Holiday party season is in full swing. This week you can make your own chocolate martinis, stumble around East Austin dressed as C-3PO, and squeeze back into that ugly Christmas sweater for another year of yuletide festivities.

Monday, Dec. 12
Dub Academy’s First Annual Christmas Party
8pm–Midnight • Parkside, 301 East 6th St. • Free; RSVP required
Complimentary drinks and raffle tix for people who wear ugly holiday sweaters; photo booths; games with prizes; live music.


Tuesday, Dec. 13
Candy Lane Cocktail Party
6–9pm • Langford Market, 249 West 2nd Street • Free
Complimentary candy-inspired cocktails and mini-candy bar. Accepting donations for the Capital Area Food Bank.

Austin Chronicle Presents: Paper Cuts
7–9pm • The Palm Door, 401 Sabine St. • Free; RSVP required for priority admission
Complementary Shock Top beer, desserts from the Frisco Shop, and Bacardi Oakheart Rum. Music by Marmalakes. RSVP to reserve your spot; additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.

It’s Made Of People: One Year Anniversary Variety Show
9pm • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • Free
Free variety show featuring sketches, comedians, and bands.

Coal Vines Wine-Down Holiday Bash
6–10pm • Coal Vines, 314 W. 2nd St. • Free; RSVP requested (RSVP Email)
Complimentary hors d’oeuvres, wine specials, and live music. Bring a wrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.


Wednesday, Dec. 14
Austin Social Affair Holiday Launch Party
6–9pm • TenOak, 409 Colorado St. • $5 minimum donation
Free Grey Goose cocktails from 6–7; $5 after that. Benefits the Wrapped in Love Foundation.

Gabrieldoes: A Christmas Party
6–10pm • Cazamance Café, 1102 E. Cesar Chavez • Free
Free drinks while they last + food, and holiday music. Feel free to BYOB.

2011 Austin Holiday Formal    ***Event of the Week***
9:30pm–2am • American Legion Hall, 2201 Veterans Drive • $10 donation
Free drinks include Fireman’s 4, Sierra Nevada, 360 Vodka, Wiser’s Canadian Whiskey, and El Zarco Tequila. Also: make-your-own chocolate martini bar, live music, photo booth, and raffle. Dress fancy! Donations benefit Austin’s Children’s Shelter.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Santy Panty Party
10pm–1am • Nomad Bar, 1211 Corona Dr. • Free
Complimentary drinks for anyone who dresses up. Featuring comedian James Patrick Robinson, DJ sets, and dancin’.


Thursday, Dec. 15
The Liberty 3rd Annual Christmas Party
4pm–2am • The Liberty, 1618 E. 6th St. • Free
Details TBA.

Beer O’Clock – Austin Community Happy Hour hosted by The Daily Dot
5:30–8pm • Clive Bar, 609 Davis St. • Free
Have a drink or two on The Daily Dot, “the hometown newspaper of the World Wide Web.”

Social Media Club Austin Holiday Party 2011
6:30-8:30pm • Molotov, 719 West 6th Street • Free; RSVP required
Free food from Roll on Sushi + drink specials. Dress “holiday fancy” and bring a new toy to donate to the Toy Drive for Austin.

Beer Society Strikes Back
8–11pm • Jackalope, 404 East 6th • Free; RSVP required
Free pints of Boulevard IPA, courtesy of The Onion Society for Beer Enjoyment.

Volstead Lounge at Hotel Vegas Holiday Party
9pm • Volstead Lounge at Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th Street • Free w/ RSVP; $5 without
Free beer and egg nog while it lasts, plus music by Alpha Rev, Levi Weaver, and Saints of Valory. Christmas sweaters encouraged. RSVP for free admission.


Friday, Dec. 16
Film Night at Green House
8pm–Midnight • Green House, 701 E 53rd St. • Free
Movies, free cocktails and popcorn.

Qua 4th Anniversary Party
9–11pm • Qua, 213 W. 4th St. • Free
Complimentary cocktails from 9–11, half-price bottles all night.

Christmas Sweater Party Champagne Jam
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $2 if you wear a holiday sweater; $5 if not
Champagne, photo booth, live improv holiday karaoke by Zorch; DJ sets by Kon Karne, Lee Roi, and Butcher Bear.


