🥂 Sydney’s Ultimate New Year’s Eve & NY Day Guide 2025/2026

Publicity Posted on 19 december,2025/Refreshed 26 December,2025

Ring in 2026 with a choice of spectacular celebrations, from ultra-luxurious harbour dining to chic CBD parties and relaxed beachside recovery sessions.

I. Sydney Harbour Front Row & Exclusive Luxury

The venues commanding the most iconic views are offering multi-tiered, premium experiences:

Venue: Aria 

The Grand Harbour Spectacle

Perched on the water’s edge at Circular Quay, Aria offers one of Sydney’s most prestigious dining experiences with an unbeatable, direct view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House fireworks. This is the gold standard for refined, Modern Australian fine dining, renowned for its exemplary service and award-winning wine program, ensuring an experience as breathtaking as the view itself.

Info:

Early sitting: The perfect start to a memorable New Year’s Eve, the evening begins with Champagne on arrival, before sitting down to Tom Gorringe’s special three-course menu.  Bookings available between 5pm and 6.30pm. Please note that reservations for this experience are for 1.5 hours. Tickets: $320pp

Main Event: Ring in the New Year on the water’s edge of Sydney Harbour. Guests will experience champagne on arrival before enjoying Tom Gorringe’s six-course menu plus premium wine pairing. A champagne toast will be offered at midnight to celebrate 2026. Bookings from 7pm to late. Tickets: $1950pp

Cocktail Party:   For the first time ever, Aria is introducing a standing cocktail party in its Wharf Room. The evening will feature entertainment all night, a luxurious selection of canapés by Tom Gorringe and a three-hour beverage package curated by Aria’s head sommelier, Salvatore Persico. Bookings from 8:30pm to late.  Tickets: $650pp

Bookings: here

Whalebridge: French Chic on the Quay

Situated perfectly on Circular Quay, Whalebridge brings an elevated, open-air French bistro vibe to the celebration, focusing on fresh seafood and bistro classics. The atmosphere is vibrant yet chic, offering an unforgettable indulgence with continuous pours of French Champagne right by the water’s edge. It’s a guaranteed front-row seat to the bridge fireworks in a relaxed, sophisticated European setting.

Venue: Whalebridge

Address: 8 & 9 Circular Quay

Info: Returning for another year, the Whalebridge New Year’s Eve event offers unparalleled Harbour views, and free-flowing French champagne, paired with a menu curated by culinary director David Clarke. Menu highlights include Oscietra caviar with crème fraîche and pomme de ter; fruits de mer featuring rock oysters, Skull Island prawns and tuna tartare; wagyu sirloin with red wine sauce and Tasmanian wasabi butter, and a citron tart with crème fraîche to finish. The menu is complimented by French champagne available all evening, and a selection of premium wines.  Whalebridge’s New Years Eve experience offers two seating tiers including Bistro Water’s Edge ($1,400pp) and Bistro ($1,100pp), making it a memorable way to ring in 2026.

Bookings: Here

M.Y. Sea Raes: The Ultimate Exclusive Charter

For a truly tailored and intimate celebration, the 101ft tri-deck yacht M.Y. Sea Raes offers the most exclusive vantage point on the harbour. This is ultra-luxury personified, providing bespoke menus and Raes’ signature hospitality for a small group (up to 34 guests). It represents the pinnacle of private New Year’s Eve indulgence, allowing for a fully customised, spectacular on-water experience.

Venue: Sea Raes

Address: Sydney Harbour

Info: Celebrate New Year’s Eve from one of the harbour’s most impressive vantage points: the deck of M.Y. Sea Raes. Returning to Sydney for summer, Sea Raes offers a refined, intimate way to experience the city’s fireworks, paired with Raes’ signature hospitality. The 101ft tri-deck yacht hosts up to 34 guests for evening charters, with tailored menus by Raes executive chef Jason Saxby, Champagne, seasonal cocktails, and a curated wine list. For those wanting to extend the celebration, Sea Raes also accommodates up to eight guests overnight across four beautifully appointed cabins, designed by Tamsin Johnson.

Bookings: here

• Private Charter Experience (Pricing POA).

Crown Sydney: High-End Barangaroo Indulgence

The Crown Sydney complex in Barangaroo sets the stage for high-octane luxury with three distinct New Year’s offerings:

• The Crown Overview: The entire Crown Sydney precinct is designed for opulent celebration, featuring decadent menus and a sophisticated atmosphere across its venues.

