-Courtesy of Punch Media
feature photo Forsythia prix fixe dinner by Gab Bonghi
Whether it’s celebrating with wine and a fabulous multi-course dinner, making the most of the holiday with a luxurious overnight staycation (or both!), or experiencing an extravagant party, the city has plenty of delicious menus and celebratory happenings to take advantage of, from locales including At The Table, Townsend EPX, Oloroso, Almyra, Bolo, Forsythia, SNACKTIME, The Twisted Tail, Panorama, The Dutch, Hyatt Centric City Center Philadelphia, Square 1682, Stella of New Hope, Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Stratus Rooftop Lounge, Xfinity Live!, Patchwork, A Mano and Urban Farmer.
Almyra, a new modern Greek restaurant and bar from the acclaimed Estia Restaurant Group, invites locals and visitors alike to its brand-new space for dinner, DJ and live entertainment on December 31 from 9pm to 2am. Guests can enjoy à la carte dishes from Almyra’s dinner menu such as Charred Octopus; Lamb Chops; Lavraki; and more, plus belly dancing performances, show girls, a DJ, complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and more. This event is pay as you go and does not require a ticket, however reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made on Resy through Almyra’s website.
At The Table, Wayne’s venerable and award-winning fine-dining restaurant from chefs Alex Hardy and Tara Buzan-Hardy, is wrapping up the year on an elegant note with their carefully-curated New Year’s Eve Five Course Tasting Menu, served exclusively on Sunday, December 31 and priced at $175 per person. Coupled with complementary sparkling and amuse bouche, guests can look forward to tasteful fare including Abulón y Caviar with potato disc, potato espuma, hybrid kaluga caviar, abalone, and chive, Saffron Beurre Poached Maine Lobster with bone marrow, Maitake mushrooms, red & wine pearl onions, and sauce Americaine, White Alba Truffle Burro Fuso with white alba truffle, tagliatelle, Parmigiano Reggiano, and brown butter, a choice of Dover Sole with shiitake duxelle, baby vegetables, lemon truffle aioli, and sauce grenobloise or 5oz Charcoal Grilled A5 Miyazaki Wagyu Beef with soy cured quail egg yolk, A5 financiere, and Tahitian squash, and a final course of Baba Au Rhum for dessert. To complement dinner, folks can imbibe in the restaurants newly-launched cocktail menu, or opt for a wine pairing ($65 per person), with exquisite selections including Chardonnay ‘Giulua’ Tenute Di Giulio ’19 (Italy), Trebbiano ‘Gironia Biferno Bianco’ Borgo di Colloredo ’21 (Italy), and Montepulciano ‘Gironia Biferno Rosso Riserva’ Borgo di Colloredo ’15 (Italy). Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made here.
Bolo, Chef Yun Fuentes’ Latin American dining room and rum bar nestled in bustling Rittenhouse Square, is going all out to celebrate the onset of the new year, or what many Latin Americans refer to as “La Despedida,” meaning “The Goodbye.” The celebration will feature a special New Year’s Eve Multi-Course Menu, priced at $95 per person with three seating times at 5pm, 7pm, and 9pm, consisting of ceviches, tapas, and exquisite artisan dishes including (but not limited to) Whole Red Snapper Chicharron comprised of fried snapper bites and citrus fruit mojo, Chuleta de Cordero with grilled lamb chops, artichoke, and sancocho, Lechón with boneless whole roasted pork and sour orange mojo, and desserts such as Flan de Queso and Tembleque. In addition to dinner, the restaurant and bar will be counting down to 2024 with live music by Papa Buda and Friends, who will bring the sounds of the Caribbean starting at 8pm, and complimentary champagne toasts will be offered throughout the night. At 11pm, an in-house DJ will continue to play music downstairs at the Rum bar, where folks can stay after dinner (or pop in just to party), and will feature a carefully-curated tapas menu comprised of regular menu favorites and premium items from the New Year’s Eve menu. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made HERE.
