Austin provides many ways to welcome the new year with a bang (Credit: Nathaniel F via Flickr CC)
It’s hard to believe, but 2016 is coming to a close. Whether you prefer a casual celebration or choose to ring in the New Year dancing the night away, Austin has something for you. To help you decide what to do, I’ve curated a list of dinners, bashes and even a few activities for the morning after (hangovers welcome).
So here’s to you, to the end of this year and to the start of another. Let’s get this party started.
New Year’s Eve in Courses
Juliet Ristorante
Juliet Ristorante on Barton Springs Road
For a classic, yet unique dining experience, head to Juliet Ristorante. The Italian-inspired restaurant will offer a four-course meal crafted by Executive Chef Jacob Weaver. The menu features a selection of antipasti, pastas and entrées like Grilled Duck Breast. Dinner begins at 5 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. With plenty of time left afterwards to dance the night away, Juliet Ristorante is the perfect start to your New Year’s Eve celebrations.
1500 Barton Springs Road
$80
Website
VOX Table
VOX Table
VOX Table’s five-course New Year’s Eve dinner is sure to please. The South Austin restaurant’s menu features items like asparagus soup, seared scallop confit leeks, duck confit and what I’m calling an elevated s’more. Your reservation includes a champagne toast. Cheers!
1100 S. Lamar Blvd.
$100
For reservations, email louie@voxtableaustin.com
Isla
Isla in Austin’s Warehouse District
If you’re looking for a no-fluff New Year’s Eve dinner, head to Isla. The restaurant is staying true to its roots, offering an à la carte Peruvian feast from Chefs John Lichtenberger and Julio-Cesar Flórez in addition to the regular menu. While there’s no cover or prix fix menu option, the Peruvian celebration includes a Pisco toast at midnight. Reservations encouraged.
208 W. 4th St.
Reservations
Emmer & Rye
Emmer & Rye’s garden produces fresh ingredients for guests
This Rainey Street favorite is known for its seasonally-inspired farm to table American cuisine served in dim sum style. To ring in the New Year, diners can select their own menu options or hand over the reigns and let the kitchen do the picking. Either way, you’re guaranteed a delicious experience.
51 Rainey St. #110
$100
For reservations, call 512-366-5530 or email emmerandrye@gmail.com
Party Hats Required
Parlor & Yard’s New Year’s Eve Bash
Credit: Parlor & Yard
For the best of the 90’s—you know, Friends, the Spice Girls, Pulp Fiction—head over to Parlor & Yard’s New Year’s Eve Bash. Partygoers will enjoy two DJ sets spinning classic tunes, a champagne toast at midnight, raffle entry and small bites (think pizza rolls and mozzarella sticks). Head over at 10 p.m. and go back in time to ring in 2017.
601 W. 6th St.
$25-150
Tickets
Palm Door
Credit: Marco Figueroa/The Austinot
If West Sixth Street isn’t your scene, head east to Palm Door’s No Scrubs NYE party. Because why would we include just one 90’s-themed dance party if we could include two? Deejay Honecomb will be spinning the best of the 80’s and 90’s while hip hop stars (guests) enjoy fun activities like a flash mob (!!) and lip-sync battle. Raise your glass at midnight with your complimentary champagne toast.
508 E. 6th St.
$40
Tickets
Geraldine’s
Old world elegance meets Austin chic at Geraldine’s
New Year’s Eve is all about feeling your best, ready to take on a New Year. Lucky for you, Geraldine’s couldn’t agree more. Head over to the aptly named “Feel Good” New Year’s Eve party in the heart of Rainey Street. There will be live music from 10 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., bubbly cocktails and yummy bites to get you through the final hours of 2016.
605 Davis St. Suite 400
Website
Red Room Lounge
Credit: Red Room Lounge
Trot, waltz or tango your way into the New Year at Red Room Lounge during their NYE Prohibition Bash. Beginning at 9 p.m., ladies and gents will receive complimentary chocolate and fromage, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. With jazz music playing all night long, dancing shoes are a must. Tickets are limited, so be sure to secure your spot before they’re gone.
306 East 3rd St.
$50-60
Tickets
Waller Creek Pub House
The bar tap wall at Waller Creek Pub House is impressive (Credit: Paulina Lam Photography)
With a live DJ, bottle specials, a complimentary toast and ball drop, the NYE party at Waller Creek Pub House has everything an end of year celebration should have. And to top it off, it’s free. So treat yourself to a beverage or two once you’re there. The bar features a large selection of craft draft beers, barrel-aged cocktails, wine and more.
603 Sabine St.
Website
Whisler’s
Seasonal cocktail off Whisler’s rotating menu (Credit: Justin Stidham/Whisler’s)
Party for a cause at Whisler’s Annual New Year’s Eve party. The eastside staple will be serving up specialty cocktails at the bar and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Dancers, get ready. DJ MANNY will be returning with a party-ready set from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The event is free, but a percentage of proceeds will be donated to Toys for Tots.
1816 E. 6th St.
Website
Where to Brunch the Morning After
The Park Brunch Buffet
Rainbow of mimosa flavors at The Park (Credit: Eric Highland)
The Park is going all out for their New Year’s Day Brunch Buffet. With classics like biscuits and gravy, sausage, bacon, migas and French toast, patrons are in for a treat. And probably a nap. Guests can choose from flavored mimosas for $1 or get crafty with the build-your-own Grey Goose Bloody Mary bar for $5.
11601 Domain Dr. #200
$16
Website
Monger’s Market + Kitchen
Oysters on the half shell at Monger’s Market
If you’re craving seafood on New Year’s Day, head to Monger’s Market + Kitchen. The East Cesar Chavez favorite will be open from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. serving its regular brunch (think crab cake benedict, oysters, raw bar and short rib sweet potato hash).
Be sure to check out the bar, too. It features mimosas, housemade sangria and micheladas.
2401 E. Cesar Chavez St.
Website
Freedmen’s
Tasty BBQ and bubbly are on the menu for Freedmen’s New Year’s Day Brunch. Walk in from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and order off the menu to enjoy discounted cocktails and bottles of bubbly. Or you can reserve a table with an $85 VIP package for four. Your reservation will include a bottle of Perrier-Jouet Champagne, a biscuits and gravy appetizer and your choice of barbecue benedict or brisket quiche. Yum.
Holy Trinity Plate at Freedmen’s with brisket, pork ribs and sausage (Credit: Freedmen’s)
2402 San Gabriel St.
Website
@sbrugal wants to know:
What are your plans for New Year’s Eve in Austin?
