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Prohibition event with a burlesque dancer in Los Angeles.
Prohibition party
Courtesy of Prohibition

14 Festive Options for Dining Out on New Year’s Eve

Live entertainment, lots of champagne, and plenty of glitz and glamor

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Prohibition party
| Courtesy of Prohibition

The end of 2021 is shaping up to offer a stark contrast to the previous year when Southern California was deep into the second COVID-19 surge and people were urged to stay home. While those months simultaneously feel like a lifetime ago and just yesterday, there’s no denying that New Year’s Eve 2021 is going to be different. Restaurants, bars, and clubs are all ramping up for a big 2022 ring-in with sit-down, multi-course dinners, live entertainment, Roaring Twenties-themed events, and lots of music and dancing. Listed here are 14 restaurants, events, or bars to bring in the New Year, presented from north to south.

A note: most of these venues require proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for entry. Plus, many events are being canceled due to the current COVID-19 spread. Check the websites or call to confirm.

Health experts consider dining out to be a high-risk activity for the unvaccinated; it may pose a risk for the vaccinated, especially in areas with substantial COVID transmission.

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Mama Shelter Los Angeles

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Hollywood hotel Mama Shelter decided to take on a Great Gatsby theme for New Year’s Eve by encouraging attire to fit the occasion. Diners can expect a five-course tasting menu with rabbit agnolotti, sea bass, wagyu beef, and dessert. The downstairs restaurant has a $100 first seating at 6:30 p.m. with a second 9:30 p.m. seating for $175. Both include a vintage champagne toast and party hats and favors. Make reservations are through OpenTable.

Mama Shelter dining room in Hollywood, California.
Mama Shelter
Elizabeth Daniels

One of Hollywood’s hottest spots has two seatings for December 31. There’s still plenty of room for the $195 early seating before 6:30 p.m., but get to Resy quickly for the $235 second seating that starts at 8:30 p.m. where dungeness crab Louie, prime beef filet, ricotta gnudi, and a champagne toast are all on the menu.

The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood

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It’s all about black and gold at the Godfrey Hotel, where attendees are encouraged to don these very colors while on the rooftop that overlooks the LA and Hollywood skyline. The cover charge is $125 — which does not include tax and gratuity — but allows access to the open bar from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. There’s also $35 general admission.

Employees Only

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Employees Only will host a Roaring Twenties party with tickets ranging from $75 to $125 for the open bar and small bites, available from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. And if in the mood, there’s a fortune teller to accompany a DJ set. Get tickets on Nightout.

Employees Only cocktail in West Hollywood, California.
Employees Only cocktail
Wonho Frank Lee

Crossroads Kitchen

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For the plant-based crowd — or anyone who appreciates innovation with vegetables — Crossroads Kitchen is serving a five-course $95 per person menu on December 31. Starters include the vegan “cheese” platter, while the following courses include a mushroom tart, house made squash ravioli, and a caramelized apple snow globe. Make reservations at the Crossroads website.

The Airliner

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Lincoln Heights’ historic restaurant/bar the Airliner opened doors in January 2020, so this will be its first NYE celebration. There’s live music, a DJ set, burlesque dancers, a magician on-site, tap dancing, as well as swing dance instruction. General admission is $75 while a VIP table for two is $300, but act quickly as these tickets are going fast on Eventbrite.

The interior of The Airliner in Lincoln Heights, California.
The Airliner
Courtesy of Sean Kelly

Over in Beverly Grove, Theía put together a $125 three-course meal that includes a cocktail, choice of any appetizer, entree (slightly more for the tomahawk or loup de mer), along with belly dancers, fire performers, acrobats, and a DJ. Reserve a spot on OpenTable.

Theía restaurant in Los Angeles, California.
Theía
Jesús Bañuelos

Prohibition at Union Station

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Longtime NYE event Prohibition will take over Union Station for its NYE celebration, where attendees can take in burlesque, cocktails, and a Cut Copy DJ set in one of LA’s most gorgeous buildings. Head to Eventbrite for details.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19. The organizer’s message for event-goers: “It is with great regret that we announce that we will be unable to produce Prohibition NYE on December 31st, 2021 due to the increasing challenges from the pandemic and its rapidly spreading Omicron variant. We are honored to have hosted thousands of attendees over the past 9 years, and we plan to be back next year in what will hopefully be better times where we can once again enjoy this cherished tradition that ushers in a new year of fresh beginnings. We wish all attendees of Prohibition NYE past, present, and future, a wonderful and safe holiday season.”

