The countdown is on. Sitting at home in your PJs and falling asleep by 9 p.m. is a time-honored sign you’re adulting. After two years of pandemic-induced staying in, though, you may be itching to ring in 2023 with dining, dancing or both.
This year, there’s bevy of New Year’s Eve options, with swoon-worthy dishes, DJs and plenty of bubbly that sure beats watching the ball drop with your cat. From dinner specials to midnight toasts, these are the best spots to spend New Year’s Eve in the Hamptons.
Calissa Hamptons, 1020 Montauk Hwy., Water Mill, 631-500-9292
This Water Mill staple is ringing in the New Year with a raw bar, an actual bar and a DJ. There will be champagne by the glass, which pairs perfectly with the first seconds of a new year and the oysters at the aforementioned raw bar. Reservations can be made here.
1770 House Restaurant & Inn, 143 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-1770
For an elegant affair that gets you home before you turn into a pumpkin, consider heading to 1770 House Restaurant. Chef Michael Rozzi and wine director Michael Cohen are teaming up for a three-course meal with wine pairings. Sip and savor wines from around the world with caviar, foie gras, strip steak and to-be-announced sweet treats. Reservations are highly recommended.
Baron’s Cove, 131 West Water St., Sag Harbor, 844-227-6672
The early bird gets a $50 discount on New Year’s Eve at Baron’s Cove. The waterfront inn with an acclaimed restaurant is offering two seatings at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. — the first is $125 per person and the second is $175. Regardless of your choice, you’ll be able to choose from a four-course menu with bay scallops, lobster gnocchi, lamb chop and cheesecake. Bonus: You can indulge guilt-free by booking a stay in one of the nautical-style rooms with light-colored furniture and seafaring décor like maps and photos of boats.
The Clubhouse, 174 Daniels Hole Rd., East Hampton, 631-537-2695
Want to move your feet? Head over to the Clubhouse for a night with the rollicking Hoodoo Loungers. Plus, there’s lots of other fun in store: passed hor d’oeuvres from 8 to 9 p.m., specialty celebratory cocktails all night (with table service, if you ask nicely for a seat), plus a complimentary drink when you walk in the door and bubbly for your midnight toast. Get your tickets on their site; doors open at 8pm
Gurney’s Montauk, 290 Old Montauk Hwy., Montauk, 631-668-2345
Bid farewell to 2022 at The End. Noted Montauk resort Gurney’s is hosting a New Year’s Eve party in The Regent Lounge from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. The late dinner is worth waiting for and includes lobster BLT, king crab avocado toast and pork belly lollipops. Dancing is on the menu, too. Consider staying the night. Not only do you avoid a trek West, but resort guests’ tickets are $150 per person, while non-resort guests will have to fork over $195 per person.
The Chequit, 23 Grand Ave., Shelter Island, 631-749-0018
Hurray for New Year’s Eve at the Chequit! Get your reservation for their 5-course dinner (two seatings: one at 5:30 p.m. and the second at 8 p.m.), and then dance the night (and all those calories) away to local favorite band, the Realm, starting at 9:30 p.m.
Rowdy Hall, 10 Main St., East Hampton, 631-324-8555
This English-style pub can feel more London than East Hampton, offering a lively escape from the white tablecloth affairs. Rowdy Hall has special lunch and dinner menus for New Year’s Eve. Those who can’t miss New Year’s Rockin’ Eve can feast on a three-course lunch that ends with peanut butter mousse bombe that’s as rich as it sounds. The dessert is also on the dinner menu — ditto for smoked salmon and baby lamb chops.
Jean-Georges at Topping Rose House, 1 Bridgehampton-Sag Harbor Tpke., Bridgehampton, 631-808-2000
The amiable service and minimalist décor inside Jean-Georges restaurant at Topping Rose House give it a subtly sophisticated vibe. But there’s nothing subtle about the food — it’s delicious and worth the Hamptons’ prices. On New Year’s Eve, the restaurant is hosting a three-course dinner that appropriately begins with a glass of champagne. Black truffle pizza, lobster, duck and prime beef tenderloin are some of the eye-popping, mouth-watering offerings on the $228-per-person prix-fixe menu. Caviar can be added on for extra.
Highway Restaurant and Bar, 290 Montauk Hwy., East Hampton, 631-527-5372
Highway is turning New Year’s Eve into a two-day event with takeout and in-person specials starting on Dec. 30. Peking duck and the sushi bar will be available to in-person diners. The takeout option serves four and costs $450, but diners can add the duck for $120 extra.
Wolffer Kitchen, 4 Amagansett Square Dr., Amagansett, 631-267-2764
There will be rose and bubbles aplenty at the storied South Fork winery’s restaurant this New Year’s Eve, along with a four-course dinner including dishes like Montauk tuna tartare, lobster pappardelle, and Wölffer wine (of course) braised short-ribs. Tickets are $100, with an option per-course wine pairing for an extra $50. Reservations a must.
Stephen Talkhouse, 161 Main St., Amagansett, 631-267-3117
Famous names like Kiefer Sutherland have taken the stage at this intimate and legendary East End live music hub. That said, Jack Bauer will likely be spending New Year’s Eve elsewhere — though you never know in these parts. This year, the band Hello Brooklyn! is taking the torch from regular act Nancy Atlas for a different kind of rocking New Year’s Eve. The party starts at 10.
Southampton Social Club, 256 Elm St., Southampton, 631-287-1000
This quintessential New Year’s Eve celebration will have a sit-down dinner, cocktail service and dancing. H’ors d’ourves will be passed, and the champagne will be flowing at midnight.
Nick & Toni’s. 136 North Main Street, East Hampton, 631-324-3550
If the choreographed ballet of a fabulous four-course is more your speed on New Year’s Eve, look to Nick & Toni’s, who are doing chef’s tasting menu for $135 (plus tax and tip). The evening kicks off with a complimentary amuse bouche, and then dives into a sumptuous selection of antipasti (think oysters with melted leeks and caviar and seared foie gras with lingonberry jam) and main events, like baby lamb chops with braised artichokes and cranberry beans or risotto with roasted mushrooms and Burgundy black truffles. In addition to dessert, everyone also gets a special extra treat from their pastry team. Hats, noise makers and balloons abound—and of course, there will be bubbles.
Good Ground Tavern at Canoe Place Inn & Cottages, 239 East Montauk Hwy., Hampton Bays, 631-763-6300
This elegantly laidback tavern boasts a warm fireplace and even warmer service. The Mediterranean menu is as refined-yet-relaxed as the ambiance. Oysters, duck, beef tenderloin and a traditional bûche de Noël (Yule Log) are for the enjoying on Dec. 31.
Oakland’s Restaurant, 373 Dune Rd., Hampton Bays, 631-728-6900
This waterfront restaurant is known for its lively atmosphere and stellar sunsets during the summer. Though Oakland’s usually closes for the winter, it’ll reopen its doors on New Year’s Eve for a buffet dinner (menu TBD) and dancing (playlist also TBD). The $75 per person includes tax and tip.
Ram’s Head Inn, 108 South Ram Island Dr., Shelter Island, 631-749-0811
Mums the word on the five-course tasting menu executive chef Joe Smith is dreaming up for New Year’s Eve. But we can tell you guests can stay past dessert when a DJ takes over.
