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The Fourth Annual Mellon Gala is one of the most glamorous D.C. options for New Year’s Eve.

Where to Eat, Drink, and Party for New Year’s Eve

From formal keggers to fancy dinners

by Tierney Plumb Dec 13, 2018, 3:07pm EST

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The Fourth Annual Mellon Gala is one of the most glamorous D.C. options for New Year’s Eve.

| Mellon Gala/official photo

by Tierney Plumb Dec 13, 2018, 3:07pm EST

With New Year’s Eve approaching, D.C. is getting ready for one of its biggest Monday night parties of the year.

This year the celebrations swing from casual — there’s a nacho cheese fountain at Taco Bamba — to swanky. There will be red carpet arrivals at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium and top-shelf liquors on-hand at the Wharf’s Whiskey Charlie. Prix fixe menus and all-you-can eat and drink options are also prevalent across town, with Barrel and Kingbird boasting open bars for hours.

Here are 15 spots to consider for celebrating the start of 2019.

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Drink Company

The Miracle on 7th Street pop-up will curb post-Christmas cravings from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. That’s followed by a Taittinger Champagne-sponsored blowout at 9:30 p.m. The $20 ticket covers a free flute, New Year’s Eve punches, party favors, and a spot at a countdown inside a glittering dome room that resembles a New Year’s Eve Ball.

1825 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Drink Company

Estadio

Instead of going the pricey prix fixe route, the Spanish tapas mainstay is serving its regular menu on New Year’s Eve, with reservations from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. After serving up chorizo iberico and bomba rice with wild mushrooms, the space will transform into a lively Pintxo Bar with skewered snacks from chef Rufino Bautista, Spanish sparkling wine specials, and seasonal Gintonics (gin and house-made tonic).

1520 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Estadio

Also featured in:

Radiator

The rooftop bar at the Kimpton hotel is going retro this year with a Studio 54-themed celebration — priced at $54. The bash will be packed with 1970s hits, platform dance shoes, and disco balls. Executive chef Jonathan Dearden’s a la carte menu kicks off at 5 p.m., and from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., guests can access a premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a midnight champagne toast.

1430 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

Radiator

Also featured in:

The Alex at Graham

The Hilton hotel’s subterranean speakeasy will serve a three-course prix fixe menu for $75 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity), with free bubbles, specialty cocktails available a la carte, and live music at 11 p.m. Seatings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. include dishes such as lobster bisque, garlic roasted ribeye, and pan-seared scallops. Reservations are required.

1075 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007

“Bathtub Gin” at The Alex.

American Son

Chef Tim Ma is slinging meals with five-course ($125) and eight-course ($180) menus at his new Eaton DC restaurant from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Offerings include black sea bass, beet pastrami, and roasted squab.

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

American Son

Also featured in:

Taco Bamba

The taco destination is dressing down this New Year’s Eve, pairing its regular menu with a nacho cheese fountain flowing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and a midnight toast with the “Champagne of Beers” (Miller High Life). Walk-ins are welcome, but buying $10 advanced tickets covers the first drink.

777 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Taco Bamba

Also featured in:

Taberna del Alabardero

Fun fact: eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight is considered good luck in Spain. The restaurant will honor that tradition on New Year’s Eve by hosting an eight-course dinner ($125) with a lucky grape finale when the clock strikes midnight. The festive fruit will also be passed at 6 p.m., when it’s midnight in Spain. Dishes include lamb chops and octopus with poached egg and parsnip cream.

1776 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

Taberna’s red dining room — Taberna del Alabardero

Also featured in:

Crimson DC

This three-story bash in Chinatown will feature a live performance by DJ and vocal duo NAKD in the Pod hotel’s subterranean Whiskey Bar, followed by a complimentary bubbly toast at midnight on each floor. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

627 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Crimson

The Watergate

Kingbird restaurant is starting the night early with a 5 p.m. three-course menu featuring options like braised veal cheek, red snapper, and chocolate and pistachio mousse. Another seating at 7 p.m. includes two more courses. Come 9 p.m., a stylish Watergate fete calls for a four-hour open bar, fried chicken buffet, other hot and cold bites, DJ, and midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $195 (inclusive of tax and gratuity).