Saturday, Dec. 17
Thirsty Planet Brewery Tour
11am and 1:30pm • Thirsty Planet Brewing Co., 11160 Circle Drive • Free; RSVP required
Free tour and beer tasting. Make sure to reserve a spot online.

The Backyard Bizarre Bazaar Bizart Show
6pm–Midnight • Green House, 701 E 53rd St. • Free
Art show, fashion show, live music, drinks and food.

I Wanna Be Your Dog II
8pm • 29th Street Ballroom, 2906 Fruth St. • $5 donation
Free food from Frank; music by The Fleshlights, John Wesley Coleman, Bad Lovers, Foreign Mothers, Dead Space, and Sweat Lodge; raffle to win SXSW wristbands; silent auction. Benefits Austin Pets Alive.

Han Shots First Pub Crawl
8pm–2am • Starts at The Liberty, 1618 E. 6th St. • $5 suggested donation
Dress up as your favorite Star Wars character and go out drinkin’ on the east side. The crawl (which also features games, a raffle and Star Wars trivia) will have stops at The Liberty, Rio Rita, The Brixton, Violet Crown, and Shangri-La. See the event page for schedule info. Benefits Child’s Play.

Secret Show at Hotel Vegas
9pm–2am • Hotel Vegas, 1500 E. 6th Street • Free w/ RSVP, $5 without
Music by Stereo is a Lie, The Boxing Lesson, and a mystery headliner. RSVP for free admission.



**SAVE THE DATE: January 2** CoolinAustin’s very first Free Week showcase is set for Monday, Jan. 2 at Swan Dive. We’ll announce the details later this week, but suffice it to say, it will rock yo socks off.

Plugs: Like us on the Facebook, Tweet at us on the Twitter

Shoutouts: Amber, Jeremiah, Do512 Free, Austin Free Events

Hey, it’s the first wave of holiday parties! If you’re not into the whole eggnog and ugly sweater thing, you can still sip cocktails, watch some silent films with a live soundtrack, dance through the decades, and play with puppies while drinking beer.

Tuesday, Nov. 29
Moonshine Molly Tuesdays
6pm • The North Door, 501 N. IH-35 • Free
First 25 people get a free sample of Moonshine Whiskey and a free Tamale Molly tamale.

Austin Chronicle Presents: Paper Cuts
7–9pm • Palm Door • Free; RSVP required for priority admission
Free food from Chedd’s, drinks from Tito’s Vodka and Shiner, and music by The Tiny Adventurers. RSVP to reserve your spot; additional guests will be allowed in starting at 7:30 if the party isn’t at capacity.

Transistor Six Presents: Heartless Bastards, Moonlight Towers, and Ume
8:30–11:30pm • Frank, 407 Colorado St. • Free
Free show.


Wednesday, Nov. 30
Frock on Vintage Movember Party
5-8pm • Frock On Vintage, 3016 Guadalupe St., Ste. A101 • Free
Complimentary beverages and food; Burt Reynolds photo booth; music by Ripe, Starma, and Gauche.

Violet Crown Cinema Trivia Night
7–10pm • Violet Crown Cinema, 434 W. 2nd Street • Free
Film trivia with free bottomless popcorn and drink specials.


Thursday, Dec. 1
The Driskill Tree Lighting and 125th Anniversary Celebration
6:30–11pm • Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos Street • Free
Celebrate the lighting of the Driskill tree with treats from 1886 Café & Bakery, champagne, apple cider, hot chocolate and coffee. Live music by Dale Watson, Tje Austin, Betty Soo, Erin Ivey, Sahara Smith, and The Carper Family.

Celluloid Salon    **Event of the Week**
7pm • The ND, East 5th and Brushy St. • Free; RSVP required
Complimentary Drambuie cocktails and silent films scored live by This Will Destroy You.

Santa Crawl
8pm • Shangri La, 1016 E 6th St. • Free
Bar crawl through East Austin with a mob of people dressed like Santa, starting at Shangri La and ending up at Hotel Vegas.

