Where to Pop the Cork on New Year's Eve in Denver
As Jimmy Buffet likes to sing, we took another trip around the sun. With 2015 ending and 2016 about to begin, let’s start this trip around the sun with a bang at one of these great New Year’s Eve parties in Denver. Tickets are going fast so the time to book is now. Once again RTD Light Rail and Busses will offer free service on New Year’s Eve, December 31, from 7 PM until 11:59 PM New Year’s Day, January 1.
Denver Fireworks NYE
Denver’s biggest free party will be on the 16th Street Mall as the fireworks tradition continues. Watch fireworks light up the sky with two spectacular shows, one at 9 PM and the grand finale at midnight. There will also be costumed entertainers between the shows including magicians, mascots, balloon artist, stilt walkers, comedians, and more. Note that between 8 PM and 1 AM RTD Light Rail trains will not cross the 16th Street Mall and all mall buses will stop temporarily during the fireworks shows.
Downtown Countdown Party
Enjoy Denver’s other big free NYE party at Union Station featuring three levels of fun and an array of drink specials. In the Great Hall, two of Colorado top DJs will battle for your ears. At 11:30 PM guests will vote which DJ gets to ring in the New Year. The Terminal Bar’s Gallery, located on the lower level will have vibrant jazz provided by Gypsy Swing Style Quartet. In the Cooper Lounge, guests with reservations will be treated to high-end cocktails and an extensive wine list. No ticketes are required for this shindig. Entry is free, but the food and drink are pay as you go. (Union Station, 1701 Wynkoop)
Ace Eat Serve
Ace Eat Servce present the Midnight Madness Ping Pong Tournament on New Year's Eve. The tournament is sponsored by Diageo and features a $1,000 cash prize. Drink and food special after 9 PM. The is a $16 entry fee, and all participants will receive a tournament t-shirt. Email the restaurant at events@aceeatserve.com to register. Tournament starts at 9 PM. (501 E 17th Ave.; 303-800-7705)
Avanti Food & Beverage
Party at Denver’s newest foodie spot in the Highlands, Avanti Food & Beverage. All seven restaurants will be open and serving. Entry is free, and there is a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. The food is pay as you go. Enjoy the downtown fireworks from the building’s rooftop deck. Guests can spice up the evening with the bar’s VIP unlimited drink package featuring house wells, wine, and beer for $70 per person. VIP tickets can be purchased online. Party starts at 7 PM. (3200 Pecos St.; 720-269-4778)
Denver New Year’s Eve Black Tie Party
Ring in the New Year in style, 1940s style that is. Join one thousand of Denver’s prettiest people in this classic and classy NYE party with live music, multiple DJs, casino games, and a confetti blast and champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $110 per person and include open bar. Purchase tickets in advance online. Doors open at 8 PM. Dress to impress. (Sherman St. Event Center, 1770 Sherman St.)
Dive Inn
The Dive Inn on South Broadway is having a bash with free live entertainment and party favors and a free Korbel toast at midnight. No cover and $4 well drinks. Only 25 tables can be reserved and six are already gone. Call 720-242-6157 to reserve.
Fado’s Irish Pub
Near Coors Field, join the fine folks at Fado’s for the New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball starting at 7 PM. Enjoy DJ Rockstar Aaron, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Buy two or more tickets in advance and save 50%.
The Grandest NYE Party in Denver
Enjoy three parties in one at the Grand Hyatt on NYE. Dance the night away in three connected ballrooms featuring a variety of entertainment. Music includes the Nacho Men, 50s-60s-70s disco and beyond, Wash Park, a 12-piece band playing today’s hottest songs, and Karaoke at Pub 17. Also included is an open bar with premium pours, dinner buffet, party hats and favors, balloon drop, and champagne toast at midnight. Party tickets are $149 per person. Overnight packages are available. Call 303-295-1234 or go online to purchase. (Grand Hyatt Denver, 1750 Welton St.)
Henry’s Tavern
For the tavern’s first New Year’s Eve in Denver, Henry’s will throw a huge Year of the Red Monkey Party with a DJ and dancing, party favors, balloon drop, and champagne toast. Tickets are $30 per person, and guests will automatically get a $30 gift card to spend on their next visit with each ticket. VIP packages and bottle service are also available on request. Dress to impress.
Howl at the Moon
Get your howl on at Denver’s Howl at the Moon dueling piano bar for New Year’s Eve. Guests can choose from two packages. The Champagne Supernova Seating Package includes guaranteed reserved seating, premium open bar, premium catered buffet, champagne toast, and party favors for $80 per person or $300 per table of four. Guests must arrive between 7 and 10 PM. Or get the Just Dance package starting at $50 per person. Just Dance tickets do not include seating or food, but do include open bar from 9 PM to Midnight. Just Dance guests must arrive between 9 and 10 PM.
