It’s hard to believe that the end of the year is already upon us, but it’s finally time to start thinking about New Year’s Eve plans (and we just hope you don’t have to go to work the next morning). From EDM parties, fireworks shows and swing dancing to high-end prix fixe dinners, midnight champagne toasts and complimentary hot dog bars—here over over 20 events in Tampa Bay to help you bid farewell to 2023.

All events take place on Sunday, Dec. 31 unless marked otherwise; if we missed your New Year’s party, please email kyla@cltampa.com to be included in this roundup.

Armature Works Local EDM promoter Pied Piper brings popular festival DJ Mashmello to Tampa Heights for this New Year’s celebration—complete with midnight fireworks and plenty of dancing. Armature Works also hosts a “Noon Year’s Eve” party during the day if you’re looking for something more family-friendly. 8 p.m. $150 & up. 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa. Tixr.com

Beacon Tampa’s “tallest public rooftop bar” teams up with its neighboring restaurant Driftlight Steakhouse to provide a 7-course New Year’s Eve dinner, featuring dishes like black truffle beef tartare, sous-vide black cod and lobster over risotto. With the rooftop bar’s 360-degree views of Tampa, you’ll surely see a few fireworks pop off at midnight. 5 p.m.-midnight. $347.50. 510 Water St, Tampa. Sevenrooms.com

The Blind Goat Open bar and an unlimited buffet? Count us in. The Blind Goat hosts its annual New Year’s party and it’s always chock full of music, dancing and plenty of flowing drinks. Its all-you-can-eat holiday buffet features egg rolls, charcuterie, mini Cuban sandwiches, meatballs and more. 8 p.m. $99-170. 4106 Henderson Blvd., Tampa. eventbrite.com

The Coliseum For the past 14 years, St. Pete event space The Coliseum hosts its “Swingin’ in the New Year’s” party with big-band music and swing dancing. Mitch Woods & His Rocket 88’s provides the tunes and there will be swing dance lessons happening between 8 p.m.-9 p.m. Drinks can be purchased at the event’s cash bar.
7:30 p.m. $50. 535 4th Ave. N, St. Petersburg. Eventbrite.com

The Don CeSar The Don’s Great Gatsby-themed party features a full buffet spread, after-dinner cocktails and desserts, dancing, live jazz music and a bumpin’ DJ. A “Roaring Twenties”-themed dress code is recommended. 7 p.m. $350. $3400 Gulf Blvd, Saint Pete Beach. Doncesar.com

Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar The Epicurean’s signature restaurant offers a variety of decadent specials available from Dec. 29-Jan. 1, including an A5 wagyu tartare with caviar, smoked mushroom shoyu and caviar, bone-in short rib over herbed pappardelle, and black garlic glazed cod. Reservations can be made on OpenTable.com or by calling 813-999-8726. Various times. No cover. 1207 S Howard Ave., Tampa. epicureanhotel.com

First Night St. Pete The City of St. Pete has been hosting its annual, family-friendly New Year’s party for the past three decades, and its 30th anniversary is right around the corner. This North Straub Park-hosted event features live music, tons of kid-friendly activities, interactive displays, improv performances, dancing and more. 4 p.m.-8 p.m. No cover. 400 Bayshore Dr NE, St. Petersburg. Firstnightstpete.com

Harpoon Harry’s This downtown Tampa seafood restaurant is serving its regular menu on New Year’s Eve, in addition to chef-curated specials like shrimp ceviche, slow-roasted prime rib and stuffed lobster tails, plus signature cocktails. 4 p.m. No cover. 225 S Franklin St., Tampa. Harpoonharryscrabhousetampa.com

Hotel Haya Ybor City’s fancy hotel on Seventh Avenue has DJ Lolo Mayhew, plus go-go dancers and contortionists as part of a ticketed event that includes a complimentary champagne toast at midnight ($25, 7 p.m.-1 a.m.). At Haya’s Flor Fina restaurant, a five course chef’s tasting includes fig & almond arancini, beef wellington, and espresso martini budino ($125/person, reservations start at 5 p.m). 1412 E 7th Ave., Ybor City. hotelhaya.com

