We are not throwing a New Year’s Eve party this year. New Year’s Eve is still happening. We’ve done our best to round up all of the shows, parties, dining specials, hotels deals and more. We’ll be updating this guide as more shows, parties, dining specials and hotel deals are announced. Once again, there will be NYE parties in a few weeks.
Shows
Clutch, Torche, Lionize @ 9:30 Club
Solid riffs to ring in 2015. If you’re not too keen on heavy music, you can hang out next door at Satellite Room. Best of both worlds. Kiss a dude with a beard inside 9:30 Club, kiss a stranger without a beard but with a boozy milkshake at Satellite Room. -Brandon Wetherbee
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDoKyzHzP14Handsome Boy Modeling School @ Little Miss Whiskey’s
Prince Paul and Dan The Automator haven’t performed together since 2006. They’ll DJ together in 2014 in a room that holds 100 people. It’s not cheap at $125, but it will sell-out quick AND there’s an open bar. And it’s a 24 and over event. Awesome for everyone over 24. -Brandon Wetherbee
Black Cat New Year’s Eve Ball @ Black Cat
Why limit yourself to one floor of the Black Cat when for $30, both floors (including 3 different parties) are yours? In one corner, we’ve got Peaches O’Dell and Her Orchestra classing it up with a mix of swing, Latin and other stuff that sounds like its coming straight out of the Golden Ages of Hollywood. In between sets is another class act: Tony Anthony & His Malvivants. When you’re done acting like a refined adult, head Backstage where DJ Dredd and Grap Luva will be spinning allll night long. -Tam Sackman
BYT friend and Mulaney friend Seaton Smith headlines DC Improv. You’re not going to find a better comedy show in D.C. to welcome 2015. -Brandon Wetherbee
New Year’s Eve @ Tropicalia with Fort Knox Five DJ set, Congo Sanchez (Live), Qdup
$10 to ring in 2014 on U Street? Not a bad option for the frugal funk fan. – Brandon Wetherbee
New Year’s Eve with Old 97’s @ The Hamilton
Spend a low-key New Years Eve with alt-country rock group Old 97’s. Tickets are $85 for seats and $60 for standing. Also, this is probably the only event ever that your tickets will include a gumbo dinner and champagne toast. – Tam Sackman
So appropriate.
Why spend New Years with your friends when you can spend it with your friends AND house music pioneer Benny Benassi? This is a good option if you’re under 21 but still want to rage. Tickets are $50. – Tam Sackman
NYE Bash with The Dial Ups @ Chief Ike’s
Want to re-live the 90’s? $50 gets you 90’s party band The Dial Ups, penny drinks, 2 buffet, a champagne toast and party favors. Are the drinks 1 cent in order to keep inventory? -Brandon Wetherbee
New Year’s Eve with Nadastrom, Gent & Jawns, and Jen Lasher @ U Street Music Hall
Uhall was designed by DJ’s for DJ’s so if you want a dance party that will actually SOUND like a dance party then spend a scant $10 to boogie in 2015 with Nadastrom, Gent & Jawns, and Jen Lasher. You will never find anything else to spend 10 bucks on on NYE. – Jenn Tisdale
New Year’s Eve with Monty Alexander @ Blues Alley
Sorry weed still isn’t legal in DC (someday DC will be a real boy) but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sweet sounds of a Jamaican Pianist. I’ve never even heard of a Jamaican Pianist so curiosity alone might kill this cool cat. You can dine on a three-course meal (for $100) or a three-course meal with champagne and hats and and noisemakers (for $150). – Jenn Tisdale
New Orleans New Years with Alex Vans & The Hide Away @ Bayou
Party like you’re in New Orleans without the joy of drinking on the streets like someone from Lord of the Flies (shout out to Piggy’s Glasses and that conch shell). PLUS, enjoy a complimentary champagne toast at midnight, in addition to Hurricane and Abita beer specials. – Jenn Tisdale
New Year’s Eve Spectacular @ Inner Harbor Amphitheater
