You spent last New Year’s Eve shivering in the street, begging for a cab while sipping a cocktail of cheap Champagne, in the midst of bitter tears and ill-advised texts.
But this year will be different. With help from our all-star experts, you’ll take New York City — the most iconic NYE destination on the planet — like a pro.
The Post asked the kings and queens of New York nightlife for their edicts on ringing in the new year in epic style. These bon vivants rule the hottest spots in the city and party like it’s 1999 every night of the year, so they know what they’re talking about.
The nightlife gurus
Nur Khan: Owner of Electric Room at the Dream Downtown
Amy Sacco: Lifestyle entrepreneur for No. 8, Rec Room
John DeLucie: Chef/partner of Crown Group Hospitality (Crown, the Lion)
Ken Friedman: Co-owner, Spotted Pig, the Breslin, Monkey Bar
Mark Birnbaum: Partner of EMM Group (Catch, Tenjune, SL, Bow)
Raphael Chejade-Bloom: Gerber Group partner (Whiskey Park, Lilium and Living Room)
David Rabin: Partner in the Double Seven, the Lambs Club
Laura Maniec: Owner of Corkbuzz Wine Studio
What drink’s best for toasting the New Year?
“I want to debunk the myth that Champagne gives people headaches or hangovers; just don’t drink Korbel or sparkling wine with a ton of sugar. Stick to traditional Champagne from Champagne, France.” — Maniec
“If you are clever, you definitely request vintage Dom Pérignon Rosé — it’s classy and sexy.” — Sacco
“Go with Ace of Spades Rosé, a magnum. It’s a pink-gold bottle that feels festive and usually comes out with a whole lot of sparklers. It’s best to order just after midnight. You wait for the hoopla, then get your party started. As a badass, I know these things.”— Birnbaum
“Krug Rosé, of course. And try to get a vintage one. It’s simply the best.” — DeLucie
“I wouldn’t spend a lot of money on a great Champagne; I’m big on Prosecco and cava. You start with the better and you start getting worse. The more you drink, the less you notice.” — Friedman
What’s the best way to get past a tough door on NYE?
“New Year’s Eve is all about tickets and money, not so much about out-cooling other people. But it never hurts a guy’s chances if he rolls up with some stylish, fun women.”— Rabin
“Go to your regular place — chances are they’ll let you in because they know you. And if you stay close to home and score, the other person has to take the walk of shame, not you.” — Friedman
“Be as polite as possible, introduce yourself and be patient.”— Chejade-Bloom
What songs should revelers play at midnight?
“ ‘Signed, Sealed, Delivered.’ It’s just a great, great song, and you can’t battle with Stevie.”— Chejade-Bloom
“ Party like it’s ‘1999’ by Prince. It never gets old.”— Maniec
“I’ll take James Brown, Prince, [A] Tribe Called Quest, Dr. Dre, anything with a real beat.”— Rabin
“ ‘Paint It Black’ by the Stones. It’s a little twisted.” — Khan
“I was in Brazil, and they played ‘New York State of Mind’ on New Year’s Eve. It was the best feeling hearing a New York song in Brazil.” — Birnbaum
What should you eat or do for good luck?
“I’m Mexican, so traditionally we eat 12 grapes before the clock strikes midnight. And I’m always a fan of paying it forward, like buying someone a drink with no ulterior motive — it doesn’t count if it’s a girl you’re hitting on.” — Chejade-Bloom
“I’m told that ancient Asian wisdom says to eat noodles on New Year’s Eve because it brings money, so I’m down with that.” — DeLucie
“I hardly have caviar, but it’s a nice night to have some fancy stuff. And I always try to have some oysters . . . they’ll help you later if you end up with that special someone.”— Friedman
“I have a big steak dinner before all the liquor so I’m not falling on the floor.” — Khan
How should you dress?
