Still looking for New Year’s Eve plans? Here’s a guide to some of Baltimore’s best festivities
The beginning of a new year is just a few days away, and thousands of people are expected to ring in 2024 at Baltimore’s annual Inner Harbor fireworks extravaganza. (This year, a “mesmerizing,” choreographed drone show will accompany the display.)
The free event is sure to be a spectacle, but it’s far from the only way to celebrate. Some might prefer to spend the last night of 2023 with an elegant dinner, an open bar, or on the dance floor.
However you want to welcome the new year, we’ve rounded up a few suggestions for where to go and what to do:
Culinary celebrations
It’s never a good idea to party on an empty stomach. These Baltimore restaurants have special menus planned for New Year’s Eve.
Charleston: Kick off 2024 in ultimate foodie fashion with dinner at one of the city’s most renowned fine dining spots. James Beard-nominated chef Cindy Wolf and chef de cuisine Everardo Florentino have a decadent four-course meal planned for New Year’s Eve, with plates like rich lobster soup with curry, white truffle fettuccine and pan-seared Hudson Valley foie gras. Finish it off with a complimentary dessert. $229 per person. 1000 Lancaster St., Harbor East.
La Cuchara: Woodberry’s Basque restaurant is serving a four-course, fixed price dinner for the holiday. Choose from dishes like crispy oysters, lobster croquettes, wood-grilled strip steak and butternut squash canelones with gruyere cream. Because New Year’s Eve falls on a Sunday this year, diners can also take advantage of the restaurant’s 50% discount on wine bottles priced at more than $100. $129 per person. 3600 Clipper Mill Road, Woodberry.
Topside: For $99, diners can dig into a four-course meal and views of Mount Vernon at Hotel Revival’s rooftop restaurant, Topside. On the menu: ribeye kushiyaki with chimichurri, lobster risotto and salty caramel panna cotta, among other options. Guests get a free glass of champagne to toast the new year. Seatings at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 101 W. Monument St., Mount Vernon.
Foodie festivities
From bar snacks to buffets, these dining spots will have plenty of food to accompany the bubbly.
Admiral Fell Inn: Ashish Alfred, the chef behind Fells Point restaurants Duck Duck Goose and Osteria Pirata, is hosting a rooftop celebration at the Admiral Fell Inn to welcome 2024. Along with views of the fireworks and music from DJ Gekko, the rooftop bash will feature hors d’oeuvres like duck confit bites and truffle tarts, a slider station with butter chicken sandwiches, and a cupcake bar for dessert. Partiers can also take advantage of an open bar between 10 p.m. to 12 a.m. and a free champagne toast at midnight. Tickets are $85. 888 S. Broadway, Fells Point.
Baja Tap: Check out one of the newest additions to the restaurant scene with dinner, drinks and dancing at Baja Tap. This Mexican restaurant on the Fells Point waterfront is planning an “epic party” with taco bars and other light fare. There will also be an open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Tickets are $50. 901 S. Bond St., Fells Point.
Bunny’s Buckets & Bubbles: Bunny’s, another new Fells Point restaurant, is promising “the most uncomplicated NYE party you’ll ever find.” Their “Cluck & Shuck NYE Bubble Bash” will combine unlimited bar snacks (including their popular fried chicken), an oyster bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. and four hours of Chandon brut and rosé champagne. Though there’s no official theme or dress code, restaurant staff will be decked out in Great Gatsby-inspired attire, and revelers are invited to join in. Tickets are $120 per person or $110 per person for groups of eight or more. 801 S. Ann. St., Fells Point.
The Bygone: Atlas Restaurant Group’s restaurant on the 29th floor of the Four Seasons Hotel will be serving views of the Inner Harbor fireworks, DJ sets and a lavish buffet with beef tartare, prime rib sliders, mini crab cakes, lobster meat, a caviar bar and more. Guests at “The Bygone Ball” can also take advantage of an open bar from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets start at $300. 400 International Drive, Harbor East.
Prima Dopo: Fells Point restaurant Prima Dopo Cucina & Cocktail House is inviting Baltimoreans to celebrate “Dopo style” with a live DJ, festive decorations and open bar from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets are $125. 1724 Thames St., Fells Point.
Verde: This Canton pizza spot is throwing it back 100 years with a Roaring 20s-themed party. Dress in your best Gatsby getup, dance to a New Orleans-inspired live band and chow down at a buffet station featuring shrimp puttanesca, baked ziti, chicken piccata, salmon and of, course, pizza. Tickets, which cost $120, also include access to an open bar. 641 S. Montford Ave., Canton.
Brew Year’s Eve
Raise a pint to 2024 at one of Baltimore’s brewery parties.
Guinness Open Gate Brewery: Instead of a ball drop, Guinness’ Baltimore County taproom will host a beer drop for the new year. Ring in 2024 a little early with a 7 p.m. toast — midnight in the brewery’s hometown of Dublin, Ireland — of Chocolate Covered Orange Ale, Guinness’ limited-edition New Year’s Eve brew inspired by Terry’s chocolate orange candies. Buy a six-pack to continue the celebration at home. No cover. 5001 Washington Blvd., Halethorpe.
Pariah Brewing Co.: This Hampden brewery has lots on the agenda for its annual “new beer’s eve party.” Dance to music spun by DJ Hell O’Kitty, play a round of beer pong or corn hole and grab a burger from food truck favorite Fuzzies Burgers. As 2024 approaches, grab a discounted beer, too: Pariah will take $1 off all pours served from 9 p.m. to close. No cover. 1700 Union Ave., Hampden.
Suspended Brewing Co.: New Year’s Eve will be the last chance to drink in Suspended’s Pigtown taproom. The brewery is moving to a not-yet-announced North Baltimore space in the new year but has one more big bash planned to bid farewell to its home of the past seven years. $115 all-inclusive tickets cover an open bar with beer, bubbly and cocktails as well as an “Ekibuffet” catered by Asian fusion favorite Ekiben. Bonus: Suspended’s brewer will pull double duty on New Year’s Eve as the party’s DJ. 912 Washington Blvd., Pigtown.
Big bashes
If you’re looking for a blowout party, these spots wrap multiple floors, venues or experiences into one night out.
Atlas Quarter: One ticket covers entry to all four venues in Atlas Restaurant Group’s “Atlas Quarter” on New Year’s Eve. Bounce between Tagliata, The Elk Room, Monarque and Italian Disco for live music, open bars and buffets, as well as a live stream of the ball drop at midnight. Tickets start at $225. 1012 Fleet St., Harbor East.
Charles Street NYE: Neighboring Federal Hill restaurants Banditos and Wayward Bar + Kitchen will join forces Sunday night for a block party with a 3½-hour open bar, live DJ tunes and New Year’s Eve party favors. Tickets start at $97.88, with discounts for group purchases. 1117 S. Charles St., Federal Hill.
Power Plant Live: This annual New Year’s Eve rager offers access to nine bars and nightclubs at Power Plant Live, as well as party favors, confetti cannons and a countdown to midnight in the entertainment complex’s main square. Tickets start at $115. 34 Market Pl., Downtown Baltimore.
