Wilton Manors felt like it was in at least four time zones Dec. 31, and when you shouted “Happy New Year!” depended on how long a bar’s satellite feed was delayed. Along Wilton Drive, cheers would rise up from one bar, followed 40 seconds later by cheers in a parking lot. Moments later, another bar started celebrating.

The start of 2025 cascaded through the city accompanied by hope, optimism, and champagne (or reasonable facsimiles thereof).

As late as 9:30 p.m., it felt like a busy Tuesday night, but not New Year’s Eve. You could get a seat at many restaurants, and you could easily walk through the parking lot parties in front of Hunters and Alibi. Many outdoor bars didn’t even have a line.

Some places were feast or famine. At one point, the sidewalk outside GYM was packed but next door at Pub On the Drive there were several empty tables. The more far-flung bars of LIT and LeBoy were packed. Owner Charles Horton said LeBoy had its best night of the year.

As midnight drew nye, the crowds grew. In the waning moments of 2024 parking lots became a sea of humanity. People gathered, drinks in hand, around mega LED screens and 40” TVs and counted backwards.

Once the NYC Ball and the Key West High Heel dropped, and the drinks were drunk, many headed home. By 12:05 people were pouring out of Hunters and Infinity Lounge had about a few people at the bar. In other words, it quickly felt like a regular Tuesday night.

POW Party

One very private party stands out for doing a lot of good. About $6,000 worth of good.

Charles Horton opened his home and hosted a New Year’s Eve fundraiser for Ronnie Larsen’s Plays of Wilton.

“I just can’t say no to Ronnie,” Horton said.

About 200 people packed his house and pool deck to make sure the edgy theater keeps its edge in 2025. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis slashed all arts funding in this year’s budget, leaving fans and philanthropists to make up the difference.