Unlike patriotic holidays, you don’t have to spend your New Year’s Eve in DC. Party with the mayor of Baltimore at the Inner Harbor with a free show by Baltimore cover band Under the Covers and a fireworks show over the water. -Tam Sackman
An Americana New Year @ Gypsy Sally’s
Yarn headlines a night of Americana at the Georgetown waterfront venue. If you’re brave enough to navigate Georgetown on NYE, good for you. -Brandon Wetherbee
Parties
New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball @ Howard Theatre
For $45, this could be you on New Years’ Eve, but like 10x more drunk and with 100% less David Bowie. -Tam Sackman
Rock & Roll Hotel’s New Year’s Eve Blowout
If one DJ wasn’t enough for you, this event (which has sold out every year since 2006) has TEN. There are TEN DJs on two floors. That’s an average rate of five DJs per floor, but hey, I’m not mathematician. Tickets were $50 but those all sold out so now they’re $80, but that includes an open bar all night and appetizers. -Tam Sackman
Light Up the Night NYE Celebration
The Dupont Circle Hotel, The Phillips Collection and Veuve Cliqcuot are joining forces for a NYE party featuring live DJ sets from DJs Wolf Detrix and Messi, a premium open bar and exclusive digital artwork. $145 gets you admission, an open bar and hors d’oeuvres. -Tam Sackman
Freedom’s Eve @ President Lincoln’s Cottage
New Year’s Eve is a celebration of the past year, champagne and….the Emancipation Proclamation? Yep. Spend Freedom’s Eve at President Lincoln’s Cottage celebrating that dope document for $100. -Tam Sackman
Puttin’ On The Ritz @ Ritz-Carlton
Art Soiree is pulling out all the stops with live music, hors d’oeuvres and a ton of confetti at the Ritz-Carlton for $35 per person. Also, after you go, you can swish your wine glass and reminisce about your New Years spent at the Ritz-Carlton. -Tam Sackman
There is some kind of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory-themed party at DC9. Will everything be edible? Will someone be sucked into a tube while drinking from a chocolate river? Will that asshole Veruca Salt (or maybe the band Veruca Salt) get dropped into a pit because she’s a greedy little snot? For $55, $60, or $70 (depending on when you purchase your GOLDEN tickets), you could be hanging with your friends and maybe some Oompa Loompas. They’ll have an open bar that runs from 10pm until 2am, with DJs Steve Lemmerman and Bill Spieler spinning tracks until 4am. If that wasn’t enticing enough, $2 gets you the chance to enter a raffle to win a ticket to EVERY DC9 show in 2015. – Jenn Tisdale
New Year’s Eve Grand Foyer Party @ The Kennedy Center
It’s time to get FANCY at The Kennedy Center. Did someone say balloon drop? Haven’t we all always wanted to be covered in balloons? Not only will you be surrounded by balloons with all the childlike wonder you can muster, but the Craig Gildner Big Band will be there to let you live out all of your favorite scenes from Swingers. Plus, New York’s Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra will be there to throw in that latin vibe. Take some classy photos with their free photobooths, while sipping on champagne. This event is free for everyone with a ticket from a December 31st performance. – Jenn Tisdale
The Boys are all back in town.
1980’s Theme NY Times Square Themed Party @ Arlington Drafthouse
Technically, this is an option. -Brandon Wetherbee
Another 80’s option. -Brandon Wetherbee
New Year’s Eve 2015 @ McFaddens
$50 for a five hour open bar. Nothing bad happens at an Irish bar and an open bar. Nothing. -Brandon Wetherbee
NYE Masquerade Ball @ The Mansion on O Street
Welcome 2015 in a place you will not want to get lost in and will get lost in. It’s impossible to navigate this ‘mansion’ with or without a mask. This will be creepy. Most likely unintentionally creepy, but creepy nonetheless.
