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Where to Eat, Where to Drink, and What’s Happening for New Year’s Eve 2016 and New Year’s Day 2017

Whether you are looking to grab a bite to eat, have a craft brew, or dance the night away, New Year’s Eve falls on a Saturday for 2016, ringing into 2017. Since New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday this year, Lexington’s alcohol sales will be limited from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. A sampling of Saturday, New Year’s Eve (2016)  and Sunday, New Year’s Day (2017) festivities follows.

Call to inquire about reservations.

For what’s open what’s closed in Lexington on New Year’s, click here.

New Year’s Eve 2016 Dining in Lexington (ringing in 2017)

What restaurants are open on New Year’s Eve 2016? Special menus? Prix fixe? Parties and Celebrations? Live music? There’s something for everyone.

Azur Restaurant AZUR Restaurant & Patio will offer three seatings on New Year’s Eve (its annual birthday celebration) at 5 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm with live music starting at 7 pm. Menu items include pork belly hot wings, lobster crepes, oysters and more.  Call for reservations.

Blue Heron on Jefferson will have a 4-course set menu. Dinner times begin at 5 pm, 6:30 pm, and 8:30 pm. Patrons arriving at 9 pm are invited to stay until midnight.

Brasabana will have special sitdowns at 5 pm, 7 pm, and 9:30 pm with live music by Ranado y Santiago starting at 9:30 pm. If you come in for the 9:30 pm dinner, you’re invited to stay until midnight for a special toast.

Dudley’s at 259 W. Short will offer a three-course prix fixe meal including options like scallops, za’atar spiced lamb, and butter poached north sea turbot.

Enoteca on Jefferson will be closing at 11 pm New Year’s Eve.

Holly Hill Inn in Midway (426 N. Winter Street) will welcome 2017 with a special seven-course gourmet courtesy of Chef Ouita (vegetarian options available). Champagne and a special wine flight also available. If you can’t make it on New Year’s Eve, Chef Ouita is also serving the special seven-course menu on Dec 30 and Jan 2. A four-course menu will also be available on Dec 30 and Jan 2 (not on New Year’s Eve, though).

Middle Fork Kitchen Bar on 1224 Manchester St will be offering a 7:30 pm and a 9:30 pm seating for a 3 course prix fixe menu (w/ choices). The 9:30 seating will feature a champagne toast.

Nick Ryan’s on Jefferson will be serving a four-course menu including an appetizer, soup/salad, entree, and dessert.

Malone’s in Hamburg have a special four-course New Year’s menu lined up.

Stella’s on Jefferson offers a four-course prix fixe menu. The options for entrees are New York strip au poivre, bouillabaisse, and farfalle. Desserts include lemon ice box pie and dark chocolate cheesecake with fig & orange coulis.

Village Idiot at 307 W. Short, is offering a four-course prix fixe menu including crawfish hush puppies, shrimp bisque, southern bouillabaisse and beef medallions.

Wines on Vine at 400 Old Vine will host a four-course dinner including bacon-wrapped shrimp, goat cheese salad and surf & turf.

Winchell’s at 348 Southland Drive will host their annual lobster boil: a 3-course menu including clam chowder, lobster, and a seasonal fruit cobbler… along with a glass of champagne, of course.

Windy Corner will close at 2:30 pm New Year’s Eve.

New Year’s Eve Hotels and Inn Packages 2016

Campbell House at 1375 S Broadway: Neon New Year’s Night Package 2016. Neon New Year’s Groovy Night package includes overnight accommodations,  admission to the party at Bogart’s, buffet breakfast New Year’s Day in Kilbern’s Restaurant and a late checkout of 1:00 pm.
Neon New Year’s Dynamic Night package includes overnight accommodations, dinner for two at Kilbern’s, admission to the party at Bogart’s including Open Bar from 9 pm to midnight, midnight snacks, a buffet breakfast New Year’s Day in Kilbern’s Restaurant and a late checkout of 1 pm. Glow and dance with live music from Superfecta. Doors open at 8 pm. Party favors included.