Light shines in from big windows at Union Station’s art deco ticket counter.
Union Station
Flickr

LA Cha Cha Chá

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With one of the most beautiful skyline views of DTLA, Cha Cha Chá’s also got something to accompany it: a $170 per person fee nabs a four-course meal, wine and cocktail pairing, as well as access to the La Barra NYE party that begins at 11 p.m. Go to OpenTable for reservations.

Outdoor patio at Cha Cha Chá in Downtown Los Angeles
Cha Cha Chá
Wonho Frank Lee

Hotel Figueroa

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With a Great Gatsby/Roaring Twenties-themed party called ‘The World Is Yours’ NYE Party, Hotel Figueroa will transform its space into one that showcases DJs, fire dancers, aerialists, live music, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets range from $100 to $7,500 (gasp) for VIP table service.

Hotel Figueroa in Downtown Los Angeles.
Hotel Figueroa
Courtesy of Hotel Figueroa

For New Year’s Eve in Santa Monica, head to Cassia for a $95 per person prix-fixe menu where options include oysters, beef cheek rendang, whole grilled sea bass, and a Hong Kong-style pork chop. Wine pairings are available. Get to Resy to secure a table, but staff will keep availability for walk-ins on the patio and bar with a limited à la carte menu or prix-fixe.

Pasjoli

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For NYE, Pasjoli chef Dave Beran will prepare a prix fixe menu for two seatings. The early seating is from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. is $250, while the $300 seating starts at 9 p.m. and includes additional menu courses and a champagne toast. Beran’s timeless French menu is sure to wow with a classic salad, foie de poulet, and a dry-aged ribeye with sauce perigueux. To secure a table, go to Resy.

A brick building with French bistro Pasjoli inside, bathed in dark light and deep blue tones.
Pasjoli
Wonho Frank Lee

Nueva’s NYE menu has something for everyone. Chef Vartan Abgaryan’s a la carte options includes hamachi aguachile, vegan ceviche, a 16-ounce bone-in ribeye or the steelhead trout with mole rojo. There’s a $75 per person 6 p.m. seating, and entry for 8 p.m. is $90, so get to Resy for a table.

Nueva’s indoor dining area tables in Venice, California.
Nueva
Courtesy of Nueva

Pedalers Fork

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Out in Calabassas, Pedalers Fork will host a NYE celebration with its daily menu, as well as some additional food and drink specials to go with DJ Matt Gudis (Who’s That DJ!) spinning all night. They’ll also have complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Snag a reservation via the restaurant’s website.

Mama Shelter Los Angeles

Hollywood hotel Mama Shelter decided to take on a Great Gatsby theme for New Year’s Eve by encouraging attire to fit the occasion. Diners can expect a five-course tasting menu with rabbit agnolotti, sea bass, wagyu beef, and dessert. The downstairs restaurant has a $100 first seating at 6:30 p.m. with a second 9:30 p.m. seating for $175. Both include a vintage champagne toast and party hats and favors. Make reservations are through OpenTable.

Mama Shelter dining room in Hollywood, California.
Mama Shelter
Elizabeth Daniels

Horses

One of Hollywood’s hottest spots has two seatings for December 31. There’s still plenty of room for the $195 early seating before 6:30 p.m., but get to Resy quickly for the $235 second seating that starts at 8:30 p.m. where dungeness crab Louie, prime beef filet, ricotta gnudi, and a champagne toast are all on the menu.

The Godfrey Hotel Hollywood

It’s all about black and gold at the Godfrey Hotel, where attendees are encouraged to don these very colors while on the rooftop that overlooks the LA and Hollywood skyline. The cover charge is $125 — which does not include tax and gratuity — but allows access to the open bar from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. There’s also $35 general admission.

Employees Only

Employees Only will host a Roaring Twenties party with tickets ranging from $75 to $125 for the open bar and small bites, available from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. And if in the mood, there’s a fortune teller to accompany a DJ set. Get tickets on Nightout.

Employees Only cocktail in West Hollywood, California.
Employees Only cocktail
Wonho Frank Lee

Crossroads Kitchen

For the plant-based crowd — or anyone who appreciates innovation with vegetables — Crossroads Kitchen is serving a five-course $95 per person menu on December 31. Starters include the vegan “cheese” platter, while the following courses include a mushroom tart, house made squash ravioli, and a caramelized apple snow globe. Make reservations at the Crossroads website.

