Venues throughout the city are rolling out the red carpet to usher in 2013. Whether you want to greet the coming year with a cocktail, a bit of culture, a culinary experience, or all three, browse our comprehensive guide to New Year’s Eve events throughout the city and New Year’s Day brunches.
Culinary Celebrations
A.O.C Pig Roast
Seatings at 6:30 PM and 9 PM
Toast both the New Year and the 10-year anniversary of A.O.C., where they’re throwing one last blow-out pig roast on New Year’s Eve before they move to their new location. Enjoy a four-course menu featuring their signature cheese and charcuterie, followed by a decadent suckling pig entrée and sides by chef de cuisine Lauren Herman. The first seating is $95, and the second is $125 and includes DJ music, dancing, and a midnight Champagne toast. Wine pairings are also available for $40. Call to reserve. 8022 W. 3rd St., West Hollywood, 323-653-6359
Chaya Brasserie
Seatings from 5:30-7:30 PM and 9-9:30 PM
Between their Venice, Downtown, and Beverly Hills locations, Chaya has you covered for a New Year’s Eve celebration near home. Hark back to Hollywood’s golden age at Chaya Brasserie Beverly Hills, which will offer two prix-fixe seatings ($65 and $125) featuring items like Maine lobster and day boat scallop salad, followed by a Hollywood Babylon soiree on their patio with live music by Crown City Bombers, swing-dance performers, small-plates, seasonal cocktails, and a complimentary Champagne toast at midnight (9 PM-2 AM, $55 for first seating guests, complimentary admission for second seating guests; $65 presale for non-dinner guests, $75 at the door). Meanwhile Chaya Venice is hosting a Gatsby-themed soiree, and Downtown will grab inspiration from the roaring ‘20s. Call to reserve. 8741 Alden Dr., Beverly Hills, 310-859-8833
Providence
Seatings from 5:30-6 PM, and 8:30-9 PM
For a luxurious meal befitting the end of a year, head to chef Michael Cimarusti’s Providence, where he’s prepared a multi-course menu spotlighting rich indulgences like osetra caviar, Maine lobster with black truffle, dry-aged rib eye, and more. The menu is $205 or $260 with optional wine pairings. Reservations are required and are available through opentable.com. 5955 Melrose Ave., Larchmont, 323-460-4170
Mélisse
Seatings from 5:30-6:30 PM and 8:30-9:30 PM
Josiah Citrin has put together two indulgent meals at Santa Monica’s Mélisse, and whether you opt for the four-course early seating ($150) or the later six-course tasting dinner with Champagne and dancing ($250), you’re sure to leave satisfied. Enjoy items like Melisse’s signature egg caviar with a poached egg, crème fraiche and osetra caviar, Maine lobster, Monkfish wrapped in squash, and even a truffle risotto ($60 supplement). Reservations are required by phone or on opentable.com. 1104 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-395-0881
Picca
Seatings from 6-7 PM and 9:30-10:30 PM
Celebrate the New Year Peruvian style at one of Los Angeles’ most buzzed about restaurants, Picca. Chef Ricardo Zarate has prepared a family-style feast that will include wine pairings for two separate seatings. Expect dishes like a robata grilled filet mignon with winter truffles, while sipping on a pisco shooter. The first seating is $95, and the second is $145 and includes a cocktail as well as the wine. For those looking to continue the celebration, the restaurant will offer an open bar for $40 from 10:30 PM to close. Call to reserve. 9575 W. Pico Blvd., Century City, 310-277-0133
New Year's Eve Bashes
Fig & Olive’s Gold & White Party, 10 PM
Fig & Olive is kicking off their New Year’s Eve celebration with a special prix-fixe menu and a glass of Veuve Clicquot offered from 6-10 PM by chef Pascal Lorange ($150 upper mezzanine or patio, $200 main dining room and lounge). Following the meal, guests are invited to the Gold & White bash featuring St. Tropez‘ celebrity DJ Julien Nolan, party favors, bottle service starting at $105, and a balloon drop at midnight. Reservations are required and can be made by emailing reservations-ca@figandolive.com or calling the restaurant. 8490 Melrose Pl., West Hollywood, 310-360-9100
Shade Royale, 8 PM
Channel your inner Bond-girl and round up the nearest David Craig lookalike for Shade Royale, a casino-themed New Year’s Eve bash at the luxurious Manhattan Beach hotel Shade. Enjoy gaming tables, a VIP poker lounge, DJ, dancing, hors d’oeuvres by chef Chris Garasic, and a Champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $75 with a portion of the proceeds benefiting the Steve Nash Foundation. For table reservations, call the restaurant. 1221 N. Valley Dr., Manhattan Beach, 310-546-4995
Spanish Masquerade at The Bazaar, 8 PM
Indulge in chef José Andrés’ Spanish culture at The Bazaar this New Year’s Eve, as he hosts a masquerade ball unlike any other. Guests can expect passed tapas, dining stations, unlimited cocktails including a creative liquid nitrogen caipirinha, DJ tunes, and desserts. Tickets are $150 and will increase to $250 after December 27. For the ultimate in decadence, invite 30 of your friends to SAAM, The Bazaar’s private tasting room for dinner, unlimited Champagne, and a pound of caviar as well as admission to the masquerade ball ($15,000). Buy tickets on kicktickets.com. 465 S. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-246-5555
