Las Vegas claims to have the best fireworks display this year on New Year’s and some pretty solid parties as well, but New York City is the place to be to ring in 2019. From restaurants to hotels, the parties in the Big Apple will rock until the wee hours of the New Year.
A recent study by Lyft stated that on New Year’s Eve they have the most pickups and drop-offs in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. And we can see why – Brooklyn is synonymous with celebrations.
Welcome 2019 at Westlight, located in The William Vale hotel in the heart of Williamsburg, for a true Brooklyn-style party. Revelers can enjoy festive party favors, premium open bar from 9pm-1am, specialty cocktails, passed canapés, live music and more. When midnight hits, toast with a glass of Champagne over sweeping views of the city skyline. If you don’t feel like calling a Lyft and waiting forever for your car, The William Vale has a ‘Celebrate and Sleep’ package that gives you overnight accommodations and 10% off two party tickets.
If you’re a real party animal, you could split your time between the William Vale and The Williamsburg Hotel where a Gatsby-themed party will be shaking things up. Ring in the New Year celebrating at The Williamsburg Hotel’s lavish Gatsby-themed soiree, taking place in the hotel’s elegant ballroom. Wear your Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan finest and imbibe in a one-hour vodka open bar from 9-10pm followed by live music performances throughout the evening and top-shelf bottle service. As with the Wiliam Vale, the Williamsburg Hotel has skyline-view rooms available so you can stumble up to your room at the end of the party at 4am.
A third option in Williamsburg is The Hoxton, Williamsburg, the new hotel from UK’s creative boutique hotel brand, The Hoxton. For New Year’s Eve, say hello to 2019 with dinner at Klein’s followed by a “No Sleep ’til 2019 Pajama Party” on the hotel’s Summerly rooftop, which has been enclosed for the winter. Guests are invited to don their chicest PJs, watch the sky light up at midnight, dance the night away, and drink some wonderful Champagne. Also included are an open bar, light bites, plus various surprises. Brooklyn’s all about encouraging you to stay over and stay safe, so the hotel is offering a one-night stay as well.
If you’re sticking to Manhattan, there’s no shortage of parties happening at some of the borough’s top hotels.
You’re guaranteed a swanky fireworks-filled evening at the JW Marriott Essex House New York on Central Park South. From 8pm until 1am at the hotel’s restaurant SOUTHGATE you’ll enjoy a buffet dinner, open bar with specialty cocktails and Champagne, and dancing to the tunes of a top DJ. Plus you’ll have a view of the midnight fireworks in Central Park without dealing with the crowds and the newly installed cordoned off lanes (fun, but a bit trying at times, and claustrophobic).
Around the corner, and equally classy, The Two E Lounge At The Pierre offers an intimate and glamorous way to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The iconic lounge turns into a speakeasy for the holiday with four hours of live music, dancing, Champagne and festive hors d’oeuvres and raw bar.
Closer to Times Square, Sofitel New York is hosting two separate New Year’s Eve parties, starting with an early event for kids 12 and under who dine free or at a reduced rate depending on which kid-friendly favorites they choose (adults get their own appropriate meal with Champagne, an antipasti buffet and a three-course meal, no worries), then gather in the private dining room for holiday movies, a candy and popcorn bar, and an early New Year’s countdown at 7:30pm. And everyone gets a goody bag. No kids? That’s even better although older kids are welcome at the hotel’s second soiree. For this round, Sofitel’s New Year’s Eve affair pairs the same elegant prix fixe menu as the early seating with a DJ starting at 10pm and screens the Times Square ball drop live starting just before midnight. After ringing in the New Year, dancing continues until 2am.
Further downtown, Arlo NoMad is holding an exclusive “Arlo Arctica” pop up party. On their 31st-story rooftop, in a heated ice hut, you’ll drink a magnum bottle of vintage Dom Perignon, enjoy caviar served in an ice sculpture from Okamoto Studios, and dine on mushroom and truffle pizza, truffle fondue while imbibing from a premium bar. Each hut can hold a maximum of eight people.