Hyde House Public Studio South Tampa’s posh event venue the Hyde House Public Studio hosts two “Alice in Wonderland” themed New Year’s events: A $325 four-course dinner with wine pairings at 7 p.m. and a “Down the Rabbit Hole” party at 9 p.m., complete with an open bar and light bites. 7 p.m. or 9 p.m. $300-$325.1646 W Snow Ave., Tampa. exploretock.com

IL Ritorno St. Pete’s go-to Italian restaurant is bringing in the new year with a multi-course specialty tasting menu, plus a complimentary glass of prosecco or a zero-proof cocktail. Reservations can be made via Tock. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. $215. 449 Central Ave. N, St. Petersburg. ilritornodowntown.com

JW Marriott Clearwater Beach This Clearwater Beach hotel hosts a variety of Christmas-themed events throughout the month, but its end-of-the-year beach party is by far its largest holiday celebration. Its waterfront festivities feature fireworks and live entertainment, with the opportunity to purchase food and drinks. Kids are welcome, but require a $35 ticket. 9 p.m.-midnight. $99. 691 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach. jwmarriottclearwater.ipoolside.com

The Independent Bar & Cafe This year’s rendition of The Independent’s annual party boasts a midnight toast, wine and bubbly specials, party favors and the main event of the evening: a complimentary hot dog bar with all the classic toppings. The event is free to attend, doesn’t have a dress code, and is 21+ after 10 p.m. 9 p.m. No cover. 5016 N Florida Ave., Tampa. independentbartampa.com

Lona Downtown Tampa’s newest Mexican restaurant hosts its first New Year’s event in a few weeks, and it’s the ideal celebration for someone who’s not looking to party into the wee hours of the morning. Lona offers a variety of specialty cocktails and a three-course prix fixe dinner with an apple and pear salad, filet mignon entree and caramelized pumpkin crema, in addition to its regular dinner menu. 11 a.m.-11 p.m. $72 for prix fixe menu. 505 Water St., Tampa. Lonatampa.com

MadFish This waterfront restaurant offers reservations for its four-course, prix fixe meal at several different times on New Year’s Eve. Its special menu boasts appetizers like drunken island shrimp and tenderloin bites alongside entrees such as New Zealand rack of lamb and Chilean sea bass. Reservations can be made directly on MadFish’s website. 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m. & 9:30 p.m. $75-$85. 5200 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach. madfishonline.com

Ocean Prime While this Tampa seafood restaurant won’t be the place to party on New Year’s Eve, you can still indulge in its regular menu for dinner, alongside a special of blue crab-topped sea bass with shallot and parmesan gratin, buttered leeks and toasted garlic. 2 p.m.-9 p.m. No cover. 2205 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa. ocean-prime.com

Pirate Water Taxi This one-hour cruise on the Hillsborough River departs from the Tampa Convention Center and provides some of the best views of the city’s fireworks show. All ages are welcome on the Pirate Water Taxi, but you’ll need a 21+ ID to drink champagne on the boat. 11 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $49.95-$69.95. 333 S Franklin St., Tampa. Piratewatertaxi.com

Predalina A curated, 5-course prix fixe dinner will be offered at this Water Street Tampa hotspot, complete with entertainment from a DJ, extended hours and wine pairings (for an additional charge). While its New Year’s menu has yet to be released, we assume it will be in the realm of the contemporary Mediterranean cuisine that Predalina is known for. 5 p.m.-10 p.m. $175. 1001 E Cumberland Ave., Tampa. resy.com

Rococo Steak Bring in 2024 with Rococo Steak’s decadent NYE menu of cauliflower bisque, sea bass with lobster and caviar, and New Zealand elk over crispy brussels sprouts. A selection of cocktails and wine will be available for purchase as well.
4 p.m.-10 p.m. $150. 655 2nd Ave S, St. Petersburg. rococosteak.com

