The loosest day of the year is upon us! New Year’s Eve is going to bounce us into 2018 and it’s your choice whether you want that to be in style or in shambles. It’s long known that deep in the heart of the CBD is exactly where you do not in any way, shape or form want to be for the party of the year, which makes it all the more appealing that to wine, dine and party at some of the best venues that are close to the action but far away enough to avoid all the bad bits.
We’ve put together a list of six – four close to the city and two far, far away from it – of the best New Year’s Eve events around Sydney that you can still get tickets for, from two revamped party institutions to two slick waterfront destinations.
Bungalow 8 (King Street Wharf)
After a short but noticeable absence from the city’s nightlife, Sydney’s legendary Bungalow 8 is fully charged and back in business. Following the recent reveal of a huge revamp into the relaxed vibe of a beachside villa, the waterfront drinking and dining destination will be charging into the first NYE of their new lease on life with an epic party across both Bungalow 8 and The Loft. Reliable party starter DJ Havana Brown will make this her home for the night, with additional sets from Tonite Only and Jessie Block, all whom will be banging on dance-floor anthems all night while punters dip into the two or three hour drinks-and-canapes packages on offer.
Tickets to the event are available now with prices from $65 (second release) to $75 (third release). Add-on packages include the Bungalow 8 package ($125) which includes a two-hour drinks and canapes package from 6pm to 8pm with a cocktail on arrival, and The Loft package ($190) which is a three-hour drinks and canapes package from 6pm-9pm with a glass of champagne on arrival.
King Street Wharf, 3 Lime St, Sydney | 6pm-3am | tickets from bungalow8sydney.com.au
Cargo (King Street Wharf)
With the recent relaunch of Cargo, the defining Sydney party venue won’t be pulling any punches for the first NYE since the big makeover. King Street Wharf’s favourite party venue has put together a special line-up of dancefloor pros for the end-of-year bash, including KLP on DJ duties, sketching her potent club beats and polished pop onto the scene alongside the likes of the always fun Miami Horror and reliable acts like SCNDL, New World Sound and Jesabel.
Tickets to the event are available now with prices from $59 (second release) to $69 (third release). Add on one of Cargo’s three-hour canapé and beverage packages ($129; 6pm-9pm with a cocktail on arrival) and you’ll be kicking into 2018 the right way.
52-60 The Promenade, Sydney | 6pm-3am | tickets from cargobar.com.au
Manly Wharf Hotel (Manly)
If you prefer to spend NYE over at Manly this year then don’t look past local favourite Manly Wharf Hotel. They’ve managed to nab Grammy-nominated U.S DJ-producer Felix Da Housecat to lead partygoers into 2018 with a banging mix of electro and house, a nice little package that sits along with shapes from local talents including Ben Morris, Jack McGord and Somatik.
Tickets to the event are now on sale ranging from $45 (first release) to $65 (third release). You can even double-up with tickets for both the New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day events ($75-$95) for those who really want to start 2018 off partying as hard as they possibly can. All tickets to the NYE event include complimentary sparkling wine and Heineken from 6pm-8pm (limited to 4 drinks per person).
E Esplanade, Manly | 6pm-2am | tickets from moshtix.com.au
Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel (Watsons Bay)
One of Sydney’s most stunning venues is unsurprisingly ramping it up for their 2017 send-off. The sprawling beachside destination has put together a lineup that includes a DJ set from Luke Million, Kinder and more. They’ve even pre-booked some ferries to help punters with a hassle-free journey home and have kept the costs pretty damn reasonable with tickets available from $139 (third release). That includes entry to their Beach Club with direct views of Sydney Harbour from the Watsons Bay foreshore. VIP tickets are also being sold for $266 (third release) which includes exclusive bar and balcony access, the best views of the fireworks and party, as well as a bites and beverages package from 6pm-8pm.
1 Military Rd, Watsons Bay | tickets from watsonsbayhotel.com.au
Pier One Sydney Harbour (Walsh Bay)
One of Sydney’s most glamourous harbourside properties, the ritzy Pier One Sydney Harbour, has put together an awesome “pamper, party and stay” package for guests who want to pair up their NYE celebrations with an extended staycation. There’ll be no dragging yourself back home with the one, with 3-nights of luxury accommodation plus a daily breakfast buffet for two paired with an included $50 credit towards hair styling (for use at nearby luxury beauty salon Marie France), and 2 x tickets to Pier One Sydney’s Harbour’s huge NYE party which will feature food, drinks and entertainment all night plus uninterrupted views of the NYE fireworks (the boutique hotel is pretty much right under the bridge so you’ll be in the thick of it).
Even better, the hotel has just introduced a private harbour pool so you can head on down to the private pontoon on New Year’s Day and wake up in Sydney Harbour.
Prices for the package start at $3,999 with stays valid for arrival on December 30th.
11 Hickson Rd, Dawes Point | From 30th December | tickets from pieronesydneyharbour.com.au or 02 8298 9958.
The Butler (Potts Point)
Head on over the Potts Point essential The Butler this NYE and tuck into an Ibero-American banquet dinner with cocktails and DJs all night. The beloved AppleJack restaurant-bar will be making full use of their awesome panoramic views so guests can watch the fireworks light up the sky, lugging themselves over to the enclosed balcony after filling up on a seven-course dinner sandwiched between a glass of bubbles on arrival and a mini espresso martini to finish.
123 Victoria St, Potts Point | until 2am | tickets from butlersydney.com.au
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