If you have a few minutes, click on the Mansion on O Street link. The photos on their front page are nightmare inducing. They mean well, but holy shit, that kid wearing the sign looks undead. -Brandon Wetherbee
NYE Moonlight Circus @ Hyatt Regency
This $100, 5 hour open bar, 3 room party is hosted by DystrucXtion Girls. If you’re a fan of misspellings, this party is for U! -Brandon Wetherbee
Bottom Line NYE Party @ The Bottom Line
This open bar party promises a “rockin’ DJ” so you know it’s going to be rockin’. -Brandon Wetherbee
The Gibson is throwing a “Mad Max-querade” where for $125, guests will receive a premium open bar and food all night (8pm-2am), champagne toast at midnight, as well as music and burlesque entertainment. The patio will also be opened and heated. Guests are asked to dress in theme, to the nines, or however they like. -Via Press Release (Mad Max as in dystopian future? Fighting for gas? THUNDERDOMES??? Two people will enter this party, one person will leave. – Jenn Tisdale)
Light Up the Night @ POV Washington
The W Washington DC hotel will celebrate the New Year with “Light Up The Night”, a party at POV featuring amazing DJs and the city’s best views for $90. Also available is a package including a four-course prix-fixe dinner at Pinea and general admission to POV for $150. Pinea’s prix-fixe dinner only is $85 per person and seating is available at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. -Via Press Release
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Marvin with DJ Harry Hotter and an open bar from 8:30-10p featuring Absolut, Jim Beam, Beefeater, Sauza, Dorado Rum and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $15 in advance and $25 at the door. Doors open at 8:30p. The bistro will be taking reservations as usual, offering three specials and a champagne toast with entree. Bistro diners will receive complimentary entry to the party upstairs. -Via Press Release
20s & 30s Going Out Group Party @ Kai
This is technically a party that you can attend. -Brandon Wetherbee
ArtJamz Glitter Ball NYE @ ArtJamz Dupont Studio
Aptly titled after your middle school soirée, $60 gets you 3 hours of art studio time, a champagne toast, non-STD affiliated glitter balls, and the privilege of sharing the following GIF to your MySpace top 8 with no shame -Brandon Weight
Crios NYE Party @ Crios Modern Mexican
If you’re looking for an open bar that goes until 3 a.m., here’s your best best. -Brandon Wetherbee
International Club of DC NYE Gala @ Marriott Marquis
If you require partying in a $520 million hotel, here you go! -Brandon Wetherbee
International Gala @ Omni Shoreham Hotel
The Nats Presidents will make an appearance. We like baseball. -Brandon Wetherbee
International Spy Gala @ Washington Plaza Hotel
Spies don’t really advertize they’re spies, right? -Brandon Wetherbee
For the person that wants to see a different person in the mirror. -Brandon Wetherbee
Another one. -Brandon Wetherbee
New Day Party @ Southern Hospitality
One of the selling points for this party is Southern Hospitality has, “DC’s largest patio.” -Brandon Wetherbee
You can reserve one of 17 VIP tables at Aqua in DC. Having 16 tables was too few, and 18 just a tad too gaudy, but if they had upwards of 20, they could probably have purchased www.newyearsdc.com instead of www.newyearsdc.net. www.newyearsdc.xxx is available for $99, and hell, reserve www.newyearsdc.us for an additional $4.99 you big spender. – Brandon Weight
Maybe NYE in Adams Morgan is a double negative? Since it’s horrible most nights, maybe the biggest party night of the year makes it not horrible? -Brandon Wetherbee
NYE at Penn Quarter Sports Tavern
The lowest ticket you can purchase to watch the NYC New Years Ball drop on 32 screens simultaneously is $35. That’s only $0.91 per screen. Bring your phone, your iPad, your Kindle Fire, your mom’s Nook (you didn’t buy yourself a Nook, did you?), your iPod Touch, and your Smart TV, ask for a coaxial connection and bootleg the nearby Starbucks’ WiFi, and you can now watch the NYC New Years Ball drop on 37 screens simultaneously. -Brandon Weight
Interested in the roaring 20s? You could do much worse than a piano bar on NYE. -Brandon Wetherbee
$20 entrance includes champagne toast and party favors. Who sells party favors? NYE has to be their Christmas, right?. -Brandon Wetherbee
Food
A Studio 54 themed New Years Eve dinner and party at Blind Whino
Chef Spike Mendelsohn is preparing a 3-course Studio 54 themed culinary experience. Following the dinner there will be a 2-level, illuminated Studio 54‐themed NYE party at the space. There are only 150 seats available to the dinner so book now before the sellout!