Before Dawn CD Release Party
9pm–2am • Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St. • $5
Before Dawn celebrates the release of their new album, Brush with Greatness. Also features performances by KNIFIGHT and Red Cadet. Free CDs and posters while they last.

Back in Time: Throwback Record Dance Party
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar • Free
Go Go Garcia plays some sweet 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s jams.


Friday, Dec. 2
B Scene: Holiday Lounge
6pm • Blanton Museum of Art, 200 East MLK Jr. Blvd. • Free
Free snacks, swing music by The Lucky Strikes, ugly sweater contest, museum tours, cash bar.

Totally Awesome ’80s Karaoke Bash
9–11pm • The Highball, 1142 S. Lamar Blvd. • Free; RSVP required
Retro karaoke with free cocktails by 42Below Vodka.

Customer Appreciation Days at Vanity Salon and Day Spa
10am–7:30pm (Fri. and Sat.) • Vanity Salon and Day Spa, 2118 Oxford Ave. • Free
Free mudslides with Honest Tea and Dripping Springs Vodka, apple cider gingerbread men, and chocolate chip cookies.

Pop Tarts: Pop Music Dance Party with Kid Slyce
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • Free
Self explanatory!


Saturday, Dec. 3
Silver Whisk Holiday Bash
10am–4pm • Silver Whisk Cooking School, 1501 RR 620 N., Ste. C, Lakeway • Free
Free holiday appetizers, wine, cookie decorating, mimosas, and activities.

Thirsty Planet’s Silverback Pale Ale Launch Party
11am • Thirsty Planet Brewing Co., 11160 Circle Drive • Free
Thirsty Planet Brewery taps the first keg of Silverback Pale Ale in honor of the Austin Gorilla Run. The event features a beer tasting, brewery tour, and discounted Gorilla Run registration.

Pints for Pups
Noon–3pm • Hops and Grain Brewery, 507 Calles Street • $10 donation
Fundraiser to benefit local dog rescues, featuring music, food, and dogs available for adoption. Donation includes beer!

Independence Brewing Co. Brewery First Saturday Tour and Beer Tasting
1–3pm • Independence Brewing Co., 3913 Todd Lane #607 • Free
Free tour and tasting. Bring cash if you want to buy merchandise.

Barebones Orchestra’s Annual Holiday Happy Hour
5–8pm • Skinny’s Ballroom, 115 San Jacinto Blvd. • Free
Holiday potluck with burlesque performances and music by Barebones Orchestra and Elephant M. Bring canned goods for Austin Food Bank, and feel free to bring a snack to share.

“A Winter Eden” Group Art Opening at Orbit Salon
7–10pm • Orbit Salon, 1607 E. Cesar Chavez • Free
Free eggnog, desserts, and drinks provided by Bombay Sapphire.

End of Night: Dog & Pony Release Party with Xavier Schipani
10pm–2am • Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St. • $3
Holiday ice cream by Wanderlust Ice Cream, music by Boy Friend and Feathers, projections by Bleach Online.

Karaoke Underground
10pm–2am • Nomad, 1213 Corona Drive • Free
Free karaoke night with more than 500 punk and indie classics to choose from.


Sunday, Dec. 4
HAAM Benefit Concert at Stephen F’s Bar and Terrace
8pm–Midnight • Stephen F. Austin Hotel, 701 Congress Ave. • Free; donations accepted
Music by Del Castillo, Dale Watson, Ghosts Along the Brazos, Shinny Ribs and Bettysoo. Donations accepted at the door. Sponsored by Tito’s Vodka and Austinontherocks.com.

The Green Door Record Party
10pm–2am • Rio Rita, 1308 E. 6th St. • Free
Dance party with DJs Von Trapp, Apopalipstick, and Scotty Upton.


Monday, Dec. 5
Mohawk Home 4 the Holidays Ho-Down
8pm • Mohawk, 912 Red River St. • Free
Featuring Johnny Hottub, Xmas karaoke, ATX Facial Hair Club kissing booth, mistletoe lounge, photo booth, fire, hot toddies, eggnog, and other festivities. Bring a toy to donate to Toys for Tots.


