Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2021 in Brisbane

If you’re ready to say a big goodbye to 2021 and hello to 2022, you’d best make sure you do so at one of the best parties in town this New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re all about taking in the fireworks drink in hand, or dining extravagantly, there’s something for you on this 17-strong list, which we’ve handily split into two sections: Eat and Party.

EAT

Donna Chang and Boom Boom Room

New Year’s at Donna Chang will be a lavish affair, with four hours of drinks, including beer, wine, cocktails, spirits and Veuve Clicquot champagne, plus a four-course banquet of Donna Chang’s signature modern Chinese. The package is $218 per person and will run from 8.30pm until 12.30am, with live entertainment throughout. If an early dinner before moving to a party is on the cards for you, the first seating is at 5.30pm. Alternatively, head downstairs to the Boom Boom Room for a Japanese omakase banquet and four hours of bubbles. Book Donna Chang or the Boom Boom Room.

Essa

Essa’s first New Year’s will see the team here deliver a set menu curated by owner and head chef, Phil Marchant. There’s been no word yet on what will be served, but diners can expect food that champions local producers. In the past Essa has served fried chickpea beignets with caramelised scallop cream; Black Angus short rib with Wagyu fat jus gras and fresh green peppercorns; and hand-rolled malloreddus pasta with Fraser Island spanner crab and ’nduja. The menu is $220 per head and includes a glass of Ruinart champagne but there are only limited seatings available, so get in fast.

E’cco Bistro

Book in for one long feast at E’cco Bistro from 7pm to midnight. Five courses by owner Philip Johnson and chef Antoine Potier will follow the institution’s ethos of highlighting local produce and suppliers through contemporary Australian dining. At the time of writing, the menu is yet to be announced but the night will see guests served champagne and amuse-bouche upon arrival, for $195. Matched wines are an extra $99 per person. Book here.

Yoko Dining

See out the year with izakaya-style snacks and drinks at Yoko Dining for a sunset or midnight session. The earlier seating is designed to help you fuel up before you head into the fray, running from 5.30pm to 8.45pm and featuring a yuzu spritz on arrival, followed by some of the restaurant’s best izakaya snacks, hibachi-grilled Wagyu, and multi-coloured “disco” mocha rice cakes for dessert. The later sesh (9.15pm to 12.30am) includes the same menu plus a three-hour drinks package. To dine at sunset, it’ll set you back $120 and to nab a seat at this prime riverside spot at midnight, it’s $220.

Za Za Ta and Kazba

A six-course, Tel Aviv-style feast is on the cards for party-goers here. Plant-based Middle Eastern cuisine is the house specialty so prepare for dishes like haloumi doughnuts with pomegranate and chilli jam, lentil and mushroom manti, and cauliflower shawarma with pickled fennel and apple. Dine at Za Za Ta or head across to sister venue Kazba from 8pm for four hours of free-flowing Aperol spritzes, prosecco, wine, tap beers and canapes to get you to the midnight hour and onwards. Roving entertainers will be around in both areas. Find more information here.

Sea Legs Brewing Co

Kangaroo Point’s Sea Legs is celebrating the New Year with a booze and bites party. For $99 guests can enjoy four hours of house-made beers (including the ever-popular tropical lager, golden pale and pale ale), wine, sparkling and non-alcoholic drinks. You’ll also see a range of pub eats coming out of the kitchen throughout the night before being able to take in the fireworks on the Story Bridge from below. See here for bookings.

PARTY

Iris Rooftop

Settle in for five hours of party time at this Fortitude Valley rooftop venue. The package will have guests sipping Veuve Clicquot, cocktails, beer and wine alongside seafood stations, canapes and substantial bites. Arrive at 8pm and stick around until 1am with live DJs, entertainment and, of course, seriously good views of the fireworks. Tickets are going for $269 and with limited spots available, you’ll need to book ASAP to ensure you don’t miss out.

Felons Brewing and Barrel Hall

If you can’t go past a prime position at Howard Smith Wharves but you don’t necessarily want to go all out, Felons should do the trick. Whether you take up a perch in the brewery or in Barrel Hall, both venues have options for pre-booked set feasts or walk-ins. At Barrel Hall, live acts (which are yet to be announced) will jam the night away while those with bookings dine on a $99 Southeast Asian menu. At Felons, a limited number of tables are available for a $89 NYE feast in the brewery and the rest are for walk-ins so you can choose what you pay. The annual limited-edition sparkling champagne sour will also be on tap at both venues. Book in for the Felons brewery here and Barrel Hall here.

Cloudland and Valley Hops

Always a venue for extravagance, Cloudland is once again throwing a NYE party with all the trimmings. From 8pm until 12.30am, enjoy an open bar of spirits, beer, wine and champagne, alongside wood-fired pizza and canapes. Live entertainment throughout the night will be immersive and will pop up unexpectedly in whatever package you choose. And there are a few. With varying degrees in price and what’s included, guests have the option to party with top-shelf drinks in the main area on the ground floor, on level two or in the cocktail lounge. The all-new Valley Hops rooftop brewery will also be in full swing on the night with the entire core range of house beers on tap, on top of the regular drinks package and an excellent vantage point for the fireworks. Learn more and book here.

Wet Deck

Enter the colourful world of W Brisbane to celebrate a “Bright All Night” New Year’s at Wet Deck. The hotel’s pool bar will be slinging cocktails and champagne alongside oysters and tapas for four hours in this all-inclusive package. DJs will spin tracks from 8.30pm, and magnums of Veuve will be brought out to toast the New Year. And of course, there are excellent views of the river to watch the fireworks. Get tickets for Wet Deck’s NYE party here.

Death and Taxes and Dr Gimlette

If it’s cocktails in the city you’re after, these are the options for you. Death and Taxes will play host to a glam, Las Vegas-themed Rat Pack party with your choice of three cocktails, free-flowing beer and wine, and French champagne served on arrival and at midnight. The Dr Gimlette event will be equally as decadent with a Venetian masquerade-themed party to mark the venue’s first NYE. Here you’ll be treated to a complimentary mask (if you don’t already have your own), five cocktails, beer, wine and champagne to take you through to midnight. Tickets are $169 for Death and Taxes and $175 for Dr Gimlette. For more information, check out the respective bar’s booking pages here and here.

Tetto Rooftop

If spending hours trying to get out of the city post-midnight isn’t your cup of tea, consider a suburban celebration at Tetto Rooftop in Everton Park. Disco chic is the theme of the night at this Italian rooftop bar and restaurant, where there’ll be sparkling wine upon arrival with bottomless drinks and canapés throughout the night. Dancing is on the cards too, with a DJ mixing disco all night (the venue suggests you dress accordingly). Tickets are $150, or $200 if you want to upgrade to a VIP package with cocktails and bottle service – book yours here.