If you want to go out for New Year's Eve but don't want to shell out the cash for something extravagant, we got you. Below, we've rounded up 15 places where you can celebrate the end of the decade without spending more than $15. If you can't find something you like, check out our complete New Year's Eve calendar to see everything else going down on the 31st.
Gaytheist, Fucked & Bound, Hair Puller
People like to say they want to go full-blast for New Year's and live it up like it's their last night on earth. But do they really? And if they do, wouldn't they be at this fuckin' show to prove it? (9 pm, High Water Mark, $10)
A Bunk NYE Party: 1969, Geezer, Craftwork
Bunk Bar hosts a New Year's Eve party with a bit of a Halloween-bent, inviting you to dress up and come down and enjoy tribute sets from a trio of Portland's finest cover bands: 1969 (Iggy and the Stooges performed by members of MĂ scaras, Wet Fruit, Mini Blinds, and WL), Craftwork (Kraftwerk performed by members of BlackWater HolyLight, Bryson Cone, and DAN DAN), and Geezer (Weezer's Blue Album performed by members of Summer Cannibals, and Moon Shy). (9 pm, Bunk Bar, $15)
Separation of Sanity, Kingdom Under Fire, Pirahnapuss, DJ Dross
Portland's own Separation of Sanity lead the charge as an array of local metal and thrash outfits link up with fire dancers, DJs, and more to ring in 2020 with some good old fashioned headbanging. (8 pm, Dante's, $12-15)
New Year's Eve at Hey Love!
Hey Love gets in on the NYE action with a dance party headed up by two of the city's finest DJs: Bobby D (Albina Music Trust, XRAYfm) and Cooky Parker (Ural Thomas & The Pain, In The Cooky Jar, KMHD). Dance the night away to an eclectic array of disco, soul, r&b, funk, boogie, rap, and more, while a spinning disco ball lights the dance floor from above. (8 pm, Hey Love, $10)
Pix New Year's Eve Extravaganza
Free midnight chocolate buffet? You can't accuse Pix of burying the lede: This might be the only New Year's party in Portland that even has a chocolate buffet, much less a free one. Pair one of your delicious bites with one of over 600 sparkling wines available, too. (10 pm, Pix/Bar Vivant, $10)
Dance Hard, Kiss Soft
Dig a Pony New Year is always a damned good time, and with Maxx Bass and Lamar trading off on the decks, the night is guaranteed to usher in 2020 in style (and sweat!) (9 pm, Dig a Pony, $15)
Hello 2020! NYE at Bailey's Taproom
Bailey's Taproom and Brewpublic invite you to ring in 2020 at their annual NYE party, with a curated tap list from Seattle's Fremont Brewing, house and hip-hop classics from DJ Tony Stewart, and free psychic readings prior to the party between the hours of 6 and 8 pm. Admission includes a champagne toast at midnight, with discounted admission for early arrivals. (8 pm, Bailey's Taproom, $10)
Sleeping Beauties, Pretty Lethal, Youth Pastor, DJ Colin J, DJ Craceface
Sleeping Beauties press full-throttle through their thrashy punk paradigm. The band is comprised of members from local underground legends like the Hunches and Eat Skull, but the Beauties themselves have in a short time forged their own unpredictable niche of unabashed rock ânâ roll filth. See them play every time, but especially on New Year's. (9 pm, The World Famous Kenton Club, $5)
New Year's Eve at KEX
The newly-opened Portland-via-Iceland hotel, lounge, and nightspot gets itself in on the New Year's Eve action with a classy night of caviar and bubbles set to the soulful sounds of DJ Battles. (9 pm, KEX, free)
Weener
Seattle's premier Ween tribute act paint the White Eagle Saloon brown in honor of Gene, Dean, the Boognish, and the arrival of a brand new year. (9 pm, White Eagle, $10-12)
Roll Into 2020 NYE Party
Grand Central Bowling throws a two-floor NYE party, boasting free admission and a casual environment, complete with bowling, arcade, and bar games, along with drinks and food to keep you well-fueled while you knock 'em down on the lanes. (9 pm, Grand Central Restaurant & Bowling Lounge, free)
Pendejo, Sad Horse, Lavender Flu, Thee Headliners, Plastic Harmony Band
Turn! Turn! Turn! invites you to ring in 2020 in North Portland with help from a landslide of excellent local bands. (8 pm, Turn! Turn! Turn!, $10)
Party Like It's 3199: New Year's Eve Outer Space Bash
Punch Bowl Social invites you to close out 2019 as if it was 3199 at an end-of-the-decade costume party and New Year's Eve bash, complete with a balloon drop, photo booth, and costume contest, which asks attendees to don their best intergalactic gear and come dressed like an extra from their favorite sci-fi movie or TV series. (9 pm, Punch Bowl Social, free)
Let's Party: New Year's Eve at the EastSide
Nothing too fancy on tap at the EastSide: Just some good old fashioned partying to be done with a collection of cover bands playing the hits, a bunch of drink specials to indulge, an opportunity to help the hungry with a canned food donation at the door, delicious burgers, frosty beer, and a whole lot of dancing to be done once the ball drops. (8 pm, EastSide Bar & Grill, $3-5)
O-Shogatsu: Japanese New Year
In honor of the New Year and O-Shogatsu (or "standard month"), the Portland Japanese Garden celebrates the arrival of 2020 with a full afternoon of activities, including a New-Yearâs style tea ceremony, a Koto harp concert, and more. Elsewhere in the Garden, an ink-wash brush drawing session and Hyakunin Issyu (poetry game) will be held in the Yanai Classroom. To cap off the festivities, attendees will share Mochitsuki (pounded rice cake) before they depart. 11 am, Portland Japanese Garden, free w/ Garden admission)
