It might be tempting to slip on your jammies and watch Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve at home, but let New Times convince you otherwise. Though Miami isn't great at a lot of things, partying is the city's forte. And while people risk hypothermia to see a ball drop in Times Square, you can wear an unbuttoned shirt or short skirt comfortably as you zero in for that kiss at midnight.
So grow a pair (tits or balls, your choice) and get ready, because you're going out for New Year's Eve.
Bashment New Year's Eve 2019. Think of Silent Addy's Bashment NYE event as a farewell to not only 2018 but also the Wynwood Yard, which will close in Miami's arts district this spring. (Locations in Doral and North Beach are coming soon.) It can also be seen as a goodbye to a neighborhood that had so much potential before aggressive real-estate speculation drove out any semblance of authenticity. However, expect Silent Addy and Disco Neil to keep it 100 with the best dancehall, soca, Afrobeats, and more — because if you're going to welcome 2019, you might as well be sweating. 10 p.m. Monday, December 31, at the Wynwood Yard, 56 NW 29th St., Miami; 305-351-0366; thewynwoodyard.com. Admission is free before 11 p.m. with RSVP; tickets cost $20 to $35 via eventbrite.com.
Do Not Sit on New Year's Eve. Opened in 2013, Don't Sit, as locals affectionally call it, has been Miami Beach's pint-size nightclub that's kept going despite rampant gentrification transforming even the seedier parts of South Beach. (For God's sake, suburban staple Michaels recently opened on Alton Road.) Luca Bacchetti's beats might not be able to reverse the city's decline into banality, but here's hoping he tries. The Italian DJ is best known for heading Endless Records and for delivering a sound that, though based on dance music, effortlessly hops from genre to genre. 10 p.m. Monday, December 31, at Do Not Sit on the Furniture, 423 16th St., Miami Beach; 510-551-5067; donotsitonthefurniture.com. Tickets cost $20 to $100 via residentadvisor.net.
Flash to the Future NYE 2019. Few places are as Miami as Nikki Beach. Maybe it's the white linen or the oversize day beds, but it's hard to imagine a better representation of the city's party attitude. For NYE, the club will transform into a space-age fantasy complete with live music, acrobatics, and a private fireworks display. Thanks to its beachfront location, Nikki Beach might just be the perfect backdrop to welcome the new year. 8 p.m. Monday, December 31, at Nikki Beach, 1 Ocean Dr., Miami Beach; 305-538-1111; nikkibeach.com. Tickets cost $75 to $4,550 via nikkibeachmiamievents.com/nye-2019.
J Balvin and Alesso. To say J Balvin broke through in 2018 is an understatement. The Colombian superstar has basically owned the Billboard charts the past 12 months, proving that a U.S. crossover no longer requires an artist to sing in English. "Machika," "X," and his guest feature on Cardi B's "I Like It"
Jamie Jones and Marco Carola. Tuesday morning, you might find yourself crawling to All Day on the corner of NE 11th Street and North Miami Avenue for some breakfast relief from your champagne hangover. Don't be surprised if you notice a bit of rumbling bass in the background. Every year, Space treats the NYE midnight countdown as just the beginning of the evening's activities. And you couldn't be in more expert party hands than with Hot Creations leader Jamie Jones, who is returning to the Park West nightclub for the third year in a row to celebrate the new year. Tagging along will be Italian techno master Marco Carola. 11 p.m. Monday, December 31, at Space, 34 NE 11th St., Miami; 786-357-6456; clubspace.com. Tickets cost $50 to $150 via ticketfly.com.
Meek Mill. After he endured a slew of legal issues, 2018 seemed to be a great year for Meek Mill. Released in November, Championships, his fourth studio album, earned critical praise and debuted atop the Billboard 200. It's the kind of work that could have come only from the injustices he faced the past few years. So take Mill's appearance at Story as a victory lap of sorts and celebrate his achievements this year that came despite many obstacles. 9 p.m. Monday, December 31, at Story, 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-479-4426; storymiami.com. Tickets cost $150 to $15,000 via tixr.com.
Migos. It's been a so-so year for the Atlanta trio. In January, Migos dropped Culture II, the followup to 2017's crazy-successful Culture. However, critics didn't seem as enamored with the collection, and no track matched the impact of "Bad and Boujee." Then there's Offset, who's trying his hardest to win Cardi B back after she dumped him for cheating. That all came to a head when he crashed her set at Rolling Loud Los Angeles. Cardi didn't seem too pleased with his public plea. Here's hoping 2019 proves to be better. 10 p.m. Monday, December 31, at E11even, 29 NE 11th St., Miami; 305-829-2911; 11miami.com. Tickets cost $250 via tixr.com.
Moonlight Disco. Poolside parties are a dime a dozen in Miami, but the Nautilus' perfectly manicured garden and pool deck are among South Beach's best. For New Year's Eve, the hotel will host Moonlight Disco. New York DJ Julian Cavin and Nano the DJ will spin along with special guest Mr. Pauer, so expect the music to be pretty eclectic. The Nautilus is also giving guests the option to upgrade their experience via dinner and cabana options. 7 p.m. Monday, December 31, at Nautilus South Beach, 1825 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; 305-503-5700; sixtyhotels.com. Tickets cost $75 to $3,000 via eventbrite.com.
The Roots Holiday Run. It's happening the day before New Year's Eve, so think of the Roots' performance at the Fillmore as an appetizer to the main course. There's also the chance you'll have your NYE fill with Questlove and company so that on December 31, you'll be content going to bed at 10 p.m. The Tonight Show house band has previously celebrated the new year in Miami, most recently in 2016 at the Arsht Center. What's in store for the Roots in 2019? Well, fans might finally see the release of the delayed 17th studio album, End Game. In 2017, it was reported the band had more than 200 songs recorded, but so far, nothing has been made public. 9 p.m. Sunday, December 30, at the Fillmore Miami Beach, 1700 Washington Ave., Miami Beach; 305-673-7300; fillmoremb.com. Tickets cost $66.50 via livenation.com.
