If you’re already thinking “new year, new me”, we hear you. Maybe you nailed it with your 2023 resolutions (go you!) or maybe you’re playing “Resolutions: The Sequel” and they’re making a comeback on your 2024 list.
Either way, let’s celebrate you for trying, and at least making it through another year! Whether you want an epic end to 2023, or to start 2024 in style (or both, if you’re game!), this roundup of Sydney’s best New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events has you covered.
Harbour Party At Luna Park
1 Olympic Drive, Milsons Point
Following the recent reveal of Luna Park’s transformed “Immersive Big Top”, New Year’s Eve at the iconic fun park is set to be a wild ride. The new Big Top features souped-up tech like holograms, motion-activated LED screens, and state-of-the-art light and sound. And for Luna Park’s Harbour Party NYE event, it’ll be transformed into Sydney’s first underwater bar.
As for the entertainment, you’ve got a front-row seat for the Sydney NYEW fireworks, and a lineup of epic DJs that includes Yolanda Be Cool, Alex Preston, Stacie Fields, Tenzin, and more. Tickets are selling fast, get yours here.
Aria Restaurant Sydney
1 Macquarie Street, Sydney
Image credit: Aria | Supplied
You can’t get much more harbourfront than Aria. Diners and critics alike have sung the award-winning restaurant’s praises for its seasonally-driven menu, wonderful wine pairings, and uninterrupted views.
For New Year’s Eve, you’ll enjoy a showcase of fine Australian produce, plated to perfection at either the early evening sitting, or book for the main event to catch the fireworks with your feast. The three-course menu at the early evening sitting, and the six course tasting menu for the later sitting, have been curated by Executive Chef Tom Gorringe, and both, of course, involve champagne. Bookings and info here.
House Canteen
Bennelong Point Lower Concourse, Sydney Opera House
Image credit: House Canteen | Instagram
Fireworks won’t be the only thing popping off at Bennelong Point this year. At House Canteen, the canapés and performers will be roaming, the drinks will be flowing, and the fireworks will be right on the doorstep.
This year’s theme is GLOW, so feel free to dress up in all your glowiest garb (it’s not compulsory, but why the heck not?) and you can up the ante with a pre-purchased bottle of Chandon Rosé to finish the year with a flourish. Tickets and info here.
Shell House
37 Margaret Street, Sydney
Image credit: Shell House | Instagram
For a luxe New Year’s complete with some of Sydney’s best martinis and glamorous dining, Shell House has revealed all four of its venues will be operating as it does every day of the year. This means, no pricey tickets and set menus, just the chic Shell House you know and love doing what it does best.
Enjoy snacks and casual dining at Menzies, a glam dinner upstairs in the dining room, or settle in for drinks in the Clocktower Bar with a full view of the clock as midnight strikes. Up on the roof, Sky Bar will have DJs keeping the vibes sky high. Walk-ins are available, but reservations are recommended. Book here.
Taronga Zoo
Bradleys Head Road, Mosman
Image credit: Taronga Zoo | Instagram
If your New Year’s resolution involves doing good things for the planet, you can start early by spending New Year’s Eve at Taronga Zoo.
Not only can you enjoy a picnic or grab a feed on-site while taking in the sweeping harbour views and live entertainment, but your ticket price will go towards helping the zoo’s conservation efforts in the year to come. With family-friendly as well as over 18s spaces, there’s room for everyone to get a little bit wild. Tickets and info are here.
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Kiln
53 Foy Lane, Sydney
Image credit: Kiln | Nikki To
Spend NYE at the ultra-cool Ace Hotel. Upstairs, Kiln is doing two seatings at 6pm and 8pm and will be adding a few celebratory supplements to the menu to help set the mood.
Think Polanco Baerii caviar, served with waffle hearts, vodka jelly, and yuzu cream, a whole woodfire grilled lobster, or Blackmore Wagyu 9+ sirloin. These extras are available for pre-order when you book (before Thursday 28 December). Reservations are here.
Le Foote
101 George Street, The Rocks
Image credit: Le Foote | Instagram
It’s Le Foote‘s first New Year’s—and they’re ready to celebrate. Located in the heart of the NYE action in The Rocks, the new Swillhouse venue is doing its banquet menu with a few surprise luxe add-ons.
There’ll also be a Champagne service, and, of course, delightful proximity to Sydney Harbour’s iconic fireworks. If you’ve yet to try Le Foote, this is the perfect excuse. Reservations are available here.
29/30 At W Sydney
31 Wheat Road, Sydney
Image credit: W Sydney | Supplied
If you’re keen to splash out—make a plan to spend New Year’s Eve at Sydney’s newest luxury hotel, W Sydney. The hotel’s two-storey rooftop bar 29/30 has spectacular views out across Darling Harbour, a stunning indoor-outdoor pool terrace, and a trio of baller packages to make the most of your night.
