Christmas may be up next, but New Year’s Eve is right around the corner. While there’s way too much pressure on the night that will ring in 2015, you still should plan ahead. We’ve rounded up the best parties happening in the city below (where tickets are still available) and sorted them by type. Want to eat a fantastic meal? Bring the kids? Dance the night away? We’ve got you covered.
Cheers!
Family Friendly
First Night Boston 2015 – 1 p.m. to midnight – Multiple locations – Ice sculptures, musical performances, family activities, fireworks and more festivities will take over Boston on New Year’s Eve, beginning at 1 p.m. and lasting through the night. Grab your button for $10 and score admission to every show.
Multi-Course Dinners
New Year’s Eve Dinner at The Merchant – 4 p.m. to midnight – The Merchant – Want to do something more low key this year? The Merchant is serving up a three-course New Year’s Eve dinner menu, including raw oysters, cod, beef tenderloin and more, for $65 per person. The restaurant is accepting reservations now.
Cafe ArtScience’s New Year’s Eve Celebration – 5 p.m. – Cafe ArtScience – Head to Cambridge’s new hot spot for a four-course menu to ring in the New Year. Tickets are $95 per person and a wine pairing can be added for $65.
Bid Adieu to 2014 at Bastille Kitchen – 6:30 p.m. – Bastille Kitchen – This three-course French-inspired dinner at Bastille Kitchen lets you ring in 2015 with great food, a champagne toast, and party favors. $85 per person.
New Year’s Eve at Beacon Hill Bistro – 5:30 p.m. – Beacon Hill Bistro – Beacon Hill Bistro is hosting to different dinner parties: One early enough that you can still make it to First Night, concentrated in the Boston Common, and one late enough that you’ll ring in the New Year at the restaurant. Each option costs $79.
Dinner-Party Hybrids
NYE at West Side Lounge – 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. – West Side Lounge – West Side Lounge on Mass Ave. is offering up two different dinners – an early evening three course dinner for $39, or a mid-evening four course dinner for $55 – as well as a party. The Best for Last Party costs $39, starts at 10 p.m., and includes drinks, small plates, tarot card readings and music.
Beer Geek NYE – 7 p.m. – Cambridge Common – Featuring beer-inspired dishes and plenty of brews, this beer-fueled NYC party brings together Smuttynose, Woodstock, Harpoon, Sixpoint, Downeast Cider and more. There will also be games to help ring in the New Year.
Back Bay Harry’s Katy Perry vs. Taylor Swift New Year’s Eve – 7 p.m. – Back Bay Harry’s – For this Back Bay restaurant, it’s the battle of the pop stars. Two menus will appear at the restaurant, one inspired by each of Katy Perry’s and Taylor Swift’s songs. There will also be plenty of pop music and dancing as the bell drops. No cover charge.
New Year’s Eve on the Lido Deck – 9 p.m. – The Met Back Bay – The Met is ringing in 2015 ’40s cruise ship style. There will be a multi-course dinner for $125 per person, with dishes like short rib wellington, Burgundy truffles and more. There will be 1940s inspired cocktails, and a live swing band to get the party started after dinner.
All-Out Parties
New Year’s Eve at Howl at the Moon – 6 p.m. – Howl at the Moon – For your NYE experience at Howl at the Moon, you can either buy the Champagne Supernova Package ($125 per person), which comes with a gourmet buffet dinner, reserved seating, a bottle of champagne and party favors, or the Big Shot Package ($75 per person), which comes with appetizers, a champagne toast and party favors.
Aeronaut New Year’s Eve Extravaganza – 7 p.m. – Aeronaut Brewing – Aeronaut is going all-out for New Year’s Eve, and their party will include live music from the HONK! Band, a big balloon drop, food, drinks and more. Tickets are $50 per person.
Stadium Bar’s New Year’s Eve 2015 – 9 p.m. – Stadium – Ring in the New Year in Faneuil Hall at Stadium, where there will be a blow-out NYE bash, capped with a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $34.95.
New Year’s Eve All Access Pass Boston – 5 p.m. – Multiple venues – Can’t decide on one party for New Year’s Eve? This year, you don’t have to if you snag an all access pass. The $89.95 ticket gets you into any of the participating venues: Hard Rock Cafe, Stadium and more Faneuil Hall area bars. There will be drink specials at each bar as well.
Boston Pops Swing Orchestra New Year’s Eve Concert – 8 p.m. – Symphony Hall – Have a classy New Year’s Eve and dance the night away with the Boston Pops Swing Orchestra and leader Bo Winiker. There will be a cash bar and food available.
F*ck New Year’s Eve Party – 8 p.m. – Bukowski Tavern – Think New Year’s Eve is overrated? You’re not alone. Head to Bukowski Tavern, where there will be no “horn blowing party hat bullshit,” as they say. Don’t expect a countdown either. There’s no cover charge – in fact, you might get a dollar if you’re lucky.
3rd Annual Sweatpants and Yoga Pants Party – 8:30 p.m. – Stats Bar and Grill – Dress down and get down at Stats’ annual sweatpants party. No pressure on New Year’s Eve means everyone’s guaranteed to have a good time. Tickets are $110 and must be purchased in advance, and include an open bar.
The Beehive Funkadelic New Year’s Eve 2015 – 9 p.m. – The Beehive – The Beehive’s NYE party will be one to remember, as guests enjoy burlesque performances and engage in a night of decadence and eccentrics. The ABeez band will be playing as well. Tickets are $145 with the food buffet and $90 without. Champagne toast included.
The Donkey Show New Year’s Eve 2015 – 10 p.m. – Oberon – Touted ‘Boston’s best dance party,’ don’t miss out on The Donkey Show’s New Year’s Eve special late night show, followed by a party lasting till 2 a.m.
New Year’s Eve Boston 2015 – 9 p.m. – Kings – Hosted by Social Boston Sports and Kings, bowl in the New Year at this party. Tickets are $95 and get you free food, drinks and unlimited games and bowling.
New Year’s Eve Beat Discotheque – 9 p.m. – The Beat Hotel – Dancing, burlesque and a buffet will make up The Beat Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Party. There will be live performances and food, and tickets are $135 with the buffet, or $80 without.
New Year’s Eve Hootenanny – 9 p.m. – Loretta’s Last Call – Have a country-inspired New Year’s Eve at Loretta’s Last Call, where there will be line dancing, live music, a buffet and a midnight toast. Tickets are $40.
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