New Year's Eve in D.C.: A high-brow vs. low-key guide
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Party in the bank vault at Silver Lyan. Photo: Courtesy of Riggs DC
So many D.C. restaurants offer a pricey prix-fixe for New Year's Eve — here are a few high-brow and low-key options for something different.
High-brow: Silver Lyan, one of D.C.'s best cocktail bars, is throwing a "house party" downtown with free-flowing Champagne, retro bites and DJ tunes (starting at $170).
- Low-key: Chai-vy & Cohen-y, D.C.'s Hanukkah pop-up, is pouring menorah shots and gratis Manischewitz toasts at midnight (free).
High-brow: Dinner at Bloomingdale's Red Hen — a rare, terrific restaurant serving its regular menu on NYE, plus some splurge specials like caviar and potato chips.
- Low-key: Boundary Stone nearby, which celebrates with extended happy hour (3-10 pm) and live music from local rock band Cue the Deer (free). And always: Showtime across the street.
High-brow: Bingo lead by Casa Teresa chef Ruben Garcia — who, in addition to games and live Spanish music, serves a family-style tasting menu with caviar, oysters, jamon Iberico, foie gras, truffles, and porrons (starting at $125).
- Low-key: Games galore and a sexy claw machine at Players Club in Logan Circle (no reservations or cover).
High-brow: A Gatsby-themed, open-bar yacht party with DJs and fireworks on the Potomac (tickets $256+).
- Lower-key: BYOB hot tub boats, "Love Is Blind"-style (starting at $450 for two).
High-brow: Alpine vibes at the new immersive pop-up bar Snowglow atop Union Market, which hosts a blowout with a four-hour open ice bar, snack buffet and mountain show (tickets: $225 for two).
- Low-key: Alpine vibes at Stable on H Street, which dishes up fondue and raclette in Swiss chalets and outside (fondue starting at $27).
High-brow: Georgetown's Blues Alley jazz supper club, where pianist Monty Alexander carries on a longstanding NYE concert tradition over two shows (tickets starting at $150).
- Low-key: Old-school country from The Highballers that "goes down like Jim Beam" at Rockville's revived dive, Hank Dietle's Tavern (tickets: $23).
High-brow: Love, Makoto's gorgeous sushi box for two with optional sake pairings and soba noodles for a quiet celebration at home (starting at $175 per package).
- Low-key: The out-crowd can drink bottomless late-night mimosas at Purple Patch in Mt. Pleasant starting at 10:30pm (one-hour limit), plus karaoke ($25+).
High-brow: "Saturday Night Live" newcomer Emil Wakim headlines two shows at Arlington Drafthouse, plus a ball drop celebration (tickets: $30).
- Low-key: Local talents fill the comedic lineup at DC Improv, which offers two shows and a toast for the later performances (tickets: $35+).
High-brow: Swanky live-piano-karaoke lounge Sid Gold's Request Room near Union Market throws an NYE party for night-howlers with an hour-long open bar starting at 10pm and dancing until 3am (tickets: $60+).
- Low-key: Dive bar karaoke at Recessions downtown, which hosts an NYE party with "buffet food" and bottomless Champagne—perhaps the André region's finest. ($40+).