Hey everyone! This week's extended BEST WEEKEND BETS are, as always, hand selected from BYT ALL CITY and carefully calibrated for maximum fun and minimum stress, and will be punctuated with inspirational images of the greatest depressing yet uplifting NYE movie ever-yes, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT "200 CIGARETTES" - I mean what other movie to remind you that no matter what, things will probably work out the night of 31st (speaking of which-can we get a petition going for this to FINALLY be on Netflix?)

A COUPLE OF PSAs before we start:

• OUR WINTER GUIDES ARE UP. Enjoy: FILM + LOCALLY GROWN GIFTS + MUSIC + THEATRE + FOOD+ STYLE . YES.
  
• BYT UPCOMING EVENTS ARE:
• OUR NYE PARTY is SOLD OUT! We DID warn you.
  
• Read up on food here, our amazing movie reviews are here, STYLE Licks can be found here, and as always, GAY Best Weekend Bets are coming right up.

THURSDAY

• so, the pro-move is to not destroy yourself Thursday and Friday so you can optimize on destroying yourself on Saturday (of course, some people will say that the pro-move is to NOT go out on Saturday, but I have a silver, leopard print sequined dress in my closet that begs to differ). On that note-keeping it classy:
• There is a re-gifting party happening @ O Street Mansion. At 5:30pm. PERFECT.
• then, BYT's favorite music/comedy/general good time event Family Hemerlein is @ Montserrat House. Should be lovely.
• also: a good night to Overdose on theatre, what with Arena Stage hosting Equivocation and You, Nero; Billy Elliott at the Kennedy Center; Much Ado About Nothing at Shakespeare Theatre Company's Sidney Harman Hall and of course Hairspray at Signature Theatre
• Alternatively, if you are REALLY in the mood to see a show, The Roots over @ Fillmore are a no-brainer choice, imo.
• + other stuff

FRIDAY

• Invest in some good, affordable bubbly for the weekend. We asked some of our favorite DC sommeliers for recommendations for great values in this category and you can find their answers HERE. Never say we're not looking out for you.
• then, unless you work in a sweatshop you should be able to play hookie for the afternoon. All your bosses are pre-drinking anyway.
• So-go get both saddened and inspired by the Warhol exhibit and the screening of "BEAUTIFUL DARLING" a great documentary about Candy Darling over @ National Gallery of Art. It starts at 12:30, and it is FREE.
• early show: Soundtrack for Silent Films w/ Matthew Stewart @ U Hall.
• later on show: Bio Ritmo + Alma Tropicalia @ Black Cat.
• also in the cards: a good night's sleep AND making sure you're not taking a lost cause as your date to NYE.
• + other stuff

SATURDAY

• wake up refreshed and ready to take on the world! and the night!
• treat yo'self to some fine chocolate products (here's our round-up to the best in the area) - and listen to some of the most overplayed hits in 2011 to get yourself pumped UP for things to come.
• NOW-our NYE IS SOLD OUT, as we mentioned BUT! I am happy to inform you that BYT ALL CITY has 30+ alternative options for your NYE outing listed. THAT'S A LOT-peruse them here.
• Off the top of our head, we think you can't go wrong with:
• DANCING WISE: Moombahton Massive @ U Hall or  Blisspop's NYE @ 930 Back Bar
• FOR DANCING WHILE FEELING SPECIAL: The super secret DEEP SECRETS/STRANGER THAN PARADISE bash (RSVP for address)
• FOR A RETRO VIBE: Sonoma is hosting a prohibition style soiree, Black Cat welcomes back Peaches O'Dell and W Hotel is putting on a Pinstripes and Pin-ups bash + there's a Mad Men/20s style party everywhere you look.
• FOR ZOMBIES: RED PALACE is the place to go to.
• IF YOU'RE FEELING FLUSH/WANT TO DRESS US: either HEADLINERS BALL or the FIRE & ICE BASH.
• FOR A GOOD CAUSE: NYE AID @ DC9
• FOR KEEPING THINGS SIMPLE: great drinks in a great bar @ JACK ROSE or EL Centro DF where after a $10 cover, latin cocktails are only $5 all night.
• and if you want to NEVER HAVE TO LEAVE: Hamilton, the new 24-hour-bar/restaurant/music venue on 14th street rings in their first NYE.
• + other stuff
• NO MAN, WOMAN OR CHILD LEFT BEHIND.

SUNDAY

• HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• SO-TOMORROW, WE WILL HAVE AN AWESOME "NEW YEAR'S DAY BRUNCH ROUND-UP"-please visit us to check it out.
• ASIDE FROM THAT-general recovery is in order so: revisit our HANGOVER CURE PRO Guide + maybe make some plans to cozy up on a couch and read some books or watch some movies you missed in 2011.
• alternatively-go see WALE @ Fillmore.
• + other stuff
• GODSPEED.

REMEMBER: THERE ARE A BAJILLION OTHER THINGS TO DO LISTED IN BYT ALL CITY, so use it (to both post your events and search for them) and if you think we may have missed something, comment away--you know you want to.

and a parting note:

Previously in best weekend bets:

• 5/10: Best Weekend Bets
• 5/3: Best Weekend Bets
• 4/26: Best Weekend Bets
• 4/19: Best Weekend Bets
• 4/12: Best Weekend Bets
• 4/5: Best Weekend Bets
• 3/29: Best Weekend Bets
• 3/22: Best Weekend Bets
• 3/15: Best Weekend Bets
• 3/8: Best Weekend Bets