Still need plans for New Year’s Eve? Whether you’re looking for gourmet food, drinks and dancing, or just a chill place to clink glasses with friends, this compilation includes plenty of great options for welcoming 2017 around Durham and Chapel Hill.
New Year’s Eve Brunch at The Nasher Cafe
Start the last day of 2016 with an elegant brunch and cocktails at the art museum’s cafe. Signature breakfast and lunch dishes will be available, along with your choice of mimosas, Nasher Marys, Spiked Tea and Blackberry Collins cocktails.
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Guglhupf
Guglhupf celebrates New Year’s Eve with a festive four-course, prix-fixe menu highlighting the flavors of the season with contemporary southern German cuisine. Vegan options available, reservations recommended. $65 (add $25 for wine pairings).
Local 22’s Anti-New Year’s Eve Bash
If you’re ready for 2016 to be over and looking to send it off with a bang, Local 22 is the place to be. Hourly champagne toasts and a guest-powered community Spotify playlist will help you dance the night away.
Ponysaurus’ Year in Review Costume Extravaganza!
Come dressed as your favorite or most-hated character from the news or pop culture in 2016, and best costume will win a year’s supply of Ponysaurus beer. DJ Bonzai gets the dance party going, plus there will be Pie Pushers, a ZimZoom Photobooth and a champagne (of beers) toast at midnight.
New Year’s Eve Party at Parizade
Parizade invites you to a decadent New Year’s Eve celebration. The evening will begin with early a la carte seatings available at 5:30pm, 6pm, 6:30pm and 7pm. This elegant option includes two seating choices: those wishing to dine a la carte may request seatings every half hour from 5:30 to 7; those interested in a four-course, prix-fixe menu may opt for celebration seating beginning at 9:15. Dancing shoes are encouraged for live music from Crossover Drive.
Savor New Year’s Eve with a five-course table d’hôte menu prepared by Counting House. The celebration begins with cold water oysters topped with trout roe and crème fraîche, followed by a choice of indulgent entrées like the grilled wagyu ribeye with braised onions, laser potatoes and sweet carrots, or the wild mushroom ravioli with sweet onions, mascarpone and red amaranth. $69-$75 (add $25 for wine pairings).
Monte Carlo New Year’s Eve Benefit Party
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with live music, gourmet vegan food and games at LiveGlobally’s Monte Carlo New Year’s Eve benefit party at Global Breath Studio. Attire is formal/swank/vintage/glam. All proceeds will benefit LiveGlobally’s mission to support community and wellness programs internationally and throughout the Triangle, including C.A.A.R.E. and the Boys & Girls Club of Durham, the building of a school in Nairobi, fostering orphaned elephants in Kenya and much more.
Featuring a special menu for New Year’s Eve, Basan will offer unique cocktails, entrees and dessert items, including a “2017 Roll” topped with spicy kani crab mix, ebi, sliced avocado, masago and eel sauce. Reservations recommended.
The Glass Jug’s New Year’s Eve Party
Welcome 2017 with an excellent beer in hand during extended hours at The Glass Jug. Two special kegs will be tapped: Founders Brewing Co.’s “Lizard of Koz” and Bond Brothers Beer Company’s “Long Stride,” as well as a collaboration keg from Bond Brothers called “Do You Even pH, Bro?” For those who prefer a traditional champagne toast, it will be on hand as well.
With just one seating at 6pm, you’re going to want to get your reservations in for Bull City Burger’s family-friendly NYE. Toast for everyone at 8:30. $39 for adults, $12 for children (plus tip and tax); plus $16 for beer or wine pairings.
Get freaky on New Year’s Eve at Arcana with a carnival-themed show. Come dressed as your most outrageous, freaky self! The underground bar provides the libations and entertainment. Midnight champagne toast provided. $10.
Pinhook NYE Party: Go Home, 2016, You’re Drunk
The Pinhook is all about putting 2016 behind us and looking ahead to the future. From 10-11pm, there will be a tribute block to some favorite artists lost this year: Bowie, Prince, Sharon Jones, DJs @ Ghostship, etc. There will be a toilet to throw grievances in, which will then be dropped at midnight before a toast with Miller High Life – the Champagne of beers. Then, dance the rest of the night with DJs PlayPlay and Gemynii.
Whether you want to send 2016 off with a bang or a swift kick in the pants, Bull McCabes is here for you. Ring in the New Year with a DJ and free bubbly toast at midnight.
New Year’s Eve Four-Course Dinner
Ring in the new year with a meal at Dashi‘s upstairs izakaya, (Japanese pub). Vegetarian menus available, and the ramen shop below is also open and taking reservations. $55, $85 with pairings.
Make new memories and usher in a new year with a great dance party at Beyu Caffe. At 10pm, the restaurant will move the tables, set up the buffet, pop champagne and let DC go-go band, JoGo Project, take control. $50
New Year’s Eve Party at the bar
Free Champagne toast at midnight, drink specials, music by DJ Sedrick plus a $500 cash prize and TV giveaway.
Stay Classy, Durham: New Year’s Eve at Fullsteam
Close the year in style and start 2017 off right with great beer, jazzy music by Tea Cup Gin and sparkling wine at midnight.
Ring in 2017 with Chef John May‘s Southern five-course menu including refined potato salad, shrimp & grits, quail, short rib and coffee pot de creme. $60, $85 with wine pairings.
Family-Friendly Dinner at Pompieri
Pompieri Pizza hosts a family-friendly, reservations-only dinner at 5:30pm Five courses (four for kids) include a hearty soup, fresh salad and robust entree options. $12/child; $39/adult.
Trilogy New Year’s Eve Cocktail Soiree
The restaurant at Silverspot Cinema starts the party at 9:30pm, and includes one cocktail ticket, a champagne toast and family-style meal featuring mushroom risotto balls, almond-stuffed dates wrapped in bacon, coconut-crusted shrimp, pulled pork sliders and more. $25.
Ring in the New Year at City Kitchen
Enjoy four a la carte courses starting at 9pm, and then dance the night away to live music from the Nick White Quartet. A midnight champagne toast will welcome the New Year and close out the night at City Kitchen. Reservations recommended. $65.
Visit Kipos for a New Year’s celebration with entertainment including bouzouki players and belly dancers, and a special menu. Reservations recommended.
If warm, cozy and sophisticated describe your ideal New Year’s Eve, check out Bin 54’s celebratory dinner, featuring special menu items as well as a la carte favorites. Bottles of 2006 Dom Perignon champagne are also offered at half price when ordered two or more days in advance.
Cat’s Cradle New Year’s Eve Party
The Carrboro venue rings in the New Year with The London Souls in the main room and Boom Unit Brass Band in the back room. $10-$15.
Silent Meditation and Celebration with Chapel Hill Zen Center
Welcome the New Year with the Chapel Hill Zen Center. Two periods of silent meditation will be held at 8pm and 8:50pm, followed by the Bodhisattva Ceremony at 9:20pm and a Fire Ceremony at 9:50pm. The Fire Ceremony allows participants to write down grievances of the past year that they would like to release. These, as well as name cards from 2016 memorial services, will be burned as a way of letting go and looking toward the future. Pot-luck refreshments and beverages will be provided at the end of the program.
