Options abound for ringing in 2016 with a full belly. Below are 24 (and counting) places to grab a bite before – or as – your New Years Eve celebration.
Acacia Real Food + Cocktails
3001 E Skyline Drive
With panoramic views of the city and award winning cuisine by Chef Albert Hall you can celebrate with their four course prix fixe tasting menu or order items from their abbreviated dinner menu. Serving is from 5:00 – 9:30pm.Cost is $60 per person, plus tax and gratuity, or $85 with wine pairing, plus tax and gratuity. Reservations can be made by calling 520-232-0101.
Enjoy a four course dinner and champagne toast at Agustin Kitchen. The special menu includes lobster bisque, steak tartare, Delmonico steak, tuxedo cheesecake and more. Live music will be provided by Hey Bucko.
Arizona Inn is taking a different approach to the New Year’s Eve dinner with a 4-course tasting menu that includes Sea, Land, Land and Sea, and Garden rounds. Each tasting item comes with a special complementary wine pairing.
Dinner is $85 per person, $135 with wine pairings.
Celebrate the new year and the grand opening of Tucson’s newest bar-b-que joint in one fell swoop. Brother John’s will open its doors to the public on New Year’s Eve with a Throwback Thursday costume party paying homage to the Wildcat House.
Passsed hors d’oeuvres throughout the night with a champagne toast at midnight while dancing to music provided by Tucson’s retro-band Sound Bytes. General admission is $75.00 or you can reserve a VIP table with bottle service.
Janos’ team has crafted a decadent four-course dinner menu for New Year’s Eve. In true Downtown Kitchen style, it draws on numerous international influences with dishes like a Fried Oyster BLT to Grilled Salmon with Creme Fraiche and Caviar.
The Prix Fixe menu is $55.00 for three courses or $70.00 for four courses.
First Course (choice of)
Crab Meat Rundown, Creamy Caribbean Corn + Sweet Potato Stamp and Go – Coconut milk, curry, tomatoes, scallions
Falora, along with their neighbor, Sidecar, have teamed up to bring in the New Year. They’re offering two Kentucky Sidecars matched with Falora’s wood baked Margherita pizza served with kale salad.
The cost is $25.00 per couple. Reservations are required and can be made at info@falora.com.
Ring in the New Year at the historic Hacienda del Sol where you have three places to choose from.
Dinner and Dance Party with “The Undercover Band” from 7:00 – 8:30pm features a candlelight buffet, music, dancing, party favors and a champagne toast. Then from 9-12:15pm bring in the New Year with a Rock & Roll Dance Party. Price is $75.00 per person + tax and gratuity or $20.00 per person for just the dance party from 9pm-midnight.
The Grill is offering a 5-course tasting menu; $95 without wine parings $150 with wine pairings plus tax and gratuity. Seating is from 5-10pm.
Terraza Garden Patio & Lounge is serving its a la carte menu with music provided by Duo Vibrato. Seating until 11pm.
As with any Hotel Congress party, this year’s Prohibition-themed New Year’s Eve bash is sure to be an elaborate 1920s extravaganza. The 15’ taco has been retired in favor of a festive Whiskey del Bac barrel, which will be tapped by “King Congress himself to release the nectar of the gods.”
For $25 General Admission ticket holders get a Whiskey del Bac whiskey toast, party favors, the free photo booth and access to the Opium Den with the Absinthe Bar. Hors d’oeuvres and heavier, alcohol-absorbing options include:
Pork & Liver Pate
Shrimp Cocktail
Smoked Meat Board
Roasted Artichoke Bites
Local House-Made Pasta Action Station
Certified Angus Action Station
Stuffed Mushrooms
Mini Wellingtons
Assorted Sweet Treat Dessert Station
Six performers are scheduled, including Vintage Burlesque by Contessa Oblivian and Prohibition Disco with Andrew Shuta, Bob Felix, and Dan Hernandez.
Independent Distillery, Johnny Gibson Downtown Market & HighWire Lounge
30 S. Arizona Ave.
The theme is Great Gatsby, so be sure to dress accordingly. The original film will be playing on the patio while guests enjoy live music, free tastings of Evan Williams Bourbon, drink specials and more. 21+.
Festivities begin at 8pm and commence at 2am.
For ticket information, contact the Independent Distillery at (520)284-7334.
Kingfisher Bar & Grill
2564 E. Grant Road
For 22 years Kingfisher has been serving up seafood, grilled meats and poultry dishes. New Year’s Eve they’ll be offering some of their favorites from their dinner menu along with holiday specials with live entertainment by the Cochise County All Stars beginning at 7pm. For reservations call 520-323-7739
There is a reason the annual New Year’s Eve dinner at Le Rendez-Vous sells out every year. While we don’t have specific details, the five-course French feast includes specially prepared soup, salad, appetizer, entree and dessert.
This year Maynards Kitchen is popping corks twice with an East Coast Champagne toast at 10 p.m., for those who want to be home by midnight, and a midnight toast for Tucsonans out to celebrate the night.
Chef Michael Byrer has prepared three features and desserts in addition to their regular menu offerings.
Steak Delmonico – Bacon wrapped 16oz. steak, port salute gratin, braised leeks, tarragon and lemon baby carrots, with bordelaise ($38.00)
Baked Seafood Stew – Lobster, halibut, prawns, scallops, vermouth and seafood sauce, rosemary pastry shell, carrot and parsnip puree ($32.00)
Cassolette – Cast iron baked house-made boudin sausage, duck confit and braised pork shank, with cranberry bean ragout ($27.00)
Chef’s Assortment of handmade chocolates, candies, and accompaniments ($11.00)
Maynards diners receive discounted general admission tickets to the New Year’s Eve celebration at Hotel Congress.
