This list was published in December 2008. For New Year’s Eve 2009 parties and ideas for ringing in 2010, click here.
Palm Beach offers a bounty of parties, private parties, private club parties, pre-parties and after-parties to celebrate the new year.
Look for Palm Beach Daily News photographers at Mar-a-Lago, The Coconuts Party at the Flagler Museum, The Breakers Fantasy Ball and Club Colette. We’ll be posting pictures online by Thursday morning, probably before some parties have even ended.
You’re also welcome to post your own photos in Shiny Shots.
If you still haven’t mapped out your plans for the evening, you could just skip the whole night, saying it’s for amateurs, and get up for brunch at Cucina, Cafe Boulud or Green’s Pharmacy. But if you decide to keep up appearances, here’s a sampling of what local venues have to offer:
264 The Grill, 264 S. County Road, Palm Beach: Regular menu 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Pianist, party favors, champagne toast at midnight. (561) 833-6444.
Beach House Bistro, 350 S. County Road, Palm Beach: New Year’s Eve celebration from 8 p.m. Wednesday to 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. Call (561) 833-7119 or info@thebeachhousebistro.com.
Bice, 313 1/2 Worth Avenue, Palm Beach: This popular nightspot serves Northern Italian cuisine. Reservations: 561-835-1600.
The Breakers, 1 S. County Road, Palm Beach: Celebrate the arrival of 2009 at the black-tie Fantasy Ball, featuring spectacular live entertainment and a cocktail reception followed by a gourmet four-course dinner, champagne toast at midnight and breakfast buffet. General admission, $350-$400; under 21, $250. Call (561) 273-2537 or (888) BREAKERS.
Cafe Boulud is offering a four-course dinner for $90, served 5:30-6:30 p.m. Or you can ring in the New Year by joining the restaurant’s celebration from 8-10 p.m. Five courses created by Chef Zach and a champagne toast costs $250 per person, plus $100 extra with wine pairings. DJ Jean Marc will be spinning from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
CoCo Palm Beach, 290 Sunset Ave., Palm Beach: Call (561) 832-3734 for reservations.
The Colony, 155 Hammon Avenue, Palm Beach:
The Polo Steakhouses’ Gala New Year’s Eve Dinner includes a one-hour cocktail reception, four-course dinner, music, dancing to the Switzer Trio, champagne toast and Palm Court breakfast buffet for $250 per person plus tax and gratuity.
The Royal Room offers New Year’s Eve entertainment by John Davidson. A cocktail reception, four-course dinner, cabaret show, champagne toast and Palm Court midnight buffet cost $300 per person, plus tax and gratuity.
Call (561) 659-8100 for reservations.
Cucina Dell’Arte, 257 Royal Poinciana Way, Palm Beach: New Year’s Eve James Bond Goldfinger Event. 561-655-0770.
Clematis Street, West Palm Beach: From 8 p.m.-1 a.m., the 500 block will close to traffic for a 1980s-themed celebration complete with tribute bands, a laser light show, food and retail vendors, drink specials and a ping-pong ball drop at midnight. Enjoy a free champagne toast at midnight at O’Shea’s, The Lounge or Respectable Street, and catch the Grucci fireworks display above the Intracoastal Waterway at midnight, presented by the Flagler Museum.
Cuillo Centre, 201 Clematis St., West Palm Beach: Valerie Harper stars in Looped, a play about the life of ’30s Hollywood star Tallulah Bankhead. Show begins at 8 p.m and costs $45. (561) 835-9226.
E.R. Bradley’s Saloon, 104 Clematis St., West Palm Beach: Servers will dress like angels for a “Heavenly Party” with prizes and giveaways from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. A New Year’s Eve four-course meal is offered for $65 per person at 8 p.m. Reservations for dinner: (561) 833-3520.
Forte, 225 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach: Reservations from 5:30-11 p.m. on Wednesday. Cost is $85 – $125 per person with two separate seatings with two different tasting menus prepared by Chef di Cuisine Mark Liberman. Tasting menu with an optional wine pairing featuring Krug Champagne, complimentary New Years Eve toast with Moët & Chandon brut Imperial champagne, live music, party favors and complimentary valet. For reservations: (561) 833-3333.
