Updated 12/31/2012 02:40 PM
Downtown Buffalo ready for New Year’s Eve
We are counting down to 2013. Thousands of people are expected to pour into downtown Buffalo to ring in the New Year Monday night. YNN's Kevin Jolly spoke with two prominent downtown business owners about what people can expect this year.
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- Washington between E. Huron and Genesee – Monday 7 a.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
- W. Huron southside between Pearl and Main – Monday 7 a.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
- E. Huron southside between Main and Washington – Monday 10 a.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
- W. Huron northside between Pearl and Main – Monday 10 a.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
- Washington between E. Chippewa and E. Mohawk – Monday 2 p.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
- E. Huron northside between Main and Genesee – Monday 4 p.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
- Genesee between E. Huron and Ellicott – Monday 4 p.m. to Tuesday 8 a.m.
BUFFALO, N.Y. — As people get ready to ring in the New Year, downtown Buffalo bars and hotels are also getting ready for the big celebration. At the historic Statler Hotel, owner Mark Croce is making sure it's not a repeat of what happened last New Year’s Eve.
Croce said, "Really, it was the first large event that we did, so we were a little unprepared because it was tough to hire a staff. We were finishing construction work that day to open up for this grand event."
Croce says last year, they sold about 4,000 tickets for their New Year’s Eve celebration. This year, that numbers been cut in half and features two separate parties.
“We're gonna be close to 2,000 people for the two events, which is about half of what we did last year, but that was our commitment last year that we were gonna cut it in half, make sure that everyone has an outstanding experience," said Croce.
More than a hundred thousand people are expected to pour into the streets to watch the ball drop. Many of those partiers are then expected to come to Chippewa Street to continue the celebration.
"You know upstairs at Soho Burger Bar, we got an event for Carly's Club, a party from nine to one kind of a charity fundraiser, but an excuse for people to get out and dress up a bit," said Jay Manno.
Jay Manno owns Soho Burger Bar and is president of the Buffalo Entertainment District Association. He has this advice for those planning to head downtown for New Years Eve.
“Obviously if you're going to the ball drop, dress warm, dress appropriately. Don't get too inebriated before you get down there because you don't want to not realize you're freezing. Park in one spot or get a ride down take a taxi cab. Use Designated Drivers of Buffalo, the train, anything you can to get down there and get home safe. But it's gonna be a good night. This is always one of the great nights in the city," said Manno.