New Year’s Eve is the one night every year when there are pretty much unlimited options for a fun night on the town. But for some reason, so many of us wait until the last minute to make plans for the final minutes of the year. But don’t worry – there are still plenty of options, assuming you plan on doing more than just watching the ball drop in Times Square on TV with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s … (If you do opt for that, we totally get it!) Assuming you’re willing to throw on a dress and hop in a Lyft, here are some of the best options in Charlotte for ringing in the new year.
PARTIES
Party Under the Stars At Rooftop 210
If you want to spend New Year’s under the stars, head up to the rooftop of the EpiCentre for this all-inclusive party. Enjoy great views of the Charlotte Skyline under a heated tent. DJs will be spinning all night, and there will be food, drinks and photo booths. You can get VIP tables or just a regular ticket. Prices range from $70-$1,000, and the party starts at 9 p.m. Visit Rooftop 210 for details.
5Church – Dinner and Dancing
Always one of the hottest parties in town, 5Church is once again offering dinner and a late-night party. Prices vary depending on when you eat, but reservations include a bottle of champagne (for a party of four) and post-dinner dancing. After the countdown, enjoy an open bar and full buffet. Bonus: The popular restaurant and bar is in the same building as The Ivey’s hotel, so you won’t have to go far if you want to spend the night. Visit 5Church Charlotte for info.
The Ritz-Carlton
You’ve got two options here. The hotel itself is offering a laid-back night in the lobby bar with a DJ and band (no reservations required). The other option is Gorgeous NYE 2018, taking place in the ballrooms. The organizers spell out the dress code on the invite (semi-formal). Tickets run from $30-$130. Find details here.
Southern Skyline Grand Ball
If you think New Year’s Eve is all about dressing up, this is the party for you. The Le Meridien Hotel on the edge of Uptown is hosting what they’re calling the southeast’s largest all-inclusive New Year’s Eve party. All-inclusive gets you unlimited food and drinks, and you can enjoy multiple music acts. Tickets are $130. Get ’em here.
Draught Restaurant and Bar
Draught always throws a great party on the last night of the year, and this year the restaurant/bar is offering a great deal. For $35, you get one appetizer and two entrées, plus two cocktails and a champagne toast. After 10 p.m., there will be a $10 cover and that will include two drinks and a champagne toast. Find more information here.
Rich and Bennett’s New Year’s Eve
These guys know how to throw a party! Rich and Bennett are known for the best bar crawl in Charlotte (they run the famous St. Paddy’s Day crawl), and now the dynamic duo has branched out by throwing a bash for New Year’s at Prohibition. The party starts at 9 p.m. and includes appetizers, alcohol and party favors with the $75 ticket. Visit their website for details.
Sophia’s Lounge
For a little more of a low-key but still upscale night, head to Sophia’s Lounge for an open bar and buffet from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. You’ll get the full countdown and champagne toast, and you’ll even help a good cause in the process. A portion of the proceeds goes to the Levine Children’s Hospital. You can find ticket info here.
NYE Xtravaganza 2018 at Harvey B. Gantt Center for African-American Arts + Culture
The Uptown museum will have dancing and DJs on all three floors starting at 9 p.m. Party hosts are calling it the sexiest New Year’s Eve celebration in the state. There’s a wide range of tickets available — you can go for as low as $25 or spend as much as $800 for a table. Get tickets here.
Ink and Ivy
This late-night hot spot in Uptown always has a good crowd, so no doubt this will be a happening spot on the last night of the year. The party starts at 9 p.m. and includes appetizers, a champagne toast and more. Tickets are $100. Find info here.
ENJOY A GREAT DINNER
Vivace Charlotte
The Midtown Italian restaurant with the great city views is offering a prix fixe meal that includes lobster bisque, braised pork, octopus and a porterhouse steak, just to name a few. The cost runs from $50-$65 depending on what time you eat. Make reservations at Vivace Charlotte.
McNinch House Restaurant
This charming restaurant is an institution in Charlotte, and on New Year’s, they’re offering a prix fixe menu and a five-course meal that includes oysters, butter poached lobster tail and a beef filet. The $175 cost includes wine. Make reservations here.
Stagioni
The Myers Park restaurant that locals quickly fell in love with has a special four-course menu from Chef Andrew Dodd with a prosecco toast for just $75 a person. The menu includes beef tartare with black truffle, grilled NY strip and more. Make reservations here.
Good Food on Montford
Good Food on Montford taking reservations? It only happens twice a year, people — one of the best (and hardest restaurants to get into) in town takes reservations on Valentine’s Day and New Year’s Eve. They’re offering the full dinner menu with all of your favorite small plates. For reservations you have to go old school and call (704) 525-0881.
Angeline’s
The hottest new restaurant in Uptown is also offering a prix fixe menu of Italian fare with your choice of three or five courses, with choices including fire-roasted eggplant, beef tartare and braised lamb. (Oh, and dessert is a pineapple cake … ) Make reservations here.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY
The city’s annual New Year’s Eve event gets better every year, especially with the move to Romare Bearden Park. This family-friendly — and free — event kicks off at 8 p.m. and features a DJ, live band, the lighting of the Queen City crown and a huge fireworks display starting at midnight. Heads up: This party is alcohol-free, but several food trucks will be on hand if you want to grab a bite to eat. More info here.
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