Overview
Oh, 2023 — you've been an interesting one. With the cost of living through the roof during a time when we were all desperate to head out and enjoy our post-lockdown lives, it's been a real rollercoaster. Keen to send off this year in style, no matter what it's brought your way? You're in luck. There are plenty of places celebrating New Year's Eve in Sydney with events big and small.
After all, Sydney loves NYE. Whether you're eager to see the back of 2023 with a few champagnes in hand, or looking to start 2024 on a boogie-filled high with DJ sets and a good ol' d-floor session, a slew of Harbour City bars, pubs and restaurants are happy to help.
We've compiled a list of the best Sydney spots to ring in the New Year with style, regardless of your budget. While lots of events have officially sold out, there are still plenty of memorable parties that you can score tickets at the last minute. And, if you've still got some fight in you, there are some cheeky New Year's Day kick-ons included.
Cassandra Hannagan
FREE
Cafe Freda's: The Oxford Street iteration of this Sydney institution opened on New Year's Eve 2019–20, so the day holds a special place in the Freda's team's heart. As such, the corner wine bar is one to throw an end-of-year celebration, and this year is no different with its free NYE/third birthday party. Going down from 5pm–2am, there will be DJ sets from a host of Freda's regulars. Entry is free, and it's walk-in only.
Barangaroo House: DJ sets, cocktails, water views and tasty eats will be available across all three levels of Barangaroo House this New Year's Eve. House Bar, Smoke Bar and Rekodo will all be hosting parties, with each space celebrating a different era, including the 70s, 90s and 00s. Free entry to all three levels means you can move between spaces throughout the night. If you want to secure a spot, you can make a booking — plus, you can also pre-purchase a bottle of champagne for the midnight countdown.
Parramatta Park: A family-friendly New Year's Eve celebration is popping up in Western Sydney's Parramatta Park. There will be food trucks, a 9pm fireworks display and a pop-up bar. You'll also be able to send off the year to hits like 'UFO' and 'Pictures' thanks to a headline set from Sneaky Sound System.
The Bank: Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for a huge night of celebratory tunes at The Bank courtesy of a b2b set from Dom Alessio and Adam Lewis. The best part? Entry is free all night, and the party won't stop until 4am.
Marly Bar: The Marly is going neon across all three levels this New Year's Eve. The beloved Newtown pub will be throwing a free UV NYE Party from 8pm–4am, with DJs filling the dance floor on all three levels of the venue — including its underground rave cave Tokyo Sing Song.
The Newport: Up north, you can spend NYE waterside with the Barney Cools DJs and two fireworks displays at The Newport. The venue's also offering $7 schooners of beer and $10 schooners of boozy pub squash. Get down early — entry is free all afternoon, with a $25 cover charge kicking in at 6pm.
UNDER $50
The Abercrombie: After eight years in the wilderness, The Abercrombie reopened with its 24-hour license intact this time last year. One year on, it's throwing a huge first birthday party on Saturday, December 23, and backing it up with a New Year's Eve celebration on December 31. Catch Human Movement, Troy Beman, DJ Macaroni, Flexy Ferg and Raquel among a huge lineup of DJs running over multiple levels of the club. Tickets are $34–42, which includes up to ten hours of partying, with the tunes continuing way past the countdown, all the way until 6am.
Harbord Hotel: Local favourites Set Mo will be ringing in the new year at the Harbord Hotel to close out 2023. The party kicks off at the Northern Beaches favourite at 5pm, with sets continuing until 2am. Tickets are $35.
Club 77: Sevs will be running its Sundays at 77 program for NYE with Berlin-based DJ Claire leading the lineup. You'll be able to party from 10pm–4am at the beloved underground rave cave. Tickets are just $10 if pre-purchased or $25 on the door.
Crowbar: Sydney stalwart Crowbar is bringing two of the hottest rock bands out right now to Parramatta Road with duel headline sets by Dear Seattle and Teenage Joans. The Toothpicks and Great Job! will be in support, rounding out a lineup primed for local pop-punk and indie-rock lovers. Tickets are $46.
UNDER $200
Dear Sainte Eloise: Dear Sainte Éloise is hosting a special New Year's Eve party so you can bid adieu to 2023 in style. The Potts Point diner will be open from midday, serving a seafood-heavy menu and hard-to-find wines. The set menu, designed by DSE's new Head Chef Elias Selloum, kicks off with small bites like kangaroo tartare and oysters, before moving on to French Provençal-style bouillabaisse stuffed with seafood galore. You'll also be sampling drops throughout your meal from DSE's well-curated wine cellar. Tickets are $130.
Manning Bar: The party crew behind Cockatoo Islands' beloved MODE Festival will be taking over Manning Bar with an eight-hour openair rave. International DJs CCL, Maara and Objekt will be joined by local legends Moktar and Mazzacles for the Camperdown dance party. Tickets are available through Resident Advisory for $81.
Ivy: Merivale's multi-storey mega club is hosting two NYE parties. Carl Cox is headlining Defected Sydney in the main space, while LF System will be bringing their global smash 'Afraid to Feel' to the Ivy Pool Bar for an NYE Pool Party. Tickets to Cox alongside Danny Howard and Riva Starr will set you back $174, while passes to the poolside shindig are on offer for $67.
