The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Sydney | Nick Tsagaris

1. The Best New Year's Eve Parties In Sydney

2. There's no other way to put it: 2021 sucked. But now we're on the home stretch of this dumpster fire of a year, it's well and truly time to par-tay. And there's no time to waste planning your New Year’s Eve celebrations. Harbourside patches of grass are highly coveted on any usual year – they fill up fast for the count-down to midnight – but this year calls for even more thorough forethought, thanks to the unpredictable weather chaos, caused by the current La Niña event in the Pacific.

3. New Year's Eve at Bar 83 It’s a common conundrum when New Year’s Eve rolls around in Sydney. This city’s fireworks are the envy of the world, seen on screen from Tasmania to Timbuktu. But actually finding a decent spot to watch them in person is easier said than done. Well, if you’re tired of searching for a decent spot to see the spectacle, this party is the one you’ve been looking for. With unrivalled views of the city 83 storeys above street level, nowhere else in Sydney boasts such an uninterrupted vantage point on Sydney Harbour’s famous whizzbangs.

4. Sydney 2000 NYE Cruise This NYE is all about making up for the lost time. So what's the harm in splashing out and living large, especially when it's to farewell such a dumpster fire of a year. Cruise into 2022 onboard the Sydney 2000, a boat that has been floating in the harbour exclusion zone for over 20 years. This means it won’t be a problem getting an incredible view of the midnight fireworks – you'll be as close as anyone in Sydney is legally permitted to get.

5. New Year’s Eve Opera Gala You can tell Opera Australia (OA) are ready to party, post-unlock. First they drop the awesome news that they will take over Cockatoo Island for a show-stopping take on classic fave Carmen that you can literally sail on up to. But while you wait for that sensation next summer sailors, you can get a tasty teaser with the company’s inaugural New Year’s Eve Opera Gala.

6. Rocket NYE Fireworks Ferry Looking for a more affordable option for New Year's Eve cruises but want to stay on the boat for more than a couple of hours? Well then, Rocket Ferry has your NYE sorted. You can enjoy 5.5 hours of relaxed cruising, indoor and outdoor ferry seating, and BYO beverages and picnic. Rocket is positioned in a viewing area just outside of the exclusion zone for the fireworks display for views of the spectacle that are just about as close as it's possible to be without being physically strapped to one of these epic whizzbangs.

7. New Year's Eve at the Sydney Opera House If you’re looking to experience something a bit different this New Year’s Eve, why not grab a few friends and glam up to see a timeless show at the Opera House? Not only will you beat the crowds and still be able to dress to impress, but you’ll also be able to enjoy a delicious pre-performance dinner before catching a stellar performance of La Bohème, one of the opera canon's most sublime works.

8. New Year's Eve at Quay With cuisine inspired by the vast Australian landscape, Quay is an upmarket restaurant like no other. From its perch at the end of the Overseas Passenger Terminal, with views of the harbour waters that make it one of the most unbeatable spots for watching the fireworks, Quay will be serving up a 7-course fine dining experience so you can ring in the new year with a delectable meal, premium beverages, and of course, the New Year’s Eve fireworks.

9. Foundation & Friends NYE Picnic After a lacklustre year (extreme understatement) it's time to book yourself a New Year's Eve party to remember. If relaxing on a picnic rug with your family and friends with one of the most celebratory views in the world sounds like your vibe then this is the event for you. The legends at Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens are throwing this laidback al fresco shindig for members and their guests (don't worry, you can sign up if you aren't already a member) to ring in 2022 with BYO treats, kid-friendly surrounds and the IRL thrill of fireworks up close.

10. Bridgeview at the Royal Botanic Garden If you're not gazing in awe at Sydney's world-famous fireworks at midnight, are you even doing New Year's Eve? But worry not, there's no fear of missing out on those revered pyrotechnics at Bridgeview at the Royal Botanic Garden. For just $260 per person, enjoy one of the closest locations you can get to the iconic fireworks display for one of the lowest ticket prices in town.

11. NYE at Sir Stamford If you prefer your NYE to be a little bit fancy, the super suave Sir Stamford at Circular Quay Hotel is where you want to be. They’re throwing an elegant event to ring in the New Year, and you’re gonna want to save your appetite for this one. Think champagne cocktails, canapes, and charcuterie on arrival (did someone say Truffle Mushroom Arancini and all the cured meats and specialty cheese?), followed by a gourmet three-course dinner, which includes a decadent dessert buffet.

12. New Year’s Eve at the Butler Want a New Year's Eve event that's lit as hell but isn't gonna cost you and your mates an arm and a leg? Well, the Butler in Potts Point is giving new meaning to the phrase "bang for your buck" with a celebration that delivers heaps of eats, plenty of revelry, and perfect views of the fireworks, for one of the lowest ticket prices in the city.

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