The holidays aren’t quite over yet and most of us has at least one more party to attend. If you’re looking to ring in 2023 with a bang, we’ve created the ultimate guide to New Year’s Eve parties and dinners in Austin, for you to enjoy the perfect celebration to ring in the new year.
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The City of Austin will host its annual Austin’s New Year celebration at Auditorium Shores on Saturday, December 31, from 6 p.m. – 12 a.m. The event will feature live performances by El Combo Oscuro, Taméca Jones, The Texas Gentlemen, and Extragrams. Guests will enjoy food from 10 food trucks, including Burro Cheese Kitchen, Amy’s Ice Cream, Garbo’s Lobster and Shawarma Point. A dynamic firework display at midnight will ring in 2023 with style. This Austin’s New Year will be unlike any other. In keeping with classic NYE tradition, the firework show will take place at midnight, instead of 10 p.m. as it has in years past. Large portions of the park will be left as open space, allowing guests to spread out, lay down, and enjoy the show from the comfort of the lawn.
Aba will offer to-go packages for a New Year’s Eve Dinner Package from now until 9 a.m. on Wednesday, December 28. This package serves two guests for $125 plus tax, and includes. On Dec 31st and Jan. 1st they’ll offer Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail with Harissa cocktail sauce ($23.95), as well as a Filet Mignon served with truffled mashed potatoes ($47.95). Patrons can toast to 2023 with Charles Heidsieck “Brut Reserve” Champagne (NV $29, $300 magnum), or Veuve Clicquot Brut Yellow Label (NV 375ml Half Bottle – $90), offered on New Year’s Eve only. Order via Tock.
Inspired by the city that never sleeps, join us in suspending reality from 8:00PM-10:30PM at this ticketed event that includes 4 clever cocktails-inspired by NYC Classics, passed bites & Food displays, sounds by Soleiman & Gamma, Ace of Spades champagne toast at midnight. TABLE SERVICE available starting at 10:30pm.
Photo Credit – John-Rogers
The Driskill Bar is a lively destination for those planning to celebrate in the heart of downtown. Performances throughout New Year’s Eve include Rockin Lloyd Tripp and Ruby Dee & the Snakehandlers end with sparkling wine toast at midnight. This event is open to the public and no reservation is necessary.
In true Roosevelt Room fashion, the expert bar team is paying homage to the 1920s by curating a menu of 12 classic libations created in the 20s and pre-Prohibition era such as the French 75 made with dry gin, lemon juice, cane syrup, brut sparkling cava & lemon peel and the Scofflaw with Redemption Rye Whiskey, Noilly Prat Dry Vermouth, mulled wine purée, lemon juice, angostura & orange bitters. It would not be a New Year’s Eve celebration without bubbles; the team has hand-selected seven variations of champagne to include on this year’s menu.
The steakhouse newcomer is offering a New Year’s Eve pre-fixed menu for $129 per guest, available from 3 p.m. to close on December 31. This specialty holiday menu features an amuse bouche as well as the choice of appetizer, soup or salad, entree, sides and dessert (including J-Prime’s showstopper of a decadent chocolate mousse cake). Reservations can be made online, and the holiday menu is available here.
For 13 years, Mozart’s has lit up the shores of Lake Austin will introduce in the year 2022 is the first-ever New Year’s Eve Silent Disco Party! The New Year’s Eve tickets include not only unlimited access to the dance floor for 3 hours, but unlimited access to Mozart’s holiday light show menu, including bottomless refills of its crowd-favorite warm beverages and fresh baked treats as well! Indulge freely in Giant Bavarian Pretzels, hot cookie sundaes, cheesecakes and tiramisus, hot chocolate, hot cider, smores lattes, and whatever else your heart desires (if reading that alone doesn’t cause a heart attack…)
Starting at 10 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 31, guests can ring in the new year at Punch Bowl Social with games, activities, an on-site photobooth to capture the magic of the evening, a live DJ and more! VIPs can also enjoy a private space to celebrate the evening, with a complimentary midnight toast and light bites. Punch Bowl Social’s full menu of craft cocktails and from-scratch food will be available as well! ($10 cover for general admission; $50 cover for VIP. Tickets available HERE for the Downtown location, and HERE for the Domain location)
Visit TLC for a night of casino games, amazing food and lots of fun to support The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation and The Children’s Tumor Foundation! Your ticket purchase includes a round of chips for the Casino, where your winnings enter you into a raffle for some fantastic prizes! There will also be wine pairings offered by Hope Family Wines. A live DJ will be spinning all night while guests dance, mix and mingle. Special food offerings will be available as well as a midnight champagne toast to the new year. Click to purchase tickets.
