The countdown has begun: Where to go for Perth’s best NYE party?

We spent an evening in South Geraldton this week. Actually, it was Hillarys, but it felt like it was far, far away.

We were “oop norf” for the VIP opening of the Hillarys Beach Club, a massive entertainment venue in a sharp looking new building overlooking the Indian Ocean.

It’s that time of year again. So, have you locked in your NYE plans?

It’s quite spectacular. There must have been 600 people at the knees-up. And we were overdressed.

When you go to a VIP launch of anything, you put in some effort, and there were some stylishly kitted out women (Erin Ardon looked as serene as ever, former ballerina Kat Hewer looked a million bucks in Scanlan Theodore, and marketing maven Katie Osborne was as radiant as ever and impeccably dressed), but there were also guys in T-shirts and beach shorts. There were even a few pairs of thongs slapping against the floor.

They may have missed the dress code, but these people can party. The drinks were flowing like a northern monsoon and the canapes, particularly the pizzas, were outstanding.

They open to the public on Wednesday.

New Year’s round-up

Which brings us neatly to New Year’s Eve and a round-up of the best of the celebrations this year.

Hillarys Beach Club has launched itself into the upper echelons of NYE partying with a $285 VIP Masquerade, which includes four hours of free-flowing Veuve Clicquot, premium wines, beers and spirits until midnight. Canapes will be substantial and include Wagyu tacos, mini beef wellingtons and jamon and Manchego croquettes. It starts at 7pm and goes to 2am.

They were sold out, but the licensing authorities have just granted them a larger capacity, so a second tranche of tickets has just been released.

Lotus restaurant at The Beaufort is kicking its heels off for New Year’s with two dining experiences, both including a four-course premium “feed me” menu.

The early dining option is $99 and includes bubbles. Presumably you’d stay on and have drinks until midnight. The late night dining option on NYE is $169 and includes a four-hour premium drinks package as well as your grazing/feed me feast.

Steamed dumplings, kingfish sashimi and butter chicken curry puff are some of the stars on the menu.

One of our favourite drinking spots in a resurgent Subiaco – Lums Winebar – is clacking their castanets on NYE with a Spanish-style offer including bottomless pintxos, great wine and Flamenco dancers.

Pintxos is a northern Spanish version of tapas, with lots of small bites and nibbles skewered on wooden spears. There are two dinner settings, one at 5.30pm, the other at 8pm. The bar opens at 4pm and closes at 2am.

Bottomless pintxos is $65 per person. Bottomless drinks and pintxos is $130.

Want something a little different this NYE? Varnish On King is doing a Louisiana crab boil with WA yabbies, clams, mussels, prawns, chorizo, corn and potatoes – and no crabs. Who needs ’em? This is a feast from the Cajun south and it’s bibs on, hands in. Bibs provided. Enjoy a glass of sparking or a Balter cerveza on arrival.

It’s $95 per person. Tickets are selling fast. Other deals on the night include Balter cerveza buckets with five bottles for $30 and $10 bourbon and ryes.

The mega venue Print Hall is saying farewell to 2023 with all of its restaurants and bars turning on the party.

Stampa, Apple Daily and the massive Print Hall itself are party central in the CBD. ‍Experience dinner and a show as two duelling pianos go head-to-head belting out favourites from across the decades.

From disco divas of the ’70s to smooth serenaders of the ’90s, the duelling pianos will take you on a lyrical journey through the eras. Once the dining is done, Print Hall erupts into three floors of revelry and careless abandon.

Print Hall’s flagship restaurant, Stampa, has a set menu which includes focaccia with smoked eel butter, smoked duck breast with chickpea farinata and onion tarte tatin with taleggio for $130 per person. Pretty flash food for a NYE experience.

Disco dancing your thing? Perth’s best kept secret dance floor Toots is throwing a giant Disco Inferno celebration, so big in fact, it will spill over into the gritty, dark rum bar Sneaky Tony’s next door.

New Year’s Eve partying - Toots style.

The NYE party kicks off at 7pm and goes to 2am. Rustle up your platform soles and bell bottoms and hone up your John Travolta moves under the glitter balls. Toots is a secret bar inside a secret bar and Perth’s only disco venue with amazing cocktails.

No special pricing, just a great night out.

In other hospo news, popular east coast modern Italian restaurant Criniti’s has opened at Karrinyup Shopping Centre. The 230-seat restaurant is a nod to the owner’s Italian heritage, the décor features brass fittings and pressed metal ceilings.

You can look forward to truffle, porcini and buffalo mozzarella arancini; prosciutto bruschetta; and “Mumma Rosa’s” meatballs, the saucy starter that has been on the menu since Criniti’s inception in 2013.

Pastas include fettuccini carbonara, linguini Frank Sinatra — vongole with scallops, mussels, garlic, olive oil, confit cherry tomatoes and parsley.

On the pizza front, indulge in three-metre wood-fired pizzas, loaded with toppings like Napoli sauce, mozzarella, rocket, prosciutto, cherry tomato, buffalo ricotta, parmesan, and oregano.

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