The 20 Best New Year’s Eve Parties in Boston to Ring in 2020

There are two ways to party at Pagu this New Year’s Eve, including an all-you-can-eat buffet. / Photo by Aaron Tang

Not just a new year approaches, but a whole new decade—and that calls for a special New Year’s Eve celebration. Whether that means a relaxing dinner with fireworks views, a decadent tasting menu, or a Champagne-fueled dance party, Boston restaurants have your plans covered. Check out these awesome options to ring in the best 2020 ever. Happy New Year!

A4cade

Central Square’s retro-futuristic grilled cheese-arcade-speakeasy is throwing it back with a “Y2kade”-themed New Year’s Eve party. Frost those tips or twist in those butterfly clips and roll in beginning at 8 p.m. for DJ Saiwrd spinning 2000s hits and a midnight Jell-O shot toast. Tickets also include a welcome cocktail, and $5 worth of game-play tokens.

$25, doors at 8 p.m., 292 Massachusetts Ave. (enter through Roxy’s Grilled Cheese), Cambridge, 617-714-3960, a4cade.com.

Ring in 2020 with Glitter Brut IPA. / Photo courtesy of Aeronaut Brewing Co.

Aeronaut Brewing Company

Greet 2020 with a balloon drop and a glittery glass of beer in hand: Glitter Brut IPA is on tap for this Somerville soiree. The “Glamour and Gold” party features live music from Gentle Temper and Aaron King + Flowttiglio, plus a free photo booth to document all the fun. Carolicious—the Aeronaut food hub’s resident Latin American kitchen—is serving up complimentary small plates throughout the evening, included in the ticket price along with a 5-ounce pour of Glitter Brut for midnight. The full draft menu, including NYE specials and non-alcoholic options, is also available.

$60, doors at 8 p.m., 14 Tyler St., 617-987-4236, Somerville, aeronautbrewing.com.

Black Lamb

The South End’s new-in-2019 neighborhood bistro from chef Colin Lynch and team is hosting a relaxed last dinner of the year. Check out the regular menu, amped up for the occasion with special seafood like white sturgeon caviar, chilled half-lobsters, and oysters on the half-shell alongside a New Year’s Eve Bubble Bar featuring six dynamic sparkling wines from around the world.

Reservations available for lunch and between 5-10:15 p.m., 571 Tremont St., South End, Boston, 617-982-6330, blacklambsouthend.com.

The Bully Boy Tasting room. / Photo by Jason Zucco

Bully Boy Distillers

Ring in 2020 roaring ’20s-style at Boston’s own speakeasy. The dress code encourages “fancy, old-timey threads,” and there will be an ice luge. The cool cocktail bar will be shaking up some speciality drinks, and American Provisions will be in the house with small bites for sale. Tickets include entry and a welcome cocktail.

$35, 8 p.m., 44 Cedric St., Roxbury, 617-442-6000, bullyboydistillers.com.

Brato Brewhouse & Kitchen

For this brew pub’s first New Year’s Eve in Brighton, chef Jon Gilman is creating a very special prix-fixe menu option, as well as a selection of passed apps and bites for revelers. Closer to midnight, party like it’s 1999 with a TRL playlist on the speakers, the 1999 Dick Clark special on the projector screen, and a good old fashioned—dare we say, middle school-style—dance party.

6 p.m., 190 North Beacon St., Brighton, 617-903-3766, bratobk.com.

Capo Supper Club

This South Boston ristorante will be open for dinner as usual, with the addition of a $75 prix-fixe menu option. Downstairs in its Supper Club, it’s also taking reservations from 6-9 p.m. if you’d like to dine with live music by the Legends of Summer band. Email arly@caposouthboston.com for reservations.

443 W. Broadway 617-993-8080, caposouthboston.com.

A full table at Café du Pays. / Photo by Nir Landau

Café du Pays

You can have a fancy and romantic New Year’s Eve dinner at this Cambridge bistro without committing to a locked-in prix-fixe. Along with a special champagne menu, chef Dan Amighi is creating some celebratory new dishes for the evening.

Bar opens at 4 p.m., reservations available between 5-9:30 p.m., 233 Cardinal Medeiros Ave., Cambridge, 617-314-7297, cafedupays.com.

Cunard Tavern

Ascend over East Boston and watch the harbor fireworks after dinner. From 5-9:30 p.m., chef Anthony Pino is serving up a special four-course NYE prix-fixe menu. When the fireworks begin, the party moves to the Top Deck rooftop bar for hot cocktails and a midnight Champagne toast. Tickets can include dinner only, or dinner and the fireworks soiree.

$55/$85, reservations available between 5-9:30 p.m., 24 Orleans St., East Boston, 617-567-7609, cunardtavern.com.

“The Hopservatory” rooftop beer hall at DBCo. boasts beautiful Boston skyline views. / Photos courtesy of DBCo.

Dorchester Brewing Company

The long-awaited reveal of DBCo.’s year-round, greenhouse-stye roof deck bar—dubbed “the Hopservatory”—is happening with much fanfare on New Year’s Eve. Check out the breathtaking views of the Boston skyline from the fully enclosed beer hall, and warm up by its big fireplace. A new game room officially opens on NYE, too, and tons of music and art is in store throughout the day. There will be plenty of food: M&M BBQ will be open with a sneak peek of their brand-new in-house restaurant. Around 11:30 p.m., there will be free passed snacks, too. Along with house-brewed beers by DBCo. and other tenants, there’s an exclusive Bantam Cider and new wines on the drink menus, too. No cover required.

Open all day 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.), 1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com.

