BonnerSprings.com

“What are you doing New Year’s Eve?” is not just an old standard made popular by everyone from Johnny Mathis to Diana Krall. It is that all-too familiar question most people have asked or been asked time and again around this much-anticipated time of year.

And for some residents of Bonner Springs, the answer appears to be a fairly simple one.

“We stay home and watch it on TV,” said Bonner Springs resident Amanda Wright.

“Sometimes we invite some friends over to enjoy the time with and maybe play some games,” added friend Kala Coleman

Even Dennis Musick, who turned the legal drinking age in September, acknowledged that staying home is definitely the way to go on New Year’s.

“House parties,” said Musick about where some people in Bonner will be heading Dec. 31. “I’ll sit there and just drink and play pool at my house. It’s safer and you don’t gotta deal with the cops.”

A pleasant evening to be sure, but others in Bonner Springs disagree a bit on how and, more specifically, where New Year’s Eve should be spent. Take Tony Lopez, for example, who likens his favorite New Year’s Eve hangout — Kobi’s Bar and Grill, 113 Oak St. — to an old, but universally loved, TV show.

“It’s kind of like a ‘Cheers’ thing,” Lopez said about Kobi’s.

A bar where everybody knows your name may not be so uncommon in a small town such as Bonner Springs, but patrons like Lopez certainly are. Lopez has spent every New Year’s Eve for the past 10 years at Kobi’s. Though this has partly been due to the bar’s convenient location just a short walk away, Lopez says his devotion is defined by how he is treated once he walks inside.

“I like the atmosphere, people, bartenders,” said Lopez. “It’s got a little bit of everything and they make you feel right at home.”

Lopez says Kobi’s is a popular New Year’s Eve hangout for other Bonner Springs residents as well and is always busy. This year should prove to be no exception as Kobi’s will be throwing its annual New Year’s Eve party, featuring a live performance by Longshot, a band from Overland Park, as well as drink specials, party favors and champagne.

Not three miles away will be a similar party, but in an atmosphere somewhat removed from Kobi’s. Those looking for a mixed crowd and lots of mind-numbing entertainment won’t have much further to look than Side Pockets, says bartender Bethanie Peerson.

“Not only do we have pool, darts and tons of televisions, but we have a very diverse crowd,” said Peerson. “We have so many things to offer.”

Side Pockets is a welcoming place that is large enough to fit all numbers of people, which Peerson expects it to do at the New Year’s Eve party, where Kansas City’s Phyllis Killer Band will perform.

“We do have to compete with house parties, but we do very well,” Peerson said.

The Bonner Springs Police Department hopes that residents choosing to opt out of the house party scene for a night at Kobi’s or Side Pockets will do so safely. A six-person patrol team will be on duty between the hours of 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. to keep things running smoothly.

And for all those hung over on New Year’s Day, Peerson has the perfect cure: “My world-famous Bloody Marys.”

She insists she’s not giving away her secret recipe, so you will have to head to Side Pockets to get one.

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