It might not have the country’s biggest fireworks display, but Melbourne has plenty of reasons to feel smug on New Year’s Eve. From decadent dinners to rooftop parties and Roaring ’20s time warps, here are the best places to see in 2015 in style.
The Best Parties
This party’s calling cards are maturity, sophistication, and fashion consciousness – three things that often get misinterpreted this time of year. They’ll also be throwing in some cocktails, DJ Dangerous Dan, celebrity hosts, and food from the Acland St Cantina. Circa Rooftop, 2 Acland Street, St Kilda, $150pp second release, tickets online.
Make a pit stop in New York nightlife’s hedonistic late ’70s glory days before swinging into the future. DJ Scotty and Discorama will be spinning all the classics, and six hours of premium drinks and canapés will keep your energy levels up. Bonus points if you ride in on a horse. Melbourne Public, 11 Dukes Walk, South Wharf, $135pp ($180 includes 3-course dinner,) tickets online.
Hats off (prizes to Most Elegant, Most Decadent, Most Funniest, and Most Gloriously Politically Incorrect) to Pop-Up Events sinfully indulgent and epically weird ball. Jugglers, acrobats, unicyclists, roving madmen, and pythons — yep — will be mix and mingling with your regular friends. St Brigid’s Parish Hall, 378 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy North, $55 – $75pp, tickets online.
Sorry Melbourne, but we do too. Treat your inner francophile to a chic cocktail party inspired by the city of lights at Mr. Mason’s place. Sip a Ciroc French Martini on arrival, graze on premium canapés washed down with French wine, and kick up your heels to live music on the outdoor terrace. Mr Mason, Shop 10, 530 Collins St, $165pp, tickets online.
Decadent Dinners
Live it up in prohibition era luxury. State of Grace is taking lucky ticket holders to 1920s Harlem, and this time there’s a five-hour beverage package and a bountiful three-course dinner (or canapé option, if you want to keep it light) on top of the live entertainment. Don’t forget your t-strap heels. State of Grace, 477 Collins Street, $160pp (or $140 for canapés), tickets online.
This is probably the closest thing you’ll ever get to dining at the real Jay Gatsby’s. Dutchess are also winding it back to the Roaring ’20s when organised crime was sexy and life was one big party. Five decadent courses (or three if you like to dine early) are accompanied by a welcoming cocktail and a midnight champagne. Dutchess, Level 2, 146 Flinders Street, $150pp (or $90 for early bird), book online.
If you prefer to keep it hyperlocal, give your Sydney friends some Instabraggy competition at this exclusive boat party on the Yarra River. There are still tickets available for the seated gourmet seafood buffet, which includes premium beverages and — of course — the city’s most spectacular view of the fireworks. Cruise departs from Berth 3 Lower Promenade, Southgate, from $285pp, book online.
New Year’s Eve the Italian Way
Toast 2015 the Italian way. Terra Rosa’s three-course feast includes a Capodanno cocktail on arrival, matched wines, and live entertainment — all just a short walk from the Yarra River fireworks. Just FYI, Italian tradition suggests wearing a touch of red to bring good luck in the new year. Terra Rosa, 87 Flinders Lane, $130pp, bookings essential on 03 9650 0900.
Give 2015 a warm welcome over chef Ollie Gould’s sumptuous five-course dinner. This one’s definitely not for vegans. Stokehouse City, 7 Alfred Place, $120pp, bookings essential on (03) 9525 5555.
