Young D.C. Rocks Mellon Auditorium For New Year’s Eve!

NORTHWEST -- Georgetown temporarily saw itself divided over the weekend, as the affluent movers-and-shakers who faithfully guide the neighborhood’s young nightlife scene flocked to two competing New Year’s Eve parties.

While many celebrated the arrival of 2012 on the private floors of the historic and elegantly-appointed City Tavern Club, still hundreds more descended upon Federal Triangle for a more grandiose end-of-year celebration inside the gilded auditorium of the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium.

Upon arrival, the primarily young crowd knew they were in for a good time simply by marveling at the six Doric columns that buttress the building’s portico area. Once inside, they were then given free reign over the Neoclassically-designed space, which has bore witness to everything from the signing of the North Atlantic Treaty in 1949 to the signing of the North American Free Trade Agreement by President Bill Clinton in 1994.

A series of premium open bars lined both sides of the main auditorium, which was bathed in a warm shade of golden light by the brass and aluminum chandeliers hanging overhead. Tables piled high with celebratory New Year’s Eve accessories (think hats, horns, etc.) were also pleasantly scattered throughout and the crowd wasted no time in putting them to good use.

At approximately 9:00pm, DJ Ricky Schramm left the stage, with a duo of live bands providing the soundtrack for the remainder of the evening.

D.C.-rooted rock cover band WanderEast was first to shake things up, promptly tearing through a set list that included popular hits from the likes of the Foo Fighters, AC/DC, and Cheap Trick. The country rock group known as The Morrison Brothers Band then took the musical reigns, with a series of country/pop/rock original songs.

As the clock rolled past midnight and 2011 rested firmly in everyone’s rear-view mirror, partygoers gradually made their way back to Georgetown and Glover Park for the official after parties at George and Mason Inn.

There, after reuniting with their friends coming from the City Tavern Club party, 2012 was truly welcomed in earnest. Happy New Year Georgetown!