Venue: Crown Sydney

Address: 1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000

Info: Raise a glass to the New Year and step into a world of opulent celebration with us at Crown. From intimate dinners overlooking the glistening harbour, to lavish parties in our exclusive venues, Crown Sydney sets the stage for a night of indulgence and sophistication. With some of the city’s best views, decadent menus and the finest selection of celebratory Champagne, there’s an array of luxury to discover this festive season at Crown Sydney.

Bookings here

VENUES AT CROWN

             Venue: CIRQ

• Located on Level 26, this rooftop bar offers a glamorous party atmosphere, blending 1920s elegance with dazzling city views. Expect bespoke cocktails, gourmet food stations, and a vibrant, high-energy countdown from one of the city’s most stylish vantage points.

• Offering: CIRQ’s New Year’s Eve event offers the perfect place to welcome 2026, blending 1920s glamour with Sydney’s dazzling fireworks. Guests enjoy a full martini bar, gourmet stations, and flowing champagne for $950 per person. A touch of sparkle completes this unforgettable rooftop celebration set high above the city’s harbour lights.
• Venue: CIRQ
• Address: Crown Sydney,  Level 26, 1 Barangaroo Avenue Sydney 2000
• Booking

             Venue: Woodcut

• This concept restaurant celebrates traditional cooking over fire, steam, and smoke, using the finest Australian produce. It offers a warm, immersive dining experience with open kitchens and a luxurious harbourside terrace view perfect for a celebratory feast.
• Offering: Woodcut offers the perfect New Year’s Eve setting, inviting guests to savour Australia’s finest produce across immersive open kitchens or a luxurious harborside terrace. With every dish crafted before their eyes, diners enjoy an unforgettable atmosphere that elevates the countdown to 2026, making Woodcut an exceptional place to celebrate the year’s final moments.
  • Dinner sitting 1 – from 5:30pm, three course Family Fireworks menu at $200pp, $95 per child (dining on set menu or from standard ‘Woodchippers kids menu)
  • Dinner sitting 2 – from 6:30pm, four course celebration menu at $350pp, $120 per child (dining on set menu or from standard ‘Woodchippers kids menu)
  • Venue: Woodcut
  • Address: Crown Sydney,  Level 1, 1 Barangaroo Avenue Sydney 2000

  • Bookings Here

CBD Fine Dining & Vibrant Parties

For those prioritizing world-class gastronomy and a vibrant atmosphere over a direct fireworks view, the CBD offers top-tier experiences:

 Bentley Restaurant + Bar

A multi-hatted CBD institution, Bentley is celebrated for Chef Brent Savage’s highly inventive, contemporary menu and Sommelier Nick Hildebrandt’s globally acclaimed, eclectic wine list. The atmosphere is sleek, polished, and quietly ambitious, focusing on delivering a world-class culinary journey and a stellar wine-pairing experience. It is consistently lauded as one of Australia’s most influential dining destinations.

Venue: Bentley

Info: Bentley Restaurant + Bar is an exceptional place to welcome the New Year, offering a polished yet relaxed fine-dining atmosphere in Sydney’s CBD. Guests can enjoy both à la carte and set menus, showcasing Chef Brent Savage’s inventive cooking alongside Nick Hildebrandt’s acclaimed wine program. It’s an ideal spot for those seeking outstanding food, remarkable wines and superb service on New Year’s Eve.

Address: 27 O’Connell St, Sydney NSW 2000

Bookings Here

 

• NYE Dinner: Offers both à la carte and set menus.

 King Clarence

This vibrant new Bentley Group venue, led by chef Khanh Nguyen, is an energetic Pan-Asian playground drawing inspiration from China, Korea, and Japan, with dishes cooked over a custom BBQ grill. The atmosphere is fun, loud, and chic, featuring neon pops, house DJs, and a wine list expertly curated to match the bold, playful flavours. Highly regarded for its creative takes on classics, such as the fish finger bao and Wagyu tartare.

Venue: King Clarence

Info: King Clarence is a vibrant spot to spend New Year’s Eve, offering an energetic blend of Asian-inspired flavours and sleek, modern style. With both à la carte and set menus available, guests can enjoy inventive dishes cooked over a custom BBQ grill. Its lively atmosphere, bold creativity and polished service make it an exciting place to welcome the new year.

Address: 171 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000

Bookings Here

NYE Dinner: Offers both à la carte and set menus.

Eleven Barrack

Housed in a magnificent heritage bank building, Eleven Barrack channels the opulent, old-world style of a grand Manhattan or Parisian grill room. The menu focuses on premium wood-fired seafood and steaks, served with impeccable, classic hospitality in a dramatically beautiful space. This is the venue for a celebratory dinner defined by sophistication, luxury, and a polished, club-like atmosphere.

