It’s much quieter around town this time of year, and many summertime Moab hubs are closing for the winter. But several local businesses will be open on New Year’s Eve to celebrate the start of 2018 with live music and special events.
The local events this year cater to a range of tastes, ages and bedtimes, but they’re all distinctly “Moab.”
Start bidding goodbye to 2017 with a New Year’s Eve brunch at 98 Center. The brunch menu will be served between 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 31, and will be the restaurant’s last meal served before closing for the season. 98 Center will reopen in mid-February 2018.
The Blu Pig at 811 S. Main St. will host local country music duo Alan and Valerie Brown and offer a prime rib dinner special. Both husband and wife sing, yodel and play multiple instruments. The music starts at 6:30 p.m., and there is no cover charge.
“We always have a nice turnout,” The Blu Pig co-owner Penny Tanner said of past New Year’s Eve events. “Valerie and Alan have done this for the last three years, and they always draw a lot of locals. It’s not a ‘party-down, get crazy’ kind of atmosphere. It’s just a nice, mellow crowd.”
If a party-down atmosphere is what you’re looking for, try Club Rio at 2 S. 100 West.
Sam Cushing is the leader of the Transitions production, which will host various artists bringing electronic beats to the Rio’s dance floor on Dec. 31. Guests should wear costumes – the theme is “the future.”
Cushing said that could mean anything.
“It could be something from an 80’s movie about the future, or anything – as far as you can imagine,” he said when suggesting what people should wear.
He described the party at the Rio as a “rave-y” vibe – expect a packed house and lots of energy.
If electronica isn’t your taste, World Famous Woody’s Tavern at 221 S. Main St. will be featuring live music by Utah native Talia Keys on New Year’s Eve.
She performs solo live looping, and her website describes her sound as “Soul-Funk-Rock ‘n’ Roll” that “captivates and captures the hearts of good people everywhere.” According to her website bio, Keys uses her music to “convey a message of growth, awareness and love, promoting compassion and respect for our Mother Earth and one another.” The show will start at 9 p.m. and will continue until 1 a.m.
For a more upscale New Year’s Eve option, Sorrel River Ranch is holding a seven-course meal and wine-tasting, with a portion of the proceeds benefiting Moab’s Youth Garden Project.
The meal and wine pairings are devised, respectively, by Sorrel River Ranch’s chef Devin Delnicki, and Colorado-based wine-maker John Sutcliffe. Delnicki’s menu is described on the event website as a mix between “southwestern heritage and new world sophistication.”
After dinner, the Dave Steward Jazz Trio will perform at the Ranch’s Epic Bar. Tickets are $320 per couple and must be purchased in advance.
Bars, restaurants to celebrate New Year’s with live music, dining
What: New Year’s Eve celebrations
When: Sunday, Dec. 31; times vary
Where: 98 Center; The Blu Pig; Club Rio; World Famous Woody’s Tavern; and Sorrel River Ranch
Cost: Varies
To learn more about the event at Sorrel River Ranch, go to: www.sorrelriver.com/newyearseve2017.
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