La Tasca New Year’s Eve Dinner and Celebration
For $99 per person, you get unlimited tapas and a bottle of wine to split. Or, if you have other midnight plans, you can make reservations between 5-7:30pm and enjoy the same menu for $59. And these aren’t your average tapas– seafood paella and slow-roasted pork are just a couple of offerings. -Tam Sackman
The Cap Hill bourbon bar (with balls) presents a Low Country New Year’s party from 10pm to close on 12/31. For $80 per person, guests will enjoy a signature Barrel Pig Roast complete with Carolina appetizers and a “dirty spread,” as well as an open bar of hand-picked bourbons, ryes, cocktails and beer. You can purchase tickets in advance via Eventbrite or at the door. -Via Press Release
Join us for a festive evening to ring in the New Year on December 31st. Chef Brad Walker is offering a special 3-course price fix menu that evening for $45 per person with optional wine pairings for $25. Reservations are required by calling the restaurant at 202.450.3265. The restaurant will also be open for New Year’s Day brunch on January 1st to help cure the hangover! -Via Press Release
It’s business as usual at this iconic H Street NE gastropub. Chef Jeremy Kermisch will be offering his usual dinner menu with a few special specials for the occasion. Reservations not required. -Via Press Release
Celebrate the coming year by going back to the past – at least in what you’re drinking. McClellan’s Retreat – the new watering hole in north Dupont – will be mixing up their signature Civil War-inspired cocktails and other special festive drinks throughout the evening to celebrate the New Year. They’ll also have a champagne toast at the stroke of midnight. No cover or reservations necessary. – Via Press Release
For New Year’s Eve, Kapnos is supplementing its regular a la carte menu with a list of sparkling wines from the house of Louis Roederer. Their different champagnes, including Cristal, will be available on special by the glass and bottle. Reservation can be made through Open Table or at 202-234-5015. -Via Press Release
Graffiato is offering a $65 five-course menu from 5-7pm and a $75 five-course dinner with Prosecco toast starting at 7:30pm. Reservations can be made through Open Table or at 202-289-3600. – Via Press Release
Chef Anthony Chittum will take guests on a journey through Greece and Italy with his New Year’s Eve menu. The first seating at 6 PM offers a four-course tasting menu ($75 per person, exclusive of tax & tip) beginning with the Chef’s Seasonal Tastes and dishes such as Baccala Crusted Chatham Cod with potato pancakes, “avgolemono”, paddlefish caviar and Virginia beef Strip Loin with cotencho, lentils and winter truffles with a sweet ending of Orange Blossom Loukoumades and Pannetone with port wine pear and chocolate custard. Wine pairings by Wine Director Brent Kroll are also available. The 8:30 PM seating at Iron Gate features a seven-course menu with two sweet endings, a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight and an invitation to join the party in Iron Gate’s Winter Garden after dinner, where music, drinks and snacks will help usher in the new year long after midnight. -Via Press Release
ChurchKey will once again host their New Year’s Eve bash with unfettered access to their 50 outstanding drafts and 5 delicious cask ales, as well as a menu of fine spirits, cocktails & wine. In addition to an open bar from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., guests will enjoy plenty of passed bites and snacks from Chef Kyle Bailey including breakfast sandwiches after midnight. A DJ, photobooth, Champagne toast and keg drop will ensure a memorable celebration. Tickets for ChurchKey’s New Year’s Eve Bash are priced at $99 (inclusive of food & drink, tax and gratuity) and can be purchased online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/churchkeys-2014-new-years-eve-bash-tickets-14477108421?aff=eorg. – Via Press Release
Chef Kyle Bailey and his team at Birch & Barley are crafting a special four-course New Year’s Eve menu. The tasting menu is priced at $65 per person with the option to enjoy beer pairings from Beer Director Greg Engert for $30. – Via Press Release
For their first New Year’s Eve, The Partisan is offering an over the top celebratory menu featuring an array of shareable plates perfect for parties of four or more. Guests will begin with the Red Apron Vintage Ham Board and Salt Cured Foie Torchon with plum wine gelee. Then guests will feast on Campanelle with truffle butter nage and shaved black truffles; Duck Confit with apple, caramelized endive, walnut and Pedro Ximenez vinaigrette and Grouper Cheeks with ham broth, red peas and chicory before the show-stopping 60 Day Dry Aged Porterhouse with Smoked Bone Marrow Mashed Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts with quinoa, roasted cipollini, chestnuts and grain mustard grace the table. The finale is a Maple Bourbon Cheesecake with leaf lard crust. The price for the New Year’s Eve Menu is $75 per person (exclusive of tax & tip) and is for a minimum of four. Wine pairings from esteemed wine director Brent Kroll will also be available. The Partisan’s a la carte menu will also be available in the dining room. Reservations can be made by calling (202) 524-5322 or at http://thepartisandc.com/. -Via Press Release
