Prices cut for New Year's Eve parties

In Milwaukee, the beer capital of the US, you can easily get a limousine:

But a limo ride to the party is relatively easy to find, even at this late date, thanks to a deepening recession.

Several Milwaukee-area limousine service operators reported that bookings are down this year for New Year's Eve, traditionally a big night for their businesses.

The signs of economic distress - layoffs, foreclosures, bailouts and a stock market with a hangover to rival anything that crops up Thursday morning - have led some party-goers to cut back.

"They're not booking yet," said Samer Abulughod, owner of Crystal Limousine & Coach Inc. "Usually, people start booking three months before."

"It's the economy. It affects everything," he said. "What can you do if people have no money?"
http://www.jsonline.com/business/36863624.html

In LA, on Sunset Boulevard free hors d'oeuvres and slashed cover charges have replaced the velvet rope!

For the first time in years, clubs in this night-life mecca on Sunset Boulevard and nearby will be ringing in 2009 on Wednesday by slashing cover charges or offering special incentives, such as open bars and free hors d'oeuvres. A night out on New Year's Eve will still cost a premium, of course, but many club operators say they are purposely keeping a lid on prices even though they might be able to charge more...

Berghammer said the Viper Room considered setting New Year's Eve ticket prices around $200 but opted instead for a basic cover of $50, or $100 with drinks and other goodies included.

The less extravagant tone for New Year's reflects the big hit that nightclubs have taken in the yearlong recession.
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-clubs30-2008dec30,0,3168547.story