The countdown to NYE is on, with mere weeks to go before we ring in a brand new year. Amid the rush of the silly season, it’s easy to forget planning until the last minute. Instead, consider leaving your eve in good hands with these spectacular events that’ll have you dining and dancing into the small hours of New Year’s Day. Whether you’re down for Champagne and oysters by the water or cocktails and canapés on the dancefloor, these venues will have you exiting the year in fine form.
You’ll be hard pressed to find a bash bigger than the one at Bungalow 8. Dance all night to DJs including Ember and Emily Ajaka, plus jazz and Latin trumpetst Dane Laboriye (GA starts at $39). Over at Sydney party staple Cargo Bar you can boogie in the main bar (GA starts from $39 entry before 8pm) or relax with three hours of roaming canapés and drinks – including spirits – in the lounge for $250 per person.
Barangaroo’s Untied offers views over Darling Harbour and a playground-in-the-sky vibe. For NYE they’re throwing a cocktail-style frosé party ($199) that’ll keep you cool as you revel. Enjoy frosé in every colour of the rainbow, unlimited beers and wine, plus roaming canapés including vegan nori rolls and tuna tartare. Swing by CBD favourite the Rook from 6pm to enjoy the sunset as DJs lay down atmosphere, then hit accelerate on the night with a four hour drinks and canapés package from 8pm for $110. Finally, over on King St Wharf, Henley’s Bar & Kitchen boasts two levels of water views and wide indoor-outdoor spaces that offer a rooftop vibe while providing weather protection. This year they’re putting on a well-priced $99 NYE party that starts with a glass of Champers on entry and extends to four hours of local beer and wine and roaming canapés. There’ll be plenty of toasting as DJs play from 6pm to late.
Head to Surry Hills mainstay the Winery, where they’re hosting a Priscilla-inspired dinner and a show. A crew of fabulous drag queens will emcee a three course meal ($169) that includes dishes like grilled tiger prawns in black garlic butter and smoked ham hock croquettes plus two hours of beverages. Make sure to bring your dancing shoes because the house DJ will be spinning disco bangers all night long. Manly beachfront bar Little Pearl is putting on a bountiful eight-course ($129) banquet that will have you awash in beef tataki, prawn dumplings, crab baos and other Asian-inspired bites, while Kingsley’s in Woolloomooloo goes luxe with a four-course dinner (from $189pp) on the wharf that includes Sydney rock oysters with Pedro Ximénez mignonette and seared scallops in kombu butter.
