By Michelle Reese
(Photo Credit: delawareriverwaterfront.com)
It’s time to ring in yet another year and Philadelphia is one of the best places in the country to do it! Here’s a list of Philly spots to enjoy special holiday menus and party the night away on December 31. Reservations tend to go quickly, so pick your spot now!
New Year’s Eve Parties
2019 New Year’s Eve Party at Sugar House Casino
When: December 31 at 10 pm
Where: 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia
Party the night away with live entertainment from the seven piece band, The Rockets. Tickets include premium open bar, appetizer stations, hats, horns and noisemakers. Enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $100 (plus fees). Purchase here.
Fireworks on the Waterfront
When: December 31 at 6 p.m. and midnight
Where: 1001 N Delaware Ave, Philadelphia
What’s better than counting down to the new year? Counting down twice! Philadelphia will ring in 2019 two times during the SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks on the Delaware River Waterfront. Shows at 6 p.m. and midnight will allow for little ones as well as adults to celebrate the New Year.
New Year’s Eve at the Crystal Tea Room
When: December 31 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia
Toast New Year’s 2018 at Philadelphia’s Premier Private Ballroom. The 6 hour event includes 5 hours of premium open bar, DJ spinning the latest pop, hip hop, R&B, electronic and dance music, plus a complimentary champagne toast. Ticket prices start at $119. Click here to purchase.
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Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest
When: December 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Where: 101 S Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia
Ring in the New Year from the best location to see the SugarHouse New Year’s Eve Fireworks – Blue Cross RiverRink Winterfest! There are two different party times focused around the two firework shows. All tickets includes entertainment, snacks, soft drinks and a cash bar, as well as access to all of the amenities around the site. Choose skating tickets ($45) or spectator tickets ($35) if you don’t wish to get on the ice. Purchase tickets here.
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Spirit of Philadelphia Fireworks Viewing Party
When: December 31 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Where: 401 S. Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia
Watch the fireworks aboard the festive Spirit of Philadelphia. The ship will cruise for a dinner and fireworks viewing party for both sets of fireworks displays. For more information and to purchase tickets click here.
New Year’s Eve with the Philadelphia Orchestra
When: December 31 at 7:30 p.m.
Where: 300 S Broad St, Philadelphia
Join Yannick and the Fabulous Philadelphians for an evening of waltzing around the world. From the shimmering grandeur of Vienna to the bright lights of Broadway to the serene beauty of Helsinki, get your New Year off to the perfect start! Get tickets here.
New Year’s Eve at Union Trust
When: December 31 from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: 717 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Guests will be pampered with a 6 hour premium open bar, where the finest libations fuels the night’s wild festivities. A live DJ will be spinning an eclectic music mix so you can dance the night away. Enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets start at $99. Purchase here.
New Year’s Eve All Access Pass to Philadelphia
When: December 31 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: Registration Point at Recess Lounge 125 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia
An evening of NYE party-hopping with cover-free admission and first-class amenities through Philadelphia’s coveted nightlife destinations, including Recess Lounge, Finn McCools, Bru Craft & Wurst and Monarch. Receive your wristband at the registration point, and then come and go from any of the venues included. Includes 5 hours of premium open bar. Tickets start at $119. Purchase here.
Finn McCool’s Ale House
When: Open to public 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. then ticketed party 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: 118 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia
(215) 923-3090
Finn McCool’s hosts its annual New Year’s Eve Party with 5-hour premium open bar (9 p.m. to 2 a.m.), buffet-style hors d’oeuvres, live DJ performance, live DJ countdown, complimentary champagne toast, table/Bottle service options and access to the exclusive Room 12 Lounge for VIP ticketholders. Tickets start at $59. Purchase here.
Tinsel (Photo from Aversa PR & Events)
Tinsel
When: December 31 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: 116 S. 12th Street, Philadelphia
Philadelphia’s only home-grown premiere Christmas pop-up bar presents its first New Year’s Eve celebration! Tinsel Winter Wonderland New Year’s Eve 2019 will bring you into the single most festive spot in the city to ring in the New Year. Celebrate for a final time before Tinsel heads North for the winter. Premium open bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Hors D’oeuvres, DJ, more. Get tickets here.
