Where to party in Melbourne on New Year’s Eve

Celebrating New Year’s Eve at the Garden State Hotel means four levels of end of year fun. The popular Flinders Lane hotel is offering tickets to its NYE bash from $100. For that price you’ll get canapés, tap beer, house wine and basic spirits from 6-10pm in the lush beer garden and public bar. Want to upgrade? There’s also the ‘top of the beanstalk’ package where you’ll get drinks, canapés and a DJ in the Observatory from 8.30pm-12.30am for $160. Spend just a little extra dosh and for the ‘garden lounge’ deal: a $180 ticket which gives you access to a premium drinks package, cocktails, canapés, a food station, DJs and seating fit for royalty at the Garden Grill.

Garden State Hotel. 101 Flinders Ln, Melbourne 3000. $100-$180. 6pm-12.30am.

If you’re planning to spend New Year’s Eve in the CBD then spending it on a rooftop is ideal. At the recently refurbished Waterside Hotel you’ll be in prime position to see the fireworks. Should you choose to accept this party you’ve got three options: rooftop only, dinner only or the whole shebang. Access to the rooftop party will cost you $98, which will give you access to a four hour beverage package from 8pm to midnight and includes draught beer, cider and red, white and sparkling wine. You'll also get roving canapés, a DJ to dance to and one of the best views of the fireworks in Melbourne. There’s no booking fee if you’re just after dinner but reservations are a must. If you want dinner and the rooftop party then it’ll just cost you $45 on top of your dinner bill.

Waterside Hotel. Cnr Flinders St and King St, Melbourne 3000. $45-$98. 8pm-midnight.

It’s been a good year for Richmond. Therefore it makes sense to send out 2017 with a bang at the Richmond Club Hotel, right in centre of Richmond. Their party starter package grants you priority access to level one and the rooftop on the night, as well Mount Gay rum cocktails and house beer, wine, spirits and canapés. The two hour package kicks off at 6pm, giving you plenty of time to reach the CBD for fireworks later. You can also book a NYE dinner at the Richmond Club Hotel too.

Richmond Club Hotel. 100 Swan St, Richmond 3121. $55. 6-8pm.

The friendly and oh-so-stylish Art Deco-turned-industrial chic Prahran Hotel is going monochrome for New Year’s Eve. In addition to the party including a five hour beverage package (including Balter, Stone & Wood, Carlton Draught, house wines, bubbly and basic spirits) you’ll also get canapés, DJs and the chance to wear your very best pale-hued duds.  

Prahran Hotel. 82 High St, Prahran 3181. $100. 7pm-1am.

Terminate your year at the Terminus Hotel’s Balter Beach Party. The greenest watering hole in all of Melbourne is celebrating the end of 2017 with a beach party. The Abbotsford locale might be a bit of a jump from St Kilda, but that’s no reason not slap on your boardies and zinc cream. Held in association with Balter your $100 ticket includes four different types of Balter beer on tap (including a specially brew made just for the Terminus) plus spirits, house wine and bubbles. Soak that all up with five hours of canapés and some vigorous dancing. There’s even a chance to win a surfboard!

Terminus Hotel. 605 Victoria Street, Abbotsford 3067. $100. 7pm-midnight.

Your no-frills party for New Year’s Eve is happening at the Melbourne pub famous for its cobblestone laneway, the Bridge Hotel. Across two floors there will be two DJs spinning house and R&B music as well as $7 Captain Morgan all night. You’ll even get your first shot for free – not a bad way to start your NYE festivities. Save yourself some moolah and buy your tickets before hand: they’re $10 online or $15 at the door.

Bridge Hotel. 642 Bridge Rd, Richmond 3121. $10-$15. 7pm-3am.

If Santa didn’t bring you a holiday to a deserted island then Holliava’s Tiki Paradise New Year’s Eve party is the next best thing. Your ticket to paradise includes a free pint of Kona beer or Piña Colada on entry, a shared grazing table, $7 Kona beer and $10 Piña Coladas all night and woodfired pizzas available to purchase (no, you don’t have to get the Hawaiian). With all that for just $25, Holliava is a lot cheaper than an airfare to Hawaii.

Holliava. 36 Swan Street, Richmond 3121. $25. 5pm-late.

Celebrate the end to another year with a touch of Italian flair at the Posty. The post office-turned-hotel is hosting an Italian-themed New Year’s Eve party with (drumroll) no entry fee. Kick off your evening with a light aperitivo: Aperol Spritzes will be flying out the door for $9. You can also get your hit of all things meaty, cheesy and cured with antipasto boards for $50 or add a bottle of Prosecco to the board for an extra $30. Live Italian music will be playing and you can keep yourself in good spirits all night long with $10 Italian cocktails on tap.

The Posty. 90 Swan Street, Richmond 3121. Free. From 6pm.