Six Ways You Can Still Celebrate New Year's Eve Around Auckland If You Haven't Made Plans Yet
Dance the night away at the CBD's biggest rave, wine and dine on the waterfront, or nab a front-row seat to the fireworks on a hotel rooftop.
If you woke up this morning with the sudden horrified realisation New Year's Eve is mere weeks away and you haven't yet made plans, don't worry, you won't be alone. The fact that we've blinked and suddenly it's mid-December has shocked us all. You also may be one of the thousands scrambling to fill the hours until midnight on December 31, given many of the country's major NYE festivals have been canned or postponed.
Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to leave the city to have a bloody good New Year's Eve. Whether you're keen on wining and dining or dancing the hours away until midnight and beyond, we've compiled some of the best ways to see in 2022 in Tāmaki Makaurau.
BRITOMART BLOCK PARTY
The CBD's biggest neighbourhood rave is back for its ninth year running. After a long year which saw the central city stay empty for months, it's time to refill the streets with revellers. In classic BBP style, the party takes place across three club venues, as well as through some of Britomart's famous laneways. This year there's a lineup of both international and local acts: The Upbeats, Koven and State of Mind will all be dotted around, as well as numerous other acts playing from afternoon to late in the night. A stage will be set up on Galway Street, while AV Club, Saturdays and Side Door all will be laying on the drinks and beats. Check out the full lineup on the official website.
BBP runs from 4pm December 31 until 3am January 1, with tickets starting at $75. Find more information here.
QT HOTEL ROOFTOP
What better way to see in 2022 than high above the city? Grab a crew and get above it all for an elevated evening - its a little exxy but hey, it's the biggest night of the year. The QT is putting on different packages depending on your budget, but we'd highly recommend going all out and booking the outdoor deck seating. You'll enjoy a front row seat to the city at night, including views across the harbour and a glimpse of the Sky Tower fireworks. That's $329 per person, including a four-hour drinks package and a menu of Mediterranean-inspired canapés by celeb chef Sean Connolly. You can even splash out on the 'slumber and party' special and book a suite for the night, so you don't have to venture out of the hotel.
New Year's Eve celebrations kick off on the QT rooftop from 8pm, with tickets starting at $249 per person. Find more information here.
BOTSWANA BUTCHERY
Past the age and stage of wanting to rave for hours and instead prefer your New Year's Eve full of good food, good wine and good friends? Nab a spot a stone's throw from the fireworks at much-loved waterfront eatery Botswana Butchery, which is putting on a special New Year's Eve dinner for just $165 per person. That gets you a flute of champagne on arrival, before a luxurious four-course set menu with all the BB classics: Kingfish sashimi, braised short rib, even a wagyu bavette. Enjoy your dinner next to the twinkling lights of the harbour and toast your friends to more delicious dining in 2022.
Botswana Butchery NYE dining package starts at $165 per person from 5pm, with bookings essential. Find more information here.
DR RUDI'S ROOFTOP
Easily the worst New Year's Eves are those ones spent traipsing around Ponsonby and the Viaduct, trying to get in somewhere and constantly being turned away. Yep, we've all had them. Don't be that person this year — get a jump on the competition and book a guaranteed seat on Dr Rudi's famous balcony. For $100 per person, you'll be able to wine, dine and laugh with your friends in prime position in the Viaduct. Your ticket gets you a glass of bubbles or beer on arrival, a bottle of bubbles for every four people at your table, and a big platter of snacks. Your table is secured from 9pm so you can arrive fashionably late into the evening, smugly sail past jealous onlookers, and park up with one of the best views in Auckland. Cheers to that.
Tickets for Dr Rudi's on New Year's start at $100 per person, with bookings essential. You can find more information here.
SHIP SHAPE WITH NICE 'N' URLICH
What is a New Year's in Auckland without Nice 'N' Urlich? There's a comfort in knowing the DJ duo will always pop up somewhere, ready to bring the tunes. This NYE it's the waterfront's Yacht Club and the pair will be supported by Rose Alice, DJ Tandra and Nyntee. Your $125 ticket gets you No Ugly cocktails on arrival, delicious grazing platters and all the good vibes you'll need for the night. Get your crew together and get ready to tack and jibe your way into 2022.
Earlybird tickets for Ship Shape have now sold out, with GA tickets beginning at $125. You can find more information here.
ELEVATE NYE
DJ duo Revis are turning the Viaduct into the ultimate party, and you're invited. Taking over Sardine (next to White + Wong's), this club night is going to be about as close to a festival as you get now that most of them have been postponed until January. Premium light, sound and visual effects shows have been promised, as well as an al fresco pop-up bar and champagne specials all night. Food from White + Wong's will be circulating to keep those stomachs lined, and that's all alongside incredible harbour views from right on the water's edge. The best part? Entry is free, so grab the crew and settle in for the night.
Elevate at Sardine bar starts at 9pm December 31 and goes until 3am January 1. You can find more information here.
Top image: Helena Yankovska via Unsplash
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