Where to Spend New Year's Eve in D.C.
New Year’s Eve is a night to have fun. There probably isn’t a soul on Earth who doesn’t enjoy a chance to mark the passing of time by spending the night with friends and loved ones attending fun parties, dinners, crawls and more. Check out our list of D.C. area spots where you can raise a glass on December 31 and ring in 2012. We’ll be updating this list continually; if you know of any events we should add, leave ‘em in the comments. Happy New Year!
Grand Opening & New Year’s Eve Party
Where: Tortino Restaurant (1228 11th St., NW)
When: All evening
What: Before midnight: special five-course tasting menu with wine pairing; after midnight: dancing and late night menu
New Year’s Bash with Ocean Street
Where: Bayou (2519 Pennsylvania Ave.)
When: 10 PM–2 AM, December 31
What: Live soul music with open bar
Price: $80
Swanky New Year’s Eve
Where: Hank’s Oyster Bar (1624 Q St., NW)
When: December 31
What: Reservations accepted; all couples with reservations after 10 PM get a free bottle of sparkling wine
Price: A la carte; after 11 PM at the bar $45 flight of 3 Champagnes paired with caviar
Black Cat New Year’s Eve Ball
Where: Black Cat (1811 14th St., NW)
When: 8 PM, December 31
What: Swing and lounge music on the front stage and DJs on the back stage
Price: $25
Drive-By Truckers
Where: 9:30 Club (815 V St., NW)
When: 8 PM, December 31
What: Concert by the folk-rock band featuring a midnight toast
Price: $55
Newseum New Year’s Eve Ball
Where: The New York Times–Ochs-Sulzberger Family Great Hall of News, Newseum (555 Pennsylvania Ave., NW)
When: 8 PM-2 AM, December 31
What: Open bar, light snacks, champagne toast, food and cocktails by Wolfgang Puck
Price: $195 per person
Downtown Countdown
Where: Washington Hilton (1919 Connecticut Ave.)
When: 9 PM-2 AM, December 31
What: Formal dress, live entertainment, pub food, drinks
Price: $149 for GA, $200 for VIP
New Year’s Eve International Gala
Where: Wardman Park Marriott Hotel (2660 Woodley Rd., NW)
When: 10:30 PM-2 AM, December 31
What: Premium open bar, midnight toast, dessert buffet, midnight ball drop, and live music
Price: $117
Birch & Barley NYE Dinner
Where: Birch & Barley (1337 14th St., NW)
When: 8-11 PM, December 31
What: 5-courses including 9 handpicked beers including an afterparty at Churchkey
Price: $122
Madhatter Ball
Where: The Madhatter (1321 Connecticut Ave., NW)
When: 9 PM–close, December 31
What: Premium open bar, hors d'oeuvres, Champage toast
Price: $100
Best New Year's Eve Party
Where: Midtown (1219 Connecticut Ave., NW)
When: 8 PM, December 31
What: Open bar from 8–10 PM, bottle specials
Price: $20 entry fee, then PAYG
Nochevieja Gala Dinner
Where: Taberna del Alabardero (1776 I St., NW)
When: 8 PM, December 31
What: Dinner, live entertainment and the traditional midnight "eating of the grapes"
Price: $120
Zombie New Year's Eve
Where: Red Palace (1210 H St., NE)
When: 8 PM, December 31
What: DJ Mellie BRAAAAINS Mel; zombified staff; drink specials; Champagne toast!
Price: $5 cover
New Year's Eve at Mie N Yu (PDF link)
Where: Mie N Yu (3125 M St., NW)
When: Dinner 5:30–10 PM; Parties 10 PM, December 31
What: Multi-course vegetarian, gluten-free tasting menu with optional Champagne pairings; DJ party in Hong Kong Bar and Venetian Lounge
Price: $85 for dinner (includes bar party access); $10 cover for bar parties alone
Beach or Neighborhood Style NYE Party
Where: Argonaut (1433 H St., NE)
When: Upstairs: 7 PM–1 AM or Downstairs: 5–8 PM, December 31
What: Upstairs: beach party with all you can eat seafood, open bar, Champagne toast, DJ or Downstairs: family-style party
Price: $65 upstairs, PAYG downstairs
New Year's Eve Party at the Reef
Where: The Reef (2446 18th St., NW)
When: 5 PM–close, December 31
What: Premium open bar, hors d'oeuvres, Champagne toast
Price: $60
Venetian Masquerade Party
Where: Tuscana (1350 I St., NW)
When: 5–7 PM or 7:30 PM–close, December 31
What: Four-course Italian dinner, live piano, party favors, Champagne toast, DJ and dancing, prize for best mask
Price: Early seating $59; late seating $89
New Year's Eve at Bourbon Glover Park
Where: Bourbon Glover Park (2348 Wisconsin Ave.)
When: 9 PM–1 AM, December 31
What: Open bar, hors d'oeuvres, Champagne toast
Price: $50
Drink Like an Adult: a Seven Course Cocktail Gala
Where: Church & State (1236 H St., NE)
When: 7:30 PM, December 31
What: Seven rounds of drinks celebrating post-Prohibition style cocktails with all-American spirits; buffet
Price: $220
New Year's Eve CityZen
Where: Mandarin Oriental (1330 Maryland Ave., SW)
When: 5:30–6:30 PM (early seating) or 8:30–10 PM (late seating), December 31
What: Six or seven course tasting menu
Price: $185 for early seating; $225 for late; $125 wine pairing available for either
Black & White New Year's Eve Party
Where: Union Pub (201 Massachusetts Ave., NE)
When: 9 PM, December 31
What: No cover; $3 Stella Artois; $4 Black and White Stoli martinis; Champagne toast
Price: PAYG
New Year's Eve with DJ Sharkey
Where: Little Miss Whiskey's Golden Dollar (1104 H St., NE)
When: 8 PM, December 31
What: Choose premium or rail open bar for all you can drink, all night
Price: $90 for premium; $75 for limited
New Year's Eve Party at The Ugly Mug
Where: The Ugly Mug (723 8th St., SE)
When: 9 PM, December 31
What: Open bar; hors d'oeuvres; Champagne toast
Price: $85 in advance; $100 at the door
New Year's Eve at Smith Commons
Where: Smith Commons (1245 H St., NE)
When: 6–7:30 PM or 9–10:30 PM, December 31
What: Downstairs: three-course dinner with beverage; Upstairs, starting at 6 PM: no cover, complimpentary hors d'oeuvres, champagne toast
Price: Downstairs: $60; Upstairs: PAYG
Fatback Time Traveler's Ball
Where: Slaviya (2424 18th St. NW)
When: 8 PM-4 AM, December 31
What: Music from the Fatback DC DJs. Creative costumes are encouraged and reward but not mandatory. Each guest will receive a gift bag including Smirnoff gear, XS Energy will sponsor a specialty cocktail and there will be a champagne toast at midnight
Price: $30
