Have a chill New Year's Eve 2023 with these alternative ways to celebrate in metro Phoenix

While many people look forward to spending New Year's Eve drinking and partying until the next year begins, other people crave a more low-key celebration.

Phoenix is filled with places and opportunities for folks seeking alternative New Year's Eve plans.

Whether you want to catch the newest movie, play pinball while knocking back craft beers or stay home with friends and cook and play games, here are chill New Year's Eve alternatives to the bar scene.

Of course, if you are all about the bar scene, we've got you covered. Here are 15 New Year's Eve 2023 bar parties and pub crawls in metro Phoenix. If something slightly more wild and all-ages friendly is more your style, we've got a guide to more New Year's Eve events around the Valley. Cheers!

Arcade bars open in Phoenix area on New Year's Eve

If you are wanting to be out and about on New Year's Eve in a low-key way, an arcade bar may be the exact thing you're looking for. Have a mellow new year with beverages, video games and classic arcade games.

8-Bit Aleworks: Ring in the new year with games, craft beer and a chill vibe.

Details: 1050 N. Fairway Drive, Building F, Avondale. No cover charge. 8-bitaleworks.com.

Level One Arcade Bar: Play classic arcade games, sip '80s-inspired cocktails and jam out to the best songs of the decade at the Back to the '80s New Year's Eve Party.

Details: 48 W. Main St., Mesa, and 384 N. Gilbert Road, Gilbert. No cover charge. level1arcade.bar.

Stardust Pinbar: Celebrate 2024 with beer, cocktails, pizza, games and more at this arcade and lounge in the heart of downtown Phoenix.

Details: 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix. No cover charge. stardustpinbar.com.

Silver Key Lounge: This popular spot will be taking canned food donations, and those who donate five cans will receive 10 tickets for a raffle drawing at the end of the night. If the bins fill up, all guests who donated will receive an extra five raffle tickets.

Details: 1837 W. Guadalupe Road, Mesa. $10 per person, includes champagne toast at midnight. thesilverkeylounge.com.

Go see a movie: 'Ferrari,' 'The Color Purple,' 'The Boys in the Boat' and more

My favorite way to ring in the new year is to spend it at the movies. It's a great way to go out and be among people, but less stressful and crazy. Here are some recommendations:

• "Wonka": See how the world's greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka in this prequel musical starring Timothée Chalamet, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Grant and Rowan Atkinson. Check out our review at azcentral.com.

• "Ferrari": In the summer of 1957, Enzo Ferrari's auto empire is in crisis and the racer turned entrepreneur pushes himself and his drivers to the edge as they launch into a treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy. The biopic stars Adam Driver, Shailene Woodley, Penélope Cruz and Patrick Dempsey. Here's Bill Goodykoontz's review.

• "The Boys in the Boat": Set in the 1930s, this story centers on the University of Washington's rowing team, from its Depression-era beginnings to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. It stars Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner and Peter Guinness and is directed by George Clooney.

• "The Color Purple": This musical based on the novel and the Broadway show is a decades-spanning tale of one woman's journey to independence and finding strength and hope in the unbreakable bonds of sisterhood. Starring Fantasia Barrino, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson and Halle Bailey. Check out our review at azcentral.com.

• "Anyone But You": After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben's fiery attraction turns cold until they unexpectedly reunite at a destination wedding where they pretend to be a couple. This rom-com stars Sydney Sweeney, Glen Powell, Alexandra Shipp and Dermot Mulroney.

• "Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom": Aquaman balances his duties as king and a member of the Justice League while planning a wedding. Meanwhile, Black Manta is rebuilding his armor and Orm plots to escape his prison. This superhero flick stars Jason Momoa, Ben Affleck, Patrick Wilson and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

• "Migration": A family of ducks tries to convince their overprotective father to go on the vacation of a lifetime in this animated feature voiced by Elizabeth Banks, Keegan-Michael Key, Awkwafina, Danny DeVito and Kumail Nanjiani.

• "The Iron Claw": The true story of the inseparable Von Erich brothers, who made history in the intensely competitive world of professional wrestling in the early 1980s. Starring Zac Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson and Lily James. Check out our review at azcentral.com.

For movie listings and showtimes near you, visit fandango.com.

Recipes for a deliciously low-key New Year's Eve at home

Sometimes the best option is to simply stay home. But ringing in the new year in your living room can still be special.

Break out the board games and prepare some fun recipes to snack on all night long. Here are some of The Arizona Republic's most popular recipes for inspiration:

• Pan-fried garlic noodles in 10 minutes. This viral dish turns instant ramen, garlic, egg, soy sauce, sugar and everything bagel seasoning into the tastiest ramen that even a novice cook can pull off.

• Baked BBQ chicken. Make this perfectly juicy and delightfully crispy-skin chicken without the stress of the grill.

• French toast casserole for New Year's Day. Kick off the new year with this three-layer casserole that has a brown sugar and butter caramel base, a custard-like middle with creamy bread, cinnamon and vanilla and a crumbly streusel topping.

Meredith G. White is the entertainment reporter for The Arizona Republic | azcentral.com. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at meredith.white@arizonarepublic.com.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Alternative New Year's Eve 2023: Low-key celebrations in Phoenix