The Dutch, the popular breakfast-through-dinner eatery with a focus on reinventing the Pennsylvania Dutch classics, is debuting a fabulous Multi-Course New Year’s Eve Menu on Sunday, December 31, priced at $85 per person. The menu showcases refined dishes and supplements that stay true to the restaurant’s much-loved usual selections, with an amuse bouche of Butternut Squash Cappucino with crab Meat, coconut, and Rival Bros. coffee, and other offerings including (but not limited to) Galette de Crabe with melted endive and dijon beurre blanc, Seared Foie Gras with pain perdu, honeycrisp apple, and tonka bean, Pork Belly with fingerling potatoes, braised homemade sauerkraut, and dijon jus, Skate Wing with meyer lemon risotto, edamame, and soy bean butter, and Vanilla Semifreddo with shortbread, tangerine, caramel, and pomegranate. In addition, complimentary bubbly and optional wine pairings will be offered, and á la carte fare and beverage specials will be available at the bar from 10pm until late night. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Tock.
Forsythia, Chef Christopher Kearse’s contemporary and innovative French restaurant and bar in Old City, Philadelphia, is serving up a grand Five Course New Year’s Eve Menu with dazzling offerings to honor the culmination of the year, priced at $120 per person. To start, guests can enjoy an Artichoke and Black Truffle Soup, made with blue crab, smoked maple cream, and almond, and delight in Escargot Aux Champignons crafted with lobster mushroom, buttermilk grits, and poached egg. The menu also boasts divine entrées of Duck Fat Roasted Scallop, comprised of salsify, parsnip, and lobster bordelaise, and Rohan Duck Breast a L’Orange with caramelized endive, satsuma, and pistachio. For dessert, folks can indulge in Baba au Rhum, adorned with chocolate crémeux, malt, and green cardamom.
Panorama, Philadelphia’s premier wine bar in the Penn’s View Hotel, a mainstay in Philadelphia for over 30 years, boasting a Guinness World Record custom-built wine keeper offering over 120 wines on tap and an authentic Italian menu, is toasting to 2024 with a special three-Course prix-fixe dinner on December 31. Guests will have their choice of dishes for each course with highlights including Escargot; Lobster Ravioli; Pappardelle; NY Strip; Braciola; Ricotta Cake; Tiramisu; and more. There will be two seatings: one between 5:30pm to 6:30pm and one between 8:30pm to 9:00pm. Dinner is $95/person and includes a glass of Prosecco. Reservations are encouraged and can be made here.
Square 1682, the modern American restaurant and award-winning bar located on 17th and Sansom Streets, is boasting a super-festive à la carte Holiday Menu perfect for those looking for an elevated menu to reflect the joy of the holidays. This thoughtfully-crafted menu caters to all palates and is available exclusively on New Year’s Eve from 5pm to 10pm and boasts a vast array of menu selections with starters of: Burrata Flatbread ($15) with heirloom tomato, basil, and bang cauda, Duck Wings ($15) sambal, honey, sesame, and lime, and Brussel Sprouts ($14) topped with smoked bacon and soubise. Entrée offerings include: Seared Farro Island Salmon ($30) served with confit potato and coriander yogurt, Red Curry and Roots ($22) bomba rice and coconut milk, Half Jerk Chicken ($32) topped with roasted cabbage and 1682 hot sauce, and 16oz Ribeye ($52) accompanied by brown butter potatoes and horseradish demi, followed by dessert options of blood orange Cheesecake ($10) and Chocolate Layer Cake ($10) topped with a graham cracker crumble and whipped cream. In addition to fabulous fare, the restaurant and bar will be continuing the festivities with a DJ, specialty cocktails at the bar, champagne, and more spirited fun, starting at 9pm – reservations can be made HERE. Following New Year’s Eve, Square 1682 will offer brunch service exclusively on New Year’s Day, closing at 2pm.
