Sydney’s most extravagant New Year’s Eve parties revealed

Fine dining and free-flowing booze are on offer at Sydney’s most extravagant New Year’s Eve parties, where tickets could set you back up to $2300 per person. Here’s where you can still grab a seat.

Justine Eltakchi, Krystie Steve and Jess Innes on board The Jackson ahead of the superyacht’s New Year’s Eve party. Picture: Richard Dobson

Partygoers who have let New Year’s Eve sneak up on them there’s still hope with some of the best Sydney Harbour venues still taking bookings.

Bennelong’s swanky seven-course menu tops the list, where for $2300 per person, guests will feast on an exquisite menu designed by executive chef Peter Gilmore, with matched wines, and be delivered champagne as the clock strikes twelve beneath the Sydney Opera House.

Guests who opt for the (slightly) more casual option, will cough up $1700 for four-course bar-style seated experience.

Gilmore has also designed the menu for Bennelong’s sister restaurant Quay at The Rocks, where a New Year’s Eve table will set you back between $1350 and $2000 a head.

Aria Sydney, which is offering a six-course menu by executive chef Thomas Gorring, premium wines throughout the night and unrivalled views for $1450.

Chef Peter Gilmore at Bennelong restaurant at Sydney Opera House. Picture: Justin Lloyd

Bennelong is offering a seven-course meal and premium view for $2300 per person. Picture: supplied

Aria also has a more affordable $300 package for an earlier four-course dinner.

Gin lovers are also in luck, with Frank Mac’s boozy celebration in the heart of The Rocks yet to sell out.

The $280 tables include a three-hour drinks package, charcuterie and canapes, and most importantly, access to a vantage point in The Rocks for the spectacular fireworks displays.

Sydney’s New Year's Eve fireworks last year. Picture: David Gray/AFP

When people think of prime viewing locations for the fireworks, their minds often go straight to the CBD, but there are plenty of panoramic views (and more importantly, bookings) to be found on the other side of the bridge.

View Sydney is making the most of its north vantage point, with the hotel’s restaurant serving up a $350 degustation with sweeping harbour views, or a $400 revellers package on the open air rooftop.

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With this new year’s eve being the first without Covid restrictions in three years, hospitality venues have been overwhelmed with demand from revellers keen to celebrate to the max, with many Sydneysiders choosing to do so in luxe style.

Justine Eltakchi, Krystie Steve and Jess Innes. Krystie will be performing on The Jackson for a New Year’s Eve party on the harbour. Picture: Richard Dobson

Situated on the western boardwalk of the Sydney Opera House, Portside has arguably one of the best vantage points in the city for the Harbour Bridge fireworks. Their NYE 70s-themed party had tickets priced at $1000 per person and have sold out.

Head of marketing for Trippas White Group, Jo Bennett, said while international visitor numbers were still down, locals had snapped up the tickets.

“The general feeling is that people really just want to celebrate and party with their loved ones after two long years of not being able to attend major events,” she said.

Nearby Opera Bar has sold out after charging $495 for their Miami Beach-themed event, while House Canteen plans to whisk people to Tokyo for $295.

The only way to get closer to the fireworks is to be on the water itself. Tickets to the party on board $16m superyacht The Jackson, where singer Krystie Steve will perform, cost $1599.

“I’m so excited to DJ and sing on The Jackson,” Ms Steve said. “To be front and centre on the harbour, and at the heart of the phenomenal fireworks show, will be such a memorable way to kick start 2023.”

Spectators at Mrs Macquarie's Point for the New Year's Eve celebrations last year. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Flavio Brancaleone

Oncore at Crown Sydney is one of the best restaurants in the city, so it is no wonder their new year’s eve eight- course degustation dinner comes with a hefty price tag of $1800.

Almost half the price, brand new harbourside restaurant Sala, in Pyrmont, has a six-course NYE menu with matching wines for $905.

Martin Place bar Botswana Butchery is hosting a rooftop party with all the usual bells and whistles of a new year’s eve event, plus punters will be able to take advantage of the bar’s “Press for champagne wall” where guests will simply need to ring a doorbell for a white-gloved, free-flowing champagne service.

“Everyone loves champagne to celebrate new year’s eve and what is better than champagne at your fingertips?” the venue’s Russell Gray said. “You do not have to go to the bar, simply press the bell and champagne will be served through the wall by a gloved hand.”

Both Rekodo at Barangaroo House and The Charles on King St are leaning into the disco theme with their new year’s eve offerings.

For those who are celebrating at home this year, Milsons Point French restaurant Loulou is offering luxury hampers which include chicken liver parfait, chicken ballotine with fois gras, truffle and jus gras, potato dauphinoise and tarte au citron.

But one of the most iconic new year’s eve experiences in Sydney is at the Royal Botanic Garden. Tickets range from $40 for a great vantage point to view the fireworks to almost $600 to dance the night away to live bands and DJs before watching the big show from an exclusive harbour-side viewing area. The events are almost all sold out.

More than 2000 people will celebrate at ticketed events at Taronga Zoo, from $115 per person to about $9000 for a two-night stay at the zoo’s hotel including food and drinks.