New Year’s Eve. Often talked up a bit too much, but always a good night for a party. We’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in our fair city. Most likely with Champagne in hand, of course.
FIREWORKS
If you’re into crowds and fireworks, New Year’s Eve always delivers. This year in Melbourne a $3 million party is happening in the city. 22 firing sites, including 16 rooftops, will run for 10-minutes at midnight. The places to view the action include Kings Domain near the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Docklands, Flagstaff Gardens and Treasury Garden. 9.30pm family fireworks will also take place at Yarra Park and Footscray Park
PARTIES & EVENTS
If parties with tickets and a theme are more your thing, here are three we think are worth the dosh.
Stokehouse
The Stokehouse in St Kilda doesn’t do things in halves. Right on the water, their backdrop is seriously good as well. For NYE this year, they’re channeling wild summer nights and the good old days of excess and beach glamour. Miami Horror and Flight Facilities will headline, along with a line up of other acts.
Tickets are $250 per person, and include an open bar, freshly shucked oysters, lobster rolls, Miami-style hotdogs and more.
Milk the Cow
Milk the Cow, the licensed fromagerie is kicking off the new year with their inaugural NYE Fling. Think French, think decadence.
$135 includes a French 75 cocktail on arrival and a 5 hour French beverage package,
grazing tables, canapés and the best of their European cheeses. There will be Parisian beats playing all night.
Transit Cocktail Lounge
Sitting high above Federation Square, Transit Cocktail Lounge is calling on their inner rock gods and celebrating everything decadent and bohemian. Drinks and canapés will be a plenty. Tickets are $220 all inclusive.
DINNER
When parties seem like too much, a dinner on the town can be the perfect way to ring in the New Year.
Rosetta
Neil Perry’s Rosetta will be open over the celebration serving up Italian food at its finest, with a seriously glamorous backdrop. We’re thinking a bowl of Pappardelle ragu Bolognese and a glass of red would go down nicely.
Chin Chin
Chin Chin is closed for one day a year, and it’s not New Years Eve. Now, we’re not saying you’ll be able to get a table, but with everyone off doing their own New Year’s thing, perhaps the lines will be a little shorter. Nothing like securing a table to celebrate the New Year. Give it a go. Son in Law Eggs optional.
Taxi Dining Room
With Taxi Dining Room set to close for a month in the New Year and reopen as a more casual Taxi Kitchen, this may be one of the last chances to try their fantastic offering as it stands. This year they will be celebrating the New Year with a 5 course degustation menu at $140 a head, with a glass of 2004 Dom Perignon on arrival. Cheers to that.
WHAT TO DRINK
Ok, so you’ve decided to stay in, or perhaps you’re heading to the neighbours for a bite to eat and need to bring a bottle of wine. We’ve picked a few drops worth taking this year.
Local bubbles are a great way to ring in the New Year. Reach for the Brown Brothers Brut from King Valley, Vic ($24) or the 2007 Jansz Cuvee, from Pipers River, Tas ($35).
More of a Riesling fan? Go for the Dr Loosen ‘Dr L’ Riesling 2012, from Mosel, Germany, ($23), great for a prawn entrée, or maybe the Mount Horrocks Cordon Cut Riesling, from Clare Valley SA ($38) perfect for the cheese platter.
Going for a red, go for the Clonakilla Hilltops Shiraz, from ACT, ($28) or the Mac Forbes Pinot Noir 2012, from Yarra Valley, Victoria ($32) for that lighter summer red.
FESTIVALS AND MUSIC
Music festivals seem to be a thing at New Years, so we’ve found a few that might not be sold out – like Falls Festival always seems to be.
New Years Eveie
Held on Bruzzy’s Farm in Tallarook, this is an escape from the city and a place to let your hair down. Live music, a free NYD BBQ and entertainment for the kids, this is an inclusive festival. Listen to sounds from The Stax Soul Review, Harmony, Stella Angelico, Toga Rock, three kings, LIttle Desert, Jemma & The Wise Young Ambitious Men, DJ La Pocock, and Sweet Jelly Roll DJ’s.
NYE on the Hill
Located 20 mins from Wonthaggi, this is another escape. A boutique music festival, it involves two nights and three days of music and partying. The line up includes Loon Lake, The Hello Morning, Hayden Calnin, Sietta and more.
A Gypsy New Years Eve
For those after some sweet sounds closer to home, Second Story Studios in Collingwood may be the place for you. Victorian craft beer, cider and wine will be a plenty as Owl Eyes, City Calm Down, Set Sail and Tully on Tully play the tunes.
