There’s a veritable smorgasbord of places to ring in the New Year in and around Manteca.
They have one thing in common: a chance to toast the coming year 2015 at midnight with either champagne – for those who are 21 years of age and older – and sparkling soda for the younger set.
Pile on your celebration plate your choice of activity for the evening before midnight, and after the final goodbye to the old year. There are choices tailored for the entire family that include dinner, cosmic bowling, dancing, and, yes, bingo games. These will guide your choices as to where you would like to greet 2015.
Cosmic bowling, dancing and dinner in Manteca
If you’re looking for fine dining, cosmic bowling, dancing, fun for the entire family and more while waiting for the departure of 2014 and the arrival of 2015, the place to be for all that is Rookie’s Pub and Grill at the Manteca Bowling Family Fun Center in Manteca. This popular family-fun destination is at the corner of East Yosemite and Cottage avenues. Manager Damico Gaines says there are a number of fun-packages that night to choose from.
There’s a package that will give families a ton of fun for $49. That includes a bowling lane where the family can play for two hours (any time between 6:30 and 9:30 p.m.), a large one-topping pizza, and one pitcher of soda. Up to six people can play in that one lane.
There’s another package that will include a special dinner for two, two drink tokens, entrance to the bar, and champagne toast at midnight, for $50.
Another package, at $24 per person, will include bowling from 10 p.m. to 1 am. which will include cosmic bowling, a sparkling cider toast for all ages, two drink tokens and one appetizer. Another package at $10 per person will treat a guest to a champagne toast at midnight, 2 drink tokens (one has to be 21 and over), and entrance to the bar. The $30 package per person will include a Monte Carlo Bowl (a gambling-type of bowling, one has to be 18 years old and older), cosmic bowling from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m., 2 drink tokens and sparkling soda toast at midnight.
A country band will be playing for dancing in the bar.
For any other details, call the Manteca Bowling Family Fun Center at 209.824.2889.
If you’re not into cosmic bowling but still want to have dinner and some fun before the midnight countdown, just head over across the street from Manteca Bowling to Applebee’s. There will be the usual dining menu available to all at the same regular prices. For those 21 years and older, you can sit in the bar and take part in the bingo games and “beer pong.” This part of the fun will begin at 9 p.m. and will continue until 1 a.m. Dinner will be served throughout the night.
DJ Lamont, dancing, and safe-ride service in Ripon
At the Main Street Bar and Lounge in Ripon, guests will be able to enjoy dancing to the music of DJ Lamont, with complimentary popcorn throughout the evening. The place will be open until 2 a.m. There is no cover charge to join in the fun, said Joan Corso who, with husband Sam, are the owners of the bar and lounge which they opened 16 years ago.
They do not offer dinner; however, guests can order food at the Teaqueria next door and the food will be delivered to you at the bar and lounge, said Joan Corso.
Years ago, they offered limousine service to those who needed a ride home after the night’s revelry, she said. That is no longer available. But a lot of people these days, she said, instead of taking advantage of a taxi service, sign up online for a ride service called Lyft. People with credit cards can sign up online and “someone will pick you up in their own car and drive you home,” Corso said.
“And you can’t tip them. It’s really cool. It’s a lot cheaper rate than taxi service. There are a lot of people using (Lyft service) now especially on holidays. It just makes it nice to feel safe. (The wait) usually doesn’t take long. My son uses it all the time, and he lives in Escalon. He doesn’t drive so he takes Lyft when he comes to our place. I know in San Francisco, they use Lyft all over the place. It’s good because they don’t have to use cash,” added Corso.
Party time at MRPS Hall in Manteca with Lathrop’s Mike Torres Band
There will be no New Year’s Eve happening at MRPS Hall in Manteca; however, the Mike Torres Band will be headlining a private party there that night.