A Debonair Dude’s Guide to New Year’s Eve

It’s almost time to don your best suit, head out in a cab, and toast to the New Year. As the last night of December steadily inches toward us, we wanted to get you guys on track for a suave and collected entrance into a new year. No matter the venue, you’re sure to find the necessities you need to have a night you’ll always remember—or have a hell of a time forgetting.

The Perfect Countdown Locale

We obviously can’t cover all the happenings across the globe on December 31^st, but we did seek out the best parties in some of the top New Year’s Eve destination spots.

Vegas

The city of sin doesn’t disappoint on a night known for debauchery. LIGHT at Mandalay Bay is a club right out of your dreams. Get inspired by the Cirque de Soleil dancers scaling the walls, amazing light shows, and sets from famous DJs like Alesso. Multiple levels offer plenty of options for bottle service, and dancing ladies on strategically placed poles in every corner of the room provide some great ambiance. If you’re looking for a day party sure to rile up some good times, head to Marquee’s Dayclub Dome for brunch, an open bar, and a dip in one of the bottle service hot tubs. On a budget? Hit up the boulevard for a good time, as some 80,000 fireworks light up the sky at midnight. Vegas expects to see about 340,000 other New Year’s Eve visitors, so make sure you plan accordingly.

New York

Skip the Times Square ball drop. It’s packed, freezing, and you can’t openly drink on the streets. The Highline Ballroom New Year’s Eve celebration offers a 5-hour premium bar, 700 other trendy revelers, and the red carpet treatment—if you’re willing to pay. For an inexpensive option, check out Stone Creek, dubbed as subterranean with a more laidback feel than you’ll get in other nightclubs that evening.

Los Angeles

Check out The Reserve in the heart of Los Angeles for a roaring good time on New Year’s Eve. With a prohibition-themed event, you can partake in the hedonism of a century ago while ringing in 2016. If you’re looking to avoid downtown LA, check out the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball at The Basement Tavern in Santa Monica and don a face mask for a night of naughty anonymity. Once the party lets out, toast to the New Year on the sandy shores—and enjoy your amazingly debonair success.

Keeping it Local

If you’re heading to a friend’s shindig, don’t be the asshole that shows up without a host gift. A nice bottle of Scotch or extra bottle of champagne will help you get the party started and impress anyone within eyeshot when you arrive.

An On Point Outfit

Once you’ve got the party venue picked, it’s time to don the duds. Whether your event calls for you to be daringly dapper or street savvy sleek, following these style guidelines will ensure you’re the best looking dude there—important if you’re still on the hunt for a New Year’s Eve goddess to kiss at midnight.

The Tux

If you’re going to a fancy shindig, go ahead and get that tuxedo out of the back of your closet. Don’t have one? Consider investing. Any kid that grew up on James Bond movies is lying if he says he hasn’t considered dressing up to the nines in the perfectly crisp bowtie. Want to make a splash with the lucky gals in the room? Throw on this gold blazer—let’s be real, this is the only night of the year you could ever attempt to pull this off.

Suave Street Style

If your venue calls for a toned down look, you can’t go wrong with a collared shirt and a tailored jacket. Instead of grabbing the normal suit, grab a velvet blazer to really pull the look together and pair with some high top black sneakers. If you really feel like you need to top off the look, add a bowtie for some instant elegance that meshes well with your runway-worthy threads.

Don’t Forget to Accessorize

The modern man needs to be decked in the right accessories, including but not limited to the right belt, watch, and yes, even pocket square. If you want to look like a debonair dude instead of Grade A douche, you have to go the full 9 yards and commit to the look.