Hotel Biba, 320 Belvedere Road, West Palm Beach: Complimentary champagne for ladies from 9-10 p.m., and the New Year’s Eve party continues until 2 a.m. Music by DJ Karin Ward, champagne toast at midnight and complimentary valet parking. For more information: (561) 832-0094 or info@hotelbiba.com.
Hotel Nightclub and Rock Lobby, Cityplace, 700 S.Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach: This New Year’s 2009 celebration kicks off with a complimentary open bar from 9-11 p.m. and the party continues until 4 a.m. Complimentary hors’deurves and complimentary champagne toast at midnight are also included in the ticket price of $40. DJ Supreme 1 will spin in the main room and DJ Opey and friends in Rock Lobby. A special celebrity guest is to be announced, and a Times Square-style countdown will take place at midnight. For more information on the event, to buy tickets, or reserve your table, call (561) 651-1110.
Kravis Center, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach: Five finalists from NBC’s Last Comic Standing will go for laughs beginning at 8 p.m. in Dreyfoos Hall, $20-$100. Forbidden Broadway: Special Victims Unit 7 p.m. ($38) and 10 p.m. ($55, includes champagne toast) in Rinker Playhouse. Information: (561) 832-7469 or (800) 572-8471.
Maison Carlos, 207 Clematis Street, West Palm Beach: This celebration includes fine dining, holiday decorations, a balloon drop and live piano music with vocalist Wayne Hosford. 7 p.m. to closing. Reservations are recommended: (561) 659-6524.
Maltz Jupiter Theatre, 1001 E. Indiantown Road: The political satire troupe Capitol Steps performs at 5 and 8 p.m. $50, $60. Information: (561) 575-2223, (800) 445-1666.
Michael R. McCarty’s,50 Cocoanut Row, Palm Beach: Open from 11:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. during the season for dinner, and open for drinks until 3 a.m.
Palm Beach Dramaworks, 322 Banyan Boulevard, West Palm Beach: The Chairs is a tragic farce about two characters, who are frantically preparing chairs for a series of invisible guests who are coming to hear an orator reveal the old man’s discovery of the meaning of life.
The show starts at 8 p.m. and lasts 90 minutes. Tickets cost $42.00 each.
Palm Beach Improv, CityPlace, 550 S. Rosemary Ave., West Palm Beach: Comic Louis C.K. performs at 7 and 10 p.m. The first show includes three-course dinner. The later performance features appetizer platters, party favors and champagne toast. $77.49. Information: (561) 833-1812.
Paradise Ball, Harriet Himmel Theater, CityPlace: This black-tie event to benefit the Paradise fund has a “Live Forever” vampire theme and includes DJs, dancing, a midnight balloon drop and confetti cannons and a post-midnight buffet breakfast.. Tickets are available for $225 online at www.paradiseball.com or for $250 at the door. Read more about the event
Pistache, 101 N. Clematis Street, West Palm Beach: Special New Year’s Eve Menu includes a five-course meal for $59. Wine pairings available for an additional $28. Regular menu also available. Music by DJ Jean-Marc. Reservations: (561) 833-5090.
Player’s Club, 13410 South Shore Boulevard, Wellington: The Restaurant will serve a special three-course dinner. Early seating at 7 p.m. is $50 and up per person; Late seating at 9 p.m. is $100 and up per person. Admission to the Nightclub is $25 at the door. For information and reservations: (561) 795-0080.
Rocco’s Taco’s and Tequila Bar, 224 Clematis St., West Palm Beach: Bring in the New Year with a Patron Tequila Toast at midnight. Premium tequila bottles will be offered at a discount, plus enjoy a live DJ and dancing with no cover charge. Information: (561) 650-1001.
Roxy’s Pub, 309 Clematis St., West Palm Beach: Second-floor nightspot Rome will have DJs. The 10 at 2 Saloon will feature dueling pianos. Downstairs, local bands and DJs will perform. Admission to Roxy’s free. $10 cover for Rome and saloon. (561) 296-7699.
Ta-boo, 221 Worth Ave., Palm Beach: American bistro/bar will have seatings starting at 7 p.m. Everything’s a la carte. Champagne toast and countdown at midnight. For reservations: (561) 835-3500.
Check our Dining Out guides for more places to eat and drink in Palm Beach, CityPlace and West Palm Beach.