The hotel’s acclaimed restaurant, Garrison, will welcome guests to ring in 2023 with an exceptional New Year’s Eve Tasting Menu by Executive Chef Jakub Czyszczon on December 31. Guests are invited to enjoy a memorable meal to ring in 2023, complete with decadent chef-driven dishes and unparalleled service. Garrison’s “New Year’s Eve Tasting Menu” starts seating at 5:00pm and is priced at $125 per person.
Ring in the new year with Saturday Night Fever at Electric Shuffle! On Saturday, December 31st, join the party in your grooviest getup to celebrate in style and enjoy a live DJ, delicious food and an open bar with beer, wine, well 1:1s and 5 signature house cocktails. Raise your glass to welcome 2023 with a bubbly midnight toast, followed by a pizza drop (yes, you read the right) at 12:30 a.m. to satisfy those late-night cravings. The best dressed duo with receive a $100 gift card. Tickets for the event can be purchased HERE, with early bird pricing starting at $125 and GA pricing at $150.
Perry’s Steakhouse is offering a three-course prix fixe menu for New Year’s Eve, available for curbside pickup from 4-10 p.m. on December 31. Guests have a choice of a soup or salad, entrée, and dessert for $75 per person; additional starters and sides are available. The prix fixe menu is available here and can be ordered online for curbside pickup on New Year’s Eve.
CARVE is offering a three-course prix fixe menu for New Year’s Eve, available for curbside pickup from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on December 31. Guests have a choice of a soup or salad, entrée, and dessert for $75 per person; additional starters and sides are available. The prix fixe menu is available here and can be ordered online.
The countdown to New Year’s Eve has begun at Hotel Van Zandt, where the South Pole Igloos that populate the hotel’s fourth floor pool deck have been extended for two additional nights to help ring in the New Year. For a complete New Year’s Eve experience, guests are able to book the Ring in the New Year on Rainy room package and party the night away while Austin favorite Jane Leo takes the stage inside at Geraldine’s restaurant, bar, and live music venue. Start the New Year’s Eve celebration in a Hotel Van Zandt igloo. There will be two seatings – 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. Reservations start at $200 per person, with a $400 minimum F&B spend, and guests will receive a bottle of bubbles upon arrival!
Tickets are $35 and include a welcome cocktail and midnight toast. Wax Myrtle’s is proud to partner with Rainbow Connections ATX, a local nonprofit focused on connecting and uplifting Austin’s elderly LGBTQIA2+ community.
Treat yourself to making it through 2022 and welcoming an abundant new year with a special decadent tasting menu, featuring a 10 course experience for the senses at $150 per person with the option to add wine pairings for $100 per person.
Hestia’s culinary and service team will be guiding guests through an immersive experience throughout the entire restaurant space for the night of December 31st. The night will begin at the standing bar where guests will be greeted with complimentary champagne and served a series of raw seafood bites, followed by a multi-course dinner highlighting specialty ingredients using both classic American and French techniques in the dining room. $250 per person, $150 wine pairings Reservations available at the link HERE.
