Like it or loathe it and believe it or not, 2019 is just around the corner. If you love kissing the year goodbye while welcoming the new with a glass of champagne and watching the bedazzling fireworks light up the Brisbane sky, then I’ve made your decision on where to celebrate this year a lot easier.

Listed below are what I consider the 7 best places to dine, dance and enjoy New Year’s Eve. Pick your favourite spot from the list below and book quickly before venues sell out. So let’s get the party started …

HOWARD SMITH WHARVES

Ring in the New Year at Howard Smith Wharves with their first ever New Years Eve celebrations. Open for New Year’s Eve celebrations for the first time, say hello to 2019 at Howard Smith Wharves with their range of New Year’s Eve events. Situated on the banks of the Brisbane River, right under the iconic Story Bridge, with views of the city and front row seats to the fireworks.

Whether you’re after a family-friendly celebration, you want to frock up and spend the night with a glass of Moët in your hand, or you’ve just come to relax on the grass and soak up the atmosphere with a Felons Brewing Co. beverage, Howard Smith Wharves is the place to be this New Year’s Eve. Take your pick from the range of venues below –

NYE at Mr Percival’s

Ring in the New Year in style at Mr Percival’s, Brisbane’s hottest new overwater bar. A ticket to Mr Percival’s New Year’s celebrations gains you uninterrupted views of the city and fireworks across the river, along with entertainment by Niki de Saint, supporting DJ’s and live instrumentalists. along with a menu courtesy of Howard Smith Wharves Executive Chef Patrick Friesen and Ruinart champagne on offer.

Cost: From $104.65 (1st Release)

Time: 6:00pm-2:00am

Dress code: Cocktail Bar

18+ event

NYE at Felons Brewing Co

Get in early and celebrate from midday on New Year’s Eve at Felons Brewing Co. A non-ticketed event, everyone is welcome to bring in the new year at Felons Brewing Co., where there will be live entertainment from 5:00pm. Pull up a seat inside the brewery, the beer garden, on the deck or even on a patch of grass outside the Fish & Chippery and ring in the new year while sipping on a Felons Brewing Co. beer or cider.

Cost: Free

Time: 12:00pm-2:00am

Dress Code: Smart Casual

All ages event

Dinner by the River

With a glass of Veuve Clicquot on arrival, relax with dinner on a riverfront deck by the Brisbane River this New Year’s Eve. Enjoy a decadent three course dinner designed by Howard Smith Wharves’ expert culinary team, featuring light and fresh locally sourced produce, while listening to live entertainment. The location of this event means you can enjoy dinner while taking in stunning city and skyline views, as well as having a prime position to view the fireworks.

Cost: From $155.65 (1st Release)

Time: 6:00pm-1:00am

Dress Code: After 5

18+ event

Parklands Picnic

A place to celebrate that suits singles, couples, families and groups of all ages, the Parkland Picnic is a custom-built space for a New Year’s celebration to remember. With live music, roaming performers, kids’ entertainment and fireworks, this is the best place to welcome in 2019. A range of packages are available, including Parkland Pairs, where you can get cosy on a loveseat on the riverside stairs, Parkland Picnic Blankets or the Parkland Picnic Tables (available for groups of 8 or more), as well as tickets to The Arcade – where over 1000m2 of arcade games, rides and activities are sure to keep the kids entertained. Tickets include entrance to the Parkland Picnic area, a welcome box of local cheeses, prosciutto, house made terrine, crudities and dip and a freshly baked baguette, live music and kids entertainment. With a variety of food trucks along with Gelato go-go and pop-up Chandon and Felons Brewing Co. bars available.

Cost: Tickets start from $33.25 (1st Release)

Time: 5:00pm-12:00am

Dress code: Smart Casual

All ages event

NYE Moët and Chandon Lawn

Frock up and rock up to say hello to 2019 with a chic picnic on the lawn under the stars, with delicious food and drink, live music, roving performers and fireworks. Enjoy a welcome box of local cheeses, prosciutto, house made terrine, crudities and dip and a freshly baked baguette, or visit one of the food trucks curated by Howard Smith Wharves’ Director of Culinary, David Finlayson. With Moët and Chandon, Mr Percival’s and Felons Brewing Co. pop-up bars all on offer, sit back and relax with a drink and enjoy the fireworks from one of the best views in Brisbane.

Cost: From $68.95 (1st Release)

Time: 5:00pm-1:00am

Dress code: Luxe Picnic

18+ event

EAGLE STREET PIER

Are you looking for a fine dining experience this New Year’s Eve? Or do you prefer something a bit more casual? From Il Centro to Pony dining to Georges of Paragon or the Bavarian Bier Cafe, Eagle Street Pier has everyone covered this New Year’s Eve with award-winning restaurants, casual family earies and food trucks on site. And of course front row seats for the 8.30pm and midnight fireworks on the river. Read further details and book for each venue here.

SOUTH BANK PARKLANDS

Welcome 2019 with fabulous firework at South Bank Parklands. There will be two displays on the night, one at 8.30pm for families and the big one at midnight to welcome the new year. Grab a bite to eat from the food trucks at the Cultural Forecourt – they’re open from 11am onwards and include Café Nemo, Ice Berg Frozen Drinks, Kraut N’ About, Rolling Stone Pizza and Sate House. Plus there is a wide variety of cafes and restaurants in Stanley Street Plaza, River Quay, Little Stanley Street and Grey Street to choose from for sit down meals.

TREASURY BRISBANE

Shine bright, live large and light up the midnight sky at Brisbane’s most glamourous New Year’s Eve party. Join Treasury Brisbane Ambassadors Damien Anthony Rossi and Christie Sutherland plus a host of celebrities and VIPs at one of two outrageously luxurious packages set to make this a party to remember. Choose from the Shimmer and Shine Package or the On the Rooftop Package for the ultimate end of year celebrations, I know which one I’d love to attend. Read further details and book here.

PERSONE AT THE BRISBANE QUARTER

Welcome in the new year at Persone’s first ever New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party! Celebrations begin from 8pm at Brisbane’s premier riverside venue Persone, enjoy delicious canapés and a stunning four-hour beverage package that includes house spirits, wine, prosecco and beer. Plus you’ll enjoy exclusive views of the 8:30pm fireworks and midnight fireworks from our stunning riverside balcony – with music by DJ Chantal! Alternatively dine on exquisite Italian food from the Persone special A La Carte Menu and enjoy a complimentary glass of bubbles on arrival, then welcome the new year by watching the fireworks from our stunning riverside balcony. Read further details and book here.

QUEENSLAND POPS ORCHESTRA – QPAC

New Year’s Eve is the night in Brisbane when we rejoice in the year gone by, and welcome in the new one! Where better to celebrate than in the Concert Hall at QPAC with the brightest star in popular entertainment, the Queensland Pops Orchestra. Make an occasion of it – dress up, bling up, join family and friends for a wonderful concert, and embrace the start of the New Year with this glamorous and fun-filled night of the Queensland Pops Orchestra’s annual calendar – you’ll be floating out to the fireworks on a cloud of exhilaration! Upgrade to the Black Tie Function if you fancy. Read further details and book here.

STOKEHOUSE Q

Perhaps partying all night is not your style and you would prefer a delicious, lazy, long lunch to welcome in the new year. If so, Stokehouse Q is the venue for you, situated on the banks of the Brisbane River with spectacular city views and a menu to match relax on January 1 with the first and longest lunch of the year at the Home of the Long Lunch, Stokehouse Q. Book here.

Wherever you decide to celebrate New Year’s Eve, have a fun and fabulous night.

LB x

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