5 things to do on New Year’s Eve in Boise, from bands to bar crawls — and the tater drop
Ready to ring in 2022 in style? Things to do in Boise on New Year’s Eve include concerts, bar hopping, bowling and more.
Hit 6th and Main
Bars across the Treasure Valley will be festive. But the center of the toast-raising universe is in downtown Boise at the intersection of 6th and Main streets. Four nightclubs will join forces for the “21’s Last Run New Year’s Eve Block Party,” a bar crawler’s dream.
A $30 wristband — sold online at eventbrite.com or at the door — gets you into StrangeLove, Amsterdam Lounge, Dirty Little Roddy’s and Karma (nearby on 8th Street). On a budget? Show up early during “Power Hour” from 8 to 9 p.m. and get into any bar free. (But you have to stay; you can’t hit the other three without paying.) All the places will hand out party favors and offer a New Year’s Eve countdown with a champagne toast at midnight.
Do the potato drop
Despite recent drama about where it would happen, the Idaho Potato Drop will return to the Capitol for its ninth bash. If you roll in around 6 p.m., you’ll find activities building into the night: ski and snowboarding exhibitions, food vendors, an all-ages beer garden, live tunes from Steve Fulton Music and The Weary Times, plus comedy by Austin Von Johnson. And, of course, at midnight, the massive tater will be lowered by crane as fireworks fill the sky. It’s free to enter, and it all happens at Cecil D. Andrus Park, 601 W. Jefferson St. VIP tickets also are available for $100 at idahopotatodrop.com.
▪ COVID-19 rules: If you’re on the Capitol Mall grounds — such as the beer garden — you’ll have to show proof of vaccination or a recent (within 72 hours) negative test. On-site testing will be available only for VIP guests. Masks are encouraged when social distancing isn’t possible. Otherwise, if you’re on nearby streets watching, there are no vaccine or testing requirements.
Be a little bit country
▪ Country-rapper Colt Ford will rock Stoney’s Road House, 1050 Cascade Road in Emmett. Festivities start at 6 p.m. Tickets are $42.50 if you’re 21 or older, or $52.50 if you’re 18 to 20 years old. Visit stoneysroadhouse.com to purchase.
▪ Country-rock and Americana vibes will flow at the Knitting Factory, 416 S. 9th St. Micky and the Motorcars and Jeff Crosby and the Refugees will perform. The 8 p.m. show is $25 for general admission at Ticketmaster.
Or a little bit rock ‘n’ roll
▪ Boise band Grateful, a Grateful Dead tribute act, will noodle away at The Olympic, 1009 W. Main St. in Boise. Tickets to the 9 p.m. show are $20 at eventbrite.com, $25 day of gig.
How many decades have The Fabulous Chancellors been unleashing classic rock ‘n’ roll in Boise? A whole bunch, Grandpa. Join the band for its annual New Year’s Eve Ball in the Riverside Hotel Grand Ballroom, 2900 W. Chinden Blvd., Garden City. It costs $25 for this 21-and-older event at eventbrite.com, with music beginning at 9 p.m. Room packages also are available. Reserve at (208) 343-1871.
▪ Shaun B and the Jukebox Band will blend pop, R&B, gospel and soul at the Riverside Hotel’s Sapphire Room during two performances. One is from 6 to 8:30 p.m.; the other is from 9 p.m. to midnight. Tickets are $92 and $97 and include dinner, a champagne toast and a party favor. Buy them at eventbrite.com. You must be 21 or older. Room packages also are available. Reserve at (208) 343-1871.
Make a game of it
Families will discover fun galore at Wahooz Family Fun Zone and Pinz Bowling, located next to Roaring Springs Water Park at 1385 S. Blue Marlin Lane in Meridian.
▪ The “Indoor Incredible” party, which runs from 11 a.m. to midnight, costs $29.99 for all-day admission including nine unlimited attractions, bowling and a $5 game card with a “Noon Year’s Eve” balloon drop and party favors.
▪ Over in the Z Lounge, a “Countdown Party” runs from 9 p.m. to midnight. You’ll enjoy “cosmic” bowling, an appetizer and dessert buffet, one attraction pass, a $5 game card, party favors and a champagne or sparkling cider toast. It’s for all ages and costs $49.99 advance, $5 more at the door if lanes are available. Each lane is reserved for four to eight people for the evening, and they tend to go fast. Call 898-0900, extension 0.