Join the Emmer & Rye team for a NYE extravaganza by escaping the hustle and bustle of Rainey street. The chefs have meticulously prepared a 5 course tasting menu with a main focus on grandeur, so make sure you’re dressed to match. Once you’ve been whisked away to your table, feel free to let the sommeliers take the reigns with a curated wine pairing*, or peruse the ala carte martini offerings via roaming cart. After a meal to remember you’ll end with a nightcap and dessert on the heated patio. Reservations available at the link HERE.
The Canje team will be guiding guests through an immersive multi-course Latin-Caribbean dinner beginning on the heated patio with a set of brightly flavored bites, accompanied by a Uniquely flavored welcome rum cocktail. Guests will then be guided into the dining room for a shared multi-course dinner highlighting the rustic yet bright flavors of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Haiti. After dessert, Canje will invite guests to head back on the patio to enjoy music from DJ (South of Everywhere) starting at 9pm. Reservations available at the link HERE.
The year is coming to a close and I’m reaching out to let you know that Cork & Barrel is hosting its second annual New Year’s Eve event! This year, they’re taking it back a few decades and celebrating with a New Year’s Eve 80s Bash. In true Cork & Barrel fashion, there will be live entertainment throughout the evening, with 3 Piece & A Biscuit and DJ Mojo performing. There will also be a televised ball drop with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $25 per person.
The Lucky Rabbit Live Music Bar & Kitchen will host a Lucky New Year’s Eve Party that will be filled with festivities to bring attendees good luck and prosperity in 2023. Live music acts for the day include Kevin Brandon Blystone at 2 p.m., Deville ATX at 6 p.m. and Keepers of the Rock at 10 p.m. Guests can also make memories in a photo booth decked out in New Years Eve props or play with complimentary party favors like glasses and hats. Entry is free and open to the public. All ages welcome.
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New Orleans, LA - On October 22, 2024, I recently had an opportunity to attend the grand opening of Caesars New Orleans, marking the completion of a stunning $435 million transformation of the former Harrah’s New Orleans. It was an evening to remember, filled with excitement, luxury, and the vibrant spirit of New Orleans. The festivities began on Canal Street with an exhilarating ceremony led by Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg, President & COO Anthony Carano, and Caesars New Orleans General Manager Samir Mowad. The atmosphere was electric as they joined Caesar himself and an iconic New Orleans second-line band in a lively procession into the casino. It felt like the entire city had come out to celebrate, with Caesars New Orleans team members and Mayor LaToya Cantrell also joining the event to commemorate this historic occasion. Anthony Carano’s pride in introducing Caesars to New Orleans was palpable. “From local favorite Emeril Lagasse to our long-time partner, Chef Nobu, to the beautiful state-of-the-art Caesars Sportsbook, all-new rooms and gaming floor, and of course, our gorgeous new center bar, Octavia, Caesars New Orleans offers something for everyone. It’s a world-class resort in the heart of the Big Easy, and we can’t wait for our guests to experience it,” he said. The ceremony was a spectacle, kicking off with an iconic Mardi Gras float featuring Caesar and his court, and a dazzling firework show that lit up the New Orleans sky. The second-line band then led us revelers into the resort’s elegant center bar, Octavia, where we indulged in a “Taste of Caesars New Orleans.” Each bite from the six on-property restaurants was a delightful journey, capturing the essence of New Orleans’ rich culinary scene. Throughout the night, elemental entertainers, including the Saints Cheer Krewe, Mardi Gras Indians, Zulu Tramps, and showgirls, created an authentic and unforgettable Big Easy experience. Everywhere I turned, there was something new to marvel at, each performance more mesmerizing than the last. Samir Mowad, SVP and GM of Caesars New Orleans, highlighted the significance of the transformation, stating, “This year marks 25 years since we opened in New Orleans, and the completion of this project is the perfect way to usher in a new era with Caesars. Synonymous with the Caesars name, our new resort is pure elegance, and we’re excited to introduce a luxury brand like this to New Orleans. We are extremely grateful for the support of the community, our team members, and our guests as we come to the finish line of this tremendous transformation.” The hotel itself is impressive,…
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