We know you’ve been waiting to farewell whatever the hell 2021 was by making up for months of lockdown in Sydney. Short of convincing one of your mates to sacrifice their house for a big blowout, the best parties are going to be out and about at some of the city’s finest venues, from the glamourous Shell House to the perfectly located Pier One. There are plenty of New Year’s Eve events going ’round Sydney at the moment, with tickets to many of them steadily running out as blokes scramble together some last-minute NYE plans.
To help, we’ve rounded up nine New Year’s Eve parties in Sydney which we think will help you roll into 2022 the right way.
[UPDATE: 24/12/2021)]: Do note that some of these events have now been cancelled due to the rising cases of COVID-19 in NSW. Some, so far, are still planning to go ahead, although do keep in mind that they could be cancelled if cases remain high.The Best New Year’s Eve Events Sydney Has To Offer
Shell House (Cancelled)
Caviar stations, raw bars, coal fired grills, and free-flowing magnums of Perrier-Jouët. Yeah, it’s looking like Shell House have managed to throw together one of the best NYE parties around. The swish four-in-one mega venue has immediately become one of the most talked-about new Sydney bars of the year, so it would make sense that the prodigious team behind this venue go all out to make sure Shell House rushes in 2022 as Sydney’s new hospitality heavyweight champion.
The team clearly aren’t out-of-touch either, managing to curate a live music program led by ARIA award-winner Genesis Owusu, flanked by the likes of Motorik Vibe Council, Cassette, and Dangerous Dan. Not a bad shout when you the boys are swinging between the dancefloor and The Clocktower Bar’s lush caviar and martini station.
Tickets: $750pp
RELATED: The 38 Best New Restaurants In Sydney
Pier One Sydney Harbour
Perfectly located, boutique-minded hotel Pier One Sydney Harbour, which is pretty much right under the Sydney Harbour Bridge, will once again be throwing around their weight to put on one of the city’s best New Year’s Eve events. With various spaces, the space will be hosting various NYE packages, but the winner is looking like the reserved outdoor area on the pier. You can reserve a table there, bring a couple of mates, and anchor down with a 4-hour beverage package, a grazing platter to share, and a cocktail on arrival for a very reasonable price.
Tickets: $450pp
The Doss House
Few whisky bars in Australia command the same level of respect as The Doss House. Located in The Rocks, this suave and sophisticated drinking den is a hub of activity year-round, skewed towards that hardy prohibition-era atmosphere to capture a kind of old-world hedonism. The setting is perfect for a good, old-fashioned New Year’s Eve Prohibition party, turning a bar into a love letter from the 1920s.
Given it’s in The Rocks, you’ll have a nice little vantage point with views of the Bridge for Sydney’s New Year’s Eve fireworks, which you should be well sloshed for given tickets include a 3-hour beverage pack of beer, wine, and house spirits from 9pm. You’ll also get a drink on arrival, some bubbles at Midnight, and a bunch of sharing platters to help you soak up all that booze.
Tickets: From $145pp
Harbord Hotel
Freshie favourite Harbord Hotel revealed their impressive refurbishment earlier this year, so this will be the first NYE they have and it looks like they’re out to make a big impact for locals. No doubt this place will be teeming with the typical Northern Beaches crowd, starting the night with a four-course dinner in the venue’s Balsa restaurant, where $115pp will net you the feast and a glass of Veuve on arrival. Fork out an extra $55 and you’ll get an additional 2-hour drinks package. Either way, you’ll also get access to the main bar for the NYE party, with DJ-producer Generik leading a line-up that also includes Sypress Sounds, Ned Kelly, Dr Mendez, and Bobby Fischer.
Tickets: From $115pp
Maybe Sammy
One of the best bars in the world, Maybe Sammy, will be charging in 2022 with two different price packages for NYE. The first, $150pp, will get you 2 cocktails paired with a grazing menu and a glass of Taittinger to help make the fireworks taste a bit better. Bump that up to $320pp and you’ll get some caviar, Ruinart Blanc de Blancs, and cocktails from the top shelf.
Tickets: From $150pp
Cafe Sydney
You already knew Cafe Sydney will be charging a premium for that perfect Sydney Harbour view. The lush rooftop restaurant will be decking out its private dining room and small terrace for NYE, planning a six-course dinner paired with premium Australian wines and Perrier Jouët. The price? $980pp, making it one of the punchier New Year’s Eve parties of the year but one of the least expensive if you want to be in the Circular Quay dress circle for the fireworks.
Tickets: $980pp
SoCal
If you want to stick to the other side of the bridge on New Year’s Eve hit up SoCal Neutral Bay. You’ll only need to fork out $75pp for the generous menu of Mexican bites being planned, with a cocktail on arrival and the option to add on a 2-hour drinks package for $55pp.
Tickets: From $75pp
Il Pontile
One of Sydney’s best new Italian restaurants is keeping it nice and simple for their inaugural New Year’s Eve event, promising a night of “masquerade and mystique” alongside a curated 4-course menu. The real kicker here is that you’ll be in prime position on Woolloomooloo’s iconic Finger Wharf, so watching the fireworks shadow the water will add a nice little layer of romanticism to the evening.
Tickets: $250pp (for the menu)
CIRQ
Crown Sydney’s terrace-style rooftop bar, CIRQ, is planning one of the more extravagant New Year’s Eve events in Sydney with an ambitious ask of $1,850pp. While it may be a bit steep, the NYE Cocktail Party package is offering a full 5 hours of premium food and drinks, including roving canapes, meat, cheese, and seafood stations, free-flowing Moët & Chandon Luminous and Veuve Clicquot Rosé Champagne, and a wide range of wines, spirits and cocktails included. You’ll have definitely had had your fill by the time the midnight crackers kick off.
Tickets: $1,850pp
