Lets face it, New Year’s Eve can be hit-or-miss.
On one hand, it’s the most over-hyped night of the year, every bar is charging triple the usual cover charge, and once you get inside, the place is packed with rookie drinkers who can’t handle their hooch.
On the other hand, New Year’s means some of the best parties and music lineups of the year. You’re going to make new friends, and run into old ones. And if you do happen to over-imbibe, well, you’ll be in good company.
So to ensure you have the very best night possible, Westender presents its authoritative guide to New Year’s Eve.
Play safe!
Absolut Warhal NYE 2015
The Blackbird Public House hosts this gala bash, an Andy Warhol-themed multi-floor event with live performances, DJ Ryan Live, DJ J-hun, and Big C. Complimentary welcome cocktail, appetizer station at midnight, balloon drop, and party favours. 9pm at The Blackbird. Tickets at TicketZone.com
A Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve 2015
Travel back to the 1920s for an evening of live music, swing dancers, voguers, aerial acrobats, and all the daring theatrics a Gatsby gala beholds. Complimentary party favours and champagne at midnight to ring in 2015. 9pm at Harbour Event Centre. Tickets at ClubZone.com
Back to the Future New Year’s Eve
Celebrate the past, present, and future with this Back to the Future themed party with three live bands sponsored by Parallel 49, where $2 of every ticket sale benefits the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research. 8:30pm at Ukranian Hall. Tickets at SaveTheClockTower.info
Belvedere Mansion Party
An elegant way to ring in 2015, guests make a stylish red carpet entrance in all-white attire, the event’s classic dress code. Delicious hors d’oeuvres throughout the evening and DJ Tony Haus and DJ Dimitri behind the decks. 8:30pm at Au Bar. Tickets at ClubZone.com
Black & Blue
The Golden Age of Celebration sees regular dinner seating from 3-7:30pm, gala seating with an indulgent set menu at 8pm, or the option to just come for the party. A special guest DJ, glass of bubbly, and complimentary midnight nibbles round out the evening. Reservations at [email protected]
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Cinema Public House presents this NYE party featuring Absolut cocktails and Mumm Napa Brut. Tiffany & Co. gift card giveaway! 9pm at Cinema. Tickets at TicketZone.com
The Butcher & Bullock
All-inclusive, all-night dance party with live DJs, complimentary drink tickets, celebratory toast at midnight, and delicious canapés throughout the evening. 8pm at The Butcher & Bullock. Tickets at ClubZone.com
Celebrities New Year’s Eve 2015
Celebrate this New Year’s Eve under the twinkling LED lights at Celebrities with resident DJs Timeline, Yurie and Matilda Ho. Complimentary champagne, hors d’oeurves, balloon drop, and stunning dancers. 9pm at Celebrities Nightclub. Tickets at Celebrities.ElectroStub.com
Chambar
Celebrate in true Chambar form, an infamous evening of civilized debauchery with the very talented DJ Hebegebe and guests. Dress sexy formal, and enjoy canapés, unlimited cocktails, wine, and beer, and champagne at midnight. 7:30pm at Chambar. Don’t be late! Doors close at 10pm. Tickets at EventBrite.ca or at 568 Beatty St.
