Best Spots for New Year’s Eve

1859_web_new-years-eve-portland_imperial_John-Valls

written by Julie Leephoto of Imperial by John Valls


New Year’s Eve is the holiday season’s exclamation point. One last gargantuan meal, one last bottle of something before we all pledge a diet of raw vegetables and coconut water in January to make up for all this damn fun. Here are a few recommended hot spots for revelry.

 

Andina

Feel like partying Peruvian style? Andina is throwin’ down a shindig this New Year’s Eve. Four-course prix-fixe meals of Andean dishes are available at two seatings: 5 p.m and 8 p.m. Kids are welcome, and those under 11 can dine for half price on a three-course prix fixe. After dinner, say adios to 2015 with live music and a midnight parade of African drummers, while eating twelve grapes in the last twelve seconds of midnight to guarantee a prosperous 2016.

1315 NW Gilsan St. | andinarestaurant.com

 

Governors Ball at Sentinel

Since the first recorded new year celebration in 2000 B.C., folks have been having a ball, dropping a ball, or attending a ball to ring in the new year. If you want to have a ball while attending a ball, the Governor’s Ball at Sentinel Hotel is your hang. Jake’s Grill serves dinner in both of the hotel’s expansive ballrooms, followed by live music with Patrick Lamb and Soul Vaccination. Eleven bars spread throughout will ensure a perma-buzz, and rumor has it there may be go-go dancers. If you prefer a quiet start before all that debauchery, Heathman restaurant and bar has partnered with Sentinel’s Governor’s Ball for the $150 all inclusive “top hat & tiara progressive.” Feast on Heathman’s five-course menu, then scoot to the ball.

611 SW 10th Ave. | jakesgrill.com

 

Doug Fir

Across the bridge lives less-refined hotel revelry. Doug Fir isn’t just rolling out an eve, it is rolling out an entire weekend. The celebration ignites December 30 with Balto playing and booze flowing. Jam on the 31st to Magic Sword as midnight strikes, then compose yourself in the morning for a bloody and a bloody good breakfast at Doug Fir, while soaking in some good football games. We may just check in to The Jupiter now and get started.

830 E Burnside St. | dougfirlounge.com

 

Trader Vic’s

If you were born before 1975 and grew up in Portland, odds are 10:1 your folks left you at home with some random sitter to bring in New Year’s at Trader Vic’s. It was the place to go, and the smell of floating gardenia was always a dead giveaway that tradition continued. Good news gen Xers: Trader Vic’s is back and still throws one good party on New Year’s. A five-course prix fixe, meal with hand-crafted island cocktails and live music reinvents the original bender.

1203 NW Glisan St. | tradervicspdx.com

 

Imperial

Now that Washington Post has named Portland the #1 best food city in America, check out Portland’s hot spots. Start early and let Imperial’s Doug Adams of Top Chef fame cook you dinner on New Year’s Eve? He’ll slay it as usual as you ring in the new year.

410 SW Broadway | imperialpdx.com

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.