Spending December 31 in Times Square might seem like the ultimate New Year's Eve party filled with celeb sightings and amazing live performances, but we have some bad news for you. Though the famous New York City square has been the focus of national attention on New Year's Eve for more than a century, there are some ugly truths to the seemingly magical event: People piling into the promenade like sardines after camping out all day, forgoing trips to the bathroom (there aren't any public spots to pee), and freezing your butt off for hours on end. But if that doesn't convince you to spend your last night of the year elsewhere, news from Olive Garden just might.
According to Times Square Alliance, the Italian chain is now hawking dinner tickets for upwards of $400. Yes, you read that right. The purveyors of the famous bottomless soup and salad deal—and the even more popular Pasta Pass—are charging NYE party-goers hundred of dollars each for a party in its Times Square outpost. Sure, there are three floors to dance your way through to the tunes of a DJ from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., there's a buffet, and three bars will serve free drinks all night, but we still find it extremely odd to shell out $400 a pop for entry to the Olive Garden. Even if it is New Year's. And even if it is New York City.
Unfortunately, you won't have much better luck at other national chain restaurants in the big Apple. CNBC reports that Ruby Tuesday's is charging $349 a head while Bubba Gump Shrimp is gouging customers with a $799 per person price tag. We hate to say it but this just isn't right. Plus, if you're going to get dressed up and fight your way through the hordes of people amassing in Times Square, you better at least get a good look at that glittering ball drop, right?
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