Your Last-Minute Guide to NYE 2016 Events in the Northwest

New Year’s Eve is in TWO WEEKS?! What ever will we wear??

If you’re like some of us at DMNW and still haven’t decided where you’re going to party to the NYE gods to please, please take 2016 away, never fear! We’ve compiled a list of options and recommendations for what’s hoppin in Seattle, Portland, Vancouver, BC, and Victoria on NYE. Wherever you go, and whatever you do, please take care of yourself, be safe and consider others.

No go forth, and have an unforgettable NYE 2016!

SEATTLE

Recommendation: Source NYE @ British Motor Coach

“What?! Not Resolution??” We know, this isn’t the standard suggestion for our massive-loving raver crowd, but Upper Left puts on great parties. Their Halloween show was super chill (short entry and drink lines, not jam-packed, places to get fresh air and decent food truck fare) but not without plenty of dancing, grooving and general good-time having.

We just adore J.Phlip, who is part of the Dirtybird label and classifies her music as “acid booty-tech bass and beyond.” And headlining is Shlohmo, who released the compilation album Bad Vibes: Rarities + Extras this year, a follow-up to his original 2011 release of Bad Vibes. If this release is telling of the vibe we’ll see show, we’re in for a mezmorizing journey into 2017.

Oh and if you’re looking to go out with a real rowdy bang, we recommend this little party called Resolution. Ok, yea yea, we have to recommend it, because we should jump at any opportunity to see Above & Beyond in the PNW. Beyond that, per usual, the lineup is stacked with artists like Adventure Club, Yellow Claw and Tritonal to give us seven hours of raging into the new year.

PORTLAND

Recommendation: Levitate @ 45 East

Spending NYE with 3LAU, Bare Noize, Justin Caruso and a ton of local talent? Yes please. Not only are the headliners worth coming out for, but local support Eddie Pitzul, Jamie Meushaw, NIGHT CITY, Chris Bower, HAL-V & SpaceCase, and Krust Funds are all names that inspire us to put on our dancing shoes. With so many DJs playing that night, the party doesn’t end until 3 am!

Levitate will be taking place at 45 East, which means VIP is available. The new remodel brings much better sound to the venue, and more dancing room, which is just what you need. Bringing in the New Year at a comfortable venue is important, so make sure that you are choosing an event that that will start the year off right for you. For Portland, that event is Levitate.

VANCOUVER, BC

Recommendation: NYE 2017: SkiiTour & Neon Steve @ Red Room

We’ve spent quite a bit of time this year in Vancouver, and at one venue in particular. Last year we’d stumbled upon the Red Room Ultra Bar just off the main Granville strip in the heart of Vancouver. To our surprise the venue featured an in-house PK Sound rig, and we’ve been hooked ever since. In addition to the amazing sound, Red Room always seems to provide the best crowd of people each time we visit. It’s a wonderful array of “Shambhalovelies,” “Bass Coast Babes,” Kandi Kids, Bassheads and pretty much everywhere in between.

When Red Room announced they be hosting both SkiiTour and Neon Steve for their NYE celebration it was a clear decision for our friends up north. Last year’s event was a perfect way to cap off 2015, so we expect this year to be no different. Massive vibes and good times are scheduled to be in full effect so don’t forget your dancing shoes.

Tickets are currently going for $40 CAD and is arguably one of the most affordable NYE events in the city. Let’s have our fingers crossed the guys of SkiiTour break out their snow machines for this one because it’s gonna be hot!

Special Recommendation: NYE Decentralized Dance Party @ All over Vancouver

Basically a huge flash mob all around Vancouver. What better way to psych yourself up for a night of dancing than to join in with tons of other people around you dancing in the streets in celebration of the new year.

VICTORIA

Recommendation: Illvis Freshly @ Logan’s Pub

As if you weren’t still recovering from the last show they played in Victoria, Illvis Freshly will be taking the stage for a New Year’s celebration at Logan’s Pub! Joined by the Fernwood Coalition, Caleb Hart & The Royal Youths, and a few special guests, a NYE with Illvis is definitely one you won’t want to miss. You already know straight up how much fun these guys bring to a show, so what’s going to happen when they play the biggest party of the year? Only one way to find out…