Clarion Hotel at 1950 Newtown Pike: New Year’s Eve 2016. Package that includes three party venues: Radio 80’s in the Grand Ballroom, Karaoke in The Sports Page Bourbon Bar & Grill, and DJ Chris Dedmon in the open function area. Champagne reception at check-In starting at 4 p.m with an open bar from 9:00 pm-2:00 am, champagne reception at check in, and a 1:00 am continental breakfast.

Clarion Hotel Conference Center – North: Radio 80 hosts 2016 NYE with live music.

Doubletree Guest Suites on 2601 Richmond Road: New Year’s Eve 2016. Includes accommodations for two, a bottle of champagne or sparkling cider in suite, entry for two into our New Year’s Eve Party, party favors and a full breakfast buffet on New Year’s Day.

Hyatt Regency Lexington at 401 W High Street: New Year’s Eve 2016. Package includes guestroom accommodations and New Year’s Day breakfast buffet for two in the Bluefire Grill plus a late checkout. Includes two tickets to a New Year’s Eve party featuring Erica Martin.

New Year’s Day Dining in Lexington, 2017

Good Foods Market and Cafe at 455 Southland Drive will serve their hangover brunch at their hot bar buffet on New Year’s Day 2016.

New Year’s Eve 2016 at Lexington’s Bars and Breweries (ringing in 2017)

Al’s Bar will feature The Wooks and Driftwood and Driftwood Gypsy, 9 pm to 2 am.

Al’s Bar beer garden has an early bluegrass show, The Trucker Hat Coalition at 8:30 pm.

Best Friends Bar will have DJ John the Baptist and DJ Jamples.

Centro  will be hosting a Masquerade Bash.

Cheapside Bar & Grill at 131 Cheapside Street features complimentary champagne with table reservations (available 6 – 9:30 pm or 9 – midnight) and live music by the Space Owls.

Grand Reserve at 903 Manchester Street is hosting a New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball. Music in three rooms (the Speakeasy Room; Main Room; and Barrel House Room). Tickets available via EventBrite.

new yearsGreen Lantern lets you dance your way into the New Year with as DJ Ron Robinette plays your favorite disco classics all night long. Get groovy with it by wearing 70s-style digs and wigs, or just come as your are with your own funky style.. either way we’re gonna dance the night away, with a disco ball, balloons, and a champagne toast at midnight

O’Neills is hosting their annual, all inclusive New Years Eve Bash. Music will be provided by LEXI Nominated group Kung Fu Grip. The admission price also includes adult beverages, an all you can stomach buffet and a champagne toast at midnight. 

Parlay Social at 257 W. Short Street will be hosting TD Young for live music and entry also includes complimentary champagne and a midnight toast.

Soundbar at 208 S. Limestone tickets will include a cocktail before midnight, Champagne toast at midnight, Party favors, Complimentary coat check, Heated patio, parking.

Trust Lounge hosts a James Bond themed celebration with DJ sets by Rai Knight, DJ MAXimus & DJj Dahknee. Midnight champagne toast and balloon drop.

Music, and Concerts New Year’s Eve 2016

Brenda | The Deloreans | Wax Fang 9 pm 21c Museum

NYE Prohibition Party: Joslyn & The Sweet Compression | Short & Company 8 pm The Burl

Unknown Hinson 9 pm Cosmic Charlie’s

Casino Royale: the Music of James Bond 7:30 pm Lexington Opera House

New Year’s Bash: Five Below | DJ Cash | March Madness Marching Band 9 pm Manchester Music Hall

The Baja Yetis 10 pm Patchen Pub

Mike Archer 4 pm Talon Winery

Rebel Without A Cause 9 pm Willie’s


Lexington’s Live Music listings, gigs and concerts, are posted at the Ace List calendar and the weekly Ace Picks Page, Lexington’s definitive, highly-curated recs for the best arts, culture, entertainment and dining options, 365 days a year.

If you have a Lexington, Kentucky New Year’s Eve or New Year’s Day Event, post it to the Ace Calendar and share it with thousands of Ace’s Lexington readers!

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