Search for reservations

OpenTable

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

Kingbird

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Union Pub

The Capitol Hill bar is catering to recent college grads by throwing a formal kegger to give the boot to 2018, dubbed “Thank U 2018, Next!” For $60, the bar-turned-house party will offer unlimited booze from 8 p.m to 3 a.m. with pour-your-own-beer kegs, select beers and spirits, a champagne toast at midnight, and appetizers.

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Union Pub

Also featured in:

Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

This black tie affair has a red carpet entrance, a top-shelf open bar, and free flowing Champagne across three decked out ballrooms. There will be multiple DJs, passed desserts, hors d’oeuvres, and food stations. Remaining tickets for the glam gala start at $129. For more than $1,000, a group of friends can go in on the ultimate New Year’s Eve treatment with the pick of a premium bottle, rose Champagne, and express entry.

1301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20240

The Mellon Gala

Barrel

As part of its annual “Blind Pig” Speakeasy, the restaurant will be blacked out in curtains to hide from the street. Inside, guests can feast on a sea of surf-and-turf offerings like pork, fried chicken drumsticks, and lobster rolls, washing it all down with Manhattans, Negronis, wine, and beer for $120 per person.

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Barrel

Also featured in:

CHIKO

The Fried Rice Collective team still has a few tickets left to its 8:30 p.m. seating ($75 per person), which includes tickets to Mandu’s karaoke bash and a free glass of bubbly at the door.

423 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Chiko DC tables — Chiko

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Punch Bowl Social Arlington

The newest venue on this list is getting its New Year’s Eve feet wet with 90s music, no cover, and a special passed punch crafted for the evening. The dining and gaming mecca, which jams in bowling, ping pong, darts, and karaoke rooms into 25,000 square feet, presses play at 9 p.m.

4238 Wilson Blvd Ste. 1180, Arlington, VA 22203

Punch Bowl Social

Whiskey Charlie

The rooftop respite at the Wharf is throwing an intimate soiree with an open bar of top-shelf spirits, beer and wine, a Veuve toast at midnight, and a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.. The price: $175 per person (plus tax and fees). Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Whiskey Charlie

Also featured in:

Tierney Plumb is an editor of Eater's Northeast region, covering D.C., Boston, Philly, and New York.

© 2025 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Drink Company

1825 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The Miracle on 7th Street pop-up will curb post-Christmas cravings from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. That’s followed by a Taittinger Champagne-sponsored blowout at 9:30 p.m. The $20 ticket covers a free flute, New Year’s Eve punches, party favors, and a spot at a countdown inside a glittering dome room that resembles a New Year’s Eve Ball.

Open in Google Maps

1825 7th St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Visit Website

Drink Company

Estadio

1520 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Instead of going the pricey prix fixe route, the Spanish tapas mainstay is serving its regular menu on New Year’s Eve, with reservations from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. After serving up chorizo iberico and bomba rice with wild mushrooms, the space will transform into a lively Pintxo Bar with skewered snacks from chef Rufino Bautista, Spanish sparkling wine specials, and seasonal Gintonics (gin and house-made tonic).

1520 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Visit Website

Estadio

Radiator

1430 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

The rooftop bar at the Kimpton hotel is going retro this year with a Studio 54-themed celebration — priced at $54. The bash will be packed with 1970s hits, platform dance shoes, and disco balls. Executive chef Jonathan Dearden’s a la carte menu kicks off at 5 p.m., and from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., guests can access a premium open bar, passed hors d’oeuvres, and a midnight champagne toast.

1430 Rhode Island Ave NW, Washington, DC 20005

Visit Website

Radiator

The Alex at Graham

1075 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007

The Hilton hotel’s subterranean speakeasy will serve a three-course prix fixe menu for $75 per person (exclusive of tax and gratuity), with free bubbles, specialty cocktails available a la carte, and live music at 11 p.m. Seatings at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. include dishes such as lobster bisque, garlic roasted ribeye, and pan-seared scallops. Reservations are required.

Open in Google Maps

1075 Thomas Jefferson St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Visit Website

“Bathtub Gin” at The Alex.

American Son

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Chef Tim Ma is slinging meals with five-course ($125) and eight-course ($180) menus at his new Eaton DC restaurant from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Offerings include black sea bass, beet pastrami, and roasted squab.

