Candis R. McLean
Philadelphia is a major spanning city. It’s always brimming with exciting new activities and things to do each week. Sometimes answering the simple question of where to eat or get a quick drink can be overwhelming, especially on New Year’s Eve. This week Philly Influencer highlights the best places to ring in 2019.
Featured Bars and Lounges
Featured Restaurants and Bars: New Year’s Eve Edition
A Mano: Chef Townsend Wentz’s three-bell Italian BYO, is offering an exclusive four-course chef’s menu from Executive Chef Michael Millon, including highlights such as Roasted Whole Prawns, Mushroom Agnollotti with foie gras and marjoram, Whey Braised Lamb Neck with Swiss chard and Black Truffle Sugo and a Coffee Semifreddo. The menu is available on New Year’s Eve for $75/person. Seating is available throughout the evening. Credit card deposit required. Call 215.236.1114 for reservations.
City Tap House Parties: Both City Tap House locations (Logan) and (University City) will be hosting New Year’s Eve parties this Monday night. There will be an open bar from 9PM-1AM, DJs spinning top music, prizes and giveaways, a light buffets, and a champagne toast at midnight. There are VIP options as well.
J. Alexander’s: This contemporary American restaurant adjacent to King of Prussia Mall, invites guests to ring in the new year with two deluxe NYE features including a Slow Roasted Prime Rib($20) with creamed mashed potatoes and heirloom cauliflower and 14 oz. Oscar Ribeye ($28) served with J.Alexander’s Not Your Ordinary Macaroni and Cheese. Guests can pair a classic Champagne cocktail ($10) with their meal for the ultimate NYE experience. J.Alexander’s will also offer its full dinner menu in addition to the two features.
The Glitter Gala: The Hyatt at the Bellvue will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party this Monday night. There will be a five-hour premium open bar, a massive buffet, multiple DJs, dancing, cocktails, and more. General admission starts at $119.
Infusion Lounge: Infusion Lounge is one of the go-to nightlife destinations for plenty of people in the city. This Monday night come out to hear the best Top 40 music tearing up the charts, take part in a midnight champagne toast, and dance the night away.
JJ Bootleggers: JJ Bootleggers will be ringing in 2019 with a premium buffet, fireworks on the water, complimentary hats and noisemakers, balloons, and Miller Lite and Leinenkugel specials all night.
Jet Wine Bar: Philly’s “global vineyard,” is ringing in 2019 in style with a New Year’s Eve Party boasting an open bar from 10:30 pm — 12:30 am including specialty wines, beer, cocktails, appetizers, artisan cheese plates and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $65 and can be purchased here.
Lucky Strike: Resolution 2019 is the name of Lucky Strike’s NYE banger. The bowling and entertainment establishment will have a champagne toast at midnight, party favors, a three-hour open bar, and multiple DJs.
MilkBoy: For those looking to party without dropping big bucks, Milkboy at 11th and Chestnut street is ringing in the new year with a cover-free NYE Bash, featuring two DJs, complimentary Champagne toast at midnight, and drink specials. Entry is FREE all night. Both floors will be open so get those dancing shoes ready.
(Ocean Prime)NOTO: NOTO Philadelphia is a thrilling a mega-club and concert venue. The entertainment venue’s NYE party will feature music by My Hollywood DJ, have drink specials, VIP options, and more. This spanning venue is one of the can’t miss options on the list. Noto will also be hosting a New Year’s Day party.
Ocean Prime: One of Center City’s most stunning seafood and steakhouses, will offer a deluxe 18 oz. Prime Cowgirl Ribeye ($80) for one night only. Guests can pair the featured steak with a Raspberry Resolution ($17), boasting Ketel One, X-Rated Fusion Liqueur, sour mix, raspberry simple. Ocean Prime’s extensive menu chock-full of prime seafood and steak offerings will also be available all evening on New Year’s Eve.
Oloroso: Townsend Wentz’s three-bell Spanish tapas restaurant and bar, invites guests to a 4-course prix-fixe dinner on New Year’s Eve. For $65, guests will enjoy Oloroso Antipasto for the first course; their choice of Spanish Tuna Crudo, Oyster on the Half Shell, Wild Mushroom Croqueta, or Head-on Shrimp a la Plancha for the second course; Serrano Wrapped Monkfish, Crab Rice, or Wagyu Culotte for the third course; and either Churros or Basque Cheesecake for dessert. Guests can choose to add-on an optional wine and sherry pairing for $50 or a sherry flight for $35.
