Tradition is king when it comes to New Year’s Eve. On Dec. 31, we surround ourselves with the customs that have reminded us for years, decades and even generations that anything is possible again come January.
Whether it’s with fireworks over the Mississippi River, world-class food, top-tier local music or all the other fun our city is known for, New Orleans takes the custom of ringing in the new year up a level.
“We’re renowned for being a celebratory city,” said Greg Engert, beverage director at Brewery Saint X. “There are lots of old traditions here, but we’re also creating plenty of potential new ones, too.”
This year, for example, Brewery Saint X (1188 Girod St., New Orleans) is hosting an inaugural New Year’s Eve bash ($125) featuring all-you-can-drink cocktails and house-brewed beer served by the glass or in huge boots. As if that’s not enough, your ticket also includes an all-you-can-eat menu with boucherie-inspired eats and swanky canapés, all accompanied by a live DJ.
For some, that sounds like the perfect New Year’s Eve. Others, like local education professional Sarah Vandergriff Kelley, want something different.
“I love to stand on the levee along the lakefront so I can watch all the fireworks from New Orleans East all the way to Kenner,” she said. “It’s not quite a bar, but it’s the best spot in town for fireworks shows.”
The major pyrotechnics take place at midnight downtown over the Mississippi River. A fleur-de-lis drops from Jackson Brewery as crowds cheer the new year.
But no matter what you’re after, there’s something for everyone on New Year’s Eve in New Orleans.
Party in the 504
If it’s a party you’re after, the city is full of them on Dec. 31.
Virgin Hotels New Orleans (550 Baronne St.) has a pair of experiences. On the second floor ($40), attendees can party to the music of Yacht Rock cover band Where Y’acht from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. while indulging in a private bar, a Champagne toast at midnight and exclusive party favors. Meanwhile, at the same time on the hotel’s rooftop ($39.45), you can dance to DJs Spinelli, QBaby worldwide and PR_CK while sipping on specialty cocktails and telling your favorite stories from 2023 inside the video confessional booth.
Meanwhile, the iconic Columns Hotel (3811 St. Charles Ave.) is hosting a disco-themed Studio 504 party ($80-$200) which, depending on your ticket, includes seafood, caviar and other bites, an open bar, a fire show, stilt-walkers, mermaids, LED-performances, flash tattoos, tooth gems, a Champagne fountain and an after-party at nearby Rabbit Hole.
Other events around town include ones aboard the Paddlewheeler Creole Queen ($269) or Steamboat Natchez ($224), a black-tie- encouraged buffet-style affair ($210) overlooking the Mississippi River at The Riverview Room, a return of Bar Marilou’s New Year’s Eve Surrealist Ball ($120-$180), the Watchnight Soul Experience: Bring In Your New Year with Jamison Ross multiroom jamboree ($25-$400) at the ACE Hotel, the lavish Midnight in Paris dinner soiree ($275), a burlesque show and after-party ($35-$75) at The AllWays Lounge, and Couvant’s 1920s-themed party with a three-course meal, live music and a burlesque performance by Trixie Minx.
The all-inclusive Havana Nights ($299) at the Westin New Orleans looks especially fun. The hotel will be transformed into a tropical paradise with Havana-inspired cocktails, a cigar bar, live music by Vivaz Band and an expansive buffet of Cuban food. And a portion of every ticket sold will be donated to the Highgate Charitable Foundation to address issues related to poverty, education and health care.
A self-led Bywater food and drink crawl between Bar Brine, The Country Club (heated pool included), Parleaux Beer Lab and Bacchanal makes for a great launching point to watch the midnight fireworks from Crescent Park. And, if you find yourself in Mid-City and don’t feel like paying a cover, Finn McCool’s Irish Pub rings in the New Year starting at 6 p.m. (Dublin time), and neighboring Twelve Mile Limit has one of the best dance parties in town, hosted by DJ Ann Glaviano from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
It’s all about the food
For those of you looking for a lower-key affair, dozens of the city’s restaurants are featuring special New Year’s Eve menus.