1201 K St NW, Washington, DC 20005

Visit Website

American Son

Taco Bamba

777 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

The taco destination is dressing down this New Year’s Eve, pairing its regular menu with a nacho cheese fountain flowing from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and a midnight toast with the “Champagne of Beers” (Miller High Life). Walk-ins are welcome, but buying $10 advanced tickets covers the first drink.

777 I St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Visit Website

Taco Bamba

Taberna del Alabardero

1776 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

Fun fact: eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight is considered good luck in Spain. The restaurant will honor that tradition on New Year’s Eve by hosting an eight-course dinner ($125) with a lucky grape finale when the clock strikes midnight. The festive fruit will also be passed at 6 p.m., when it’s midnight in Spain. Dishes include lamb chops and octopus with poached egg and parsnip cream.

1776 I St NW, Washington, DC 20006

Visit Website

Taberna’s red dining room — Taberna del Alabardero

Crimson DC

627 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001

This three-story bash in Chinatown will feature a live performance by DJ and vocal duo NAKD in the Pod hotel’s subterranean Whiskey Bar, followed by a complimentary bubbly toast at midnight on each floor. 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Open in Google Maps

627 H St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Visit Website

Crimson

The Watergate

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

Kingbird restaurant is starting the night early with a 5 p.m. three-course menu featuring options like braised veal cheek, red snapper, and chocolate and pistachio mousse. Another seating at 7 p.m. includes two more courses. Come 9 p.m., a stylish Watergate fete calls for a four-hour open bar, fried chicken buffet, other hot and cold bites, DJ, and midnight champagne toast. Tickets are $195 (inclusive of tax and gratuity).

2650 Virginia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20037

Visit Website

Kingbird

Union Pub

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

The Capitol Hill bar is catering to recent college grads by throwing a formal kegger to give the boot to 2018, dubbed “Thank U 2018, Next!” For $60, the bar-turned-house party will offer unlimited booze from 8 p.m to 3 a.m. with pour-your-own-beer kegs, select beers and spirits, a champagne toast at midnight, and appetizers.

201 Massachusetts Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002

Visit Website

Union Pub

Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium

1301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20240

This black tie affair has a red carpet entrance, a top-shelf open bar, and free flowing Champagne across three decked out ballrooms. There will be multiple DJs, passed desserts, hors d’oeuvres, and food stations. Remaining tickets for the glam gala start at $129. For more than $1,000, a group of friends can go in on the ultimate New Year’s Eve treatment with the pick of a premium bottle, rose Champagne, and express entry.

Open in Google Maps

1301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20240

Visit Website

The Mellon Gala

Barrel

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

As part of its annual “Blind Pig” Speakeasy, the restaurant will be blacked out in curtains to hide from the street. Inside, guests can feast on a sea of surf-and-turf offerings like pork, fried chicken drumsticks, and lobster rolls, washing it all down with Manhattans, Negronis, wine, and beer for $120 per person.

613 Pennsylvania Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003

Visit Website

Barrel

CHIKO

423 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

The Fried Rice Collective team still has a few tickets left to its 8:30 p.m. seating ($75 per person), which includes tickets to Mandu’s karaoke bash and a free glass of bubbly at the door.

Open in Google Maps

423 8th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

Visit Website

Chiko DC tables — Chiko

Punch Bowl Social Arlington

4238 Wilson Blvd Ste. 1180, Arlington, VA 22203

The newest venue on this list is getting its New Year’s Eve feet wet with 90s music, no cover, and a special passed punch crafted for the evening. The dining and gaming mecca, which jams in bowling, ping pong, darts, and karaoke rooms into 25,000 square feet, presses play at 9 p.m.

Open in Google Maps

4238 Wilson Blvd Ste. 1180, Arlington, VA 22203

Visit Website

Punch Bowl Social

Whiskey Charlie

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

The rooftop respite at the Wharf is throwing an intimate soiree with an open bar of top-shelf spirits, beer and wine, a Veuve toast at midnight, and a buffet of heavy hors d’oeuvres from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.. The price: $175 per person (plus tax and fees). Doors open at 8:30 p.m.

975 7th St SW, Washington, DC 20024

Visit Website

Whiskey Charlie

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