Tradesman’s
When: December 31, Open to the public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., then ticketed from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: 1322 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Ring in New Year’s Eve at Philly’s hottest new restaurant and nightlife destination, Tradesman’s, in Center City. Housed in the historic Tradesman’s Trust Company building with its architectural charm and 34 beer taps, this party will draw all of Philadelphia’s nightlife trendsetters. This contemporary factory-like complex is designed to manufacture the ultimate NYE event. This mega party features a 5-hour premium open bar, ensuring the drinks are flowing. A live DJ will be on the decks to keep you dancing all night, playing mashups of your favorite Top 40, hip-hop, and club hits. Enjoy complimentary party favors to get in the NYE spirit, along with complimentary early evening bites to start your night. Tickets are $89. Purchase here.
Stats on 17th
When: December 31 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: 111 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia
If you’re looking for an unpretentious all-around good time this New Year’s Eve, head to Rittenhouse Square’s newest hotspot, Strats on 17th. Decked out with high tech accents like a long wall covered in flatscreens, Stats on 17th surrounds you in entertainment that will only be elevated by the live DJ who will spin an electrifying mix of Top 40, hip hop, and house music all night long. A five hour premium open bar lets you choose from an array of cocktails all night while a light buffet keeps you fueled for the bash of the year. Complimentary midnight champagne toast. Pick up a VIP package for even more amenities like reserved seating on tufted chocolate leather couches and bottle service. Tickets range from $59 for general admission to $259. Click here for more details.
BRU Craft & Wurst
When: Open to public from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., then ticketed from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: 1318 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia
Schnitzel, tinsel and more, Brü Craft & Wurst pulls out all the stops in authentic German Bier Hall style this New Year’s Eve. Featuring amenities like a five-hour premium open bar and a live DJ performance, ring in the new year, exclaiming “Prostit Neujahr” which translates to “May the new year turn out well” and raise a pint to the year past, present and yet to come. Tickets are $69-119 and include five hour premium open bar (9pm-2am), buffet-style hors d’oeuvres, live DJ performance, live DJ countdown, complimentary champagne toast, table/bottle service options for VIP ticketholders. Prost!
New Year’s Eve Dinners (And More)
Positano Coast
212 Walnut Street, Philadelphia
(215) 238-0499
Positano is offering several options for New Year’s Eve. Dine a la carte from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Come in for the After-Dinner Party ($20 cover) to enjoy cash bar, live DJ, party favors and coat check. Or party the night away with a VIP ticket ($150) to the party in the Sopra Lounge, which includes top-shelf open bar with private bar service and a midnight champagne toast, appetizers, buffet-style dinner and dessert, coat check, party favors and a live DJ. Call for reservations.
Mad Rex Restaurant and Virtual Reality Lounge
When: 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Where: 1000 Frankford Ave St 1, Philadelphia, PA 19125
Specials: 3 Course Menu $65 (5:00pm-9:30pm)
The End of Days Dinner: NYE at Mad Rex
Come for dinner … stay for the end of the world. The End of Days is near, and the only place to survive the New Year’s Eve Apocalypse is at Mad Rex, the world’s first post-apocalyptic virtual reality experience restaurant. Indulge in the cuisine of the new world with Chef Brandon Ferrio’s 3-course dinner. And then dance into the new year with sounds from DJ Rebel. Post-apocalyptic entertainment will be featured throughout the night. There will be a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. At the close of the night, survivors have the ability to partake in complimentary transportation and entry to Gardendale Social Club from 2 a.m. to 3:30 a.m.
