2014 New Year's Eve in Times Square: By the Numbers
A million people, no bathrooms.
— -- Heading to Times Square to see the ball drop is one of the most divisive ways to bring in the New Year.
Millions have found themselves with friends and strangers enjoying the spirit of the night and being a part of a time-honored tradition.
Others take great pains to avoid the area completely, steering clear of the freezing crowds who are ushered in to the police pen-lined area and kept there without bathrooms for hours.
All told, the Times Square Alliance estimates that there will be 1 million people in the area tonight.
Some of the restaurants in the heart of Times Square take advantage of their prime location and host ticketed events.
The Olive Garden is continuing its recent tradition of hosting a multihour event with an open bar, endless buffet and dancing, all for the set price of $350 per person.
Guy Fieri's American Kitchen and Bar is offering a slightly more economical option, with general admission tickets to its multihour open bar and appetizer evening selling for $139. In addition to more costly VIP options, it also has separate $49 tickets for those who only want to come into the restaurant after 12:30 a.m.
Other Times Square mainstays like Red Lobster will be closing early to accommodate the increased security restrictions that keep people from moving freely in and out of the area.