Looking for something fun to do this New Year's Eve in Chicago? Look no further. Here is a listing of some of Chicago's top New Year's Eve events and parties. (Because costs are subject to change, please confirm with the establishment their New Year's Eve party/event prices.)
Events and parties will be added to this page throughout the month so be sure to check in often for updates. Have a New Year's Eve event you would like to promote? E-mail information to Chicago.Guide@about.com.
Also worth reading: New Year's Eve Ball Drop in Times Square and New Year's Eve Toast Ideas.
Markethouse, located in Chicago's Streeterville neighborhood, serves farm-to-table dishes made with local and regional ingredients. Led by urban gardener and sustainability enthusiast Executive Chef Scott Walton, Markethouse will be offering a nine-course truffle-infused menu this New Year's Eve. The prix-fixed menu cost $75, $125 with wine pairings.
Offerings include a $55 five-course sharing menu or a $100 sharing menu with two-hour open bar (includes champagne toast, specialty cocktails, wines by the glass, beer, and premium well and tequila under $11). An additional hour of open bar can be added for $15. Reservations start at 10 p.m.
Celenrate a Brazilian-themed New Year's Eve at SUSHISAMBA rio. Guests can enjoy the restaurant's full menu plus some specials, as well as a Carnivale-style party featuring DJs, samba dancers, and drummers. Menu items are available à la carte. Seatings are from 6 to 10 p.m. at no additional charge, and the Celebration seating from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. is a $30 additional surcharge.
Ring in the New Year the historic Drake Hotel on Chicago's Michigan Avenue that includes a premium bar from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; four ballrooms with entertainment; 45 bars and bartenders; and more. Tickets are $155 ($195 for V.I.P.).
Families can ring in the New Year a little early with a fireworks display at Navy Pier that starts at 8:15 p.m. The Navy Pier Family Bash also includes hip-hop dance, live music, and more at the pier's Winter WonderStage. For adults, Navy Pier is having a gala at its Crystal Gardens from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. with fireworks at midnight. Tickets are $110.
Fromt 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., you can ring in the New Year the Palmer House Hilton during its New Year's Eve Soiree that includes a top shelf open bar with martinis and champagne, appetizers, casino games, live music, DJs, and pre- and post-parties. Tickets start at $135.
Enjoy a cruise along Lake Michigan, including a dinner buffet, a premium open bar, DJ, a champagne toast, and a view of the Navy Pier fireworks. Boarding begins at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $147.90.
End 2011 and begin 2012 at Chen's annual bash that includes an open bar, fresh sushi, Chinese buffet, and party favors. Price starts at $45. (Check out our
Guide to January 2012 Events in Chicago that includes the annual Chinese New Year Parade.)
The party at Joe's Bar starts at 9 p.m. and includes live music by Wedding Banned, an open bar, and dinner and breakfast buffets. Tickets start at $75.
The New Year's Eve bash at Wrigleyville's Johb Barleycorn includes an all-you-can-eat buffet, a premium open bar, party favors, DJ, and a balloon drop. Tickets start at $100.
This New Year's Eve party at The Wyndham Chicago (633 N Saint Clair Street) includes multiple rooms of entertainment, a four-hour top shelf open bar, a buffet of hors d'oeuvres, champagne all night, and live music. Tickets are $135 per person and include a free pre-party and post-party. Hotel rooms at the Wyndham for New Year's Eve start at $149 per night.
Confession: prasino, which also has locations in La Grange and St. Charles, IL, is one of my favorite restaurants. Organic, local fare tastefully put together by prasino's Executive Chef Scott Halverson, as well as an extensive wine list that includes organic wines, as well as clever cocktails. For New Year's Eve, Chef Halverson and prasino's Executive Pastry Chef Todd Feitl are preparing a five-course exclusive New Year's Eve menu for $110 per person (excluding tax and gratuity). The menu features items such as butter poached lobster and seared scallop, quinoa crepes, pan roasted New York strip steak, and frozen mocha mousse torte. Dinner also includes wine/spirit pairings per course and a champagne toast. (Tip: prasino Wicker Park is also doing a late night bar package starting at 10 p.m. that includes hor d'ouevres, welcome cocktail, and a champagne toast at midnight for $65 per person (excluding tax and gratuity).) Don't live downtown? No problem. The restaurant's
La Grange and
St. Charles locations are having their own New Year's Eve parties.
