Nothing to Do on New Year's Eve? Three Hopatcong Restaurants Offer Entertainment

Stuck in Hopatcong with nothing to do on New Year's Eve?

,  and KaBob's will be the borough's only open restaurants when the ball drops. All three businesses have special things planned to help patrons ring in 2011.

KaBob's owner Bob Winegar said the restaurant will feature an open bar from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. for $29.95 and a DJ.

Castaways will have live entertainment from 6 p.m. until close and happy hour prices from 10 p.m. until midnight. And when the ball drops, there'll be free champagne, party favors and pizza.

Pavinci's plans to bring out Groove Entertainment, a 8-10 member band that plays a variety of songs.

Castaways and Pavinci's will stay open until 3 a.m., as per a Hopatcong ordinance allowing them the extra hour on New Year's Eve. However, Castaways plans last call at 1:30 a.m. KaBob's will close at 2 a.m.

Castaways owner Paul Bogensberger said he expects a good New Year's Eve crowd, but added that it wouldn't be the tavern's busiest night.

"The Wednesday before Thanksgiving is the biggest drinking day of the year," said Bogensberger, who also said all alcoholic drinks must be consumed by 2 a.m. at Castaways on New Year's Eve. "Super Bowl Sunday is a bust. People usually stay at their houses and have parties. And on New Year's Eve, not a lot of people go out because they think the police are out."

But Bogensberger said he hoped for the best.

"People should come out and and see their friends if they're not having a house party," he said. "This is a neighborhood bar."