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.
The Latest from greer's oc
Casa Romantica Showcases Festival of Arts Legacy in New Summer Exhibition
Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens is partnering with the Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach for a new summer exhibition celebrating the artists who helped shape Laguna Beach’s creative legacy.
“Through the Decades: Artists That Shaped the Festival…
Azure Day Party Debuts Sundays at The Bungalow Huntington Beach
The Bungalow Huntington Beach is launching a new weekly daytime series with Azure Day Party beginning Memorial Day weekend on Sunday, May 24. The weekly Sunday residency will bring Azure’s signature mix of house music, elevated hospitality and…
Newport Dunes Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend With Music, Movies, and More
Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort & Marina is kicking off the unofficial start of summer with four days of waterfront entertainment, family activities, live music, movies on the beach, and outdoor fun over Memorial Day Weekend, May 22 to 25.
Set…
Free Summer Dance Nights and Concerts Return to Segerstrom Center
Segerstrom Center for the Arts is bringing back its popular summer programming on the Julianne and George Argyros Plaza with free Tuesday Night Dance classes through August and Summer Sounds outdoor concerts starting June 12.
The all-ages dance series runs…
Follow Greer on Pinterest
from the blog
- 05.20.26 – Casa Romantica Showcases Festival of Arts Legacy in New Summer Exhibition
- 05.18.26 – Azure Day Party Debuts Sundays at The Bungalow Huntington Beach
- 05.18.26 – Newport Dunes Celebrates Memorial Day Weekend With Music, Movies, and More
- 05.17.26 – Free Summer Dance Nights and Concerts Return to Segerstrom Center
- 05.17.26 – CasaDami Teams Up With Gelato Paradiso for a Summer Dessert Flight
- 05.14.26 – 44 Women for Orangewood Luncheon in Newport Beach
- 05.13.26 – Riverdance 30 Brings a New Generation to Segerstrom Center
- 05.11.26 – Lido Theater Receives 2026 Preservation Award
- 05.08.26 – Bluewater Grill Celebrates 30 Years With Seafood Tastings and Holiday Specials
- 05.08.26 – Outpost Kitchen at South Coast Plaza Debuts Mother’s Day Menu
- 05.05.26 – Alabaster International Debuts in OC with ‘Her Light & Legacy’
- 04.29.26 – ILYA Welcomes Sunday Brunch to San Clemente
- 04.28.26 – Mastro’s Plans Mother’s Day Brunch in Irvine and Costa Mesa
- 04.28.26 – Mother’s Day Style: Matching Moments for Moms and Minis at Famous Footwear
- 04.27.26 – March for Babies Returns to Irvine May 2
- 04.25.26 – Classic Packards Take Center Stage in Newport Beach
- 04.23.26 – Spring Menu Arrives at The Park Club California
- 04.23.26 – SpiceQuest Brings the Heat Home
- 04.20.26 – Honda Center Serves Up Playoff-Ready Menu for Ducks Fans
- 04.17.26 – A Night of Fashion and Giving in Newport Beach
More Daily Doses
- 05.18.26 – Uncle Fluffy Brings Viral Japanese Cheesecake to Costa Mesa’s Triangle Square
- 05.17.26 – Champagnes Kitchen Expands to Huntington Beach
- 05.17.26 – Newport Beach TV Fest Returns With Star-Powered Lineup at Lido Theater
- 05.13.26 – Pure Salt Marks 10 Years With New Newport Beach Flagship
- 05.10.26 – A Coastal Spa Experience Arrives at Surf & Sand Laguna Beach
- 05.10.26 – Cozy Earth’s Cuddle Collection Brings Luxury Comfort to Corona del Mar
- 05.07.26 – Sweetgreen Opens at Irvine’s University Center
- 05.06.26 – Icons of Napa Valley Wine Dinner Returns to Henry’s Coastal Cuisine
- 04.29.26 – Mother’s Day Dining Across Orange County
- 04.29.26 – La La Land Kind Cafe Grand Opening at Irvine Spectrum
- 04.29.26 – J Ruby: A Colorful Creative Find in South Laguna
- 04.28.26 – A New Chapter for Zov’s in San Clemente
- 04.23.26 – David Spade Takes The Lido Theater Stage
- 04.20.26 – Arrive in Style. Leave the Driving to Us.
- 04.19.26 – Candace Bushnell Brings One-Woman Show to South Coast Repertory
- 04.18.26 – A Coastal Weekend of Wine, Food and Ocean Views
- 04.13.26 – An Evening of Connection and Compassion in Aliso Viejo
- 04.08.26 – A Mother’s Day Gathering with Costa Mesa History
- 04.06.26 – Spring in Full Bloom at South Coast Plaza
- 04.05.26 – Taste of Napa Comes to Huntington Beach and Returns to Napa Valley