The Airliner

Lincoln Heights’ historic restaurant/bar the Airliner opened doors in January 2020, so this will be its first NYE celebration. There’s live music, a DJ set, burlesque dancers, a magician on-site, tap dancing, as well as swing dance instruction. General admission is $75 while a VIP table for two is $300, but act quickly as these tickets are going fast on Eventbrite.

The interior of The Airliner in Lincoln Heights, California.
The Airliner
Courtesy of Sean Kelly

Theía

Over in Beverly Grove, Theía put together a $125 three-course meal that includes a cocktail, choice of any appetizer, entree (slightly more for the tomahawk or loup de mer), along with belly dancers, fire performers, acrobats, and a DJ. Reserve a spot on OpenTable.

Theía restaurant in Los Angeles, California.
Theía
Jesús Bañuelos

Prohibition at Union Station

Longtime NYE event Prohibition will take over Union Station for its NYE celebration, where attendees can take in burlesque, cocktails, and a Cut Copy DJ set in one of LA’s most gorgeous buildings. Head to Eventbrite for details.

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO COVID-19. The organizer’s message for event-goers: “It is with great regret that we announce that we will be unable to produce Prohibition NYE on December 31st, 2021 due to the increasing challenges from the pandemic and its rapidly spreading Omicron variant. We are honored to have hosted thousands of attendees over the past 9 years, and we plan to be back next year in what will hopefully be better times where we can once again enjoy this cherished tradition that ushers in a new year of fresh beginnings. We wish all attendees of Prohibition NYE past, present, and future, a wonderful and safe holiday season.”

Light shines in from big windows at Union Station’s art deco ticket counter.
Union Station
Flickr

LA Cha Cha Chá

With one of the most beautiful skyline views of DTLA, Cha Cha Chá’s also got something to accompany it: a $170 per person fee nabs a four-course meal, wine and cocktail pairing, as well as access to the La Barra NYE party that begins at 11 p.m. Go to OpenTable for reservations.

Outdoor patio at Cha Cha Chá in Downtown Los Angeles
Cha Cha Chá
Wonho Frank Lee

Hotel Figueroa

With a Great Gatsby/Roaring Twenties-themed party called ‘The World Is Yours’ NYE Party, Hotel Figueroa will transform its space into one that showcases DJs, fire dancers, aerialists, live music, and a champagne toast at midnight. Tickets range from $100 to $7,500 (gasp) for VIP table service.

Hotel Figueroa in Downtown Los Angeles.
Hotel Figueroa
Courtesy of Hotel Figueroa

Cassia

For New Year’s Eve in Santa Monica, head to Cassia for a $95 per person prix-fixe menu where options include oysters, beef cheek rendang, whole grilled sea bass, and a Hong Kong-style pork chop. Wine pairings are available. Get to Resy to secure a table, but staff will keep availability for walk-ins on the patio and bar with a limited à la carte menu or prix-fixe.

Pasjoli

For NYE, Pasjoli chef Dave Beran will prepare a prix fixe menu for two seatings. The early seating is from 5:15 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. is $250, while the $300 seating starts at 9 p.m. and includes additional menu courses and a champagne toast. Beran’s timeless French menu is sure to wow with a classic salad, foie de poulet, and a dry-aged ribeye with sauce perigueux. To secure a table, go to Resy.

A brick building with French bistro Pasjoli inside, bathed in dark light and deep blue tones.
Pasjoli
Wonho Frank Lee

Nueva

Nueva’s NYE menu has something for everyone. Chef Vartan Abgaryan’s a la carte options includes hamachi aguachile, vegan ceviche, a 16-ounce bone-in ribeye or the steelhead trout with mole rojo. There’s a $75 per person 6 p.m. seating, and entry for 8 p.m. is $90, so get to Resy for a table.

Nueva’s indoor dining area tables in Venice, California.
Nueva
Courtesy of Nueva

Pedalers Fork

Out in Calabassas, Pedalers Fork will host a NYE celebration with its daily menu, as well as some additional food and drink specials to go with DJ Matt Gudis (Who’s That DJ!) spinning all night. They’ll also have complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Snag a reservation via the restaurant’s website.

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