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 2020.
• Art in the Age: Art in the Age offers NYE imbibers two specialty cocktails. Made with Art in the Age Black Trumpet Blueberry Cordial, lemon juice, chilled ginger lemon syrup, and garnished with blueberries and thyme, the Midnight Reverie ($14) is a sparkling pop of color perfect to sip on before the clock strikes midnight. Those looking to punch it up can enjoy the fruity flavors of Flirting with the Zodiac ($10), made with The Reverend’s Universal Spirit, dry champagne, pineapple juice, pomegranate juice, lime juice, and ginger beer. Those looking to make Flirting with the Zodiac punch for at-home NYE parties can purchase both The Reverend’s Universal Spirit and The Good Reverend’s Guide to Infused Spirits at Art in the Age and create their own spirited holiday libations.
• Bru Craft & Wurst: Schnitzel, tinsel and more will be on the menu when Brü Craft & Wurst rings in 2020. The German Bier Hall will feature a 5-hour premium open bar, a live DJ performance, drink specials, and so much.
• City Tap House Parties: Both City Tap House locations (Logan) and (University City) will be hosting New Year’s Eve parties this Tuesday night. There will be an open bar from 9 p.m.-1 a.m., DJs spinning top music, prizes and giveaways, a light buffets, and a champagne toast at midnight. There are VIP options as well.
• CO-OP: CO-OP is serving its full dinner menu on New Year’s Eve from 7 am-2 pm and 5-9 pm. Highlights include Hot Spinach and Artichoke Dip ($11), Crab Fiorelli ($24) with mushrooms and basil pesto, and the CO-OP Beef Burger ($16) with smoked cheddar, caramelized onion, roasted garlic aioli and fries. On New Year’s Day from 8 am-3 pm, guests are welcome to join CO-OP for brunch and enjoy classic egg dishes like The Benedicts ranging from $15 to $16, Whole Egg Frittata for $13, or a Fresh Fruit & Berry Bowl for $11.
• Fond: Fond is saying goodbye to 2019 with a stellar five course pre-fixe menu ($95/person), with optional wine pairings (+ $35). New Year’s Eve diners can look forward to Butternut Squash Soup, Hamachi Crudo with fresno chili, avocado, cilantro, Rigatoni Duck Ragout with saffron, parmesan, truffle, Pork Belly with spaetzle, braised red cabbage, Dijon jus, Caramel Chocolate Tart, and more. Reservations are highly recommended.
• Forsythia: Forsythia invites guests to enjoy a five-course New Year’s Eve prix-fixe dinner ($100/person). Guests can look forward to Ora King Salmon Crudo with Rose crème, winter radish, grapefruit, Broiled Monkfish with cauliflower, lemon, Kaluga caviar, smoked beurre blanc, Dry Aged Prime New York Strip Au Poivre with black truffle, cheddar, spinach soubise, au poivre, and more. If interested, dinner can be accompanied by a $50 wine pairing with excellent French wines, selected by General Manager and Beverage Director Jennifer Camela.
• Franky Bradley’s: Franky Bradley’s, the eclectic bar, restaurant, and nightclub right off the bustling 13th street corridor, will ring in 2020 with a dance party and tunes courtesy of local Philadelphia producer and DJ drootrax. Tickets to this fun event (starting at 9 p.m.) are $20 and include admission and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight.
• The Glitter Gala: The Hyatt at the Bellvue will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party this Tuesday night. There will be a five-hour premium open bar, a massive buffet, multiple DJs, dancing, cocktails, and more. General admission starts at $119.
• Goose Island Brew House: Head to the Goose Island Brew House for an open Bar of select drafts as well as a light buffet of tasty menu items. You can countdown to the new year and watch the fireworks while sipping on a Bourbon County toast at midnight.
• Jet Wine Bar: Jet Wine Bar is hosting its annual New Year’s Eve party from 10 pm – 1 am, featuring specialty wines, beer, cocktails, as well as artisan cheese, charcuterie, appetizers, and a midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $65 (including tip) and can be purchased here.
• JJ Bootleggers: JJ Bootleggers will be ringing in 2020 with a premium buffet, fireworks on the water, complimentary hats and noisemakers, balloons, and drink specials all night. VIP admission gets you top-self items like Tito’s, Grey Goose, Moonshine, and more.
• Lucky Strike: Resolution 2020 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.
• Manayunk Brewery: NYE 2020 at the Manayunk Brewery will feature craft beer, multiple rooms, DJs, and dancing all night long. Come out for a festive night of drink specials, food, and great music. There will be party favors and a champagne toast.
• MilkBoy: Milkboy, the Philadelphia-born brand encompassing live-music venues, bars, restaurants, and a recording studio, will be honoring the new year with a free party at their Chestnut Street location. Partygoers are invited to dance on two floors, with DJ tunes upstairs all night. Starting at 9 p.m., this cover-free NYE bash will include a free whiskey toast at midnight, giveaways, beer specials, and $4 well drinks.