“If you’re gonna do it, do it right. The baddest, best tailored cuts you can afford. Black tie, white shirt, French cuff and cuff links — never a buttoned cuff. And you gotta buy the tux shoes. You can’t just fake it with a pair of shoes that you wear all the time; buy the real tux slippers — Louboutin makes great ones for men. For ladies, it’s something sexy and dressy and elegant. Jimmy Choos or Louboutins are always recommended.”— DeLucie
“Definitely wear a jacket. Those people who are running around from place to place shivering? It’s not a good look. And girls, please keep your shoes on.” — Chejade-Bloom
“If you’re in NYC, you can get away with the old-school tuxedo. A white one with black pants, you can just rock it with a traditional bow tie. Have your whole group do it. You’re a crew, that’s what you do.” — Birnbaum
“Always wear something sparkly. I wear some sort of glittery, fun, effervescent top or dress. It looks pretty, and it’s not too much — you can wear it with jeans. You should look festive, but it doesn’t have to be a black-tie affair. I like shopping at Big Drop in SoHo.”— Maniec
“I don’t dress for anybody, I dress for myself. I’m a rock ’n’ roll couture guy, so I’d be wearing my black snakeskin blazer and all my jewelry.” — Khan
What’s the best way for single ladies to mingle on new year’s eve?
“Sit down at a poker game in one of the many private poker rooms in NYC, and play a few hands. Anyone who is playing cards that night is single for sure — they just might not be the guy you want to meet.”— Rabin
“New Year’s Eve is all about the advance work. That’s done during dinner with your friends. Lay the groundwork, make the connection. Then the bar or the club is where you seal the deal at the end.”— Chejade-Bloom
“Have zero expectations, go out with a group of friends and dance, dance, dance. It’s not a date night, it’s about celebrating a clean start for a new year.” — Sacco
“Sometimes the better bet is to go to a place that’s larger versus smaller. You’ll catch a group of guys hanging out together that don’t have girlfriends.” — Birnbaum
What’s the worst move you can make on NYE?
“Don’t be a sloppy, drunken mess at midnight. Be a sloppy, drunken mess at 3 a.m.!” — Friedman
“Standing outside at the end of the night with no way home is a crusher.” — Sacco
“You’re not getting kissed if you’re throwing up.” — Khan
“I would avoid any kind of singles thing. It’s just going to make you miserable and feel very bad about yourself.” — DeLucie
“Drinking too heavily, too early or mixing your drinks. The fact of the matter is, one in 10 of my friends is actually fun and jovial when they’re drunk, the majority are jerks when they’re drunk — this goes for guys and girls.” — Chejade-Bloom
How do you guarantee a kiss at midnight?
“Carry a little leftover mistletoe, hold it over their head and say, ‘I didn’t want my mistletoe to go to waste.’ See if you can pull that one off.” — Khan
“Wars aren’t won on the battlefield, they’re won in the preparation. Identify who you want to kiss well before the clock strikes midnight. Position yourself, say happy new year, and clink glasses — it’d be silly not to have a kiss at that point.” — Friedman
“I think it’s as simple as making eye contact and smiling like you mean it.” — Chejade-Bloom
“Ask, ‘Can I buy you a glass of Champagne in exchange for a kiss?’ It’s crazy enough that I’d do it.” — Maniec
“If that’s your goal, you have already flat-lined for the night. Just find the most desperate and/or drunk guy in the spot. He won’t remember so you aren’t scathed. But who needs a kiss that badly?” — Sacco
Those 2013 novelty glasses: a do or a don’t?
“If you catch me wearing 2013 glasses, please find someone and have them shoot me.”— Khan
“Definitely not at my place, but for Times Square, a must.” — Sacco
“They’re never going to match your tuxedo.” — DeLucie
“If you’re at a fun New Year’s Eve party, anything goes. It’s one of those nights where I don’t mind it.” — Birnbaum
“If you’re wearing those glasses, you’re definitely not getting a kiss.” — Chejade-Bloom
“I’m on the fence. Part of me thinks it’s like a time stamp for the evening, but they need to make some nice ones that aren’t plastic.” — Maniec