Venue: Eleven Barrack

Info: Eleven Barrack is the perfect New Year’s Eve destination, offering timeless elegance within its historic Barrack Street setting. With both à la carte and set menus available, guests can enjoy premium wood-fired seafood, steaks and refined dishes that showcase exceptional local produce. Blending sophistication with warmth, the venue delivers a polished, celebratory atmosphere ideal for welcoming the year ahead.

Address: 11 Barrack St, Sydney NSW 2000

Bookings Here

• NYE Dinner: Offers both à la carte and set menus.

Joji Sydney

Located high above the Cartier building, Joji provides a trendy, elevated setting for a cocktail-focused party with impressive cityscape views. The vibe is sleek and upscale, featuring Dom Pérignon Luminous and a curated canapé menu of Japanese-inspired luxury bites. It’s an ideal choice for a sophisticated CBD party with premium drinks and an energetic countdown.

Venue: Joji Sydney

Info: Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Joji, located above the Cartier building in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Guests will enjoy a night featuring Dom Pérignon Luminous, a curated canapé menu and impressive city views as they welcome 2026.

With DJs playing throughout the evening and a selection of premium drinks available, Joji offers an elevated setting to ring in the new year. Menu highlights include: a beef Katsu Sando with green pepper mustard; Wagyu tartare with potato hash and nashi pear; and King Salmon Marki with avocado and Midori salsa.

Tickets: Cocktail & Canapé Party $220 pp, with an additional 2.5hr beverage package available for $80pp

Address: Level 5/388 George St, Sydney NSW 2000

Bookings: Here

 Local Gems & Northern Beaches Celebrations

• The Dry Dock, Balmain : A beautifully renovated gastropub offering a four-course sharing dinner in a sophisticated yet comfortable dining room. It’s a fantastic option for a local celebration, allowing guests to easily access the nearby Mort Bay Park for prime fireworks viewing before returning to the pub for DJs and late-night festivities.

  Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025 with a four course sharing dinner by chef Ben Sitton, including an amuse bouche, shared entrees, mains and desserts, plus a glass of Lallier Réflexions R.020 Brut Champagne or a schooner of Asahi Super Dry on arrival. ($195 per person)

  Guests can book seating in either The Dining Room or The Lounge Bar, with reservations from 5pm. Optional upgrades include oysters, caviar bumps and frozen vodka shots. DJs Jonny Gleeson and Chris Arnott will play from 6pm to 2am. The Dry Dock is steps from Mort Bay Park, the ideal spot to view the Sydney Harbour Bridge fireworks – guests are welcome to watch the fireworks from the park and return to the Dry Dock to continue their celebrations.

  A complimentary courtesy shuttle bus will run between the venue and the Rozelle Taxi/Uber pickup point from 7pm to 1am.

• Bookings: Here

• Venue: Watermans

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• Watermans, Barangaroo: Blending vibrant Eastern Mediterranean flavours with Australian produce, Watermans offers a generous, wood-fired kitchen experience perfect for sharing. The setting is bright and welcoming, providing a lively atmosphere for a memorable feast on the Barangaroo foreshore

• Info: Watermans offers the perfect New Year’s Eve setting, blending Eastern Mediterranean flavours with the best Australian produce. Guests can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere built around a wood-fired kitchen and polished, welcoming service. With both à la carte and set menus available, it’s an ideal place for anyone seeking a memorable celebration filled with generous, beautifully crafted dishes made to share

• Venue: Watermans

• Address: R1/88 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000
• Bookings Here

• Three Blue Ducks, Rosebery:

• A relaxed, ethically sourced Australian dining experience known for its spacious, welcoming atmosphere and focus on farm-to-table cuisine. This venue offers a particularly good family-friendlyexperience, featuring live music and face painting alongside its vibrant shared dinner menu.

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• Venue: Three Blue Ducks  Rosebery

• Info: Three Blue Ducks Rosebery’s New Year’s Eve dinner offers the perfect place to welcome the year, blending relaxed celebration with polished dining. Guests enjoy live music, kids’ face painting, and a welcome drink before sharing vibrant dishes from scallop snacks to coal-roasted snapper and warm Basque cheesecake.

• Address: 1/85 Dunning Ave, Rosebery NSW 2018

• Bookings Here

Manly Wharf Fireworks (9pm Display)

• Hugos Manly ($250pp} / $300pp}: This stylish Italian venue is a long-standing Manly favourite, offering a three-course dinner of fresh, coastal-inspired dishes right on the wharf. It perfectly combines fine dining and a festive atmosphere, providing excellent service and a front-row view of the 9pm local fireworks.

