Still weighing options on where to ring in the New Year on Thursday night? Here are some top local options for low key celebrations to an all out night with live music, dinner and a Champagne toast at midnight!
Lucca Café in Irvine
On New Year’s Eve, Chef Cathy Pavlos at Lucca Café in Irvine is offering a tantalizing menu filled with incredible specials like Mini Black Canyon Beef Wellington, Lobster Bisque, Clams, the Bronx style, and much more! The celebration starts early so you can ring in the New Year on East Coast time! Open from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
6507 Quail Hill Parkway in Irvine. 949.725.1773.
Provenance – Newport Beach
Provenance is celebrating the New Year from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with its regular menu offered alongside incredible specials created by chef Cathy Pavlos for NYE including a New Zealand Wild John Dory “Asada Style” Platter.
2531 Eastbluff Drive in Newport Beach. 949.718.0477.
ARC – Costa Mesa
Ring in the New Year at ARC, with bar chef Koire Rogers preparing specialty libations, and chef Noah von Blöm preparing the evenings oven-to-table cuisine. Seating is first come, first serve from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
3321 Hyland Ave. in Costa Mesa. 949.500.5561.
Haven Gastropub in Old Towne Orange
If you are just looking for great food, craft beer and cocktails, then Haven's the place to be to ring in the New Year. They’ll be open until 2 a.m. on New Year's Eve and will be serving their entire menu, while offering the option of a 3-course Chef's Prix-Fixe menu, for those interested, for $45 per guest (not including beverages, tax, or gratuity). Craft beer or wine pairings can be added for $15 per guest.
190 S Glassell St. in Orange. 714.221.0680.
Prego Ristorante – Irvine
Prego is celebrating the New Year in a big way with live music, international DJ, dancing, a great dinner and Champagne toast at midnight! The full menu is available until 9 p.m., and a prix-fixed menu is available all night.
18420 Von Karman Ave. in Irvine. 949.553.1333.
SOL Cocina – Newport Beach
Chef Deborah Schneider's Baja-inspired menu and SOL Signature cocktails are perfect for ringing in 2016, including many specialty margaritas, from the classic house margarita to the more exotic specialty varieties. Open from 11:30 a.m. to 12 a.m.
251 Pacific Coast Hwy in Newport Beach. 949.675.9800.
Sapphire Laguna – Laguna Beach
To commemorate Sapphire Laguna's 9th year celebrating New Year's Eve, chef Azmin Ghahreman and his culinary team will be hosting a very special New Year's Eve dinner on Thursday, December 31 with seating from 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Guests can enjoy various dinner and drink specials throughout the night.
1200 S Coast Hwy #101, Laguna Beach. 949.715.9888 or email reservation@sapphirellc.com.
Babette's – Newport Beach
Babette's will be hosting a special New York New Year's Eve dinner. The price per person is $118 and includes a complementary glass of Veuve Clicquot and an incredible 3-course meal of organic, local, seasonal and sustainable dishes. You can enjoy a night full of delicious food, Champagne, music and dancing while watching the ball drop live from Times Square. To make your reservation, visit here, or call 949.715.9915. To learn more and to view the whole menu, visit here.
7962 East Coast Hwy in Newport Coast.
Juliette Kitchen and Bar – Newport Beach
Executive chef Daniel Hyatt 's menu of small and large plates pairs perfectly with Juliette's small batch and high-quality wines. Guests can enjoy locally-sourced dishes and innovative cocktails from 11 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
1000 Bristol St N #11, Newport Beach. 949.752.5854.
Waterman's Harbor Restaurant – Dana Point
Ring in 2016 with spectacular waterfront dining at Waterman's Harbor Restaurant in Dana Point. The menu was designed by award winning chef John Cuevas, Waterman's Harbor offers locally-sourced and sustainable dishes. The talented team of mixologists will be preparing incredible hand-crafted cocktails to help ring in the new year properly. Waterman's Harbor will remain open until 1 a.m. on New Years Eve.
34661 Golden Lantern St. in Dana Point. 949.764.3474.
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar - Newport Beach and Tustin
The Winery Restaurant & Wine Bar will be hosting a special evening to bid 2015 farewell at both Newport Beach and Tustin locations. At the Black and White New Year's Eve Soiree guests will be able to enjoy an incredible 3-course dinner courtesy along with drinks and music to make for a truly memorable night. Seating times and prices vary by location. First seating at the Tustin location is from 5 to 6 p.m. priced at $59 per guest while second seating is from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m. priced at $149 per guest. Guests who choose to spend the evening at their Newport Beach location will have the option of choosing between their first seating from 5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. priced at $69 per guest and their second seating from 8:30 to 10 p.m. priced at $149 per guest. Live music and dancing at both locations from 10 p.m. into the New Year. To learn more or to make your reservation, call their Tustin location (2647 Park Ave. in Tustin) at 714.258.7600 and their Newport Beach location (3131 West Coast Hwy in Newport Beach) at 949.999.6622.
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from the blog
- 11.05.25 – Dolly Parton’s Songs Come to Life with Pacific Symphony
- 11.05.25 – Savor the Season by the Sea at Hilton Santa Barbara Beachfront Resort
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- 11.05.25 – Philz Coffee Debuts Holiday Menu and Launches First-Ever Rewards Program
- 11.04.25 – McG, Nancy Silverton, and Rick Caruso Team Up for Spacca Tutto at Palisades Village
- 11.04.25 – Ice at Santa Monica Returns for the Holidays
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