• NOTO: NOTO Philadelphia is a thrilling mega-club and concert venue. The entertainment venue’s NYE party will feature DJ Chris Devine, have drink specials, VIP options, and more. This spanning venue is one of the can’t miss options on the list.
• Ocean Prime: Ocean Prime, one of Center City’s most gorgeous seafood restaurants and steakhouses, will feature a Broiled Sea Bass over Lobster Risotto ($58) with Roasted Red Pepper Cream and Fennel Herb Salad on New Year’s Eve. For one-night-only, guests can pair the specialty dish with a glass of Dom Perignon for $50. Other recommended wine pairings from the menu include William Fevre Chablis (still) and Domain Chandon (sparkling).
• The Pyramid Club: The Pyramid Club will be hosting the 15th Annual Celebrity Style NYE party. Cocktails will be overflowing at this upscale and trendy event. There will be a 5-hour open bar, a buffet, drinks specials, live music, and more.
• 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. This is a party that you don’t want to miss.
• Recess Lounge: Old city’s popular Recess Lounge will be playing the best Top-40 hits, feature a 5-hour open bar, a small plate buffet, and plenty of entertainment. As the Times Square ball drop happens on various large screens, you’ll join the live countdown and sip on a complimentary champagne toast.
• Red Owl Tavern: Red Owl Tavern, the bustling contemporary tavern in historic Old City, will be offering guests an elevated New Year’s Eve feast to ring in 2020 in style. For $75, guests will enjoy a three-course dinner featuring entrées such as Lobster Tagliatelle with spinach, bottarga, lobster bisque and Fairytale Pumpkin Ravioli with rainbow chard, brown butter emulsion, parmesan sage frico. New Executive Chef Jonathan Dearden brings high-end flair to this menu and incorporates seasonal favorites with decadent flavors.
• Royal Boucherie: Royal Boucherie, Old City’s French brasserie of Top Chef winner Chef Nicholas Elmi, is the perfect spot to welcome 2020 in style. Philadelphians are invited for an open seating and to enjoy a bevy of celebratory additions to Chef Elmi’s menu, including a Champagne toast at midnight. Next day, Royal Boucherie will offer a New Year’s Day All-Day Brunch where brunchers can toast 2020 with a complimentary mimosa. Near Year’s Day Brunch (à la carte) will be served from 11 am-9 pm.
• Square 1682: Square 1682 will offer guests a New Year’s Eve Surf & Turf special, complete with a side of cornbread and glass of Prosecco for $39. Surf & Turf continues to be one of Center City’s hottest deals of the year, so what better way to cap off 2019 than with a sizzling seared 10 oz. Angus Ribeye with a half-grilled Maine lobster, crushed fingerling potatoes, charred lime, roasted garlic, drawn herb butter and chimichurri sauce.
• Townsend: Townsend, the eponymous French restaurant from Chef Townsend Wentz, is celebrating NYE with a stellar five-course prix-fixe dinner for the first seating ($95/person) and seven-course prix-fixe dinner for the second seating ($125/person). Five-course menu diners can look forward to Broiled Oyster aux Poireaux, Seared Halibut Vallee d’Auge with local apple cider, rutabaga, chervil, Burgundy Truffle Risotto with pork trotter, Trompette de la Mort, smoked Raclette, Petite Filet Mignon with oxtail ravioli, and Les Treize, a dessert boasting apple-fig-almond cake, candied hazelnuts, roasted pears, olive oil-orange ice cream.
• The Twisted Tail: The Twisted Tail is hosting a Burlesque & Blues 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, including admission to the party, a Champagne toast at midnight, table service, food and beverages, and reserved seating for the entire party. For those looking for a sit-down dinner and 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 call 215.558.2471.
• Urban Farmer: New Years at Urban Farmer, Philadelphia’s modern American steakhouse located on the Ben Franklin Parkway, is a two-day affair, with brunch starting at 6:30 am and going through 3 pm on New Year’s Eve, followed by a decadent dinner from 5-10 from Executive Chef Sonny Ingui. Dinner guests can enjoy à la carte features, including Langoustine Termidor ($46), Pepper Crusted Venison Loin ($52) and a 46 oz 1855 Cowboy Ribeye ($148) carved table side. Imbibers can toast to the new year with Clear Resolution ($16), a specialty cocktail boasting gin, citric acid, sparkling rosé and edible gold! Urban Farmer will also be open for brunch on New Year’s Day, serving up favorites such as Brioche French Toast ($14), Short Rib Hash ($18), Biscuits & Sausage Gravy ($15), among the mix. Insider tip: don’t skip the Bloody Mary Cart ($16), featuring build-your-own Bloody Marys with all of the fixings.
• Zee Bar: General admission for Zee Bar’s New Year’s Eve Party starts at only $30. 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.
You can follow Candis McLean on Twitter (@CandisRMcLean) and e-mail her at [email protected].
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