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• Venue: Felons Manly

• Felons Manly (Brewery) ($149pp}: Offering a more casual, brewery-style party experience, this venue provides a fun, lively atmosphere with beers, a sunset feast, and DJs. It’s ideal for a group wanting a more relaxed party vibe with direct views of the 9pm Manly fireworks.

• Felons is celebrating New Year’s Eve with a sunset feast, icy beers, DJs spinning inside and out on the jetty, and a 9pm fireworks display. Guests can secure their spot for $149pp, including a welcome drink and a shared menu of fresh seafood, premium sirloin, and roaming desserts. Kids under 12 have a dedicated menu; walk-ins can order a la carte. Felons is open from 11am with NYE celebrations kicking off from 6pm and open late.
• Address: E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095
• Bookings here

• Venue: Felons Seafood

• Felons Seafood): A more refined and indulgent choice than the adjacent brewery, this venue focuses on high-quality Australian seafood with a Mediterranean touch. Guests can enjoy a sophisticated 3-course set menu, perfect for a long, celebratory dinner before the 9pm display.
• Felons Seafood is ringing in the New Year with a relaxed yet indulgent celebration. Guests can start their evening with an à la carte dinner from 5pm, or enjoy the exclusive 3-course New Year’s Eve menu from 8pm, featuring dishes like lobster with garlic butter, prawn pasta, and their signature  seasonal trifle. The night includes a 9pm fireworks display. Early sittings offer à la carte options, while the late sitting is $240 per person, including a welcome drink. Kids dine from a special menu.

• Address: E Esplanade, Manly NSW 2095

• Bookings here

 Coastal & Regional Destination

 

• Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi Beach: Internationally renowned for its spectacular position overlooking the iconic Bondi Icebergs pool and the beach, this venue provides a rare opportunity for a high-end coastal NYE. The Italian cuisine is exceptional, and its location is central to the beachfront festivities, offering a view of the local midnight fireworks.

• For the first time in over a decade, Bondi Beach will host a large-scale New Year’s Eve festival and Icebergs Dining Room and Bar is at the heart of it. Guests can choose between a sunset dinner from 4:30pm to 7:30pm with a set menu, live DJs, plus a ticket to elrow Bondi Beach XXL (additional cost) or settle in for the late sitting from 8:30pm with a set menu, live sounds by Charlie Chux and front row seats to the midnight fireworks.
• Venue: Icebergs Dining Room and Bar
• Address: 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach, NSW, 2026
• Bookings Here: Here

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 New Year’s Day 2026: New Year’s Day Offerings 2025 /Recovery & Celebration

Start 2026 in style with two distinctly different recovery options:

Icebergs Dining Room and Bar, Bondi Beach

The festivities continue with two sittings overlooking the iconic pool. This is the ultimate sophisticated recovery destination, offering either a refined classic set lunch or a lively afternoon party with international DJs and a glamorous crowd.

Venue: Icebergs Dining Room and Bar

Address: 1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach, NSW, 2026

New Year’s Day continues the festivities at Icebergs Dining Room and Bar  with two sittings: a classic set menu from 12-3pm, $250 per head or a later sitting at 4:30pm, which includes a set menu and live entertainment from Double Touch with special guests Reigan and Pauli and live DJ sets. Tickets are $400pp.

Bookings Here: Here

Jacksons on George, Rooftop

Venue: Jacksons on George

Address: 176 George Street, Sydney

Info: Jacksons on George’s annual New Year’s Day event returns for 2026, with the ‘Welcome 26’ party on Monday 1 January 2026.  Taking place on Jacksons on George’s Rooftop, the event will be hosted by DJ duo Mr and Mrs Parkes and feature a back-to-back DJ lineup with live drums and saxophone, delivering house, deep, and soulful sounds from afternoon until late.

Guests can enjoy Jacksons on George’s twist on classic recovery cocktails and a European-inspired menu including Yellowfin tuna sashimi with blood orange, radish, yuzu ponzu and black sesame cracker; salt and pepperberry calamari with rocket, lemon and aioli; and grilled swordfish with chat potatoes, sauce vierge, herb salad and lemon.

Tickets start from $53 and are available now via Eventbrite.

Bookings: here

Tickets start from $53 and are available now via Eventbrite.

The ‘Welcome 26’ party returns to this stylish, sun-drenched rooftop in the CBD. The vibe is a perfect blend of relaxed recovery and high-energy celebration, featuring an all-star DJ lineup with live drums and saxophone. Expect easy-drinking recovery cocktails and a delicious, light Euro-inspired menu to kick off the new year.