Plugs: Like us on the Facebook, Tweet at us on the Twitter

Shoutouts: Amber, Jeremiah, Do512 Free, Austin Free Events

Ah, New Year’s Eve. A time to reflect on the previous year, make resolutions for the next one, and drink fancy liquor in formalwear.

You might notice that our list this week is a bit of a departure from our usual schedule of events that are free or, at the very least, dirt cheap. Because it’s New Year’s and there are so many things going on, we’ve decided to put together an orderly but comprehensive list of options that goes beyond our usual range of zero to $10. This week’s events range from zero to, well, borderline extortion. But hey, if you dig bottle service and your entourage is rolling 20 deep—or if you just want to splurge on a top-shelf open bar—maybe there’s something on here for you. For everyone else, we’ve sorted all the parties by price, so you can easily find something that’s within your budget. Or just look for a good house party.

Whatever you end up doing, drive safe, or call Austin Sober Ride at 657-2999 for a free cab ride home from 11pm–3am. Happy New Year, you crazy kids.

 
NYE at Cheer Up Charlie’s
Free • 9 pm-2 am (RSVP requested)
Cheer Up Charlie’s, 1104 East 6th St.
Free food and drinks (from 9-10pm) from The Vegan Yacht, Sugartooth Bakery, Torchy’s Tacos, Home Slice Pizza, Treaty Oak Rum, Graham’s Texas Tea, Tito’s Vodka and Firefly Vodka. Featuring giveaways and music from The Sour Notes, Follow That Bird, Missions, Cartright, Zorch, No Mas Bodas, Marmalakes, Bodytronix, Mermaid Blonde, Tiny Tin Hearts.

Austin’s New Year
Free • 5–10:30pm
Auditorium Shores, South 1st Street and Riverside Drive
The city’s official NYE celebration: Music by Charanga Cakewalk, Tje Austin, Lannaya West African Drum and Dance Ensemble, Mother Falcon, and The Biscuit Brothers. Screenings of more than a dozen short films by Austin filmmakers. Also of note: “artistic, circus-style performances”; demonstrations by the Austin Bike Zoo; fireworks; food (for purchase) from local vendors.

NYE Party at Rebel’s Honky Tonk
Free • 8pm–2am
Rebel’s Honky Tonk, 305 W. 5th Street
No cover all night. Free champagne toast, drink specials, party favors, and “raging dance tunes” by DJ Jeremy.

NYE at Hudson on Fifth
Free • 4pm-2am
Hudson on Fifth, 301 West 5th Street
No cover all night. For table reservation packages, call 450-4753 or email melissa@fifthstreetentertainment.com.

New Year’s Eve Sock Hop at Shangri-La
$10 • 9pm–2am
Shangri-La, 1016 East 6th Street
The Second Sunday Sock Hop DJs spin dance tunes from the ’50s and ’60s.

New Year’s Eve with DJ Mel / Zeale / The Shears / Hi Tones
$10 inside only, $15 all access • 8pm
Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St.
Complimentary champagne toast at midnight.
 
NYE Reggae Ball
$10 • 9 pm
Flamingo Cantina, 515 E. Sixth Street
Featuring Tribal Nation & The Mau Mau Chaplains
 
Spiderhouse Glitters Eve NYE Party
$10 • 8 pm
Spiderhouse, 2906 Fruth Street
Featuring Leaders of the Gang, The Shakewells, The Bad Lovers, Cowabunga Babes, DJs Sue Purr, Tweedy, Allen, Sara O and Ben Blackout

New Year’s Eve at Emo’s (Inside)
$12 • 10pm-2am • Tickets
Emo’s, 603 Red River Street
Featuring White Denim, Drizztian Swamper, John Welely Coleman

Happy Fecking New Year
$15 • 6pm-2am
Fado Irish Pub, 214 W. 4th Street
Champagne toast at 6pm (to ring in the Irish New Year) and again at midnight. The $15 cover begins at 8pm, but you get $10 back in Fado cash. Music by The Blaggards.