The Charles Bar
Celebrate the biggest night of the year at Gastown’s finest with DJ Lazyboy. Enjoy a three-course dinner and complimentary champagne for $30, or hit the party only for $20 after 10pm. 8pm at The Charles Bar. Tickets at TheCharlesBar.ElectroStub.com
Chelsea Hotel New Year’s Eve Party
Check into New York’s infamous hotel, a place full of music and enchantment, desire and passion with a ticket to the hit show, Chelsea Hotel - The Songs of Leonard Cohen. 7pm at Firehall Arts Centre. Tickets at Tickets.FirehallArtsCentre.ca
Cirque Gala NYE 2015
Ring in the New Year at Vancouver’s largest mulit-level club with two floors of music, house, progressive, trance and trap DJs, Cirque performance artists and a countdown you won’t forget. 9pm at Five Sixty. Tickets at TicketZone.com
Comedy Mix NYE
The Comedy Mix presents headliner and hometown favourite, Graham Clark, “East Van’s whispered hero of hilarity” with special guests Ivan Decker and Kyle Bottom. Doors at 8:30 and showtime at 10pm at The Comedy Mix. Tickets at TheComedyMix.com
Drop The Ball 2015
Two theme rooms to ring in the new year until 4am with DJs Johnny Jover and guests. Complimentary champagne, balloon drop, and go go dancers. 9pm at Caprice Nightclub. Tickets at Caprice.ElectroStub.com
Family First Night
One of Vancouver’s only family-friendly NYE events, Mount Seymour hosts an evening of tubing and tobogganing, live children’s entertainment, a fire spinning routine, and the early NYE countdown and fireworks finale at 9pm. Complimentary shuttles will run from Parkgate Community Centre throughout the evening. 6-9pm at Mount Seymour. Tickets at WebSales.MountSeymour.com
Federico’s NYE 2015
Dance and dine your way into the new year at Federico’s Supper Club. Included are party favours, live dinner music courtesy of Mike Romano, and dancing with host Federico Fuoco and Shannon Green until 1am. Tickets at FedericosSupperClub.com
Fortune NYE 2015
Fortune Sound Club presents DJ Seko, Sailor Gerry, Adlib, and MC Freeky P, and in the Livestock Room, Arems and Hoppa. Balloon drop, party favours, confetti cannons, and free bubbly at midnight. 8pm at Fortune. Tickets at FortuneSoundClub.ElectroStub.com
Glowbal Grill NYE
The last hurrah in its current Yaletown location sees the return of favourite dishes from the past 12 years served canapé style throughout the evening. A complimentary welcome cocktail, midnight toast with bubbly and a special guest DJ. Reservations at [email protected]
L’Abbatoir
Ring in the new year at Gastown’s French inspired destination with your choice of a là carte dinner or a more intimate experience in the premier private dining space. Five-course dinner paired with wine and specially-designed cocktails accommodating groups of two to six. Reservations available from 7-10pm. Tickets at 604-588-1701 or [email protected]
Man Up New Year’s eve Ball at The Emerald
For one night only, Vegas-style supper club The Emerald will transform into a speakeasy-style nightclub for a special edition of East Van’s favourite drag king showcase. Early show featuring a tantalizing strip tease event, SKIN GAME! DJ Lisa DeLux, DJ Bey and DJ T and as always, Buddy System is in effect. 8pm at The Emerald. Tickets available at Little Sisters or ManUpNYE.BrownPaperTickets.com
Midnight at the Marriott
Dress in your best and dance your way into 2015 at the city’s largest hotel party, featuring live food preparation by chef Frank Gort, music by Gio Levy and David Martone, live countdown, and balloon drop with champagne. 7:30pm at Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown Hotel. Tickets at ClubZone.com
Midnight in Paris: New Year’s Eve
Ring in the new year with class, couture, style and floods of champagne. Enjoy a mature and romantic atmosphere this NYE with live performances and music by Vancouver’s finest DJs including Kempeh and friends. 10pm at Killjoy. Tickets at TicketZone.com