Stella of New Hope, Bucks County’s modern American restaurant overlooking the Delaware River, will be offering a five-course tasting menu from 5pm to 11pm on Sunday, December 31. Highlights include Ahi Tuna Tataki, Split Pea Soup, Lobster Velouté, Iberian Duroc Pork Belly, Sous Vide Duck Breast, and more. Dinner is $105/person with an optional $55 wine pairing. The celebration continues after dinner with a countdown to midnight and complimentary champagne toast. Reservations are required and can be made on OpenTable.
Townsend EPX, Chef Townsend Wentz’s French restaurant and bar on East Passyunk Avenue, is ushering in 2024 in proper fashion with a magnificent multi-course New Year’s Eve menu priced at $125 per person, available on Sunday, December 31 from 4:30pm to 9:30pm. Highlights include Savage Blonde Oysters adorned with roasted pear granita, ginger, lime, and sesame, Seared Sea Scallops with blood oranges, pink grapefruit, fennel, and citrus-uni butter, Duck Confit and Onion Jam Cappelletti served with butternut squash, crème fraîche sauce, and charcuterie (cornichons and diced cured duck breast), Scottish Pheasant Stuffed with Foie Gras topped with pistachio-sage pesto and Albufera sauce, Roasted Venison Loin with winter fruits and vegetables ‘en cocotte’ and sauce salmis, and a Chocolate Soufflé ‘Tabac’ with whiskey anglaise to top off the feast. The restaurant will also offer a selection of carefully curated bar snacks for guests to nosh on, with items from both the regular menu and the New Year’s Eve menu. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made via Resy.
Additionally, Chef Townsend Wentz’s branch restaurant, Oloroso, is commemorating the night with a grand Five Course New Year’s Eve dinner, also commencing on Sunday, December 31. The menu, priced at $95 per person, boasts an elegant array of conservas, entrées, and desserts, including their fan-favorite Basque Cheesecake,as well as additional supplements to choose from such as oysters, caviar, ibérico, and wagyu. Guests will also have the option to elevate their experience by adding a wine pairing, priced at $75 per person. Reservations for Oloroso’s New Year’s Eve dinner are highly encouraged and can be made HERE.
Chef Townsend Wentz’s A Mano will also partake in the holiday festivities by presenting a specialty New Year’s Eve dinner menu and a delectable array of bar snacks and seasonal sippers served à la carte style from 4:30pm to 9:30pm. Folks can reserve a spot at A Mano via Resy.
Urban Farmer, the modern American steakhouse located in the Logan Hotel known for its locally-sourced ingredients and in-house butcher shop and mushroom program, is offering its à la carte dinner menu with decadent holiday specials from 4 pm to 10 pm on Sunday, December 31. Executive Chef Sonny Ingui is treating guests to a lineup of luxe dishes, including starters such as the A5 Kagoshima Wagyu Tataki ($56) and St. Jacques Diver Scallop ($36); plus entrées such as the Seafood Linguine ($60), Tomahawk Ribeye for Two ($160) and more. Lobster Thermidor, a lobster tail with house cultivated mushrooms and sherry cream can be added to any meal for $29. Reservations are highly encouraged and can be made on OpenTable.
Assembly Rooftop Lounge, The Logan Hotel’s swanky year-round rooftop bar and lounge, will be throwing a New Year’s Eve Party from 8pm to 1am on Sunday, December 31. Reservations will be available on Tock until 9:30 pm. After that, the rooftop will be first come, first served. All cocktails and food will be pay as you go. DJ A1R will be setting the mood, spinning tunes the entire night. The rooftop bar has transformed into Alpine Heights for the winter months offering aprés ski-inspired decor and food and drink, such as Liquid Love ($18) with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, ganache hot chocolate, Chantilly cream; Evergreen Elixir ($17) with Bahnez Mezcal, Beefeater gin, matcha, simple, lemon and egg white, and more. The food menu boasts a selection of flatbreads ($14-16); Cheese ($18) and Charcuterie ($17); and two different fondues.