Lady Banks Rooftop: Bankstown's sky-high bar will be hosting dinner at 6.30pm featuring honey truffle focaccia, roasted chicken, cauliflower, salads, gelato and canapes. DJ sets kick off from 8pm, continuing the party until the early hours of the morning. If you're looking for a place in Western Sydney with panoramic views stretching from the Blue Mountains to the CBD, this one's for you. You can secure a spot for $179.
Odd Culture: The beloved King Street wine bar is hosting a moody candle-lit celebration in its mezzanine level. There will be a banquet dinner and a one-night-only menu of rare and vintage cuvees. A seat will set you back $150, which includes all of your food, plus a drink on arrival.
The Old Fitz: Woolloomooloo mainstay The Old Fitz is hosting a jazzy end-of-year party with Coucou Zazous providing the soundtrack. For $120, you'll be treated to champagne on arrival; a set menu featuring oysters, raw tuna, wagyu bavette steak and chocolate mousse; and live music.
BLOWOUT
Dean & Nancy on 22: Maybe Group's sky-high hotel bar Dean & Nancy on 22 is hosting a New Year's Eve party tucked into the Sydney skyline. There are a few packages ranging from $200 per person to $2100 for a booth of six to seven. Each booking includes a signature cocktail on arrival; champagne at midnight; and a curated menu featuring jamon iberico, kingfish ceviche, scallop ravioli and octopus. FBi Radio's Jack Shit and Liz Ham will be providing the entertainment for the night on the DJ decks. Make a booking at the Dean and Nancy website.
Hickson House: The building housing The Rocks' Hickson House is no stranger to a celebration, with the working distillery and destination cocktail bar set in the former Saatchi & Saatchi garage — the location of many infamous warehouse parties. For $320, tickets to this extravagant Sydney New Year's Eve party include an array of canapes, DJs providing the music, and a premium three-hour beverage package featuring the venue's own gin, as well as wine, craft beer and house spirits. Best of all, you'll also get access to The Rocks precinct with views of the Harbour Bridge fireworks from Hickson Road.
Whalebridge: Waterfront French diner Whalebridge is making the most of its vantage point right by the Sydney Harbour Bridge with a huge NYE dinner. Guests will be treated to a shared four-course menu, champagne on arrival and a deluxe wine package. Steamed Murray cod, aged wagyu rib-eye, caviar and creme fraiche tarts, lobster rock oysters and raspberry vacherin will all make appearances at the feast. Tickets to the harbourside celebration range between $600–1000, depending on where you're seated.
View Sydney: 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 to be enjoyed on the other side of the bridge. View Sydney is making the most of its vantage point by throwing an end-of-year soiree. The no-holds-barred cocktail event features four food stations — seafood, Texas barbecue, Asian eats and dessert — plus a full beverage package including Manly Spirits cocktails, Australian wines and beers. This view-heavy party will set you back a pretty penny. Get set to drop $637 on your ticket if you want to secure your spot.
Bennelong: Wondering what the most expensive New Year's Eve experience is in Sydney? From what we can tell, it's Bennelong, Peter Gilmore's iconic diner below the Sydney Opera House where a booking will set you back between $1600–2220. If you have that kind of money to splash on a single night, you'll enjoy a four-course menu from the Bennelong kitchen, a premium drinks package, a glass of champagne on arrival and at midnight, and live entertainment.
W Sydney: Much-hyped wave-shaped hotel W Sydney is now open, and it's sending off 2023 in style at its rooftop bar. There are a few packages that you can purchase here. The $550 tickets will get you into Level 29 and include a four-hour beverage package, canapes, a live hibachi grill and oysters. If you want to celebrate one floor higher, entry to Level 30 will set you back $899, with an oyster and caviar bar, plus after-midnight snacks and free-flowing champagne. Browse all of the packages to determine how you want to spend NYE.
NEW YEAR'S DAY
Field Day: New Year's Day tradition Field Day is back with another genre-bending dance-ready lineup for the first day of 2024. RÜFÜS DU SOL, Central Cee, G Flip, Genesis Owusu, Sub Focus, Ross From Friends, Claptone and Destroy Lonely are all on the lineup alongside fast-rising local DJs like Logic1000 and Dameeeela, plus The xx's Romy bringing her Fred again..-backed dance project to Sydney. You can still nab tickets for $217.
Club 77: After partying until 4am on New Year's Eve, Seventy Seven is backing it all up the next day with another late night. On January 1, the William Street club will be hosting Dave Stuart, Trinity and Magda Bytnerowicz, with music pumping until 4.30am. Tickets are $10 if pre-booked or $25 on the door.
Greenwood Hotel: North Sydney fave Greenwood is welcoming in 2024 with four stages of dance music, including headline sets from none other than Basement Jaxx and Faithless. NYD 2024 Day One: Reverence will see more than 30 electronic tastemakers behind the decks from 1–11pm. Tickets are $104.
Manly Pavilion: If you want to start the year dancing by the water, head up to the Northern Beaches for a DJ set from Winston Surfshirt. Alongside the local funk and pop kings, there will be DJ sets all afternoon long, and your $60 ticket includes a complimentary drink on arrival.
Woollahra Hotel: Anyone with a sore head on New Year's Day can head to the Woollahra Hotel for the pub's Monday meal deal. You'll be treated to $15 mixed-dozen dumplings — the perfect recovery brunch from a big night of celebrating.