The Good Foot: A Live Funk Mash-Up
$15 advance, $20 door • 9pm-2am • Tickets
Scoot Inn, 1308 E. 4th St.
Live music by The Sugarfoot Family All-Stars 10-piece funk orchestra. Dance party and performances by The Sugarfoot Hustlers eight-woman dance squad. Turntable sets by Soul Happening’s DJ Greg Most. Vintage funk video projections by El Proyector. Costumes encouraged.

New Year’s Eve with The Sword
$17 advance, $20 day of show • 8pm • Tickets
Mohawk, 912 Red River St.
The Sword / Mammoth Grinder/ Eagle Claw. Champagne (of Beers) toast at midnight.

The Action Pack’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve Sing Along
$18 • 10pm • Tickets
Alamo Drafthouse Ritz, 320 E. 6th Street
Featuring an official countdown based on the world atomic clock, a free champagne toast, and “the most confetti per square foot of any other party in town.”

The Bright Light Social Hour Vinyl Release Party (Live CD recording and DVD shoot)
$20 advance, $25 day of show (includes free champagne toast) • 9 pm
The Parish, 214-C E. Sixth Street
Featuring The Bright Light Social Hour, L.A.X and more

New Year’s Eve with ColdTowne Theater
$20 for each show, or $30 for both • 8pm–Late • Tickets
Salvage Vanguard Theatre, 2803 Manor Road
Two comedy plays—Dead Uncle Ted (8pm) and Loose Fish (10pm)—and a ‘60s dance party on stage after the shows (11:30pm). BYOB.

Foot Patrol New Year’s Eve: Prince vs. Michael Jackson + Karaoke Apocalypse
$20 advance, $25 door • 8:30pm • Tickets
ND @ 501 Studios, 501 I-35
Foot Patrol plays classics by Prince and MJ. Pick a song and sing with the band during the Karaoke Apocalypse portion of the evening.

NYE at Emo’s (Outside)
$25 • 9 pm • Tickets
Emo’s, 603 Red River Street
Featuring 100 Monkeys, Kissing Club

Warren Hood / The Bellville Outfit / The Goods
$25 • 9pm • Tickets
Momo’s, 618 West Sixth Street

New Year’s Eve at The Highball: Dance Through the Decades (Update: SOLD OUT)
$25 dance party ticket (includes champagne toast and two cocktails); dinner package and bottle service available for additional costs • 10pm
Dance your way through the decades with Henri and the Action Pack as they present a music video dance party covering the ’70s through 2010. Costumes from different decades encouraged. See website for info on dinner and bottle service options.

New Year’s Eve Improv Extravaganza
$25 • 8pm (early show) and 10:30pm (late show)
The Hideout Theatre, 617 Congress Avenue
Live improv shows, games and scenes. New Year’s chocolates at the early show, midnight champagne toast at the late show.

Shiny Disco Ball at Firehouse
$25 general admission, $50 VIP • 8pm
The Firehouse Lounge, 605 Brazos St.
Hors d’oeuvres, champagne, party favors and a dance mix by DJ B and Mikey C. VIP includes 2 free drinks and a dedicated bartender.

Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears / Grupo Fantasma (Update: SOLD OUT)
$27 • 8pm
La Zona Rosa, 612 W 4th St.

A New Year’s Eve Party with Jimmie Vaughan
$30 • 8pm
Antone’s, 213 West 5th St.
Jimmie Vaughan / Mike Flanigin’s B3 Trio / The Horton Brothers

T-Bird and the Breaks
$32 • 9pm
Stubbs (indoors), 801 Red River

New Year’s Eve with Bob Schneider
$35-$105 • 8pm • Tickets
Paramount Theater, 713 Congress Ave.

Kraddy, Mad Classey vs. Irresponsible Voltron
$40 advance, $50 at the door, $75 VIP • 9pm • Tickets
Ace’s Lounge, 222 E. 6th St.

New Year’s Eve at Speakeasy
$44 general admission; $75 reserved table; $100 priority admission (with open bar); bottle service available for additional cost • 8pm-2am
Speakeasy on the Avenue, 412 Congress Ave.
Matchmaker Band and DJs. Complimentary champagne toast.

Cake / White Ghost Shivers / Agent Ribbons (Update: SOLD OUT)
$50, $75 • 8pm
Austin Music Hall, 208 Nueces St.

