If you haven’t checked your calendar lately, you may have lost sight of the reality that New Year’s Eve is just two weeks off. There’s still time to book a table, not to mention some fun doings this year. Black-tie masquerade and casino games? Count us curious. Here are a few recommendations.
53 (53 W 53rd St.)
53, a contemporary Asian restaurant and cocktail lounge within the 82-story, Jean Nouvel-designed residential tower at 53 West 53rd Street (next to MoMA) is celebrating the arrival of 2026 with a five-course menu, showcasing such 53 classics as duck pie tee and wagyu filet cooked in a clay pot. Festive cocktails will abound, as will a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $225 per person and reservations can be made via SevenRooms.
BA53MENT, Midtown’s hottest jewel-box cocktail lounge, situated beneath the MoMA’s David Geffen Wing, opened this past fall and is helmed by the team at 53. A red door opens onto purple-and-plum-accented interiors. A $53-selection of bites and cocktails will be served, though elevated table experiences will also be available. Reservations can be made via SevenRooms.
Dear Irving – Gramercy (55 Irving Pl) and Broadway (1717C Broadway)
Dear Irving, the iconic New York cocktail lounge, will feature New Year’s Eve celebrations at its Gramercy and Broadway locations. Both black-tie (Broadway in particular being Black-tie Masquerade!) events feature DJ-driven dancing, passed hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar, with cocktails curated by notable bar director Meaghan Dorman. Champagne Table tickets are $302.62 per guest and offer reserved seating and an elevated, intimate experience (Gramercy 9 PM-1 AM; Broadway 8 PM-1 AM). General Admission is $209.50 per guest, providing access to the open bar, with first-come, first-served seating at Gramercy and indoor plus heated outdoor terrace options at Broadway. Tickets can be purchased via Resy (Gramercy and Broadway).
Madame George (45 W 45th St.)
A subterranean cocktail lounge and live music venue in Midtown, Madame George will be hosting a 1920s-themed Gatsby Party. Vocalist Stephany Mora, who recently was on tour with pop star Sabrina Carpenter, will be on hand to entertain, and from 9 PM – 1 AM, guests can enjoy an open bar, featuring craft cocktails, fine spirits, and champagne, plus a selection of passed hors d’oeuvres: Bruschetta crostini, crispy pork belly poppers, Mott Street bang bang shrimp. All offerings are included in the ticket price, starting at $195 per person. Reservation may be made here via OpenTable.
Obvio (3 E 28th St)
Also known as the “Giraffe Bar,” Obvio will be hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration to remember in NoMad. Guests can enjoy an open bar all night with a curated beverage menu by award-winning beverage director Amy Racine, passed canapés by Chef John Fraser (including the iconic Obvio Burger), a champagne toast at midnight, and DJ-driven dancing that will keep the party going late into the night. General admission tickets are $275 per person, and limited tables with Champagne and caviar service available for those looking for a more elevated experience. Tickets can be purchased via OpenTable.
Raines Law Room at The William (24 E 39th St)
Celebrate 2026 at Raines Law Room at The William with a glamorous Casino Royale-inspired New Year’s Eve soirée, filled with dancing, cocktails, and high-stakes fun. Guests can enjoy dancing to a DJ, passed hors d’oeuvres, and an open bar with signature house cocktails. Champagne Table tickets at $325 per guest include reserved seating, a seafood tower, play-money casino games like blackjack, craps, and roulette, and a Moët champagne toast at midnight. General Admission at $225 a head includes access to the open bar, hors d’oeuvres (think salmon and ikura with a house smoked salmon dip; filet mignon skewers au poivre with crispy potatoes; petits fours), casino games, and the midnight toast. Tickets can be purchased via Resy.
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