NYE without cover in Clarendon

Don't feel like paying a cover charge or buying a ticket in advance to celebrate New Year's Eve tonight in Clarendon? Here is my short list of some of the local venues open for business and free to get into:

Bakeshop - For the anti-NYE crowd, this local cupcakery will have its doors open until midnight to server your final 2013 sugar cravings.

Bracket Room - Open at noon with no cover all night. My pick for one of the best free spots to go to, and probably will be crowded early.

Eat Bar - Complimentary toast at midnight

Fireworks - Good if you want Neapolitan pizza and beer one last time in 2013.

Fuego -  $5 Carlos Slim margarita all day, happy hour at 4pm

Hunan Number One - Giant beers!

Mexicali Blues -  Half price burritos all day and night; mini-champagne or Corona toast at midnight.

O'Sullivans - An early NYE celebration with an Irish Guinness toast at 7pm. After that live music by William Dickey at 9:30pm

Spider Kelly's - Bound to be packed tonight, with no cover or dress codes.

If I've missed any please tweet me the info.

NYE live music party at Iota

For this 2013 New Year's Eve Iota is throwing its 4th Annual NYE party. The night starts at 9pm with a $18 cover charge, and features three local bands and DJ Sam Snow to keep things moving between sets:

The Beanstalk Library
Derek Evry
These Future Saints

Wilson Tavern Misfits Christmas Party

This Friday, December 27 Wilson Tavern is throwing the last holiday themed party this year for those of us who didn't travel out of town this winter break. Break out your Christmas sweaters and holiday swag one last time with the Misfits Christmas Party starting 9pm.

9 Comedy and Songwriter Series at Iota

This week Iota features back to back performances of "The 9" groups headed by local musician Justin Trawick. Monday, December 16 starts off The 9 Comedy Series at 8pm with nine great DC area comics for only a $5 cover, including:
Kat Timpf
Doug Hecox
Jared Stern
David Miller
Carson Gross
Wes Martens
Mariya Alexander
Mike Finazzo
Pete Bergen

Then Tuesday The 9 Songwriter Series returns to Iota for the second part of its Holiday Show. They will be singing an assortment of holiday songs with nine local musicians for $10. Starting at 8pm, the line up will include:
Justin Trawick
Don Kim
Matthew James Scott
Jasmine Gillison
Alexe Colbus
Jon Blashford
Kevin de Souza
Brittany Jean
Heather Mae

Antonette Goroch and Olivia Mancini at Galaxy Hut

This Monday, December 9 Clarendon's smallest live music venue Galaxy Hut will be packed with two touring female acoustic indie/folk/pop musicians: Antonette Goroch and Olivia Mancini. The shows start at 9pm and a cover of $5 gets you in for both performances.

Antonette is a world traveler, mother, writer, singer and songwriter. She is the co-founder of the Art Beat Summer Rock Camp and the Art Beat Foundation. This time she plays solo, but she also tours with her SF-based indie group Super Natural.

Olivia hails from Washington DC and plays tunes with folk/pop roots and hits of rock and roll. On stage either solo or with her bands Olivia & the Mates and Astra Via, Olivia has been touring US and Europe for more than 10 years and opened for one of my favorite bands, Stars.

Hokie Appreciation Sat night at Wilson Tavern

This Saturday, December 7 Wilson Tavern is throwing another Virginia Tech appreciation night. Wear your Hokie gear to get drink specials starting at 8pm, which include the $7 VT Rails miser and $5 Fireball shots.

Toys for Tots party at Boulevard Woodgrill

On Saturday, December 14 the 10th Annual "Colleagues in Action" will be collecting toys and funds in Clarendon for the U.S Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program. The party will be held in the downstairs of Boulevard Woodgrill starting at 8pm Saturday evening with guests bringing a new, unwrapped toy to donate. The party is hosted by about two dozen sponsors who graciously chip in funds to pay for some upfront costs and the open bar.  Once the bar turns to cash there will be great drink specials. Cocktail attire or holiday festive. If you cannot make it out, you can still make a donation online here.

Ragegiving at Mister Days

More pre-Thanksgiving parties are popping up in Clarendon, the latest being Mister Days' Ragegiving this Wednesday, November 27. Music is provided by DJ Qwerty and MixMasterRod with accompanying videos and visuals on the TVs and projector. Drink specials will include $3 select beer bottles.

Thanksgiving Eve at RiRa

Thanksgiving Eve turns out to be the biggest drinking night of the year, with all the locals back in town and everyone has work off Thursday. This Wednesday, Nov 27 I'll be stopping by RìRà to check out local band Practically Einstein on stage at 10pm. The Better Than Eza-like rock band has been touring recently showcasing their hit Soldier Girl. If you can make it earlier, starting at 8pm their is RiRa's weekly free stand up comedy show, half price burgers and $15 craft beer buckets to keep your mind off the next day's family drama.

Philippine Disaster Relief at Iota

Iota is throwing a benefit concert to help the Philippine disaster relief effort on Monday, November 25 starting at 8pm. A $10 or more donation will go to the Red Cross, which gets you three performances by Matt Tarka, Mantua Finials, and Steve Bowes of The Pharmacy Prophets. Iota will also be playing the Redskins vs 49ers game on their front porch starting at 8:30.