Plenty of restaurants offer prix-fixe menus for New Year’s Eve, but these places pull out the stops with live music, DJs, all-you-can-eat offers, and open bars.
1833 14th St., NW
The dining room offers a tasting menu that comes with a complimentary glass of Champagne. Starting at 11:30 pm, a DJ starts mixing tunes to kick things up a notch before the midnight toast.
Details: Choose from two seatings for the $75 tasting menu at 6 pm or 8:30 pm.
1250 9th St., NW
If you’re in the mood to party, head to the bar area of this Shaw hotspot for their “Mexican cantina experience.” Tickets include snacks, an open bar with cocktails, mezcal, Champagne, and tunes from the DJ. The restaurant also offers a six-course dinner with dishes like salmon ceviche and lobster tacos, which can be enjoyed separately ($80), or added to the party package ($200 all-inclusive).
Details: The six-course dinner costs $80 per person or $130 with beverage pairings. Tickets to the “Mexican cantina experience” cost $100 per person after 10 pm or $50 per person after midnight. (Plus, dinner guests can stay for the party for a discounted price.)
2009 14th St., NW
The folks at the Gibson are ready to get past 2016 and move on with their lives. That’s why they’re throwing a futuristic party for New Year’s Eve complete with an open bar and photo booths decorated as time machines. Futuristic costumes inspired by films like A Clockwork Orange are encouraged.
Details: Tickets cost $130.
480 7th St., NW; 7271 Woodmont Ave., Bethesda; 2250 Crystal Dr., Arlington
If unlimited tapas are your idea of a party, head to José Andrés’s Spanish restaurants. Prices vary slightly by location, though all feature bottomless small plates, a cava toast, live Spanish music, and the Spanish tradition of eating 12 grapes for good luck in the new year.
Details: Prices and live music vary by location; see the offers here.
1351 H St., NE
Chef Erik Bruner-Yang’s Cambodian/Taiwanese restaurant offers all-you-can-eat pork buns, wok-fried noodles, and its famous fried chicken among Southeast Asian eats. If you’re not too stuffed to move, dance to live music by DJ Mane Squeeze and Mista Selecta, and join in a Champagne-and-pizza toast at midnight.
Details: Pre-sale tickets cost $100.
1348 H St., NE
The H Street corridor offers a number of great bars for New Year’s Eve, and Redrocks is throwing a big bash. All three floors of the pizza/bar and rooftop will be decked out for a black-tie affair featuring an open bar, a buffet, and DJs playing crowd favorites until 4 am.
Details: Tickets are $55.
2446 18th St., NW
Attention beer lovers: Roofers Union is teaming up with Port City and DC Brau for a tap takeover. Take advantage of an open bar from 10 pm to 2 am that includes 10 craft beers, wine, and spirits. Live music is supplied by Jonny Grave & the Tombstones, and the festivities extend to the second floor and the heated rooftop.
Details: Tickets start at $70 for early birds, and will go up to $90.
1110 N. Glebe Rd., Arlington
Head to Arlington’s modern Spanish restaurant for a memorable New Year’s Eve feast that includes a live band and a fin de año celebration at midnight. A six-course menu includes tuna and avocado tartare, rockfish poached in sage, and filet mignon with grilled foie gras.
Details: The meal costs $70 per person for the early seating (5 pm to 7:30 pm), and $100 per person for the later seating (9 pm to 10:30 pm). Wine pairings cost an additional $45 per person. Reservations are encouraged.
1544 9th St., NW
Ring in 2017 at this Shaw newcomer, located in a converted row house. Chef Kwame Onwuachi offers a special five-course tasting menu, but if you’re more in the mood for a house party, snag tickets to the soiree in the upstairs lounge that features passed canapés (including Onwuachi’s popular “Philly wing fry” sandwiches), cocktails, wine, and a midnight champagne toast.
Details: Tickets to the party are $150 per person, as is the five-course dinner (sold separately).
Takoda Restaurant & Beer Garden
715 Florida Ave., NW
Chef Damian Brown offers a special New Year’s Eve prix fixe dinner menu. After the meal, take advantage of an open bar from 10 pm to 2 am that includes all 24 beers on tap, mixed drinks, wines, and select whiskeys. Plan for music and dancing, plus a champagne toast at midnight.
Details: Tickets cost $65 to $100.
Maxine is an editorial fellow passionate about covering food, news, and politics. Her work has also been published in Forbes, Marie Claire, and Inside Higher Ed. She recently graduated from Brown University with honors in nonfiction writing.