Stratus Rooftop Lounge, the chic rooftop venue on the 11th floor of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Old City, is reveling in style and celebrating under the stars for their Mr. Hollywood DJ’s Third Annual NYE Bash, which will run from 9pm to 2am on December 31. Philadelphia’s DJ Hollywood will be mixing for the entirety of the night, and guests can indulge in a premium open bar and signature New Year’s Eve cocktails with purchase of a General Admission Gold ticket for $129 (Early Bird Ticket $99). Attendees have the option to enhance their experience with purchase of a General Admission Platinum Ticket for $159 (Early Bird Ticket $129), which also includes access to a private seating area and reserved food and dessert stations. Tickets can be purchased HERE.
SNACKTIME, Philadelphia’s beloved seven-piece band with soul, funk, punk, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B influences, is welcoming in the new year with their Spring Break On New Year’s Eve, a one-of-a-kind party that will be held at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia (1009 Canal St, Philadelphia, PA 19123) on December 31. The celebration will feature a unique “MTV Spring Break”-inspired theme – bringing the heat and energy of a classic MTV-style Spring Break Party to Philly during the cold months of the season – along with multiple SNACKTIME sets and a smorgasbord of activations and performances, including thematic décor (think: beach balls and lifeguard stands), contests (hula hoop anyone?), surprise merch drops, and special guest artists and DJs (to be announced soon). Doors will open at 8pm, the show begins at 9pm, and will run until early 2024 (i.e., sometime after midnight). Tickets are available for purchase by clicking HERE.
The Twisted Tail, Headhouse Square’s southern-inspired restaurant, bar and live music venue, is excited to announce the return of its annual Burlesque & Blues on Sunday, December 31. The lively evening boasts live music from Mikey Junior Band starting at 9pm plus burlesque performances throughout the evening. Tickets are highly encouraged and range from The Lindy Hop ($30), which includes cover charge and midnight champagne toast, to The Jive ($85) which includes a four-course prix fixe dinner after 6pm and admission to the party + champagne toast, to The Charleston ($150) which includes VIP reserved seating, a four-course dinner and 3 hour premium open bar. To reserve call (215) 558-2471, email codi@thetwistedtail.com or book online here. À la carte dinner is also available from 4pm – 6pm. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.
Xfinity Live!, the one-of-a-kind dining and entertainment district located in the heart of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, is excited to announce the return of New Years Eve Live!, Philadelphia’s biggest New Year’s Eve party, starting at 9pm on December 31. The large-scale party will feature all-inclusive premium bar and food packages and a bevy of entertainment including a live performance by Go Go Gadget, complimentary midnight toast, multiple DJ sets, party favors, confetti canons, and much more. General Admission tickets start at $90 and include access to all five venues and all-inclusive premium bar and food packages including buffets in Broad Street Bullies Pub and Victory Beer Hall, plus bottled and draft beers, premium cocktails, wine and non-alcoholic drinks. Tickets also include food from Geno’s Cheesesteaks, Chickie’s & Pete’s and Lorenzo and Sons Pizza until 11:45pm (the kiosks will reopen at 12am as cash concessions). The evening will culminate in a countdown to midnight with ball drop, complimentary Champagne toast and confetti canon celebration.
Each of the five venues will host its own unique entertainment and ticket holders will have access to all of it, including:
- Silent Disco and DJ in 1100 Social
- Karaoke and DJ in Broad Street Bullies Pub
- DJ and 360 Photo Booth in NBC Sports Arena
- Ice Sculpture and Aerialists in NBC Sports Arena
- Go Go Gadget in Victory Beer Hall (set to go on around 10pm)
- Bull Riding, Buckle Bunnies & DJ in PBR Philly
Get tickets here.
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