Black & White Ball at the Viceroy Santa Monica, 9 PM-1:30 AM
Break out your black and white best for a poolside ball at the Viceroy Santa Monica, featuring a premium hosted bar, hors d’oeuvres by Whist chef Tony DiSalvo, and DJs from KCRW spinning tunes all night long. Tickets are $175 on viceroyhotelsandresorts.com. 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310-434-2860
The Parish New Year’s Eve Bash, 10 PM-2 AM
For a more low-key celebration, head to downtown’s English gastro-pub The Parish, where they’ll be ringing in 2013 with a party that includes passed appetizers, a midnight toast, and no lines to get in. Tickets in advance ($30) include a cocktail, while tickets at the door only include the appetizers and a midnight toast. For anyone needing something more substantial, they’re also taking dinner reservations for Casey Lane’s innovative small plates earlier in the evening. Reservations are available by email at info@theparishla.com. 840 S. Spring St., Downtown, 213-225-2400
Cultural Events
The Groundlings New Year’s Eve Spectacular, 9 PM
If you’re hoping to have a good laugh before the end of the year, head to The Groundlings Theater for a night of sketch comedy and improv hosted by Karen Maruyama, and a hilarious cast including Chris Eckert, Gary Anthony Williams, Paula Christensen, and more. Tickets are $100 on vendini.com and include passed hors d’oeuvres, open bar, a Champagne toast at midnight, and the show. 7307 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 323-934-4747
New Year’s Eve with Idina Menzel at Walt Disney Concert Hall, 7 and 10:30 PM
Celebrate the New Year with one of Broadway’s best, Idina Menzel, who will be performing at the Walt Disney Concert Hall twice on December 31. Menzel, who rose to acclaim originating roles in Rent and Wicked, will be debuting a brand-new show with never-before-seen songs and surprises. The Walt Disney Concert Hall will host an accompanying New Year’s Eve party in BP hall from 8:30-10:30 PM with a Champagne toast for all ticketholders (tickets available on laphil.org). 111 S. Grand Ave., Downtown, 323-850-2000
A Night at Studio 54 at Rockwell Table & Stage, 6 PM and 9 PM
Party like it’s 1979 on New Year’s Eve as the Rockwell Table & Stage presents A Night at Studio 54. Enjoy a three-course prix-fixe meal crafted by chefs Wayne Elias and Martin Gonzalez, and then a performance of “For the Record: Boogie Nights” a revue featuring classic moments and songs from the Paul Thomas Anderson film. Tickets are $170-$210 for seatings at 6 PM or 9 PM, available on rockwell-la.com. Discounted seats are available by booking with the code: 2013. 1714 N. Vermont Ave, Los Feliz, 323-669-1550;
Nothing to Hide at Geffen Playhouse, 7 PM and 9:30 PM
Neil Patrick Harris shows off his directing chops with this entertaining show at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater featuring Derek DelGaudio and Helder Guimaraes, two of the most gifted slight-of-hand experts. Check your preconceptions about magic at the door as the show leads the audience through a series of vignettes, brought to life through the masterful hands of the two leading magicians. Tickets are $150, available at geffenplayhouse.org. 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310-208-5454
Jazz at Livello, 9 PM-12:30 AM
For a sophisticated evening in Beverly Hills, head to Livello Lounge at L’Ermitage, which will feature a special line-up of performances including soul singer Krys Wright and Malik Pointer of the Pointer Sisters family. Entrance to the lounge is $40 and includes a Champagne toast at midnight. Head to the dining room before the musical event to sample chef Benjamin Dayag’s five-course tasting menu ($100) with optional wine pairings ($75). Dinner seatings are at 6 PM and 8:30 PM and include entrance into Livello Lounge; tickets on lermitagebh.com. 9291 Burton Way, Beverly Hills, 310-860-8660
New Year's Day Brunch
Here are a few brunch ideas to get 2013 off to a gastronomically great start. At Tres by José Andrés (465 S. La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills, 310-246-5551), enjoy a buffet-style brunch from 11 AM-4 PM, while both locations of The Hungry Cat (1535 N. Vine St., Hollywood, 323-462-2155) will be serving their regular seafood-inspired brunch menus from 11 AM-3 PM. If you’re really suffering from the night before, head to LACMA’s Ray's and Stark Bar (5905 Wilshire Blvd., Mid City, 323-857-6180), where you’ll delight in the new “Hangover Menu” starting at 11:30 AM. The recently-redesigned Caufield’s Bar and Dining Room (9360 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310-388-6860) is also launching their new brunch on New Year’s Day, serving grilled breakfast pizzettes and a superfood breakfast from 10 AM-3 PM. Lastly, for some hair of the dog, enjoy Tortilla Republic’s bottomless mimosas (616 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood, 310-657-9888) paired with innovative Mexican brunch items from 11 AM-3 PM.