New Year’s Eve Party at The Driskill
$65 • 8pm–Late
The Driskill Hotel, 604 Brazos St.
An evening of food and entertainment. Tickets available at the front desk.
 
“When Harry Met Sally” New Year’s Feast
$75 • 7pm • Tickets
Alamo Drafthouse Downtown, 320 E. 6th Street
Film screening with a themed four-course menu and a midnight champagne toast.

New Year’s Eve at The Belmont
$75 advance, $100 at the door • 10pm-2am
The Belmont, 305 West 6th Street
Open bar from 10pm–2am, party favors, late night snacks, and a champagne toast.

New Year’s Eve Casino Celebration
$75 • 8:30pm–12:30am
Norris Conference Center, 2525 West Anderson Lane
Open bar from 8:30-10:30pm; cash bar 9:30pm–midnight. Complimentary appetizer buffet, champagne toast, and a DJ spinning hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Semiformal to black tie required. Winnings from casino games (blackjack, craps, roulette, etc.) can be used to participate in a raffle. Benefits Families in Need.

NYE at The Rooftop on Sixth
$85 • 9pm–2am
The Rooftop on Sixth, 403 E. 6th Street
Open bar until 1am. Purchase tickets at the bar any day between 8–11pm or 1–3pm Wednesday and Thursday. For table reservations, call 942-7663 or email rooftoponsixth@gmail.com.
 
La Sombra’s New Year’s Eve Bash
$95 • 8pm–Midnight
La Sombra, 4800 Burnet Road
Dinner buffet, drinks (international selection of wine and beer) and live music by Cienfuegos. Proceeds benefit Leadership Austin.
For tickets, call 458-1100 or stop by the restaurant.
 
New Years Eve at Seaholm Power Plant
$100 • 9pm-3am • Tickets
Seaholm Power Plant, 214 West Ave.
N.A.S.A. / Ladytron / DJ Set featuring Reuben Wu / Markus with a K
Multiple dance floors and lounges, valet parking, free hors d’oeuvres and champagne, video and light shows.
 
New Year’s Eve at Kung Fu Saloon
$100 • 8pm (RSVP is required)      
Kung Fu Saloon, 510 Rio Grande St.
Includes open bar (including top shelf), sushi bar by Kenichi, ice shot block, self-serve champagne bar, free games all night, T-shirt, music by DJ Kenja.
Call 512-751-8002 or email brandi@kungfusaloon.com to RSVP

NYE at Canvas Bar
$100 • 9pm
Canvas Bar, 105 E. 5th Street
Top-shelf open bar, Italian food buffet. Music by DJ Daze (Top 40, hiphop, house, and rock).
For tickets, call 415-3112.

Parkside New Year’s Eve
$100 • 10pm-2am • Tickets
Parkside, 301 E. 6th Street
Open bar, champagne toast, hors d’oeuvres, and sweets. Music by DJ Thunderball and a photo booth by Devaki Knowles.

New Year’s Eve at Hotel Saint Cecilia
$100 • 8pm–Midnight
Hotel Saint Cecilia, 112 Academy Drive
Open bar, hors d’oeuvres (crab cakes, pork tenderloin, herbed supli with mozzarella), performances by Topaz and Mudphonic.
For tickets, call 852-2409 or email lisa.reile@hotelsaintcecilia.com

Gibson Ski Lodge New Year’s Eve Party
$115 • 9 pm • Tickets
Gibson Bar, 1109 South Lamar Boulevard
Gibson Bar will be transformed into the Ski Lodge on South Lamar with 30 tons of real snow. Ticket includes complimentary commemorative ski caps, appetizers, beverages, dancing, and many photo ops in the hot tub—plus a champagne toast to ring in 2011. Dress code is ski attire.

NYE at Malverde (Update: SOLD OUT)
$125 • 9pm-2am
Malverde, 400 W. 2nd Street
Premium open bar all night. Champagne toast, party favors and desserts. Music by DJ F**king A and photo booth by Trevor Ray Thompson.

(Photo)

The Week Ahead: December 15–19
The lowdown on the free and cheap fun to be had this week.