New Year’s Eve Extravaganza Club Crawl 2015
The Student Tours NYE club crawl is back to take you on a wild ride to four of the best clubs and NYE parties in Vancouver. Party bus transportation keeps the party going between stops and promises a unique experience with no lines and thousands of other party-goers. 6pm at Various locations. Tickets at ClubZone.com
Dockside NYE
Celebrate the new year in a spectacular waterfront setting with an amazing four course dinner and party with local music legends Brickhouse. Dinner reservations available from 7-8:30pm and entertainment from 9:30pm-1am at Dockside Restaurant. Tickets at DocksideVancouver.com
Hotel Vancouver
Ring in 2015 at the city’s most historic venue on the biggest night of the year, with a live country revue starring Rick Hope, performances from Vancouver Opera, an erotic Weimar Striptastic Spectacular, and the world famous Motown. 8pm at Hotel Vancouver. Tickets at HotelVancouverNYE.com
Minami NYE
The first-ever gala event in the masquerade tradition, with a four-course prix fixe menu, live music, and photobooth followed by DJ and dancing. First seating at 7:30pm at Minami. Tickets available in person at Minami or at [email protected]
New Year’s Eve Cruise
Ring in 2015 in grand style, experiencing the romance of the sea aboard the Pride of Vancouver or the Star of Vancouver. Enjoy a gourmet buffet, entertainment and dancing, as well as champagne and party favours at midnight, all in true cruise ship tradition. Boarding at 8 pm. Tickets at TicketZone.com
One Night Stand VII: New Year’s Eve
Members of Mother Mother, Said the Whale, Yukon Blonde, Hannah Georgas, the Belle Game, Rococode, Louise Burns, and Dominique Fricot all take to the stage to ring in the new year East Van style. 9pm at The Imperial. Tickets are available at HipCityMusic.ca
Palais Royale
The Hotel Georgia gets the Royale treatment. Rock to the beats of SKLA, Tyson V, and Ramble in multiple rooms, with special guest Jimmy Bell (San Francisco). Go-go dancers, table service, crazy visuals, and an over-the-top courtesan parade will transport you to the Orangerie. Tickets at ClubZone.com
Railway Club New Year’s Carnival
The Railway Club’s NYE Carnival Spectacular is a thrill to the wild, post-apocalyptic, outlaw rock noir of Big John Bates, with Reverend Heathen Strangefellow & The Vaudeville Vagabonds and Devil in the Wood Shack. 7pm at the Railway Club. Advance tickets $15 at Zulu, Highlife and NorthernTickets.com. Tickets $20 at the door.
Republic: NYEXS 2015
Bring in the new year proper with a signature-style Vegas party with high energy EDM and charts provided by Nicky Wolfe and Jamie Van Goulden. Hip hop in The Annex, live performers, confetti shots, and a champagne toast at midnight. 10pm at Republic. Tickets at TicketZone.com
The Roof
Ring in the new year on Vancouver’s rooftop winter garden. At 6pm indulge in the NYE limited three course a là carte menu. After dinner, take an elevator ride downstairs to the main floor to enjoy a special guest DJ, glass of bubbly and complimentary midnight nibbles. Reservations at [email protected]
The Roxy’s 26th annual NYE Bash
Ring in the new year at the 26th annual New Year’s Eve Bash featuring live music by Troys R Us, champagne, goodies, and surprises all night. 8pm at The Roxy. Tickets at TicketZone.com
Shangri-La Hotel NYE 2015
Back for the fifth year in a row, this party is exclusive to a mature audience and hosted by Stimulant and C Stylez. A media wall projecting sights and sounds and photo booth will keep you entertained. Appetizers and complimentary champagne at midnight. 8pm at Shangri-La Hotel Vancouver. Tickets at ClubZone.com
Society: A New Year’s Celebration
This party includes an unlimited open bar, canapés, midnight countdown and balloon drop all starting at 8pm. Or, join them early for dinner from 4:30 to 7pm. Tickets and reservations at [email protected].
