Check out our 2017 guide on where to celebrate New Year's Eve in Louisville.
We can all agree - 2016 is the worst. So there's no doubt that this New Year's Eve will feature some of the biggest, most celebratory parties you've ever seen as we bid adieu to a year no one will miss. No matter what NYE festivities you're looking for, Louisville has something for you. And whether it's celebrations at restaurants, bars or the biggest parties in the city, we've gathered them all in one place for you.
PARTIES
Lou Year's Eve
Downtown Louisville, W. Main St.
2 p.m.-midnight
This family-friendly New Year's party will take over downtown Louisville starting at 2 p.m.! There will be festivities and performances at multiple venues up and down Main Street, including at the Frazier Museum, the Science Center, 21c, KMAC, Louisville Slugger Museum, the Kentucky Center and more. Entertainment throughout the day will include performances by CirqueLouis, Billy Goat Strut Revue, Dave Moisan, Actors Theatre, Kentucky Shakespeare and Louisville Ballet, in addition to many, many more.
Adults: $8 in advance / $10 at the door
Children 6-12: $5
Children 5 and under: Free
New Year's Eve Live!
Fourth Street Live!, 400 S. Fourth St.
It's the biggest NYE party in Louisville, with the only ball drop in the city! Ring in the New Year at Fourth Street Live! with all your favorite people at all your favorite hangouts. This party is completely free, with music from 100% Poly, confetti cannons, a balloon drop and more festivities! VIP tickets are available, offering exclusive access to six bars and nightclubs and an all-inclusive premium drink package.
VIP: $85 single / $150 couple
Prices may increase closer to the date.
New Year's Eve at the Galt House
The Galt House, 140 N. Fourth St.
The Galt House is hosting two different parties to celebrate the New Year. Neon New Year's Eve is an '80s-themed dance party in the Grand Ballroom from 8:30 p.m.-4 a.m, with music by live band Bueller and DJ Havok. Blackout Affair New Year's Eve is a dress-to-impress party in the Archibald Cochran Ballroom from 9 p.m.-3 a.m., with music by live band Encore and DJ Empty Beats. Whether you go Neon or Blackout, you can't go wrong.
Neon New Year's Eve: $125
Blackout Affair New Year's Eve: $55
New Year's Eve 2017
Mellwood Arts Center, 1860 Mellwood Ave.
9 p.m.-2 a.m.
The Mellwood Arts Center is hosting a NYE celebration featuring music by Tony & The Tan Lines and DJ K-Dogg. A ticket includes cocktails, appetizers and a champagne toast at midnight.
$85
21c Louisville NYE Party
21c, 700 W. Main St.
9 p.m.-1 a.m.
In addition to their part in Lou Year's Eve, 21c will be hosting their own party in the Atrium Gallery. DJ Matt Coxx will keep the music flowing and the dance floor pumping. Michter's Whiskeys and Against the Grain will provide drink specials. Tickets include two cocktails and a party favor.
$59
Tiki Surf Party on New Year's Eve
Headliners, 1386 Lexington Road
8 p.m.-the music stops
Headliners is throwing a Surf Party to wash away 2016. There will be DJs as well as live music from Jaxon Lee Swain and surf rock band Inertia. Don't miss the limbo contest at 8:30 p.m.!
$20 in advance / $25 at the door
BARS
New Year's Eve at "The Ton"
Louis's "The Ton," 1601 Story Ave.
4 p.m.-2 a.m.
Celebrate the New Year and the official second anniversary of "The Ton" with one awesome party! They'll bring out a special champagne cocktail menu so you have plenty of choices to toast. Live music from Dead Room Cult, Otis Junior and Ryan Marsh!
Oshogatsu: A New Year's Celebration
Kaiju, 1004 E. Oak St.
9 p.m.-4 a.m.
Join Kaiju for their Japanese-inspired New Year's bash! There will be Japanese food specials at the food truck out front, as well as a champagne toast at midnight. Black Birds of Paradise and Pleasure Boys will play a special overlapping, collaborative set, and that's just the beginning.
F*** 2016!
Zanzabar, 2100 S. Preston St.
8 p.m.-4 a.m.
Z-bar is throwing 2016 out with the trash. Join them for a night of unhindered revelry and awesome DJ sets, featuring GlitterTitz, Reaper Radio, Brenda and more! If you're feeling fancy - but not too fancy - join Zanzabar for a night you'll remember.