Wednesday, Dec. 15
Torchy’s Holiday Trailer Bash
7pm • Free
Free beer and hot chocolate, live music and a visit from Santa
Torchy’s Tacos, 1311 S. 1st Street

Aussie’s Pre-Christmas Social
6-9pm • Free
Complimentary appetizer buffet, $3 Tito’s vodka, $2 Lone Star tallboys.
Aussie’s Grill and Beach Bar, 306 Barton Springs Road


Thursday, Dec. 16
Sip. Shop. Sweet!
6-9pm • Free
Music, drinks, desserts and holiday shopping at several businesses in the 2nd St. District.

Merry Martinis: Customer Appreciation Party
7-9pm • Free
Complimentary cocktails and passed hors d’oeuvres.
Imperia, 310 Colorado

Study Breaks Holiday Bash
10pm • Free (RSVP is required)
Free cocktails by Famous Vodka.
Qua, 213 W. 4th St.

Learning Secrets Annual Holiday Party
10pm • Free
Free party with special guest JDH. 
Malverde, 400 W 2nd St.

Christmas Sweater Champagne Jam
10pm-2am • $5 cover
Champagne toast, music by Magnifico, and a complimentary drink for anyone wearing a holiday sweater.
Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St.


Friday, Dec. 17
Waterloo Ice House Remodel Celebration: The Happiest Hour
5-6pm • Free
Waterloo celebrates the completion of its renovations with free cocktails by Deep Eddy Vodka.
Waterloo Ice House, 38th St. at Lamar Blvd.

Joie de Vie Holiday Happy Hour
6-8pm • Free
Complimentary wine and beer, free chair massages and salon discounts.
Joie de Vie Salon and Spa, 713 E. 6th St.

PRINT+addiction presents: Two Dude Stew
6-9pm • Free   
Free beer and music at a T-shirt print party sponsored by Industry Screenprint. Screen print press will be set up for guests to create custom shirts ($20 for blank shirt, or $10 if you bring your own).
Industry Screenprint, 2503-B E. 6th St.

Social Media Mosh Pit
9pm • Free
Free party with cocktails, door prizes and comedy sets that “poke fun at the social media of 2010.”
Side Bar, 602 E. 7th St.


Saturday, Dec. 18
Trailer of Lights — CANCELED
 
(512) Brewing Company Winter Open House
2-5pm • Free
Three free tastes of (512) brews. Or, buy a 2nd anniversary pint glass for $5 and use it as your (larger) tasting glass.
407 Radam, F200 (between South 1st & South Congress, one block south of Ben White)

Modesty Masquerade Holiday Party
7:30-10:30pm • Free
Free food and cocktails, door prizes and music by DJ Ben Blackout.
Modesty Hair Studio, 1200 E. 11th Street, Suite 102

Guns N Roses (Sagittarius vs. Capricorn) Birthday Bash
10pm-2am • Free before 11pm (RSVP required)
Complimentary UV Vodka and no cover until 11pm. Music by DJ Kurupt (R&B, Top 40, Hip Hop, Old School).
Canvas Bar and Gallery, 105 E. 5th Street
 
Austin Variety Show Premiere Party
11pm-1am • Free
Free food from Freddie’s Place and cheap booze at a screening of a new episode of Austin Variety Show. (Recurring event each Saturday in December).
Crow Bar, 3116 S. Congress


Sunday, Dec. 19
Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing’s One Year Anniversary
3pm • Free
Free beer, barbecue and live music.
Sideshow Tattoo and Piercing, 4507 Airport Blvd.
 
The Liberty Christmas Party
5pm-2am • Free
Free beer (while it lasts), liquor samples, tamales, DJ music, photo booth with Alison Narro and “the most amazing Santa ever.”
 

(Photo)

The Weekend Flow: December 17-20
Boy, ugly sweaters are back in style this winter. Sure, parties celebrating the brightly colored wool abominations were called out last year by Stuff White People Like, but that didn’t stop them from coming back in force in ‘09, dammit. (One wonders if there’s someone out there with a sweater so horrible that they’d be able to sweep *every* Ugly Sweater Contest — the Chris Floyd of the sweater world, if you will). Fortunately for everyone, there’s plenty of cool n’ free stuff going on this weekend to make the whole thing easier to stomach. Stay warm, Austin!

