Ring in the New Year at Avalon or Two Harbors

Byline: Nu Yang

Ring in the New Year at Avalon or Two Harbors

Boaters heading to Catalina Island have the option to celebrate the arrival of 2012 at festivities in Avalon or Two Harbors. And if you’re looking to dine, dance, toast or sing your way into 2012, you’ll find special events scheduled where you can do all of those things.

Casino Ballroom
Reservations are now being accepted for the 39th annual New Year’s Eve Gala in Avalon’s Casino Ballroom.

The traditional gala includes a buffet dinner, dancing, champagne, a bottle of wine in a specially engraved bottle and party favors. A photographer will be on site to capture all the “magic” of the evening.

Entertainment will be provided by The Xceptional Music Company — performing Motown hits, along with music from the 1950s and today. A trio will entertain during dinner, and the full band will perform from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

There is a traditional dress code for the evening: Men are required to wear a coat and tie; black tie attire is optional.

Dinner reservations will be accepted for 7, 7:30, 8 or 8:30 p.m. Guests will be admitted into the ballroom no more than 15 minutes before their reservation time.

Guests arriving early may wait in the Marine Bar on the mezzanine, where seating and beverages will be available. A buffet dinner will be served until about 9:15 pm.

Regardless of the time of the reservation, tables are reserved for the entire evening. Parties of three to 10 will be seated at individual tables. Parties of 11 or more will be seated at two or more tables next to each other. In order to keep the dance floor as large as possible, parties of two will be seated with one or more other parties of two. A limited number of private tables for two are available on a first-come, first-served basis at an additional charge of $50 per couple.

Reservations for this year’s gala are $175 per person. Reservations may be made online at catalinachamber.com, in person at the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce office in Avalon, by mail or by phone.

Mail requests for reservations should be addressed to the Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 217, Avalon, CA 90704. All reservation requests must be accompanied with full payment, and reservations will be confirmed by letter.

For more information, call the chamber at (310) 510-1520 or email info@catalinachamber.com.

Harbor Reef Restaurant
In Two Harbors, boaters can ring in the New Year at the Harbor Reef Restaurant, where guests will enjoy a four-course meal for $45 per person.

The New Year’s Eve dinner starts with an imported Spanish cured pork and cheese plate, followed by a choice of local lobster bisque or a butter lettuce salad. Entrees include roast filet mignon, pan-roasted rack of lamb or pan-seared Alaskan halibut. For dessert, guests can indulge in a Nutella and berry crepe a la mode.

The dining room will be open from 6 to 9 p.m., and all dining guests will receive complimentary party favors.

Following dinner, a DJ will spin music, celebrants can enjoy dancing on the bar’s patio and there will be a champagne toast at midnight. All guests will also receive a commemorative Two Harbors New Year’s Eve champagne glass.

To make a reservation, call the Harbor Reef Restaurant at (310) 510-4215.

El Galleon Restaurant/Antonio’s Cabaret
Guests can join two parties for the price of one at Avalon’s El Galleon Restaurant and Antonio’s Cabaret. For $15 per person, party-goers will have access to both New Year’s Eve celebrations.

El Galleon Restaurant will serve a New Year’s Eve deluxe dinner special for $39.95. The meal starts with a shrimp cocktail, followed by a choice of scallop chowder or Caesar salad.

The main course includes prime rib, filet mignon, rosemary chicken or Catalina swordfish. Dinner also comes with a vegetable medley, grilled mashed potatoes, fresh-baked sourdough bread and butter, and pumpkin pie. Guests who make dinner reservations by 8 p.m. can keep their table for the post-dinner party.

After dinner, celebrants can sing the night away at the restaurant’s Mardi Gras-theme karaoke party from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Guests will receive party favors and champagne. A balloon drop is planned at midnight.

For tickets or dinner reservations for El Galleon Restaurant, call (310) 510-1188.

At Antonio’s Cabaret, party-goers can swing into the new year with live jazz music from the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders. Guests will receive party favors and a glass of champagne.

Pizza and dessert will be available from 9 p.m. to midnight. Children are allowed to attend, with a $5 admission fee.

For tickets or dinner reservations at Antonio’s Cabaret, call (310) 510-0008.

New Year’s Day
After all the celebrating, be sure to get plenty of rest for Antonio’s Cabaret’s annual breakfast pajama party, featuring live Dixieland jazz music performed by the Hyperion Outfall Serenaders. Breakfast will be served from 8 a.m. to noon, and prizes will be awarded to the party-goer wearing the best pajamas.

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