It’s New Year’s Eve and New York City is filled with more restaurants than you could try in a lifetime. But, with such a big occasion, celebrating New Year’s Eve, even the simple chain restaurants are charging an arm and a leg for a table … if they’re located in Times Square that is … Olive Garden is charging $400 a ticket for a buffet, open bar, midnight champagne toast, party favors, a DJ and a dance floor, according to ABC News. Ruby Tuesday is charging $349 for a five-hour open bar, passed appetizers from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and a midnight champagne toast with a DJ. They will also have VIP bottle service available. Applebee’s is offering adult tickets for $375 and kids tickets for $250 each, which include a buffet dinner, open bar and entertainment from a DJ. T.G.I. Friday’s offers a four-hour, top-shelf open bar, a live broadcast of the ball drop, passed appetizers and a DJ for $199 a person. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. sold tickets to its circus-themed extravaganza for a whopping $799 a person. Yikes.
For those of us who aren’t looking to drop hundreds of dollars on New Year’s Eve, you can make a restaurant reservation through Open Table by clicking here. Via the link, you can check out what restaurants still have availability for reservations on New Year’s Eve and Day, along with their menus and prices.
Some good picks in the city for NYE include:
Dos Caminos – There are several Dos Caminos locations in the city and they all have the same deal going on except for the Times Square location. There are two seatings available with an $89 per person food & beverage minimum to spend. The second seating features a champagne toast and there will be a DJ on site throughout the night. For the Times Square location, the first seating is $75 per person and the second seating $175 per person.
db Bistro moderne – From 8:30-10:00 p.m., the restaurant is featuring a Gala Dinner with a Live Jazz Trio and a 5 course tasting menu for $195 per person.
Ai Fiori – The restaurant has a special New Year’s Eve menu with a 4-course option for $150 or the 6-course tasting menu for $195.
Essex – Essex is featuring a 4-course New Year’s Eve Dinner with premium open bar open until 3:00 a.m.. They will have a DJ and dancing included for $135 per person.
The National in Midtown – The National is offering a three-course prix fixe menu for $125 and entertainment from the Rosalyn McClore Trio. Two seatings are available from 5:30pm to 7:30pm and 8:30pm to 10:30pm. The later seating will include a Champagne toast at midnight.
Empire Steakhouse – This restaurant is offering a prix fixe menu for $99.95 in addition to their a la carte menu.
The Smith – The Smith has three locations in the city and they each have the same deal available for New Year’s Eve. At 10:00 p.m. ET, they will have a $140 Prix Fixe menu with 3-hour open bar, a champagne toast at midnight and music.
Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse – Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse has several locations and is offering seatings for New Year’s Eve.
KTCHN (KITCHEN) – This Hell’s Kitchen restaurant is offering live entertainment, viewing the Ball Drop, a Midnight Champagne Toast, party favors, and a 4-course dinner for $95.00 per person.
Rosa Mexicano – Rosa Mexicano has several locations in the NYC area, so you can pick and choose where to spend your night.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House – The steak house is actually offering a very good deal with a 3-course meal, featuring 6 oz. filet paired with twin cold-water lobster tails for just $65.95.
Sushi Samba – Sushi Samba is celebrating with a white party and samba dancers as well as DJs. They will have a special a la carte menu. The seatings are 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.; 9:00 – on ($75 min.); ROOFTOP from 8:30 p.m. – on ($125 min.).
Be sure to make your reservations before they’re all booked up.