Raven Lounge: Raven Lounge will have multiple DJs blasting the latest hits on all four floors of the building. There will be a live ball drop broadcast, 5 bars, 8 rooms open, and more at this NYE blowout.
Rex 1516: Executive Chef Justin Swain is bringing back his one-of-a-kind delicacy for NYE – Fried Chicken & Caviar ($50), boasting buttermilk fried half chicken, paddlefish & orange tobiko caviars, Alabama bbq sauce, chive biscuits, cucumbers. Guests can enjoy this special dish on December 31 with a selection of three sparkling wine-based cocktails including The Violet Hour ($10), served with gin, lemon, violet liqueur, sparkling wine; Bonded Bubbler ($10) with bonded apple brandy, lemon, Benedictine liqueur, sparkling wine; and Any Witch Way ($10), served with bourbon, lemon, Liquor Strega, and sparkling wine.
Red Owl Tavern: For the perfect couples retreat this NYE, Red Owl Tavern is offering a prix-fixe dinner including a shared appetizer, two entrées, a shared dessert and a bottle of wine for two for $150. For the first course, guests can choose between Calamari, Corn and Crab Fritters, Hummus and Wings. The main course will boast entrées such as Braised Short Rib, Cauliflower Au Poivre, Seared Salmon, among the mix. For dessert, guests can choose between the Red Owl Chocolate Custard, Almond Rum Cake, Pepita Pot de Creme, among others. Guests can opt out of the prix-fixe and enjoy à la carte options if they choose.
Royal Boucherie: Old City’s American-inspired brasserie and raw bar from Nicholas Elmi and Suzanne O’Brien, will be serving up dinner from 5 pm -12 am on NYE, including one-night-only à la carte features from top chef Nicholas Elmi. Guests will enjoy small plates, such as Parmesan Risotto ($18) and Lobster Bisque ($18) in addition to larger dishes such as Steak for 2 ($95), served with duck fat potatoes, roasted baby carrots, bordelaise, and brown butter hollandaise and Gallete de Crabe ($38), served with caramelized endive, haricot vert, and mustard sauce. Royal Boucherie’s regular dinner menu will also be available. All guests will receive a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight.
New Year’s Eve at SPiN: Come experience New Year’s Eve in a fun and entertaining way this Monday night. SPiN Philadelphia will be hosting a party like no other. There will be music, a dancefloor, specials, and of course plenty of ping pong tables open.
Seaport Museum: Independence Seaport Museum will have their balconies full of dancing partygoers, cocktails, and DJs. This unique party on the waterfront offers great views of the official Philadelphia fireworks and great drink specials all night.
Townsend: Chef Townsend Wentz’s acclaimed restaurant will host two unique dining experiences on NYE with seatings at 6 pm and 9 pm. The first seating will be a six-course tasting menu ($95/person) with a $65 optional wine pairing, while the second seating will be a 7-8 course tasting menu ($125/person) with complimentary Champagne and an $85 optional wine pairing. Both menus reflect traditional French New Years fare, including Gaufres Sèches, a classic French waffle, raw oysters, seared foie, and more.
The Twisted Tail: Headhouse Square’s Southern-inspired restaurant, bar and live music venue, is bringing back its über-popular burlesque NYE party with live music from Mikey Junior Band starting at 9 pm and burlesque performances continuing throughout the evening until 1 am. Guests have the option of choosing a show-only $25 ticket or a $125 VIP ticket. For those looking for a sit-down dinner + a show, guests can choose the $75 dinner menu, including admittance to the show and deluxe NYE menu by making a reservation on OpenTable or at 215.558.2471.
Urban Farmer: Philly’s modern American “chic” steakhouse, is celebrating the new year with a deluxe à la carte menu available from 5-10 pm on New Year’s Eve and 5-9 pm on New Year’s Day. In addition to the regular dinner menu, Urban Farmer will offer festive dishes from Executive Chef Seth Pettit, including Harissa-charred Octopus ($21), Mushroom & Herb-crusted Brandt Prime Rib ($56), Butter Poached Lobster & Potato Gnocchi ($44), Russian Osetra Caviar ($110), and more. Urban Farmer will also offer brunch on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day from 6:30 am – 3 pm.
Zee Bar: General admission for Zee Bar’s New Year’s Eve Party is only $25. The bar’s giant projection screen with have live coverage of the ball dropping in New York City. There will be drink specials all night and bottle service options.
For a full list of more New Year’s Eve parties, click here.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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