New Year's Eve: Freeloader Friday... on Thursday

Photo by MissBlack_88

​This weekend is probably the biggest party weekend of the year. Unfortunately, while it starts out promising, it ends on a bit of a bummer: It comes in with a roar, and ends with a hangover and promises to lose weight this year. And while many are cynical of parties that cost a pretty penny after the financially taxing Christmas, there are still many happenings around town that will be having a good time with nary a cover charge. After the jump we've got New Year's Eve parties, plus things to do after you consume your Saturday morning hangover Bloody Mary. Happy holidays!

Photo by DIVA007

​THURSDAY:

Nice Purse, Kill Me Karebare, Your Friends and Family, Squeaky Wheel Band
(Hexagon Bar, 2600 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612.722.3454)

Metal, rock, garage. 9 p.m.

SpringBeat!
(Spring Street Tavern, 355 NE Monroe St., Minneapolis, 612.627.9123)

Dance into the weekend with Shannon Blowtorch & SoSupreme. 10 p.m.

FRIDAY:

New Year's Eve Metal Show
(Station 4, 201 E. 4th St., St. Paul, 651.298.0173, www.station-4.com)

Start off 2011 with some soothing, easy-listening tunes. No, not really. Tonight at Station 4 will be delightfully loud. With Over the Throne, Jaundice, Ghost Hook, Deretla. 10 p.m.

New Year's Eve Neighborhood Party
(Hexagon Bar, 2600 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612.722.3454, www.hexagonbar.com)

The Hex and Memory Lanes are encourages folks to hop between venues for a night of fun and varied music. Hexagon's lineup includes Person Hurter, Sex Rays, Reckless Ones, Pennyroyal, and others. 9 p.m.

New Year's Eve Neighborhood Party
(Memory Lanes, 2520 26th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612.721.6211, www.memorylanesmpls.com)

Memory Lanes will be hosting Al's Rockabilly Trio, burlesque with Mustache Jim & the Straight Razors, and DJ sets. 10 p.m.

Photo by MissBlack_88

​New Year's Eve Bash
(Brit's Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, 612.332.3908, www.britspub.com)

This British New Year's celebration features bagpipes, bubbly, Beatles tribute band A Hard Day's Night, and early drink specials. 6 p.m.

Whoomp (There It Is): A 90's Dance Party: A 90210 New Years Eve
(331 Club, 331 13th Ave. NE, Minneapolis, 612.331.1746, www.331club.com)

Spray your bangs, practice your running-man and Hammertime shuffle dance move, and prepare to party into 2011 like it's 1999. With DJ Tanner, Dr. Dallas Dog-Palace, MC Hang Time. 10 p.m.

New Year's Blast
(Schooner Tavern, 2901 27th Ave. S., Minneapolis, 612.729.4365)

Featuring rock band Back Alley. 9 p.m.

An Out of this World New Years Eve Party
(The Park Tavern Bowling & Entertainment Center, 3401 Louisiana Ave. S., St. Louis Park, 952.929.6810, www.parktavern.net)

With Cosmic Rock & Bowl, pool, free pizza buffet, drink specials, DJ music, champagne toast (activities like bowling and pool obviously aren't free--though admission is--so call ahead to RSVP or for prices). 21+. 9 p.m.

Photo by _fxr

​New Year's Eve Bash
(J. Cousineau's Dram & Alehouse, 13540 Grove Dr., Osseo, 763.420.8355, www.jcousineaus.com)

With Analyrical, ToneKrusher Smith, B Mc-C. 9:30 p.m.

New Year's Eve Party
(Floyd's, 1758 Arboretum Blvd., Victoria, 952.443.9944, www.floydsbar.com)

With Grayson. 8:30 p.m.

New Year's Eve Party
(Cowboyz Bar & Grill, 6030 Main St., Rockford, 763.477.5533, www.cowboyzbarandgrill.com)

With Grind. 9 p.m.

New Year's Eve Party
(Billy Bob's Pub 'n Grub, 8060 Hwy. 55, Rockford, 763.477.4742, www.billysinrockford.com)

With the Fugitives. 9 p.m.