We’re ready to welcome 2022 with open arms (and a drink in hand). If you still don’t have a plan for this New Year’s Eve, we have a little guide of the happenings throughout New Orleans. Put on your party dress and head outside for a great time!
The Pool Club & Dreamboat
This New Year’s Eve, enter Studio 504 in Dreamboat and The Pool Club, Virgin Hotels New Orleans’ stunning rooftop spaces with a spectacular backdrop featuring scenic skyline views of downtown New Orleans. Just a short elevator ride away from Commons Club, the hotel’s 13th-floor venues are inviting guests to ring in 2022 with champagne towers, go-go dancers, fire twirlers, disco balls, and fireworks. Costumes are required for entry. The Pool Club and Dreamboat are open on New Year’s Eve from 8 PM-1 AM. Both venues are located on the 13th floor of Virgin Hotels New Orleans at 550 Baronne Street. Tickets start at $50 per person.
Commons Club
For a low-key, laid-back New Year’s Eve, head over to Commons Club, located in the new Virgin Hotels New Orleans. The eatery’s signature a la carte menu will be available featuring fan favorites and seasonal fare by Executive Chef Alex Harrell. Standouts include gulf shrimp pappardelle – heirloom tomatoes, sweet and sour eggplant, pesto calabrese; grilled Berkshire pork chop – smoked potato, roasted mushrooms, butternut squash, bourbon molasses mustard; and farro verde – fried pickled okra, shiitake, swiss chard, preserved lemon, beet. Inventive cocktails, wine, and beer will also be on offer. Commons Club will open on New Year’s Eve from 5 PM – 10 PM. Commons Club is located inside Virgin Hotels New Orleans at 550 Baronne Street. For more information and to reserve a table visit https://virginhotels.com/new-orleans/ring-in-2022-at-virgin-hotels-new-orleans/
Bywater American Bistro
This New Year’s Eve, Bywater American Bistro (BABs) is inviting guests to enjoy a festive meal curated by award-winning Chef Nina Compton. Priced at $150 per person (excluding tax and gratuity), the menu includes delicious offerings such as flounder crudo – satsuma, fennel, caviar; mushroom brodo with truffles; and red wine braised short ribs, among others. Bywater American Bistro is located at 2900 Chartres Street in New Orleans. The restaurant will be open on NYE from 5:30 PM to 10 PM. Reservations can be made through Resy.
Toups’ Meatery
The Crescent City’s famed contemporary Cajun restaurant, Toups’ Meatery – which doubles as the perfect stage for the dynamic personality and authentic cuisine of Louisiana born-and-raised, star-studded Chef Isaac Toups – will showcase the best of Toups’ comforting yet refined cuisine this New Year’s Eve. Diners are invited to feast on Meatery signatures such as the famed Meatery Board, confit chicken thighs, and lamb neck with egg noodles. In addition to a la carte offerings, Meatery will offer caviar service, Meatery-style with umami potato chips, creme fraiche, and a chilled vodka shot ($125); as well as a selection of Wagyu steaks and specialty sides. Toups’ Meatery will be open on New Year’s Eve for lunch 11 AM-3 PM, Happy Hour 3 PM-5 PM, and Dinner 5 PM-11 PM.
Mister Mao
Celebrate New Year’s Eve at Mister Mao, Chef/Owner Sophina Uong and partner William “Wildcat” Greenwell’s tropical roadhouse restaurant. In true Mister Mao fashion, the eatery is offering guests festive, four-course prix fixe featuring inventive, bold, and flavorful “inauthentic” cuisine. Priced at $85 per person (not including tax + gratuity) menu highlights include crispy gulf oysters pakoras – chickpea flour, cilantro, yogurt, chile oil; charred cauliflower picada – almond, fried garlic, chocolate, citrus; Bengali meat + three – lamb shank, coconut greens, lemon biryani, black mustard Hoppin’ John; and coconut milk gulf prawns – galangal, Makrut lime, lemongrass, Delta rice grits, confit of onion. For dessert, diners can choose a Gluten-Free cashew meringue cake or dark chocolate cheesecake. A wine pairing is available for an additional $30 per person. Mister Mao is open on New Year’s Eve with seatings at 6 PM and 9 PM.
Jack Rose
Named the #1 “Best Hotel Restaurant 2020” by USA TODAY 10Best, Jack Rose is the perfect spot to bid adieu to 2021. Guests can expect creative interpretations of classic dishes by renowned Chef Brian Landry. The four-course prix-fixe menu ($74–$82, depending on the main course) will be offered from 5 PM-10 PM on New Year’s Eve. Jack Rose is located at the Pontchartrain Hotel, 2031 St Charles Avenue in New Orleans.
Featured image by Christian Horan.