La Biblioteca
Join the party at Denver’s tequila library on New Year’s Eve where the key word for the evening is unlimited. For $64 per person, revelers will enjoy passed appetizers and unlimited cocktails, house wines, and draft beer. The party starts at 9 PM and tickets can be purchased in advance online. (1610 Little Raven St., Ste. 200: 720-904-0965)
The Lobby
Newly opened in RiNo, The Lobby will host New Beer’s Eve on December 31. The event will feature a four-course beer pairing dinner, live music, raffle, and new beer tappings from 16 breweries. Tickets for the beer pairing dinner only are $45 per person. Just here for the beer? Unlimited drink packages are $55 per person for standard and $80 per person for top shelf. Combine the two and get both for either $85 and $110 per person. Tickets can be purchased on the website. (2191 Arapahoe St.; 303-997-9911)
Nocturne Jazz & Supper Club
Enjoy a low key NYE with music from the Henry Butler Trio at Nocturne. For those who want dinner, early seatings are from 6:30 to 9:30 PM and are $95 per person. Late seatings will be from 10 PM to 1 AM and are $105 per person and also include a champagne toast at midnight. For those who just want to enjoy the music, General Admission bar seating is available for $45 per person from 6:30 to 9:30 PM and $55 per person from 10 PM to 1 AM. Call 303-295-3333 for reservations.
Postino Wine Café
Over in LoHi, Postino’s wants to be everyone’s pre-party warm up with $5 wines by the glass or pitchers of beer from open until 5 PM on New Year’s Eve.
Punch Bowl Social
It’s a totally rad 1980s New Year’s Eve over at Punch Bowl Social with DJ Stone and 80s cover band The Goonies. Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. No cover and food, drinks, and games are pay as you go.
Resolution New Year’s Eve 2015
Join the party at the unique Curtis Hotel on NYE at Resolution 2015. This total hotel takeover will have two floors of dancing, music, and 14 premium open bars throughout multiple ballrooms and the outdoor patio. Tickets start at $89 per person, but there are scheduled price increases as the event gets closer so purchase online now. Bottle service and private rooms with personal bartenders can be arranged by calling the hotel directly. (The Curtis Hotel, 1405 Curtis St.)
Tavern Downtown
Indulge this NYE at the Tavern Downtown’s Seven Deadly Sins: Indulgence Party, a sexy and seductive event to kick off the new year. The event will feature four DJs including DJ Dann Digz, a photo booth, raffle prizes, and balloon drop. The event will culminate with the 20-foot Olive Drop at Midnight and views of the Denver fireworks display from the rooftop. Tickets are $30 per person and include entry, a beer and a Fireball shot, champagne toast, and party favors. Doors open at 7 PM. Purchase tickets online. (1949 Market St.; 303-299-0100)
Tavern Tech Center
Down in the DTC the Tavern Tech Center will celebrate New Year’s in New York featuring all the fun of Times Square without having to get on a plane. There are three ways to experience this party with optional “flights.” Business Class Tickets are $120 per couple from 6 to 8 PM and feature a four-course menu, glass of wine or champagne per person, one call level drink, and entry into the Late Night Party. First Class Tickets are $200 per couple and also feature the dinner, but add a bottle of wine or champagne, two premium drink tickets per person, and VIP seating and gift bag along with entry into the party. Entry to the Late Night Party only is $15 per person and starts at 10 PM with VDJ Wyatt Brice. Tickets include a beer, a Fireball shot, champagne toast, party favors, and a raffle ticket. Those who purchase tickets are also eligible for a NYE room special at the Hyatt Place Denver Tech Center.
