It would figure that 2019 is coming to an end, right as we were all getting used to writing it. Whether you had a great year, or one you’d prefer to forget, there’s no time like New Year’s Eve to let bygones be bygones and set yourself up for success over the next 365 days. We’ve taken the liberty of tracking down the best New Year’s activities in the region, broken down by where to eat, where to party and where to bring the kids.
Family-Friendly celebrations
Want to celebrate without breaking bedtime? Here are a few options perfect for families with young kids.
Jackson Gore Inn
at Okemo Mountain Resort
Midnight arrives early for friends and family enjoying a variety of activities at the Jackson Gore Inn. The festivities begin at 5 p.m. Following early evening ice skating, snow tubing, mountain coaster rides, horse-drawn wagon rides, party hat decorating, bingo games and a trivia tournament, families can ring in the New Year early with a DJ dance party and fireworks – and still get the kids to bed in time for a full day on the slopes the next day. Party games, balloons, noisemakers and fireworks add to the New Year celebration, complete with a pizza party dinner in the Roundhouse at Jackson Gore. Located at 111 Jackson Gore Road in Ludlow. For more information call 802-228-1400.
Rutland Free Library
The Rutland Free Library will host its annual New Year’s Eve event for children, including live music, crafts, face painting and refreshments. The event takes place 3:30-4:30 p.m. at the Rutland Free Library, located at 10 Court St. in Rutland.
Dinner
If you’re in the market for a dinner to remember, several area restaurants are rolling out special holiday menus to help celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of another.
Liquid Art Coffeehouse
Still making plans for New Year’s Eve? Start your night out with Liquid Art! They will be hosting a 4 course prix fixe dinner to bring in the new year. House chefs will be preparing tantalizing and creative dishes for an experience you won’t soon forget.
Reservations are required, call today to reserve your space, 802-422-2787. Liquid Art Coffeehouse is located at 37 Miller Brook Rd. in Killington.
Greenfields Restaurant
Visit Greenfields Restaurant on New Year’s Eve, where they’ll have the full dinner and Tap Room menu available, plus a prix fixe dinner for two including appetizer, entree, starch, vegetable, dessert and choice from five of chef’s choice entrees. The cost is $80 for 2 people. Dinner is being served 5:30-10 p.m. Reservations are required, call 802-773-6130. Located in the Holiday Inn, 476 Holiday Drive in Rutland.
Baxter’s Restaurant at the Rutland Country Club
Baxter’s Restaurant at the Rutland Country Club will be serving a special holiday dinner menu on New Year’s Eve from 5-10 p.m. The kitchen closes at 10 p.m., but the bar will remain open for your enjoyment. Located at 275 Grove St. in Rutland. Reservations requested, call 802-773-9153,
Southside Steakhouse
Southside Steakhouse will feature a special holiday menu for New Year’s Eve. Located at 170 S Main St. in Rutland. Reservations requested, call 802-772-7345.
The Vermont Inn
The Vermont Inn is hosting a New Year’s Eve 5-course prix fixe dinner with seatings at both 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. There will also be a champagne toast at midnight. The cost is $60 per person, plus tax and gratuity. Wine pairing can be added for $20 per person. Located at 78 Cream Hill Rd. in Mendon. Reservations required, call 802-775-0708 to reserve your table now.
Dinner and Party
Do you want to eat before you drink, and not drive in between? The follow events include fine fare, as well as entertainment until midnight for those who want to commit to one locale for the long haul.
The American Legion Post 31
The American Legion Post 31 will host a New Year’s Eve evening of dinner, dancing and music by the Spoilers. There will a choice of beef or haddock for dinner, which is served from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Music by the Spoilers begins around 8 p.m. Cost is $30 per person. A champagne toast will take place at midnight. 33 Washington St. in Rutland. For more information call 802-773-9777.
Lincoln Inn and Restaurant
In Woodstock, enjoy the 5-course chef signature menu and a glass of Prosecco with dessert. Live music, hats, blowers, count the ball down, dance, have fun! $125 per person not including all other drinks, gratuity and tax. Lincoln Inn is located at 2709 West Woodstock Rd. in Woodstock. Seating is limited and advance reservations are required. Call 802-457-7052. For more information visit lincolninn.com.
Fireside Inn
It’s the last evening of 2019, the clock is about to strike midnight. 2020 is on the horizon and all the time travelers from every era have arrived to celebrate the moment at the Fireside Inn in West Lebanon, New Hampshire, where the Conniption Fits headline the Time Travelers Ball. Dress from any era you choose, even the future or steampunk! As long as it can pass as formal wear, we are all about it. Come straight out of the 80s… or the middle ages. It’s up to you!
Available packages:
* Dinner and Show $85 includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner, show, champagne toast.
* The Ultimate package for two – includes hors d’oeuvres, dinner,show, champagne toast, and a Room. $294 (covers two people)
The Fireside is located at 25 Airport Rd. in West Lebanon. Call for tickets, 603-298-5900.
Red Clover Inn & Restaurant
Seating begins at 5:30 p.m. for a gourmet 4-course prix fixe menu. Enjoy a champagne toast with dinner and then live jazz until midnight with the Glendon Ingalls Red Clover Inn Trio. The cost is $95 per person, not including tax and gratuity. Red Clover Inn is located at 7 Woodward Rd. in Mendon. Reservations are required, call 802-775-2290.