The Twisted Tail NYE Party (Photo via thetwistedtail.com)
The Twisted Tail
509 S. 2nd Street, Philadelphia
(215) 558-2471
The Twisted Tail is offering several New Year’s Eve options for dinner and entertainment. The Mikey Junior Band takes the stage at 9 p.m. with burlesque performances occurring throughout the evening. If you’d like to just come in for the show and midnight toast, tickets are $25. (These tickets are very limited.) VIP tickets are $125 and are redeemable for $125 in food and beverage plus a midnight champagne toast. VIP Tickets include a 9 p.m. seating time (call if you’d like later) with table service and reserved seating for the entire party. Purchase tickets here.
A special New Year’s Eve Dinner Menu will be served from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. This multi-course meal is $75 and includes admission to the party. View the menu here.
If you’d like to come in for an early dinner, stop if between 5 and 6 p.m. to dine a la carte. This does not include a ticket to the party.
Brauhaus Schmitz
718 South Street, Philadelphia
(267) 909-8814
Hours: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Specials: Silvester Party & Fondue Dinner
Very popular in Germany, Fondue is the perfect way to gather, share and celebrate with your family and friends as you ring in the new year! Relax and enjoy the art of slowly dipping and savoring the Fondue feast our Executive Chef Val has prepared! This 3-course, family-style dinner is $115 per person. It includes a full open bar with German holiday biers on draft and Gluhwein. At midnight, there will be a champagne toast followed by full access to the 3rd floor roof deck to watch the Penn’s Landing fireworks. This event is limited to 80 people. Purchase tickets here.
Dim Sum House
3939 Chestnut Street, 2nd Floor, Philadelphia
(215) 921-5377
Specials: NYE Dinner and NYE Party Option
Enjoy a 5-course dinner (plus complimentary champagne toast during your meal) for $35 per person. You can also add on four cocktails for $35. Last seating is at 9 p.m.
Bing Bing Dim Sum
1648 East Passyunk, Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 279-7702
https://www.bingbingdimsum.com/new-years-eve
Bing Bing Dim Sum celebrates on New Year’s Eve with a four-course dinner for $45 per person. This special menu is available with a family style tasting menu and there will be no substitutions. Every guest will be greeted with a complimentary glass of Champagne. Reservations will be accepted between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Cuba Libre Restaurant & Rum Bar
When: December 31. Reservations for the early seating will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Reservations for the second seating will be from 9 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: 10 South 2nd Street, Philadelphia
Cuba Libra will offer a festive Cuban feast with two dinner seating available. Reservations for the early seating will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and guests can select from Chef-Partner Guillermo Pernot and Executive Chef Bobby Lopez’s a la carte menu which includes a variety of “tapas” or small plates, a selection of entrées and desserts, and other signature dishes reflective of Old Havana including several New Year’s Eve specials. Early seating guests who make reservations before 8 p.m. will receive a $25 Cuba Libre gift card per couple to be used during a future visit. For late night dining, with seating times between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m., Cuba Libre will feature a five-course prix fixe menu priced at $110 per person (alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity not included) which includes a Champagne toast, DJ and dancing, and party favors for the Midnight celebration. Guests at the second seating will be able to keep their reserved table throughout the evening. Additionally, partygoers who opt for the $110 prix fixe option can enjoy a two-hour premium open bar for an additional $39 per person. Call (215) 627-0666 to make a reservation.
R2L (Photo by Michelle Reese)
R2L
50 S. 16th St., Philadelphia
(215) 564-5337
www.r2lrestaurant.com
Ring in the New Year with an incredible view of the city. Located on the 37th floor of Two Liberty Place, R2L sits 500 feet above Philadelphia. The panoramic scenes are the perfect backdrop to a sophisticated evening. R2L offers two different seating options for dinner. The Twilight Seating is available from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. and includes a 3-course dinner for $75. The Celebration Seating is available from 8:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and costs $120 per person. It includes hors d’oeurves for the table, 3-course dinner, champagne toast and party favors. Both seating options include the chance to upgrade to window seating (limited) for an additional charge. (This charge can then be applied towards beverages and/or menu supplements.) Get menu details here.
If you’d rather skip the 3-course menu and have a seat at the bar, the bar and lounge will be open to the public from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a limited menu. At 10 p.m., it will become a ticketed event.
