If done properly, New Year’s Eve can be one of the most romantic nights of the year, what with that whole midnight kiss and the promise of wonderful things to come in the new year. If you’re still looking to make plans for the last holiday night of the year, here are a few activity suggestions for you and your sweetie.
Of course, food and drinks are an important start to a romantic evening. You may have trouble getting a last minute dinner reservation, but here are a few ideas to get you started.
A kiss beneath an explosion of fireworks is always a great romantic bet, and Austin offers up a nice array of viewing options. For the most romantic choices, we suggest Mount Bonnell or the grounds of St. Edward’s for your viewing pleasure.
Afterwards, check out one of these great, local events:
Golden Dawn Arkestra’s Cosmic Disco NYE at Barracuda
Have an out of body experience with Golden Dawn Arkestra “an avant-garde collective combining deep grooves and cinematic textures. Adorned in shimmering regal robes reminiscent of intergalactic kingdoms of yore and featuring cosmic go-go dancers, The Golden Dawn Arkestra will keep your body moving on the dance floor while raising your consciousness past the outermost reaches of the cosmos,” according to their Do512 event page. Joining them for a night of existential journeys into the new year are Calliope Musical, Continental Drift, Fort Never, TeeVee, and DJ Aquaman.
Justine’s Presents: Exquisite Underground New Year’s Eve
Very few places in Austin can do an event up as sexy as French restaurant Justine’s, and this year’s New Year’s Eve celebration is no exception. They’re even moving the party to an undisclosed location near the restaurant to ensure that revelers have plenty of room for debauchery. From the event site: “The night’s jewel is a live show by Syrian cult icon Omar Souleyman. A clandestine photo booth, “The Changing Room: Be Whoever You Want To Be” inspired by dressing rooms to make art while you celebrate the night. With love from the artist, we will screening Marilyn Minter’s newest video piece concurrently opening at the Brooklyn Museum. Performers will be hanging like stars in the sky. This is OPEN BAR all night!!! There will be a Gem + Bolt mescal bar, champagne bar and two beautiful bars featuring Justine’s cocktails like the Enfant Terrible… There will be bites + candy for the hungry revelers. At midnight: thousands balloons will drop, and champagne towers will overflow…” Tickets available here.
Old Fashioned New Year’s Eve Party at The Four Seasons
The four seasons is flashing back to the era of three piece suits and fitted dresses with a Mad Men inspired event. No reservation is required (though if you’re going to have the four-course dinner at Trio first, you should call about that). The event is in the lobby lounge and kicks off at 9 p.m. Makers Mark cocktails and music by the Jon Blondell band help to make the night a little extra romantic.
Hopfields Rat Pack NYE
Hopfields is also harkening back to the ‘50s with a Rat Pack New Year’s Eve party. From the event description: “Dress in your best Sinatra, Havana nights, Mad Men, Rat Pack wear and join us for one of the best parties around town complete with champagne toasts and photo booth. Don’t forget your Cuban!” If you’re looking to do dinner ahead of time, Hopfields will have a five course prix fixe menu, but if you don’t, then you can just show up for the party! Grab tickets and dinner reservations here.
Viva Carnivale! 2017 Masquerade Ball
Getting lost amongst the crowds, searching for your lover while your head spins and you try to decide whether you’re having a moment from a scene in Labyrinth or Eyes Wide Shut, what can be sexier than that? This Austin PRIDE event will evoke the sweaty exuberance of Carnivale a little early with dancing all night long, a balloon drop, commemorative photos, and more.
Red Room Lounge Presents The New Year’s Eve 2017 Prohibition Bash
If spending time cuddled up with your sweetie in an intimate wine lounge, dressed to the 9s in your flapper dress and zoot suite sounds like the perfect way to ring in the new year, you’ll want to check out Red Room’s Prohibition Bash. The speakeasy lounge’s event includes complimentary chocolate, cheese, and champagne, a DJ, a photobooth, and more. Snatch those tickets up now!
San Jose NYE Party: Le Freak, C’est Chic
The name of the party basically says it all — this NYE go get freaky with the folks at Hotel San Jose, along with DJ Chino Casino and lots of drink specials. And the best part about this fabulously freaky and sexy event? It’s one of the few New Year’s Eve parties that you’ll find that doesn’t charge a cover.
Featured Photo: Flickr user Peter Hall, CC licensed