The New Year’s Eve Blowout at Bluejacket and the Arsenal will be one for the books. Beginning at 9 PM, party goers will have full reign of Bluejacket’s original 25 drafts and casks and enjoy an open bar of select spirits and wines. Chef Kyle Bailey will be rolling out a menu of passed bites for the duration of the evening, while live music from local band Crystal Youth and a DJ will keep the entertainment going in to the early hours of the morning. A keg drop and complimentary Champagne toast will mark midnight and ensure a memorable start for 2015. The party will be held in both the restaurant and bar space. Tickets to the New Year’s Eve Blowout at Bluejacket & the Arsenal are $99 (inclusive of food & beverage tax & gratuity) and can be purchased at http://ow.ly/FjRmW. Tickets are limited to provide a lively, but comfortable environment. – Via Press Release
Columbia Firehouse is hosting their annual New Year’s Eve soiree. Held in the historically appointed and charming second floor of the Firehouse, the party will be held from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. and include a welcome punch, spread of canapes and stationed appetizers, a raw bar and breakfast sandwiches following the complimentary midnight toast. Two cash bars with specially crafted celebratory cocktails will keep the party going well in to the evening. And as in years past, black & white movies and the Times Square Ball Drop will be shown on a big screen during the party. Tickets for the Columbia Firehouse New Year’s party are available for $65 per person and are available online at http://www.eventbrite.com/e/columbia-firehouses-new-years-swell-soiree-tickets-14817763329. A three-course tasting menu will also be available in the Columbia Firehouse dining room that evening for $55 (with the option of a $25 wine pairing) for those that want to start the festivities earlier. – Via Press Release
3-course dinner with a live jazz duo. In other words, if you already like Eatonville, this might be for you. -Brandon Wetherbee
Alba Osteria is throwing an all inclusive party to ring in the New Year! Located at 425 I St. NW, Alba Osteria is offering two options for the evening: A $75.00 all inclusive ticket from 10:00 PM till close, including Open Bar, passed Heavy Hors d’oeuvres from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM and endless Lentil & Cotechino New Year’s Eve Stew. In Italy, Lentils are eaten on New Year’s Eve as a symbol of good luck and abundance, the lentils symbolizing wealth. Chef Roberto Donna will be serving the special stew all evening sharing the traditional Italian custom. The second option is a ticket priced at $55.00, including Open Bar from 11:00 PM till closing and the endless Lentil & Cotechino Stew. -Via Press Release
Fainting Goat No-Fuss New Year’s
For a no-fuss, no-cover, laid back New Year’s Eve with friends, The Fainting Goat invites DC diners to enjoy a delicious meal and a midnight Champagne toast. Chef Nathan Beauchamp will be serving a three-course tasting menu for $55, with delicious celebratory dishes like Steak Tartare with garlic confit, rye crisp and quail egg; Cote de Boeuf with bone marrow bread pudding and béarnaise; and Chocolate Torte with cherries, walnuts and sour cream ice cream. Fainting Goat is the perfect spot for locals to enjoy a low-key, laid-back New Year’s Eve. -Via Press Release
Everything
Big Night DC @ Gaylord National Hotel & Resort
The great thing about this party is that you can choose your level of ridiculous excess– there’s the most basic level of ridiculous excess (which costs $100) in which you enter after 11pm and don’t eat. The next level of ridiculous excess includes food for $135 per person (but not as good food as the level after that, which costs $180) and there are a bunch of other levels until you make it to the top for $300, where you are clearly rich as fuck so why aren’t you spending your NYE on the island that you probably own? If you decide to go, there are 15 different themed party areas because why not. -Tam Sackman
Downtown Countdown @ Washington Hilton
Do you want to celebrate your New Years Eve in a hotel with Third Eye Blind and Delta Rae? If your answer was “yes” or even “uhhh”, you may want to consider heading to the Washington Hilton for $89 without food and $129 with it. – Tam Sackman
Catch 15 New Year’s Eve Masquerade Dinner & Party
Have a good old fashioned Italian New Years Eve at Catch 15. If you have midnight plans, grab an early 4-course dinner for $55 per person, or a late one plus party entrance for $75. If you don’t want to eat (why wouldn’t you?), it’s $30 just to party with a DJ spinning from 11pm-4am (including complementary midnight champagne). -Tam Sackman
Bright Lights Big City New Year’s Eve
BlackFinn’s New Years Eve features a premium open bar, appetizers and over $2000 in giveaways. Tickets are $100 for VIPs and $75 for plebians. – Tam Sackman
