Haven’t made your New Year’s Eve plans yet? Now is the time to decide if you don’t want to spend the night desperately looking for a reservation or stuck at home with whatever bottle of bubbly you found in the grocery store’s cooler. We’ve taken some of the stress out of the choice with a list of 20 parties to make the first moments of 2019 memorable.
Ada Street
1664 N. Ada St., 773-697-7069
Indulge in caviar, fried Pacific oysters, foie gras torchon, duck confit macaroni & cheese and other passed bites at the Noble Square restaurant’s Guilty Pleasures bash, which runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Brie, bacon and apricot grilled cheese will be served as an after-midnight snack. Tickets are $85 at eventbrite.com.
Bassment
353 W. Hubbard St., 312-386-5778
You only need to pay the standard $10 cover at the River North lounge to join their party from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., which features a performance by Frankie Parker & The Gentlemen and a midnight Champagne toast.
Burnt City Brewing
2747 N. Lincoln Ave., 773-295-1270
The brewpub is moving from Lincoln Park to West Town next year, so they’re bidding farewell to the old space with The Last Waltz, a bash featuring draft beer including two collaborative brews, plus cider, wine, premium liquor, food, bowling and a midnight Champagne toast. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and tickets are $75 at burntcitybrewing.com.
Carnivale
702 W. Fulton Market, 312-850-5005
Inspired by the 2017 musical “The Greatest Showman,” the West Loop restaurant’s circus-themed bash runs from 7 p.m. to midnight and features a DJ serving as ringmaster, a bearded lady pouring Champagne, aerialists and a juggler. Make a reservation after 9 p.m. to be able to stay to ring in the New Year with a balloon drop and Champagne toast. The regular menu is available, but you can also opt for an $85 package that includes two appetizers, an entree, dessert and a glass of bubbly.
The Darling
905 W. Randolph St., 312-285-2609
Surprise performances and DJ tunes will keep you entertained from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the West Loop spot, where $50 gets you two cocktails, appetizers and a midnight Champagne toast. Tickets: thedarlingchi.com
Easy Bar
1944 W. Division St., 773-227-4644
You don’t even need to leave the Wicker Park bar to get your boozy Taco Bell fix since they’re providing tacos paired with a glass of Champagne at midnight. Running from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., the bash features a DJ and includes top shelf liquor, beer, wine, Red Bull and a food buffet for $80. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Eataly
43 E. Ohio St., 312-521-8700
Feast on unlimited pizza, pasta, risotto, arancini and other food from the Near North marketplace’s three restaurants paired with Italian red, white and sparkling wines for $125 from 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. A live band and DJ provide music and there will be tiramisu and traditional Italian holiday desserts pandoro and panettone to make it a sweet New Year. Tickets: eataly.com
Estate
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1177 N. Elston Ave., 312-523-4296
If you didn’t get enough Christmas cheer, you can celebrate New Year’s at Sleigh Baby, the Noble Square lounge’s holiday ski lodge pop-up. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. and the $20-$25 cover includes a midnight toast and party favors. Tickets: eventbrite.com
The Fifty/50
2047 W. Division St., 773-489-5050
The three-story Wicker Park bar serves an extensive selection of passed bites along with a premium drink package and champagne for the midnight countdown for $55-$60 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets: thefifty50.com
Forbidden Root Restaurant & Brewery
1746 W. Chicago Ave., 312-929-2202
Sip rare brews from the Ukrainian Village brewery as part of an $80 package that also includes call liquor, two specialty cocktails, and a buffet with hot entrees including vegan and vegetarian options, charcuterie and dessert. The party runs from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. and also features a photo booth and a sparkling rosé toast at midnight. Tickets: brownpapertickets.com.
Game Room
12 S. Michigan Ave., 312-792-3535
Get the feel of a house party without having to do any cleanup from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at the cocktail lounge within the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel. For $120, you’ll get a massive tower of junk food, a jungle juice cocktail, pitchers of beer and mini Champagne bottles for the midnight toast. DJ Fess Grandiose provides the music. Tickets: ticketfly.com
Henry’s
18 W. Hubbard St., 312-955-8018
Choose from an $80 drink package including draft beer and cocktails and red, white and sparkling wine, or all those beverages plus mixed house spirits for $100. The River North bash runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and also features DJs, a midnight buffet and party favors. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Marshall’s Landing
222 Merchandise Mart Plaza, 312-610-8050
Take in views of the Chicago River and Navy Pier fireworks while enjoying a premium drink package and plenty of passed appetizers for $90-$100 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Kysia Live provides music and a Champagne toast and party favors will be provided for the midnight countdown. Tickets: greencurtainevents.com
Ronero
738 W. Randolph St., 312-600-6105
Start with a $70 four-course meal in the West Loop Latin restaurant and then head to the upstairs Esco Bar for passed bites, a premium open bar, a DJ and a champagne toast from 9 p.m. to midnight. If you have other plans for dinner, you can just hit the party for $50. Tickets: eventbrite.com
Roof on theWit
201 N. State St., 312-239-9502
Test your luck at a Monte Carlo-themed bash where you can play roulette, craps and blackjack while enjoying live music from the Champagne All-Stars, dance performances, and tunes from DJ Rick Wonder from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The $175 tickets include a premium open bar, stations serving steak and seafood, passed appetizers, macarons, strawberry Champagne truffles and a Champagne toast. Tickets: eventbrite.com
SafeHouse
60 E. Ontario St., 312-313-1007
The spy-themed bar hosts a Bond Ball from 10 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. that features a late-night buffet, a DJ, a hosted bar and Champagne toasts for the New York and Chicago countdowns. The best-dressed guy and girl each receive $50. Tickets are $55 at eventbrite.com.
Tuko Cantina
1938 W. Division St., 773-687-8240
Ringing in its first New Year, the Wicker Park restaurant will keep things casual with $20-$25 getting you unlimited tacos from 8 p.m. to midnight and drinks from Mi Campo tequila until 9 p.m. DJs and party favors add to the fun. Tickets: eventbrite.com
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VU Rooftop Bar
133 E. Cermak Road, 312-528-0191
Watch the Navy Pier fireworks from the 22nd floor of the Hilton Garden Inn as part of a bash including a Champagne toast, party favors and music from DJs. The bar is open until 2 a.m. and cover is $25 at vurooftop.com or $35 at the door.
Waydown
311 N. Morgan St., 312-764-1919
Ace Hotel’s rooftop bar hosts a “The Great Gatsby”-themed bash from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. featuring music from DJ King Marie, DJ Iggy and Freddy Phatz, plus tarot readings. The $50 admission includes one cocktail and a midnight toast. Tickets: universe.com
WhirlyBall
1825 W. Webster Ave., 773-486-7777
For a playful celebration, head to the Bucktown bar where $55-$65 will get you unlimited games of bowling, laser tag and whirlyball from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The party also includes two drinks, a midnight toast, and a buffet featuring sliders, pizza and wings. Tickets: whirlyball.com
Samantha Nelson is a RedEye freelancer.