Tavern Uptown (538 E. 17th Ave.; 303-830-9210)
Tavern Wash Park (1066 S. Gaylord St.; 303-733-0350)
Tavern Littleton (2589 W. Main St.; 303-730-7772)
Tavern Lowry (7401 E. 1st Ave.; 303-366-0007)
All of these Tavern locations will offer a special New Year’s Eve party featuring DJ, complimentary champagne toast, and party favors. There is no cover at these locations.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub
Can’t decide between a rollicking party or an intimate dinner on NYE? Hit Thirsty Lion Gastropub in Union Station for a bit of both. Reserve a table in advance for a special last day of 2015 dinner (last dinner seating will be 9 PM on NYE) or just join the bar for live music, festivities, and champagne toast. Reservations can be made online at the restaurant’s website. (
Viewhouse Ballpark
Join the Viewhouse downtown for the Midnight Masquerade Party starting at 5 PM on New Year’s Eve. Guests will enjoy a savory four-course dinner, dancing, complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and firework display viewed from the rooftop. There will also be a heated tent with see-through canopy in the courtyard. There will also be three balloon drops, two DJs, and one roaring good time. Tickets start at $25 per person for General Admission entry, $45 per person for entry and dinner package, and $65 per person for entry and five You-Call-It drinks. Tickets can be purchased in advance online. Dinner packages are for 7 PM, 7:30 PM, and 8 PM. Call the restaurant to reserve bottle service packages. (2015 Market St.; 720-306-9171)
ViewHouse Centennial
Over in the Tech Center, ViewHouse Centennial will host A Midnight Affair New Year’s Eve party starting at 10 PM. Guests will enjoy a photobooth, balloon drop at midnight, champagne toast, and party favors. There will also be two dance floors featuring DJ Escal8 and Denver’s favorite 80s party band, 6 Million Dollar Band. There is also an optional five-course pre-fixe dinner. Tickets are $25 per person for General Admission and $65 per person for entry plus five drink tickets. Dinner packages are $75 per person or $150 per couple, and seating is between 7 and 9 PM. Dinner tickets include bottle of wine or two drinks per guest with the meal and entry to the party at 10 PM. Tickets, reservations, and optional bottle service available on the website. (7101 S. Clinton St.: 303-790-8439)
White Rose Gala
At the 14th annual White Rose Gala, guests will party like it’s 1929! Come dressed in your best feather boas and suspenders as this classic party featuring flapper girls and a speakeasy area. Party on multiple levels and balconies with ballroom dance exhibitions and over 40 performers. Enjoy a confetti blast, party hats, and noise makers at midnight. There will also be multiple rooms of music including several DJs and Barron’s Big Band with a Vegas-style club and swing music. Tickets are $69 for General Admission and $109 for VIP. VIP tickets provide exclusive access to the balcony with its own bar and black jack and craps tables. Parking is available at the DPAC or Colorado Convention Center. For hotel packages or to purchase tickets, visit the website. (Ellie Caukins Opera House, Denver Performing Arts Complex, 14th and Champa)
Prefer a more intimate New Year’s Eve? Reserve a table for two at one of these fabulous Denver restaurants, perfect for those celebrating memories of the year past and looking forward to the new year to come.
Argyll Whisky Beer
Dine in style on NYE at Argyll with a four-course prix fixe menu for $50 per person. Pair the meal with Valdemar Temparillo for $9 a glass or $35 a bottle or enjoy the special Midnight Kiss cocktail made with champagne, blood orange, and elderflower for $8. Seating starts at 5 PM and reservations are recommended.
Del Frisco’s Grille
This is the restaurant’s first New Year’s Eve in Cherry Creek, and the restaurant is setting out the finest. Guests can enjoy a special dry-aged Prime Rib dinner with complimentary champagne toast at midnight. The 16 oz. dinner is $42 per person while the 20 oz. dinner is $49 per person. Guests can also add from a selection of over 2,000 bottles of wine or sip on the bar’s signature cocktails. (100 St. Paul St., Ste. 140; 303-320-8529)
Max Gill & Grill
Enjoy a New Year’s Eve dinner with a seafood twist at Max’s in Wash Park. Enjoy a five-course prix-fixe menu with wine pairings available and a complimentary glass of champagne. Cost is $65 per person, and reservations are needed.
Max’s Wine Dive
Enjoy comfort food with an elegant twist at this Max’s where the restaurant is offering a NYE three-course prix-fixe menu for $50 per person. Add an optional Bubbles Flight of Cava, Prosecco, Champagne, and Sparkling Rose for $23.
Tamayo
This Richard Sandoval restaurant in Larimer Square will host a Mexican fiesta on New Year’s Eve. Enjoy a three-course modern Mexican dinner with champagne toast for $55 per person from 5-6 PM and $69 per person from 6 PM on. Call 720-946-1433 for reservations.
Zengo
Enjoy a special four-course menu on New Year’s Eve featuring a meal with the restaurant’s unique Latin-Asian fusion. There will be a First Seating from 5 to 7 PM for $55 per guest and a Second Seating from 7:30 to close that is $69 per person. Both seatings will include a champagne toast and a choice of dessert. Reservations recommended. (1610 Little Raven St.; 720-904-0965)
Photo via Flickr user Yuya Sekiguchi
Tags: Beer, Cocktails, Dinner, Holiday, Music, Parties, Spirits, Wine