Hotel 50 Bowery is the place to ring in 2019 with panache. At this rooftop bar locale on the 21st floor, with views of the Midtown as well as Downtown, the party swings with a four-hour premium open bar and dancing with multiple live DJs. Times Squares’ fireworks will be completely visible from the rooftop’s 360-degree panorama roof. You’ll also get party favors and be able to watch the ball drop up close on a huge screen.
Now to the bars and restaurants:
Toast to the New Year with your closest friends and family at the Seaport District’s only rooftop cocktail bar, R17. The evening will feature a selection of savory dishes and specialty drinks. Craft cocktails and lush fur throws will keep you toasty outdoors around the hearths. R17 will be open from 4pm-1am
The Polynesian, the city’s ultimate Tiki bar, is offering an escape to Paradise in Times Square, with a Luau-themed bash from 9pm-1am. If you have any Hawaiian shirts or skirts, this is the time to dig them out of your closet. The Polynesian’s New Year’s Eve Luau will keep you satisfied with a buffet reminiscent of Trader Vic’s past which includes an actual pig roast and throwback dishes like coconut shrimp and crab Rangoon, passed hors d’oeuvres, hip-swinging hula dancing and festive Hawaiian leis. The four-hour premium open bar includes specially curated Tiki cocktails from mixologist Brian Miller. Music is both live and DJ. At midnight, there will be a celebratory Champagne toast.
Ring in the New Year with a night of Italian food, drinks, and sultry entertainment at new hot spot Dia in the East Village. A four-course prix fixe menu includes the likes of pasta, branzino, and butterscotch budino. But the highlight is the three burlesque performances by Rox Republic scheduled throughout the evening. That’s definitely something to toast to!
From funky luau and trashy burlesque to black tie, New York City has it all. Tavern on the Green in the middle of Central Park gives you prime fireworks viewing rights at their black tie gala. In addition to the evening light show, you’ll enjoy a three-course dinner, live music, a premium open bar, passed desserts, a midnight toast under the fireworks, late night snacks and all-night dancing. The restaurant’s glass-enclosed Central Park Room guarantees a great view even in the coldest conditions, and the park-facing courtyard gives a front row seat to the action.
Back in Brooklyn, the hidden restaurant Blanca behind Bushwick’s acclaimed pizzeria Roberta’s is throwing two New Year’s parties for just a chosen few. Chef Carlo Mirarchi will be serving a celebratory New Year’s Eve tasting menu, which will include a special wine pairing and culinary surprises throughout the evening. The tasting menu is served at 5pm and 8pm.
Still out of ideas? Here are five more restaurants with party favors, Champagne (or tequila), music and special menus
BUDDAKAN – 75 9th Avenue
Over-the-top DJ music, Asian food, and Champagne are guaranteed at this Meatpacking District hot spot.
MORIMOTO – 88 10th Avenue
Ring in the New Year with a special seven-course omakase menu with pairings or order a la carte from Iron Chef Morimoto’s contemporary Japanese menu in the Meatpacking District. Champagne toast at midnight.
EL VEZ – 259 Vesey Street
You can pretend you’re having a fiesta Mexicana at El Vez, celebrating with Mexican food, margaritas and mariachis. Party in Battery Park with a glimpse of the Statue of Liberty with a tequila toast at midnight.
UPLAND – 345 Park Avenue South
The ever-popular Upland near the Flatiron District will be offering a special California-inspired a la carte menu along with a live performance from Antibalas, the eclectic Afro-pop collective from Brooklyn. You’ll celebrate with a Champagne toast at midnight.
THE CLOCKTOWER – 5 Madison Avenue
At the Edition Hotel on lower Madison Avenue, treat yourself to a tasting menu, along with music by Brooklyn Caravan, t in the Edition hotel between 5:30-7pm for a $155 tasting menu or from 8-10pm for a $185 tasting menu, featuring performances by Brooklyn Caravan who will serenade you with their gypsy jazz tunes.
LE COUCOU – 138 Lafayette Street
Ring in the New Year with a cocktail reception and seated six-course dinner menu from Chef Daniel Rose. Le Coucou has acquired a very special 30L bottle of Drappier champagne just for the occasion – it’s yours to enjoy the entire night.