Sal y Mar Midtown Tampa’s resident Spanish restaurant hosts a masquerade-themed party with plenty of flowing cocktails and live music—just don’t forget your mask. Its $400 VIP ticket comes with a buffet and specialty carving stations, too. 7 p.m. $170 & up.3650 Midtown Dr., Tampa. Eventbrite.com

Skipper’s Smokehouse Honky Tonk and country-rock favorite Donna the Buffalo returns to Skipper’s Smokehouse for its end-of-the-year party, which also includes a breakfast buffet, a few party favors, and a midnight champagne toast. 8 p.m. $40. 910 Skipper Rd, Tampa. skipperssmokehouse.com

St. Pete Pier One of the more family-friendly events in this roundup, The City of St. Petersburg hosts its annual, free-to-attend New Year’s event complete with a midnight fireworks show, food trucks, DJs and drinks for mom and dad. No tickets are required to access this pier-hosted party. 8 p.m.-12:30 a.m. No cover. 600 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. Stpetepier.org

The Tampa Edition We know what you’re thinking: “$600 for a party?!” But with a live performance from funk legends Kool & the Gang, access to a lavish seafood bar, tons of fancy cocktails and a champagne toast at midnight, The Tampa Edition’s New Year’s price tag just might be worth it. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $599. 500 Channelside Dr, Tampa. opentable.com

TradeWinds Island Resorts Tradewinds’ “Toast by the Coast” masquerade-themed celebration includes access to all-you-can-eat carvery and pasta bar, all the beer and wine you can drink, live music, and more. The beachside resort also hosts a kid and teen-friendly New Year’s glow-party with food and games for $80 each. 8 p.m.-1:30 a.m. $230. 5500 Gulf Blvd.,St Pete Beach. tradewindsislandresorts.ticketspice.com

The Vault Downtown Tampa’s CW Gin Joint always provides a swanky and shiny backdrop for its New Year’s celebration, and this year’s crystal ball-themed event is no different. This year’s party features live music, dancing, an open bar with signature cocktails, hor d’oeuvres and desserts. Its $265 VIP experience includes designated cocktail service and a bottle of nice champagne, too. 9 p.m. $200-$265. 611 N Franklin St., Tampa. vaulttampacatering.com

The Vinoy Both of The Vinoy Hotel’s restaurants—seafood spot Paul’s Landing and poolside, Latin-inspired eatery Parasol—offer New Year’s Eve specials and a prime view of St. Pete’s annual fireworks display. Paul’s Landing’s celebration features live music, a bottle of champagne and a surf and turf special from 5 p.m.-midnight while Parasol offers a special menu of Latin-American style dishes like yucca, rice and beans, plantains and Brazilian churrasco from 2 p.m.-7 p.m. $65-$180. 501 5th Ave NE, St. Petersburg. thevinoy.com

The Wheelhouse This west St. Pete staple always provides a casual, laid back celebration for most holidays, and its “Let’s Wing It”-themed party is a no-frills approach to New Year’s. It offers $1 chicken wings with a variety of different flavors and sauces, in addition to drink specials. 7 p.m. No cover. 7220 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. thewheelhousestpete.com

Whiskey Joe’s Live music from Gold Top Band and The FLYTE Band and a fireworks show at midnight mark a good time at Whiskey Joe’s annual party, but you’ll need regular reservations if you want to dine-in at the restaurant itself. 7 p.m.-12:30 a.m. $35-40. 7720 West Courtney Campbell Cswy., Tampa. eventbrite.com

Yacht Starship If you’re looking to spend your night on the water but want more of an inclusive experience, then Yacht Starship has your back this New Year’s Eve (and pretty much every other holiday, too.) The price of a ticket includes a 2-hour cruise, open bar, small bites, a live DJ and champagne toast at midnight. 10 p.m. $149.95. 603 Channelside Dr., Tampa. yachtstarship.com

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