Family-Friendly Party = Awesome New Year’s Eve

We attended our first “Family New Year’s Eve Party” this year. I was hesitant in the beginning. Our friend, a home brewer, was really excited about the family-friendly party Revolution Brewing Company planned and asked us to join them. Sure, it sounded fun, but I’ve become wary of parties at restaurants and bars. All too often they over-promise and under-deliver on New Year’s Eve. We’ve been to parties that run the gamut, from the “flat fee at the bar down the street” to the “minimum per head at the trendy sushi restaurant.” Every single time I left disappointed, so I was apprehensive, but decided to go for it.

Yes, it felt strange going out at 5:00 on New Year’s Eve, but I didn’t spend too much time figuring out what to wear. We didn’t hit any traffic, the place was full from the moment the party began. Plus, there were servers and drinks available whenever we needed them.

The food was delicious and plentiful, there were no lines at bars, no one had been over-served and acted pushy. In every way, it was the exact opposite of every New Year’s party I have ever attended. And I realized I finally have the answer to a good celebration: Family-friendly parties! No worries about finding a sitter and then paying them premium on New Year’s. No concerns over fighting for a cab at 3 am and then waking up to get cereal ready for the kiddo at 6 am. And no worry about sacrificing fun.

Maybe my excitement is because I totally underestimated how fun a family-friendly party can be. I found myself in a place full of people looking to have an equally good time with equally loud and squirmy kids. We were thrilled that there were servers who never seemed to get annoyed with kids running all over the place and never questioned my request for a non-alcoholic beer or more soft pretzels for the kids. The food was fresh, the place was clean, there was plenty of toilet paper in the bathroom. It was like an anti-New Year’s Eve party.

Twenty minutes before the (7 pm) countdown, Mucca Pazza came marching in unannounced. We had no idea they had this little surprise for all of us. For the first time, my expectations on New Year’s Eve were exceeded.

Let’s hope this year follows suit. Here’s to 2011 and exceeding expectations!

Tags: Chicago, children, family, Hannemaniacs, holidays, urban living

Category: Chicago, Events, New Posts