The Victorian Inn at Wallingford
Victorian Inn invites you to ring in the New Year! Enjoy a delicious menu specially prepared by Chef Stanti. There’ll be music for dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Dinner seatings are available from from 5:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. The cost is $60 per person, plus tax & gratuities. The Inn is located at 55 N. Main St. in Wallingford. Call for your reservation: 802-446-2099.
Ballard Hobart American Legion Post 36
Starting a 8 p.m. and running through midnight, a NYE celebration with dinner and music. Enjoy prime rib, twice baked potato, mixed vegetable w/cheese sauce, salad and bread. Appetizers include seasoned shrimp, stuffed mushrooms and veggie platter. Dessert is a raspberry trifles. All this for $20, which also includes party favors and a champagne toast! Post 36 is located at 133 Main St. in Ludlow. Contact the Legion directly for details at 802-228-9807.
Mountain Top Inn & Resort
Mountain Top Inn & Resort will be serving its new dinner menu plus New Year’s Eve specials in the dining room and tavern. There will be live music by Dave Huckett, from 8 p.m. to midnight in the Tavern. Located at 195 Mountain Top Rd. in Chittenden. Reservations are required, call 802-483-2311.
Taps Tavern
Enjoy dinner at Taps Tavern this New Year’s Eve! They will have their regular 50 cent wing special with $2 baskets of hand cut fries, beer specials and a champagne toast at midnight! Taps will be open on New Year’s Day at the regular time, 4 p.m. Taps is located at 158 Main St. in Poultney. For more information call 802-287-4064.
Party
If music, dancing and partying are your pleasure, the following events will have your toes tapping until the ball drops, and maybe after, too!
Wobbly Barn
Kicking things off for the final Happy Hour of 2019 will be with the Krishna Guthrie Band from 6- 9 p.m. The Krishna Guthrie Band is a hard rockin’, folkin’, blues band comprised of Krishna Guthrie and his good friends Bobby Maguire, Nicky Fitz, Josh LaFave and Josh Cote. Each of their individual styles blend together to give you something truly unique. With a wide variety of both covers and original music there is something for everyone at every show.
After 9 p.m., you will need to have a New Years Eve ticket to have access to the nght club. Taking the stage that evening will be a Wobbly Barn crown favorite Evolution X, whose high energy performance will have you rocking into the New Year. Equipped with a state of the art AV/light show and a set list that delivers nothing but the hottest new music, this male/female co-front is backed by some of the finest musicians on the scene. The collective chemistry and energy of this talented five piece will result in a packed dance floor in every “A-list” nightclub, casino and corporate facility throughout the East Coast.
Doors for the night will open at 9 p.m. There will an express line from 9 – 10 p.m. with advanced ticket purchase. Tickets are $70 and will include a complimentary champagne toast at midnight. All guests must be 21 years of age or older.
Holiday Inn
The SevenSouth Tap Room will have live music for you to dance in the new year. Music by Clay Canfield and Pat Navarre with Big Heart Band from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Holiday Inn is located at 476 Holiday Drive in Rutland.
The Pickle Barrel
Spend New Year’s Eve with Never in Vegas. Never in Vegas is the Northeast’s hardest working cover band. With top notch musicianship and a total rock and roll attitude, NIV is sure to kick your ass and make you want more! Doors open at 8:00 p.m. Advance ticket purchase is required.
Pickle Barrel Nightclub is located at 1741 Killington Rd. in Killington. For more information call 802-422-3035.
Babes Bar
Ring in New Year with Babes! Doors open at 6 p.m. and the dance party starts at 9 p.m. Drink specials all day until closing at 1 a.m. Located at 221 Main St. in Bethel.
Clear River Inn and Tavern
It’s the turn of the decade and Clear River Inn is ready to rock! Rick Redington and The Luv join in for what is promised to be one seriously swanky and saucy New Year’s Eve Celebration! The theme is Roaring (20)20’s – dress to impress! We’ll be serving until 10 p.m. and rockin’ til midnight – if you’re joining us for dinner, it’s not too early to book a table (reservations strongly encouraged, call 802-746-7916). Located at 2614 VT-100 in Pittsfield. For more information visit rickredingtontheluv.com.
The Foundry
The Foundry will be celebrating with music from Jamie’s Junk Show, food specials, fireworks and a champagne toast. Tickets are on sale now for $53+ $5 service fee. The Foundry in located at 63 Summit Path in Killington. For more information visit foundrykillington.com.
Sister Wicked
The Wicked New Year’s Eve celebration will be held at Sister Wicked in Brandon on Dec. 31 beginning at 8 p.m. Tintype Gypsies will perform eclectic folk rock beginning at 8:30 p.m., and The Silverbacks play “Rocking blues and bluesy rock” from 10 p.m. until 12:30 a.m. Attendees will be offered hors d’oeuvres and nonalcoholic beverages. There is a $10 suggested donation at the door. BYOB
Sister Wicked is located at 3 West Seminary Street in Brandon. For more information call Gina Germond at 802-236-3368.