Saint John kicks off the day with a Sunday drag brunch featuring bottomless bubbles and bloody marys from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with drag shows hosted by Laveau Contraire scheduled for noon, 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. The French Quarter restaurant is also showcasing a three-course pre-fixe dinner menu (with traditional, lucky black-eyed peas) later in the day for $75 with the option to add wine pairings (+$35) or bottomless high-quality Champagne (+$50). Saint John’s location also makes it a great place to eat before heading to the river for fireworks, or to Jackson Square for the fleur de lis drop. But if you’re trying to stay clear of the Quarter, Saint John’s sister restaurant Gris-Gris also has a delicious three-course pre-fixe menu that night.
If you want your black-eyed peas at home, Cochon Butcher is offering meals for pick-up that pair the good luck veggie with bacon braised cabbage, smothered pork and onion gravy. You’ll need to order via its website by Dec. 28 ($65) or on Goldbelly by Dec. 27.
Of course, black-eyed peas aren’t the only traditional New Year’s Eve food. Prime rib has become popular this time of year, which is why Mr. Mao is offering a House of Prime Rib-inspired four-course prix-fixe menu ($85) featuring the iconic dish, family-style along with a handful of creative sides and appetizers. And for her final meal before retiring her renowned Lengua Madre, chef Ana Castro will serve traditional Mexican pozole for free from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a menu of her greatest hits ($110) beginning at 5:30 p.m.
If you love the idea of learning how other cultures ring in the new year, Addis Nola will offer a menu of traditional dishes from around the African continent while Carmo is hosting an all-day party from 11 a.m. through midnight with traditional holiday foods from tropical regions across the globe.
Tujague’s is inviting guests from its final four-course dinner seating of the night ($90) to watch fireworks, while dozens of other restaurants around the city are offering prix-fixe New Year’s Eve menus of their own. Copper Vine, The Bower, Compere Lapin, Costera, Osteria Lupo, Coquette, Josephine Estelle, Miss River, Saint-Germain, Seaworthy, Boucherie, La Petite Grocery, Herbsaint, Palm & Pine and the Peacock Room are just some of our favorites.
Feel the beats
If it’s live music you’re after, New Year’s Eve in New Orleans never disappoints.
Kermit Ruffins is hosting a party ($40) in Treme at his Mother in Law Lounge from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There will be live music, dancing, drinks and free black-eyed peas and cabbage to go with the predominantly local crowd.
The Fillmore will feature the Ying Yang Twins and Soul Rebels ($65-$230) beginning at 9 p.m., while Galactic, Anjelika “Jelly” Joseph, and J & the Causeways will play at Tipitina’s ($76) at the same time.
Big Freedia’s New Year’s Eve Bouncé Ball with Boyfriend ($39.50-$89.50) will take place at the Orpheum Theater, while Saenger Theatre hosts Juvenile and Mannie Fresh ($69-$199) — a reunion following their popular Tiny Desk performance this summer.
If you’re looking to welcome 2024 on Frenchmen Street, you’ll have plenty of options. The Brass-A-Holics are at The Maison, Flow Tribe is at Blue Nile ($15), and Simon Lott is playing at Three Muses.
What about the kids?!
Just because you’re trying to keep the kids entertained doesn’t mean you have to welcome 2024 at home. Well, not all day, at least!
The Louisiana Children’s Museum is hosting Noon Year’s Eve ($8-$24)! You can choose between 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. start times, and the celebration ends with an explosion of bubbles and colorful confetti.
And, finally, whether you have kids, prefer to be back home by New Year’s Eve night, or just want to get an early start, the Allstate Sugar Bowl Parade begins at 2:30 p.m. at Elysian Fields Avenue and Decatur Street. The Mardi Gras-style parade with floats and bands heads up Decatur through the French Quarter and will be broadcast on TV and online by WDSU.