A Level 29 ticket will score you free-flowing Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Appellation oysters, substantial canapés, and DJs all night. Or, get your mates together and book a poolside cabana ticket for up to six, with guaranteed seating and snacks to share. If you’re not here to mess around, level up to a Level 30 ticket with free-flowing Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne, an interactive caviar and oyster bar, substantial canapés, and after-midnight snacks. Get tickets here.
55 North
55 North Steyne, Manly
The recently revamped Manly Pacific’s slick beach bar 55 North will be delivering max early 2000s party vibes on New Year’s Eve with their Countdown To La La Land party.
Headlined by Kid Kenobi, expect to feel a little nostalgia on the DF while you sip marmalade margaritas and Paloma spritz to ring in the new year. Best part? It’s free to attend, you just need to register here.
Botanic House
1 Mrs Macquarie’s Road, Sydney
Image credit: Botanic House | Instagram
Nestled in Sydney’s beautiful Botanic Gardens, you’ll find Botanic House, a culinary oasis serving Asian-inspired delights. This year, chef Luke Nguyen has designed a six-course degustation menu with matching wines that have been carefully curated by head Sommelier Louella Mathew.
Dinner will also be accompanied by live entertainment and an enviable view of the fireworks. Order the meat or vegetarian set menu, stroll down to the lawn for a Champers and a view of the fireworks, and start the new year in botanical bliss. Bookings and info are here.
Frank Mac’s
83 George Street, The Rocks
Image credit: Frank Mac’s | Instagram
While champagne might be the go-to for New Year’s Eve, why not break with convention and wet your party whistle with the extensive botanical range at Frank Mac’s gin bar?
Enjoy charcuterie boards, canapés, a three-hour drinks package, and DJ sets all night long in the heritage-listed, two-level den of delights. The vintage vibes at Mac’s New Year’s Eve Party will make last year’s woes a thing of the past, and the party will keep kicking until the wee hours. Bookings and info are here.
Lazy Bones Lounge
294 Marrickville Road, Marrickville
Warm, lush, and eclectic, Lazy Bones Lounge is the place to spend your New Year’s Eve if you’re after something that strikes the perfect balance between unpretentious and decadent.
Your ticket will include a glass of bubbles on arrival, fantastic live entertainment, and exceptional eats. Keep an eye on this one as more info will be released shortly, but as one of the Inner West’s favourite haunts, we predict it will fill up faster than you can say “Happy New Year”. More info and tickets are here.
The Lansdowne
2-6 City Road, Chippendale
Image credit: Lansdowne | Instagram
If you’d prefer to jump back in time than continue on the bleak march towards death, then your prayers have been answered. Take your hair straightener out of retirement and sweep your bangs to the side, because The Lansdowne will be hosting NYEMO Heaven & Hell, where they’ll be pumping a playlist of essential emo classics and ringing in the rapture.
Whether you’re an angel or a demon, dress to impress and go in the running for a heavenly prize pack that includes a $100 bar tab. More info and tickets are here.
The Sackville
599 Darling Street, Rozelle
Start the year of the Dragon with a little hair of the dog at The Sackville. They’ll be hosting a New Year’s Eve party, but we’re also gearing up for their New Year’s Day Recovery Party.
Whether you rise early or you haven’t been to bed yet, from 10am you can roll over to Rozelle and grab yourself a feed from the all-important hangover menu. You can also score $10 mimosas and Bloody Marys, and (once your headache has cleared) there will be live entertainment from 2pm. More info is here.
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
1 Military Road, Watsons Bay
Image credit: Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel | Instagram
Sun-drenched courtyards, bobbing boats and a sandy foreshore are the ideal ingredients to cook up your best year yet. Thankfully, every year Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel brings us a beachside bash to get the year going with a bang.
A line-up of A-List DJs will give you seaside sets, plus canapés and drinks from 12pm to 2pm to make your first afternoon of the year one of great tunes, food, friends and booze. More info and tickets are here.
Greenwood Hotel
36 Blue St, North Sydney
Day one of 2024 is going to be a big one. Especially if you snag tickets to Greenwood’s “Reverence”. DJ sets from Basement Jaxx, Faithless and a tonne of other Ministry of Sound heavy-hitters will give you plenty to dance about.
The international acts gracing the festival-style fiesta don’t come around every day and will be spinning tunes across four activated spaces. Splurge on the VIP package for two hours of drinks, pizzas, and exclusive access to the VIP area. More info and tickets are here.
Field Day
The Domain, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Field Day | Instagram
Field Day might be the only way to redeem yourself from a Spotify wrapped with a few too many guilty pleasures. By now you know the drill. Every year kicks off with a colossal party in the park, where you can frolic in a field and put your worries out to pasture.
This year, the line-up is stacked, with RÜFÜS DU SOL headlining a host of other awesome acts (read: Central Cee, GFlip, Romy). A cross-section of party people from the house, hip-hop, indie and electro families will be dancing in the Domain, so there’s never been a better time to go touch some grass and shake your…tush. More info and tickets are here.
