve is just around the corner. Los Angeles is a great place to be on NYE, with no shortage of celebrations, viewing parties, dance parties, special dinners and more. Now is the time to book tickets for these events, so read on to learn of the many choice you have.

Locally, bars and restaurants are where the NYE scene will be strongest. Oceanview Bar and Grill will be hosting a NYE party with live music from Vacation with Bill at 9 p.m. The kitchen is open until 10 p.m. and the bar will run until 12:30 a.m.

Oceanview Bar and Grill, 3826 Oceanview Blvd, Montrose

Also in the Crescenta Valley, The Crow’s Nest in Tujunga will be throwing a NYE disco party featuring live entertainment by Polyester, performing ’70s disco and funk classics. There will also be a champagne toast at midnight to ring in 2019.

The Crow’s Nest is located at 7279 Foothill Blvd.

Blue Moon in Montrose will be hosting a celebration with drink specials all evening and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Blue Moon is located at 3509 N. Verdugo Road.

Further afield, in the greater LA area there are several events worthy of note. First of all, Metro will be offering free rides on Christmas Eve and NYE for riders to get to-and-from their parties safely. So if you plan to be out imbibing and don’t want to worry about leaving your car somewhere overnight, just hop on the Metro.

One convenient stop on the Metro Red Line is Universal Studios, where there will be a huge NYE celebration simply called EVE. This takes place within the park and is included in regular park admission. When the festivities begin at 9 p.m., Universal Plaza, Simpsons Plaza and an area near Revenge of the Mummy – The Ride will transform into three uniquely themed party hubs featuring a variety of music, from rock ‘n’ roll to electronic dance music to Latin pop, and the celebration will continue with enhanced DJ shows and after-party entertainment until 2 a.m. Specialty foods, drinks and merchandise will be available throughout the park and the whole night culminates with the fireworks display at midnight. For the ultimate VIP experience, the Ultimate EVE package is available and includes a buffet dinner, private cash bar and Universal Express access, as well as a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and special 2019 souvenirs.

For more info, visit UniversalStudiosHollywood.com.

In Long Beach, the Queen Mary and nearby resort Hotel Maya are each holding special events as well. The Queen Mary will make the past come alive with its Past & Present New Year’s Eve Celebration. The historic ship will transform into the ultimate New Year’s destination offering a one-of-a-kind voyage through history, brought to life with celebratory live music, DJs, strolling performers, dancers, dueling pianos and more. And at midnight, it will ring in 2019 with a 15-minute-long fireworks display off the stern of the ship.

For more info on this event, visit QueenMary.com.

Just a short walk from the dock of the Queen Mary, Hotel Maya’s fantastic Latin American restaurant Fuego will host a five-course dinner and party with convenient viewing of Queen Mary’s fireworks and live music all evening.

For more info on this dinner and party, visit Facebook.com/FuegoLongBeach.

Closer to home is Bourbon Steak, the Michael Mina chophouse at the Americana at Brand in Glendale. This year, for a special NYE dinner, Bourbon Steak will present an “Ode to Epicurean Eras.” This three-course dinner is composed of dishes meant to celebrate the culinary classics spanning the 18th and 19th centuries. Dishes include truffle artichoke velouté with crimini mushroom and smoked pork belly lardon (from 1820), aged duck breast & duck leg confit à l’orange with sweet potato pavé and carrots (1960), 8 oz. filet mignon surf & turf with “coquille St. Jacques” scallop aux champignon (1950), and desserts such as cherries jubilee with vanilla ice cream, cognac and devils food cake (1897) and ambrosia salad with marshmallow fluff, winter citrus, grape and angel food cake make up the sweet offerings (1890). This promises to be a trip through culinary history diners won’t soon forget.

For more info, visit MichaelMina.net and navigate to the Bourbon Steak LA tab.

  Charly Shelton