Trying to decide between feasting and partying on New Year’s Eve? Luckily you don’t have to. The following restaurants mix both, offering special eats, live music, bottomless bubbly, costumed soirees, and more. Just make sure to book reservations before it’s too late.
3201 New Mexico Ave., NW; 202-244-2223
Roberto Donna whips up a four-course meal (think Buffalo mozzarella with caviar and lobster gnocchi) starting at 9:30, while a DJ starts spinning at 10 for dancing until the early morning. [Event page]
Details: The dinner and party is $60 per person (otherwise a la carte until 8). Wine pairings are pretty affordable at $25 and $35.
901 9th Street, NW; 202-644-9433
Penn Quarter’s newest beer-heavy restaurant pairs a four-course menu with an open bar after-party from 10 to close. Dishes include the likes of kale-pomegranate salad and bucatini with rabbit bolognese. [Event page]
Details: Those who opt for the menu ($50 per person) from 5 to 11 can add the $50 open-bar option (regularly $75 without dinner).
2121 14th St., NW; 202-332-9672
Channel Bourbon Street on 14th Street with a New Orleans-inspired fete that includes three or four-course menus, a DJ, and a gratis glass of bubbly for the second seating. [Event page]
Details: The 6:30 seating with a three-course menu is $39 per person, while the second at 9:30 offers four courses for $59.
All three area locations in Penn Quarter, Bethesda, and Crystal City
All three locations of José Andrés’s Spanish spot serve unlimited tapas from the New Year’s tasting menu after 8 (earlier seatings are a la carte). After 10 a DJ starts spinning in DC, while those in Bethesda and Crystal City can dance to a live band. [Event page]
Details: The tasting menu is $90 in DC, and $85 in Bethesda and Crystal City.
675 15th St., NW; 202-347-4800
Go old-school with a Love Boat Cruise-themed party with live music from Yacht Rock Schooner, an international buffet, open bars, and more. [Event page]
Details: Tickets start at $125.
1141 Connecticut Ave., NW; 202-783-7777
You’ll find Russian Santa Claus, karaoke, a costume contest, caviar, and President Putin’s official New Year’s address all under one roof. [Event page]
Details: Three package options for bubbly and caviar start at $150, with a 9 o’clock New Year’s dinner menu included in all.
1825 14th St., NW; 202-328-1414
Book after 9 for a prix fixe menu with dishes like duck confit steamed buns and drunken adobo pork. What makes this a party? The option of bottomless Champagne service for $40. [Event page]
Details: There’s more casual options early on, but the post-9 pm “premium” menu is $75, with the option of bottomless champagne.
Ashok Bajaj’s American brasserie celebrates 2014 with a three-course menu for the second seating, including dishes like butter-poached lobster and roasted duck, plus a DJ for dancing.
Details: The set menu is $100 (it’s a la carte before 8).
5335 Wisconsin Ave., NW, Suite 201; 202-803-8020
Chef Bryan Voltaggio hosts a supper club with an Italian-style feast, never-ending punch bowl, and music from Brooklyn’s Blue Vipers. [Event page]
Details: Tickets start at $175 per person.
7121 Bethesda Ln., Bethesda; 301-656-5515
Head to Bethesda row for a Speakeasy Soiree, including a three-course dinner, poker, live entertainment, and more. [Event page]
Details: Packages vary, starting at $78 for a reservation after 6:30 (early-birds can get dinner for $45, but it doesn’t include the party).
2047 Ninth St., NW; 202-506-2496
This retro diner-bar tucked behind the 9:30 Club goes punk rock for New Year’s eve with a DJ, Champagne toast, and regular dinner menu (including boozy milkshakes!) until 2.
Details: That’s it! No cover here.
223 Pennsylvania Ave., SE; 202-544-8088
Get a taste of Venice on the Hill with this Venetian Masquerade, which includes a three-course menu with dishes like truffle-ricotta ravioli and foie gras-topped veal tenderloin. Head up to the lounge after for the masked party and roulette. [Event page]
Details: You can opt for just dinner or the party (which starts at 8:30), but the combination is $79.
575 Pennsylvania Ave., NW; 202-637-6100
Those looking to feast will find five and seven-course tasting menus at 6 and 8:30, plus “live action stations,” a DJ, and Champagne toast. [Event page]
Details: The two menus are $125 and $150 per person, plus optional wine pairings.
1200 19th St., NW; 202-872-8700
Party presidentially with unlimited cocktails, dinner and dessert buffets, and DJ Huck Finn (Tom Sawyer is jealous). [Event page]
Details: Packages vary by ticket, but you’ll have to buy “gold” ($110 per person) for dinner.
7134 Main St., Clifton; 703-266-1623
La Fête Rouge (i.e. Red Party) brings options of three and six-course menus, red-hued everything, and surprise entertainment. [Event page]
Details: The first seating, 5:30 to 6:30, is for the three-course ($84 per person), while the second from 8:30 to 9:30 includes the more elaborate menu ($145 per person).
1940 11th Street, NW; 202-332-9463
This U Street neighborhood bar does it up for New Year’s with an open-bar Champagne party on the (heated) outdoor plaza, and a five-course menu with optional wine pairings in the restaurant. [Event page]
Details: Seatings for the dinner are at 6 and 9 ($65 and $75, respectively). The party is regularly $75, but is $50 for dinner guests.
Anna Spiegel covers the dining and drinking scene in her native DC. Prior to joining Washingtonian in 2010, she attended the French Culinary Institute and Columbia University’s MFA program in New York, and held various cooking and writing positions in NYC and in St. John, US Virgin Islands.