Field & Vine

Reservations for the year-ending prix-fixe menu have already sold out, but you can still ring in the new year with chef Andrew Brady and wine maven Sara Markey—just wear your dancing shoes. Beginning at 9:30 p.m., an after-dinner disco begins with special wines available by the glass. Tickets include all sorts of tasty treats from the kitchen, and all the tunes with DJ Explosion Robinson.

$85, 9:30 p.m., 9 Sanborn Court, Somerville, 617-718-2333, fieldandvinesomerville.com.

Indulge in oysters and so much more during Island Creek Oyster Bar’s Seven Deadly Sins dinner on NYE. / Photo by Michael Piazza

Island Creek Oyster Bar

Go big on the last night of the year at this Kenmore Square mainstay: The theme of executive chef Nicki Hobson’s seven-course menu is the seven deadly sins. From a greed-inspired “millionaire’s feast” of Maine lobster, foie gras, and black truffle; to a lazy susan full of breads, dips, and butter (sloth), to a lustful dessert, it will be a night of true indulgence. Tickets can include wine pairings curated by wine director Annie Patterson—but why wouldn’t you go for it?

$160/$220, 8-11 p.m., 500 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-532-5300, islandcreekoysterbar.com.

Paella is part of the all-you-can-eat plan for Pagu’s NYE party. / Photo courtesy of Pagu

Pagu

Two ways to party with chef Tracy Chang this New Year’s Eve. First, you can join her early for a four-course chef’s tasting menu, inspired by Spanish Michelin-starred fare. Then, from 9 p.m. until midnight, head over for an all-you-can-eat spread of suckling pig, seafood paella, new tapas for 2020, porrons of wine, cocktail specials, and more. Reservations are available for both experiences; both cost $80, including tax and gratuity but not including drinks.

310 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, 617-945-9290, gopagu.com.

Publico Street Bistro & Garden

Fly “Southie” for the winter at this South Beach-themed soiree. Dinner service is on as usual starting at 5 p.m., but from 9 p.m. on, head to the atrium Lodge at Publico for a bach featuring complimentary bites, party favors, a live stream of the ball, and DJ Adam James spinning SoBe vibes throughout the entire restaurant. If the party heats up too much, the interior courtyard’s retractable roof will open up overhead for night sky views. VIP reservations, complete with two bottles of Champagne, are also available.

$65/$500, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., 11 Dorchester St., South Boston, 617-622-5700, publicoboston.com.

Chef Michael Serpa is shucking oysters and pouring Champagne for New Year’s Eve at Select Oyster Bar. / Photograph by Nina Gallant for Best New Restaurants 2015

Select Oyster Bar

Channel your inner Jay and Bey for this Carter-themed dinner party. Featuring a playlist of choice cuts by Jay-Z and Beyoncé, the Champagne will be flowing and the seafood will be fresh AF. Chef Michael Serpa is preparing a three-course menu of yellowfin tuna crudo, dressed-up dayboat scallops, and roasted branzino, with special add-ons like dressed lobster and Island Creek caviar.

Reservations available from 4-10:15 p.m., 50 Gloucester St., 857-239-8064, selectoyster.com.

State Street Provisions

Make sure you have a prime fireworks viewing spot and setting in for holiday dinner at this Long Wharf spot—there will be party favors, too. Alongside the regular dinner menu, there will be New Year’s Eve specials, festive cocktails, and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight.

Reservations available 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., 255 State St., Boston, 617-863-8363, statestreetprovisions.com.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve Venetian wine bar-style at SRV. / Photo by Toan Trinh

SRV

To close out 2019, co-chefs Michael Lombardi and Kevin O’Donnell are preparing an especially celebratory version of their Arsenale prix-fixe menu, with optional white truffle additions and wine pairings. Enjoy a spread of chicchetti, plus dishes like seafood boretto, doppio ravioli with lamb, polenta, and carrots, and chocolate cake for dessert. Plus, a live band will set up in the bar from 10 p.m. until the night winds down.

$100, Reservations available between 5-10:30 p.m., 569 Columbus Ave., 617-536-9500, srvboston.com.

Time Out Market Boston

Usher in the true year of Boston’s food hall at one such place: Time Out Market is promising an “electrifying fete” at its circus-themed soiree. Tickets include $50 to spend at any of the in-house vendors and bars, plus entertainments including Cirque de Light performers, DJs Noise Artistry and Char(7), and a drag show hosted by Nüqueer Power

$85, 9 p.m.-1 a.m., 401 Park Dr., Boston, 978-393-8088, timeoutmarket.com.

Uni

Close out 2019 with a feast prepared by this year’s James Beard Award-winning Best Chef: Northeast. Chef Tony Messina is preparing a super-special 12-course tasting menu for New Year’s Eve. Expect to taste the chef’s artistic expression, passion, and skills in some entirely new Uni dishes—sushi and sashimi included. There will also be supplements of truffles, wagyu, white truffle, and caviar available.

$205, reservations available from 5:30-10:30 p.m., 370A Commonwealth Ave., Boston, 617-536-7200, uni-boston.com.

A NYE reservation at Woods Hill Pier 4 comes with a prime fireworks viewing spot. / Photo courtesy of Woods Hill Pier 4

Woods Hill Pier 4

Check out one of 2019’s most promising new restaurant openings on New Year’s Eve and get a prime fireworks viewing spot. Now open on the Pier 4 waterfront, Concord restaurateur Kristin Canty’s Boston stunner is offering up chef Charlie Foster’s regular menu, along with a complimentary Champagne toast and an excellent view of the Boston Harbor fireworks.

Reservations available from 5-10:45 p.m., 300 Pier 4 Blvd., Boston, 617-981-4577, woodshillpier4.com.