Solid NYE 2015
The biggest and baddest Solid event of the year, a NYE massive featuring the King of EDM, Tiesto, with megasuperstar Steve Aoki and trance sensation Andrew Rayel alongside Moti and Goshfather & Jinco. 7pm at Pacific Coliseum. Tickets at TicketLeader.ca and SolidEvents.ca
Strange Days 2015 New Year’s Eve
A monumental audio and visual thrill ride with one of the best tech house producers in the underground scene, Tim Green, with Kevin Shiu and Siavash. 9pm at Rickshaw Theatre. Tickets at RickshawTheatre.com
Telus World of Science NYE 2015
The iconic venue hosts its annual NYE party with five bars, two rooms of music on two floors, six DJs and an 1100-person capacity. Amazing sound and lights and one of the biggest countdowns to bring in 2015. 9pm at Telus World of Science. Tickets at ClubZone.com
Ten Ten Tapas NYE
New Year’s Eve will be a blowout with two seatings, a five-course dinner, a glass of bubbly, and Gabriel Hasselbach hosting the night’s celebration. Featuring special guests soul-star Billy Dixon, pianist/singer Rob Weaver, and the powerhouse vocalist Lisa Fennell. Call 604-689-7800 for reservations or visit TenTenTapas.com
Trattoria
Bring the entire family for dinner at either the Kitsilano or Park Royal locations to enjoy your favourite menu items, as well as a feature NYE menu. Dinner service starts at 4:30pm. Reservations at [email protected] or [email protected]
Venue NYE
Ring in the new year with Daryl O and guests, complimentary champagne at midnight, balloon drop and dancers until 4am. 9pm at Venue. Tickets at BPLive.ca or VenueLive.ca
The Wallflower Ball
This vintage homage to the sixties American rockers features tribute band, The Starlighters with DJ Jef Leppard, DJ Zach McLean Webb and DJ Dylan Gray Jones. Doors at 9pm at The Cobalt. Advance tickets $10 at The Cobalt, TheCobalt.ca and BrownPaperTickets.com.
Waterfront Gala Ball
Toast the year in style at the Fairmont Waterfront with two rooms featuring DJ Skyline, DJ Kidd, and, from LA, DJ Ryan Live. A chic and sassy party for those over 25, with a live countdown, balloon drop and champagne. 9pm at Fairmont Waterfront. Tickets at ClubZone.com
White Noise NYE Masquerade Ball
Electric Owl hosts this masked affair with LA’s Goldroom, Vancouver’s Pat Lok, and WMN Studies. 9pm at Electric Owl. Tickets $40 at Red Cat, Zulu or TicketWeb.ca
The Winter Social
The Ice Cream Social DJ’s 7th Annual New Year’s Eve Party features DJs Tyler Fedchuck, Cam Dales, Trevor Risk, and Justin Gradin. 9pm to 4am at the Biltmore Cabaret. Tickets at TicketWeb.ca
A Wise Year Punk Party
The Rebel Spell hit the stage for a punk party to end the year with special guests The Invasives, The Gagged, Jeff Andrew, and The Binz. 8pm at The Wise Hall & Lounge. Advance tickets $20 at Red Cat, Highlife, the WISE Lounge and BrownPaperTickets.com or $25 at the door.
VCSC New Year’s Eve Party
The 10th annual New Year’s Eve party for friends and supporters of the Cuban Revolution features delicious food, drinks, live music from Maria Melendez, a salsa dance lesson, DJ 100 Fuegos. Children welcome. 8pm at Victoria Drive Community Hall. Tickets available at EventBrite.ca or 778-882-5223.
New Year’s Day recovery highlights
Polar Bear Swim
The 95th annual Polar Bear Swim takes place at English Bay at 2:30pm. Dress up in your silliest costume and take part in the Peter Pantages Memorial 100-yard swim race. More than 2,500 chilly swimmers took part in last year’s event. The Greater Vancouver Food Bank will be accepting donations of non-perishable food or cash.
Pan Pacific Hotel
Café Pacifica & Cascades Lounge host their annual New Year’s Day brunch buffet with an array of fresh salads, seasonal fruits and cheeses, freshly baked goods, an omelette station, charcuterie, live sushi chef and carvery. Kids get their own buffet, too! Entertainment by the Goby Catt Trio. Reservations at PanPacificVancouver.com/dining
Twisted Fork Bistro
This brunch hotspot boasts a rotating menu of the most delicious fare with items like banana-stuffed French toast, asiago scones, and perfected eggs Benny. Expect a line on a regular day, and most certainly on Jan. 1, so bring a hangover cure to devour while waiting.
Yew
Once the champagne has been popped and “Auld Lang Syne” has been sung, it’s time for a good meal. Whether on your way home, or well-rested and ready for your first meal of 2015, Yew has got you covered with a sweet and savoury three-course $65 menu. Reservations at OpenTable.com/Yew-Seafood-And-Bar.
