There’s something wonderful about gathering together for New Year’s Eve parties. Yes, time is arbitrary, dates are a human invention, and holidays sometimes seem like their only purpose is to sell greeting cards. But after a long haul of a year, it’s nice to pop corks, blast music, and hope (pretend?) that you’re going to forge a new path in the new year. Many Pittsburgh bars and restaurants have special New Year’s Eve parties. Particularly if you’re a newcomer to the city or a single person, a bar’s New Year’s party can be a great way to meet people and find your tribe.
Many of my own most disastrous but most entertaining New Year’s stories come from parties like these ones. There’s the magical moment of “Auld Lang Syne” playing over a club speaker, with confetti in the air as you sip champagne. Then one in the morning rolls around and you realize you lost your glasses in Belvedere’s Ultra-Dive and maybe the pickle-back shots were a bad idea. (True story!) However, in all seriousness, these Pittsburgh restaurants will make New Year’s 2024 the most special New Year’s Eve yet.
Toast to 2025 with These New Year’s Eve Parties in Pittsburgh
Carmella’s New Year’s Eve Cocktail Party
Join South Side neighborhood haunt Carmella’s for a night of special edition bourbons, tequilas, and top shelf liquors along with heavy hors d’oeurves. DJ Phunkphonic will be spinning bangers, and the night will cap off with a champagne toast.
Howl at the Moon’s NYE 2025
Enjoy a four-hour drink package, a buffet, and a variety of party favors at Howl at the Moon downtown. Also turn up to to live music, with DJs taking requests for all your favorites. Four hours of drinking is a lot, however, so please indulge responsibly!
Bejeweled New Year’s Eve at Kingfly Spirits
DJ & Drag Performer Molly Belle Cummings and partner Yimmy Vibes are back to ring in 2025 at the Strip District’s Kingfly Spirits. Attire is glitter, sparkles, or whatever your own take on Bejeweled is for a night to remember.
New Year’s Eve at Scratch & Co
Welcome 2025 at Scratch & Co., Pittsburgh’s beloved farm-to-table neighborhood spot on Troy Hill. Join them for a ticketed six-course dinner featuring the finest farm-fresh local ingredients and innovative dishes. You know it’ll be good with dishes from the minds of Executive Chef David Bigbee and Chef de Cuisine Josh Pruss.
Prix Fixe New Year’s Eve at Le Mont
For $99 per person at Le Mont, you can enjoy a prix fixe five-course dinner overlooking the beautiful view of Downtown from Mt. Washington. The menu includes options like wild mushroom bisque, South African lobster tail, and even Pittsburgh’s classic Burnt Almond Torte for dessert.
Black Tie New Year’s Eve at Love, Katie Distilling
Dress to impress at Love, Katie Distilling, one of Pittsburgh’s most interesting newcomer cocktail bars in Sharpsburg. The party includes four drink tickets to Love, Katie’s delightful cocktails and a Champagne toast.
New Years’ Eve Bar Crawl at Mario’s
Start your night out at Mario’s on Walnut and end it…who knows where? This bar crawl, organized by PubCrawl.com, gives you a digital map of local bars with exclusive drink deals, no-cover entry, and an exclusive after-party.
Bistro to Go New Year’s Catering
Maybe you want to bring the party home instead of doing a bar crawl. We understand. Bistro to Go’s New Year’s Feast has family-style trays, a-la-carte options, or curated individual plates they can make perfect for any celebration. The trays start at just $25 per person!
A Vintage New Year’s at PA Market
Enjoy a night of moody candlelight, live DJ entertainment, gourmet hors d’oeuvres, and themed cocktails. Each guest receives two drink tickets, then a cash bar. The festivities will go on past midnight a come-as-you-are dress code and celebratory vibes.
New Year’s Eve 2025 at The Aspen
Remember Spritzery? (If you were on Instagram at all this year, you could never forget). Well, it’s still around, even after spritz season. Spritzery is now dressed up for the holidays as The Aspen. It’s an après-ski style bar with an eclectic menu and a cozy vibe. The Aspen has a New Year’s party that promises you a glamorous 2025.
COBRA
Bloomfield’s sleek experiential dining concept, inspired by the prestigious craftsmanship of Japanese butchery and the social nature of table-side grilling will be ringing in 2025 with interactive and immersive experiences. They’ve called this year The Third Room: New Years Event at Cobra. Throughout the evening, guests will have the opportunity to experience three top-secret art installations inside Cobra’s famous karaoke rooms. Guests will toast with festive holiday cocktails like Cobra’s Chūhai flavor with cinnamon and pear. Chūhai is a Japanese cocktail that combines fruit juice, shochu, and carbonated water.
Khalil’s
Get a dazzling start to the New Year with sister-owners Dalel and Leila Khalil during a special New Year’s Eve Belly Dance Show with Jennifer Jemeena. Then, finish off the night with a Champagne Toast. Enjoy a 5 Course Prix Fixe New Year’s Eve menu featuring Khalil’s famous Syrian fare with a Kebsa Dinner. Kebsa is a traditional dish served with Hummus, Khalil’s Signature Salad and a refreshingly light cucumber yogurt sauce; and Roasted Lamb. All that sits on a bed of Basmati Rice mixed with peas, peppers, tomato, onions. For dessert, guests can indulge in a variety of Syrian desserts best accompanied with Arabic coffee and Syrian mint tea. Reservations are required and can be sent to info@khalilsrestaurant.com.
Esquina Cantina (Round Corner Cantina)
Known for their fresh take on tequila-based cocktails, Equina Cantina is the most festive spot to kick off a NYE celebration, with pre-party cocktails and snacks. Just in time for the Winter Solstice, the new Pequeño Sol cocktail also available. Meaning ‘Little Sun’ features mezcal infused with pineapple sage (a plant native to the Mexico Highlands that loves the Pittsburgh climate), pineapple juice, Cynar, lime, and agave. Cantina’s Quesadillas, Empanadas, and Street Tacos also provide a solid and tasty base to sustain a night of celebrating.
Ritual House
Located in the iconic Union Trust Building, Ritual House features global flavors and artful cocktails. Offering spirited food and drink in an atmosphere designed for the senses, the Ritual House is an experience unlike any other in the city. Guests can pull up a chair under the eighteen chandeliers suspended over the central bar and ring in 2025 with a Champ-Bong. It’s an exhilarating and festive way to experience champagne. Complimentary prosecco will be served to those toasting at midnight. A decadent New Year’s Eve dinner feature, courtesy of Chef Ed Smith, will delight every palate. Reservations are highly recommended.
City Works New Year’s Celebration
City Works‘s New Year’s Eve blast costs just $60 and will include an evening full of music, hors d’oeuvres, a midnight champagne toast and a 360 photobooth to capture the night’s best moments. Guests will receive two drink tickets that can be used on drinks $15 and under and can purchase a bottle of champagne served with a sparkler for an additional $20.25.
fl.2
From 8:00 PM to 12:30 AM, indulge in our curated à la carte menu at fl.2, featuring exclusive holiday specials crafted to elevate your
dining experience. Our talented chef thoughtfully prepares each dish, ensuring every bite is as exquisite as the occasion.
To complement your evening, enjoy live music that will set the perfect ambiance for a night of celebration. Whether dining with loved
ones or gathering with friends, fl.2 promises an enchanting atmosphere to make this New Year’s Eve unforgettable.
Story by Emma Riva
Photo courtesy of Kateryna Hliznitsova
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