In addition to New Year’s Eve Dinner, Maynards Kitchen is hosting a New Year’s Day Brunch to feed the effects of the night before. Brunch is available from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., where you can sip on a Bloody Mary, mimosa, or Bellini.
North Italia at La Encantada is offering a special New Year’s Eve menu, including Italian classics like roasted artichoke hearts with Roman gnocchi and truffle ricotta, and tagliatelle bolognese. Guests will also enjoy an extensive wine list to choose from.
This Mexican City cuisine found in the heart of downtown offers outstanding fresh cuisine along with an international bar featuring over 30 mezcals, premium tequilas, award winning craft cocktails, excellent wine list and more.
On New Year’s Eve you can choose from select items from the a la carte dinner menu or opt for the special New Year’s Eve prix fixe three course menu that includes a local cheese board sampler and glass of Rose Champagne. Cost is $60 per person plus tax and gratuity and serving is from 5 -10:00pm. For reservations call 520-203-7681
First
Oyster Mushroom Cream. or
Pickled Beet and organic greens salad
Second
Duck Confit. Guajillo and Citrus Mezcal Glaze. or
Pastel de Elote. Roasted Poblano Chiles, Espinaca y queso
Reforma’s five-course pre fixe menu is a Central Mexican feast, with a course dedicated solely to tamales and sweet Oaxacan desserts. Vegetarians will appreciate the inclusion of a meat-free option for every course.
Dinner is $60 a person, or $50 for reservations between 4 and 6pm.
First Course – Soup (choose one)
Bacalao Con Arroz – Salt cod, tomato, roasted chili, olives, potato, white rice
Not just Star Wars. Not just Prom. The Surly Wench Pub is hosting The Prom Awakens: a Star Wars Prom themed New Year’s Eve celebration for the 21+ crowd.
The night will include a themed stage and countdown, DJs Plastic Disease & E_Rupt, a Star Wars drink menu, a prom photo booth, the Star Wars Prom King & Queen and a complimentary champagne
toast at Midnight.
Chef Massimo Tenino’s foothills restaurant, featuring Northern Italian rustic recipes, is offering selections from their dinner menu, and holiday specials for this Boun Anno festive night. Specials are being served from 3pm to 11pm and reservations are recommended.
Antipasti
Cotechino e Lenticchie
Traditional Italian Cotechino sausage, served with lentils
Insalata di Mare
Seafood salad with shrimp, scallops, mussels, calamari, and crab, served on a bed of arugula
Primi
Linguine ai Frutti di Mare
Seafood linguine with shrimp, mussels, scallops, and crab, in a white wine, garlic, and tomato sauce
Lasagna allo Zafferano con Ragù di Ossobuco
Saffron lasagna with a slowly braised ossobuco ragù, Parmigiano cheese, and a hint of lemon zest
Ravioli all`aragosta
Lobster ravioli served in a creamy tomato and lobster bisque sauce
Piatto Forte
Filetto alla Rossini
Filet mignon, 12 Oz, topped with foie gras, black truffles, and Madiera wine reduction, served on a crouton
Dolce
Semifreddo allo Zabaglione con Nocciole
Zabaglione semifreddo, hazelnut praline, and warm chocolate sauce
Celebrate the New Year at The Living Room with live music, a chocolate fountain bar and a champagne bar. There is no cover charge to ring in the festivities, but reservations are encouraged for tables by contacting the restaurant at 520.308.5591.
Food offerings include an artisan cheese platters, brushcetta, flat breads, sliders, hot and cold sandwiches and boutique wines
The New Year’s Eve festivities at The Parish begin with dinner service at 5pm and culminate with a midnight champagne toast. Live music will be provided by Rebecca Carlson.
AZuL Restaurant will offer a special New Year’s Eve 4-Course Tasting Menu from 5 to 10 pm, prepared by Executive Chef Russell Michel. For the main course, diners can choose from Pan-Roasted Natural Beef Tenderloin, Jumbo Lump Crab Cake and Colossal Shrimp, Berkshire Natural Pork Chop, or Portabella Pave. The Tasting Menu is $98 per person and includes a complimentary sparkling wine toast.
After dinner, the AZuL Lounge will offer live music from Jazz saxophonist Neamen Lyles and The George Howard Band as well as hand-crafted cocktails. The Kids Club will provide an on-site space at the resort for children from 6pm to 12:30am.
If you plan on staying overnight, end the festivities at the New Year’s Day Buffet at AZuL on New Year’s Day from 8am to 1pm.
Reservations are required for the New Year’s Eve 4-Course Tasting Menu and the Kids Club New Year’s Eve Party.
Union will offer an indulgent four-course menu for $60 a person, or $50 for reservations between 4 and 6pm. Like their sister restaurant next door, Union offers a meat-free option for each course.
Appetizers (choose one)
Steak Tartare – Australian beef, whole grain mustard, black garlic, shallot, anchovy, pickled jalapeño remoulade, fried egg yolk, potato crisps
Vegetable Croquettes – Crispy vegetable and potato melange, grilled frisee, avocado crema, red pepper gastrique
Shrimp Cocktail – Grilled and chilled shrimp, horseradish and tomato gazpacho, preserved lemons, fresh herb oil