Should you find yourself at a loose end, here are our suggestions for the best bars and parties to ring in '18.
—Sidetrack: New Year's Eve Party with The Legacy Project $30 general admission ticket includes guaranteed entry, party favors and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. $30 advance at www.sidetrackchicago.com . 3349 N. Halsted St.
—Loose Ends: The Man's Country Closing Party Presented by Harry Cross & CPR Events. At the end of this edition of Loose Ends, Man's Country will close its doors forever. Come add your energy and fluids to the space one last time. Celebrating the life of this historic gay bath house by welcoming all genders and gender non-conformists to a 13-hour party with full access to all three floors, including the disco hall, sauna and steam room. Featuring music from Eris Drew, Jeffrey Sfire ( Detroit ), Michael Serafini, Dee Diggs ( Boston ), L.A. Olympics and Harry Cross. Performances by The Vixen, Lucy Stoole, Bambi Banks and Abhijeet. Free clothes check. Lockers and rooms available to rent. BYOB: venue will provide ice, water, mixers and cups. No glass or bottles allowed inside ( transfer any alcohol in glass to a plastic container ). Tickets $30-$130. 11 pm-noon on New Year's Day. 5017 N Clark St., Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/loose-ends-the-mans-country-chicago-closing-party-tickets-40854451765?aff=eac2
—Phoenix: New Year's Eve 2018 at Phoenix Elegant dinner buffet by Chef Raul, complimentary champagne toast, $500 balloon drop, hosted by Lilly White Towers and Keisha Foxxx. DJs: Alex-Q ( 7-9 pm ); Ron G ( 9-11 pm ); Laura B ( 11 pm - 2 am ). $25 cover. 1932 E. Higgins Rd., Elk Grove Village, Ill.
— Back Lot Bash and The L Stop: 6th Annual NYE Black & White Party Beats by DJ All the Way Kay, DJ Gemini Jones and DJ Octiv. Hosted by Dina Bach. Doors open at 7. VIP admission includes drink package and Meditteranean dinner buffet 7-9 pm. Champagne toast at midnight with black and white party favors. Tickets available at BLBNYE18.brownpapertickets.com . The Annex at Reza's Restaurant, 1477 W. Berwyn Ave.
—Annoyance Theatre: Steamworks: The Musical One night only. Ring in the new year with the hilarious story of a wide-eyed young man who moves to the Windy City seeking love and stumbles into the legendary Boystown bathhouse. 8 pm, 851 W. Belmont Ave., 773-697-9693, www.theannoyance.com
—Scot's: NYE at Scot's Hors d'ouevres at 8 pm. Balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. No cover. 1829 W. Montrose Ave.
—Touche: 41st Annual Black & Blue New Year's Eve $10 gets you admission with a buffet, door prizes, party favors and your first drink. Champagne toast and lights out at midnight. Your ticket includes a special raffle for a Mr. Chicago Leather 2018 weekend package. 6412 N. Clark St.
—Roscoe's Airways Flight #2018 Ready to fly you into 2018! Packages range from $30 in the Main Cabin ( with hors d'oeuvres and a midnight champagne toast ) to a $100 First-Class package ( with priority check-in and boarding, luggage [coat] check, premium buffet and access to first-class bar ). Tickets can be purchased by calling 773-281-3355, ext. 2, or by emailing events@roscoes.com . 3356 N. Halsted St.
—Queen!: New Year, New Queen! With smartbar residents Ariel Zetina, Eris Drew, Garrett David, Harry Cross, Michael Serafini, Olin and Sevron. Hosted by Lucy Stoole, Jojo Baby, Nico, The Lady Ivory, The Vixen, Imp Queen, Tenderoni and Kenzie Coulee. $35 advance, $40 Door, $20 after 2 am. Special packages available. Smart Bar, 3730 N. Clark St. Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/6572140/new-yearnew-queen-chicago-smartbarchicagoil?cobrand=metrochicago
—Progress Bar: The City That Werqs: NYE at Progress Bar Hosted by Mercedes Tyler, music by DJ Avi Sic. Hosted bar 9-11 pm from Effen Vodka and free champagne bottle with purchase of ticket. Free coat check. Doors open to public at 11 pm. $500 balloon drop and complimentary champagne at midnight, plus goodie bags. Tickets available at progressbarNYE2018.eventbrite.com . 3359 N. Halsted St.
—Hydrate's Dreamhouse NYE A night full of everything Barbie. The fantasy begins at 9 pm with spotlight Barbie performances by some of your favorite Hydrate queens, including Mimi Marks and Kinley Preston. At 10:30 pm, the club transforms into a pink dance party with DJ Deanne. Champagne toast at midnight, party favors through the night. No cover 7-11 pm, hors d'oeuvres will be served 8-10 pm. VIP tickets for express entry and in-and-out privileges. 3458 N. Halsted St. Tickets: www.hydratechicago.com
—Mary's Attic: Snow Ball: "Stranger" Retro NYE Dust off your '80s duds and get ready for a totally tubular New Year! Mary's Attic is turning upside-down. Retro music by DJ Grant, no cover and free champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Dinner in the Dining Room until 11. 5400 N. Clark St.
—Big Chicks: New Year's Eve DJ Mike Rytie ( resident Saturday Night DJ ) spinning your favorite dance hits 10 pm-2 am. Free champagne toast at midnight. No cover; free top hats, tiaras and noise makers. 5024 N. Sheridan Rd.
—Jackhammer: Dicks On Clark Rockin' Eve 2018 Hosted by Chanel Exotique. DJs Derek James and Jerry. Whole bar open until 4 am. Champagne toast at midnight. $5 cover. 6406 N. Clark St.
—Club Krave: A Very Krave New Year's Happy hour 6-8 pm with appetizers. Rainbow/Pride party favors. Champagne toast at midnight. Full catered dinner buffet. Blue Island ball drop. Party packages range from $15 for a cash bar to $50 for wine, soda, draft beer, well and domestic bottles. 6 pm - 2 am, 13126 S. Western Ave., Blue Island, Ill.