THURSDAY, DEC. 17
Austin Post Citywide White Elephant Party
6-9pm
Free cocktails, pizza, sushi, and other crazy stuff. Bring a wrapped gag gift for swappin’.
Lanai Rooftop Lounge, 422 Congress Ave.

Tje Austin at Cedar Street Courtyard
6-8pm
Cedar Street Courtyard, 208 W. 4th St.

Do512 Holiday Party
7-10pm
Free Fireman’s #4 beer while it lasts; $3 Tito’s drinks. Music by All My Friends
Black Sheep Lodge , 2108 South Lamar Blvd.
Free, RSVP REQUIRED

Bright Pink Charity Launch Party / X-Mas Sweater Party
7-10pm / 10pm-2am
Free vodka 7-10. Benefits Bright Pink, a non-profit organization
that provides education and support to women who are at risk for breast and ovarian cancer. The X-Mas Sweater Party starts after the launch party and features a “champagne jam,” music by the New Drugs and photos with Santa courtesy of Alison Narro.
Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St.
No RSVP

Charity Bash Appreciation Party
8-10pm
Free drinks by Grey Goose.
Free with RSVP

The Liberty’s First Holiday Party
9pm-2am
Free homemade food; drink specials. Bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Salvation Army.
The Liberty, 1618 1/2 E. 6th St.
Free, no RSVP

Crystal Antlers, Audacity, Harlem @ The Mohawk
10pm-2am
Mohawk, 11th and Red River


FRIDAY, DEC. 18
The Saggi Ball
8pm-2am
Free Dripping Springs Vodka from 8-10 with toy donation, plus: photos by Trevor Ray, Inebriated Santa Costume Contest and the 817th ugly sweater contest of the season. Music by The Pons, The Boom Boom Box, Ripe, Ok Sweetheart, DJ Czech One and the ubiquitous DJ Prince Klassen.
Beauty Bar, 617 E. 7th St.
$5, no RSVP

No Sleep Til Brooklyn
9pm-2am
Free vodka from 9-11:30pm. Bring 5 canned food items for free shots. Free champagne all night for the ladies.
Gruv, 101 W. 5th St.
Free, no RSVP


SATURDAY, DEC. 19
Santa vs. Satan Soiree
8pm-2am
Hosted By TXRD Lonestar Rollergirls, the soiree will feature music by local bands Whiskey Business and Petals and a raffle, as well as “tinsel-covered pillow fighting” (I’m intrigued…).
$3 if you dress in Santa or Satan attire, or $5 if you decide not to dress up for some reason
Tiniest Bar in Texas, 817 W. 5th Street
No RSVP.

Swerve! Reunion
9pm-2:30am
Free Sailor Jerry rum from 11:30pm-12:30am. Mike from @ThePeenScene and DJ Orion are bound to go all out for their birthdays, so this should be a wild one. Music by: Ocelot, Bird Peterson, Go Go Garcia and Prepmode
Barcelona, 209 E. 6th St.
$3, no RSVP

Saturday Night Afterparty
12-5am
Assuming Mike “Peen” Hernandez survives his birthday party at Swerve, the rager will continue into the wee hours on East Sixth.
$5 donation gets you all the beer you can drink
Music Gym, 815 E. 6th St. (just east of IH 35)


SUNDAY, DEC. 20
Sideshow Grand Opening Party
2-6pm
Free beer and bands at the grand opening of the new tattoo shop
Airport and 45th St.
Free, no RSVP


MONDAY, DEC. 21
Octopus Project, Neiliyo, and Sunset at Tibaut’s 30th
Doors at 7:30pm
Mohawk
$10/presale, $12/door

Rat Trap Ball
10pm-2am
Free beer at a crazy dance party featuring a selection of rock n’ roll 45s.
Trophy’s
Free, no RSVP


Plug zone:
- Check out @SupercoolEric’s predictions of music critics’ picks for the best albums of 2009.
- Be our fan on Facebook. We’ll be your best friend.
- Give us a holler if you’re at La Zona Rosa tonight for the much anticipated Phoenix show. À bientôt!