$10
NYE at Tin Roof
Tin Roof, 3921 Shelbyville Road
10 p.m.-4 a.m.
Tin Roof is throwing a New Year's party to rival them all! They'll ring in 2017 with music by DJ ACE, drink specials and a balloon drop at midnight. They have tables available with bottle service and a complimentary taco buffet.
Stevie Ray's New Year's Party
Stevie Ray's Blues Bar, 230 E. Main St.
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Stevie Ray's is going all out for New Year's Eve! Soul Circus - Louisville's premier groove band - will provide the tunes for the occasion. To guarantee a seat, call for reservations at (502) 582-9945.
General admission: $15
Bar stool: $20
Table (seats 4): $120
Lola's New Year's Eve Celebration
Lola, 1076 E. Washington St.
6 p.m.-2 a.m.
Louisville's newest late-night lounge is hosting their own New Year's party! Celebrate 2017 in style with a live DJ and champagne toast, as well as a cash bar and snacks from their delicious menu. They'll have a projector set up so everyone can watch the clock strike midnight.
$25
Ceci N'est Pas New Year's
Haymarket Whiskey Bar, 331 E. Market St.
9 p.m.-4 a.m.
Haymarket is teaming up with Coat Check for this special New Year's event. Ceci N'est Pas New Year's will feature local-favorite DJ Sam Sneed and DJA, in addition to live music from other local bands. Magbooth will be there to document this night of debauchery. Rhinegeist and Four Roses are sponsoring this party and bringing drink specials for pre-party fun.
$10
RESTAURANTS
NYE Dinner at Butchertown Grocery
Butchertown Grocery, 1076 E. Washington St.
9-10 p.m.
Before the party begins upstairs at Lola, Butchertown Grocery is offering a special four-course NYE dinner with wine pairings, beginning at 9 p.m. This dinner includes such delicacies as gnocchi, butternut squash soup and striped bass, with plenty of other options as well. The price includes access to Lola's New Year's Eve party. Butchertown Grocery will also offer their regular menu from 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
$85 per person, plus tax and gratuity
$40 optional wine pairing
Reservations: (502) 742-8315
Pappy New Year
Bristol Bar & Grille Downtown, 614 W. Main St.
5 p.m.-midnight
Bristol Downtown is hosting a Pappy New Year party, with a flight of Pappy Van Winkle bourbon that includes one pour of 12-year Van Winkle Special Reserve and highly sought after Pappy Van Winkle 12-, 15-, 20- and 23-year batches. The four-course meal with feature dishes like New Orleans style shrimp and chorizo and locally sourced filet Oscar from Homestead Heritage Meats.
$95 per person, plus tax and gratuity
Reservations: (502) 582-1995
New Year's Eve Dinner at LouVino
LouVino, 1606 Bardstown Road
5-10 p.m.
LouVino invites you to join them on New Year's Eve for a delicious four-course dinner, with optional wine pairings. Reservations for any party size can be made, although they are limited to a 2-hour dining experience. Dinner options include scallops, snapper and curried lamb, plus much more.
$70 per person, plus tax and gratuity
Reservations: online only
New Year's Eve Dinner at Decca
Decca, 812 E. Market St.
5:30-10 p.m.
Decca is hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration with a special holiday three-course menu, with optional wine pairing for an additional fee. Reservations are required in advance.
$85 per person, plus tax and gratuity
Reservations: (502) 749-8128
New Year's Eve Dinner at Asiatique
Asiatique, 1767 Bardstown Road
5-11 p.m.
Your favorite Asian fusion restaurant is hosting their own New Year's celebration with a four-course dinner, including goat cheese crab meat spring rolls, crusted ahi tuna and braised lamb shank. Seats are limited, so reserve your place early!
$65 per person, plus tax and gratuity
Reservations: (502) 451-2749
New Year's Eve Dining with Varanese
Varanese, 2106 Frankfort Ave.
4:30-10 p.m.
Join Varanese for a cozy New Year's Eve dinner to celebrate 2017. The culinary team will be preparing something special for you and your family, so don't miss this chance for a lovely dinner celebration.
Price varies
Reservations: (502) 899-9904
Cover Image: New Year's Eve Live!
