No, your eyes don’t deceive you: despite the fact it’s only mid-November, we’re already thinking about New Year’s Eve festivities to close out 2024. And, if current reservations chatter is anything to go by, we suggest you do the same ASAP.
In Sydney, make the most of the city’s geography with a harbour-front NYE countdown; or lunch by the beach the very next day. Whatever your preference, below you’ll find all of our favourite New Year’s happenings in Sydney for 2024 — all with guaranteed potential to turn one’s final days of the year into a full send.
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NYE Rooftop Celebrations, W Sydney
No list of Sydney NYE festivities would pass muster if it didn’t include at least one rooftop pool party. For 2024, our personal favourite is the tiered version that the W Sydney is holding — up on the hotel’s two-storey rooftop bar, 29/30.
Against a backdrop of the country’s best fireworks display, you can expect a roster of high-energy DJs (including W Hotels’ Global Director of Music, LP Giobbi) and multiple ways to play through the last evening of the year.
For obsessives of fine fizz who are interested in ending 2024 on a high note, the Ultra-Luxe Level 30 package (priced at $950 per head) will be of significant interest — including free-flow Ruinart Champagne and “a selection of premium caviars” from the 29/30 bar.
Ticketing: Multiple options ($499/$950/$3,750)
Platinum VIP Dinner, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel
Supported by Kirin Hyoketsu and Heineken, Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel will once again be throwing one of the Eastern Suburbs’ most popular NYE bashes.
Even general admission tickets (priced at $205 per head) will get attendees access to the evening’s mammoth DJ line-up — featuring artists Yolanda Be Cool and Go Freek.
That said, if you’re looking to imbue your evening with a touch more sustenance and privacy, there’s a Platinum VIP option ($450 per head) that adds three hours of dinner and drinks to the mix. That, plus exclusive access to the hotel’s Sunset Room.
Ticketing: $450.
NYE Trivia, Taphouse Darlo
Whether your personal finances are in absolute shambles following Christmas, or you’re simply looking to enjoy New Year’s Eve in truly fuss-free fashion, the Taphouse in Darlinghurst has all your bases covered.
The popular Applejack venue — masters of taps, tunes, and Sino-Aussie cuisine — is giving packages/ticketed admission the boot. Instead, embracing a “come one, come all” energy for December 31st. Needless to say: book your spot early.
Additionally, Trivia Tuesdays will be running as usual in the venue’s public bar, meaning that you can break up your programme of beers and bang bang chicken wings with a few rounds of quizzing.
Ticketing: N/A.
4-Hour Rooftop Package, Martinez
Enjoy four hours of food & beverage presentations in the lead-up to Circular Quay’s annual firework display, on one of the best rooftops in the Sydney CBD.
A really sound NYE option for guests who enjoy snacking as much as they do tippling, the Martinez team will be putting on a varied spread of canapés (served from 6:30 PM onwards) in addition to seafood and grazing stations.
The latter will be available to enjoy for the duration of the night — even after free-flow beverages are suspended at 10 PM.
Ticketing: $349
New Year’s Day In The Sun, Promenade
Celebrate the arrival of New Year’s Day over lunch in the Promenade Bondi Beach dining room — over a selection of the restaurant’s signature dishes including roasted lamb shoulder, Ora king salmon, and the eponymous Promenade Trifle.
For something a little lower effort (just what the doctor ordered if you’re recovering from New Year’s Eve) walk-ins for brunch, at the venue’s Beach Bar, are also welcome.
Ticketing: $279 (Optional $69 supplement for free-flow Champagne).
Dining At The Sydney Opera House, Bennelong
Quite possibly Sydney’s most coveted restaurant reservation on New Year’s Eve — and with the price point to match.
Per Bennelong’s own website, four packages are available for your NYE festivities. All of these, it should be said, involve the same set menu designed by Executive Chef Peter Gilmore. A wine pairing, complete with glasses of Champagne upon arrival and at midnight, is also included.
For a sufficiently well-heeled posse, booking out ‘The Table’ (which can accommodate between 10-12 guests) is the way to go. You’ll be in the thick of the main dining room, with just enough space to yourself.
Ticketing: Multiple options ($1,750/$2,500)
NYE Harbour Party, Luna Park
A classic way to usher in New Year’s Eve in Sydney, with some of the best views of the city’s harbour-front fireworks and a literal park’s worth of amusements.
Full disclosure: as so happens to be the case almost every year, VIP packages for the Luna Park harbour party are already sold out but General and Premium admissions are still up for grabs. Both ticket classes give you unlimited access to rides and the park’s live music stages.
Ticketing: Multiple options ($299/$549)
