NYE Guide to the Hottest Tickets in Town

She’s the best showgirl of them all.

Sydney on New Years Eve is like no other city in the world (and don’t you know it). Your only dilemma is not how to party but just which one to shake your thang to. So whether you want to kick up some sand, party on a rooftop pool or treat yourself to a front row seat at the Glam fest, here’s our guide to the best.

Best for a WOW experience: Glam Fest NYE, Sydney Opera House

It’s ok to allow yourself a smug moment, look around the crowds and know that “they SO want to be me…”. Well this is your time, Glam Fest is the event and the venue is the forecourt of The Opera House. Fireworks by Kylie, food by Matt Moran’s Aria Catering, music by DJ Stephen Ferris and the Big Hit Orchestra. Grab a hoola hoop, devour luscious pork brioche buns and don your ‘Glam Rock’ outfit. Just watch those dance moves, one twirl too many and your bum checks could go viral as every TV station in the world zooms in on the best party in the world at which you are centre stage!

Bookings:  www.glamfestnye.iwannaticket.com.au
Location: Western boardwalk of the upper concourse of the Sydney Opera House
Tickets: $495 including premium drinks, entertainment and full catering

Best Rooftop Cocktail Party – Park Hyatt

Treat yourself to the exclusivity of Park Hyatt’s rooftop cocktail party with views of the harbour and city skyline. An evening guaranteed to ooze with style, here’s where you can mingle with sophisticated revellers on an open rooftop bar with an endless flow of Veuve Clicquot Champagne and delicious canapes. Dance the evening away to the live sounds of a DJ as you countdown the New Year levels above the rest.

Bookings: 02 9256 1661
Location: Park Hyatt Sydney, 7 Hickson Road, The Rocks Sydney 2000
$595 per person. Evening commences at 8.30pm and concludes at 1.00am.

Best Island Party – Island Light NYE, Clark Island

Sydney Harbour’s Clark Island is getting a big night out makeover, turning into an exclusive, luxury New Year’s Eve event for the first time. Hop on to your private ferry transfer, enjoy a gourmet food hamper containing antipasto delights and sweets on arrival, then stay fed with a gourmet BBQ dining experience with beverages catered by iconic Nielsen Park.

The island’s trees and landscape will be illuminated to create a magical atmosphere and Sydney band Soul Patrol will look after the jazz, funk and soul sounds as you watch the fireworks spectacular from prime position.

Bookings: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au
Location: Clark Island, Sydney Harbour National Park (off Darling Point)
Tickets: $440 all inclusive ticket – ferry transfers, all food, selected beverages and entertainment

For your chance to win two tickets (valued at $880) to Island Light post a comment below telling us why you deserve a NYE to remember on Clark Island? Competition closes 19.12.12

Best for Fancy Dress luvvas: Paparazzi Party – Zeta Bar New Years Eve

This is the party where you might see Lady Gaga, Daniel Craig or Angelina Jolie.  If you’ve always thought that you’d make a great celebrity BFF here’s your chance at Zetas’ Paparazzi Party. Make your entrance on the red carpet dressed as your fav celeb and watch your very own paparazzi crowd go nuts.  Soul lovers can get their groove-on with Brown Sugar then get jiggy-with-it to tunes from DJ Trey. Expect many an anthem worthy of air guitars.

Bookings: Via Moshtix
Location: Zeta Bar, level 4, Hilton Sydney, 488 George Street, Sydney 2000
Tickets: $90 per person

Best Beach Party: Shore Thing – Bondi Beach

If there’s one thing you need to know on NYE it’s that having a great time is a “Shore Thing”. These guys know how to party after a legendary eight years at Sydney’s most iconic beach. Grab your thongs and prepare for an epic line up headlining the kings of dance music, Chemical Brothers. They’ll get you jumping to ‘Leave Home’, ‘Block Rockin’ Beats’ and if you’re lucky the recent London 2012 track ‘Velodrome’. Musical mayhem continues with electronic duo Knife Beats. Best if you fancy a sea breeze through your hair and your NYE filled with fireworks illuminating ocean waves.

Booking: www.shorething.com.au
Location:Bondi Park, Bondi Beach
Tickets: general release tickets are $138, VIP tickets are $225

Best Dance Party: Pacha Sydney – ivy

If sea level doesn’t reach the dizzy heights you demand, then head skyward to The ivy’s multli-level adult playground. Expect a few feathers, big bling and some serious circus action as the signature Pacha theatrical performance unravels.  You’ll be kept entertained by a bevy of burlesque acts, dancers and more than a few surprises. Expect a stellar DJ line up of Ibiza and LA’s best including AN21, Max Vangelli, Junior Jack, Infinity Ink and Kid Crème.  It’s a Pacha party, Sydney style.

Bookings: www.merivale.com.au
Location: ivy, 320-330 George Street, Sydney
Tickets: First Release: $99, Second Release: $120, Pool Club Platinum VIP $220 (Includes Heineken or cocktail on arrival, pizzas and exclusive access to Pool Club until 11.30pm)

Best Restaurant Dining event – The Woods 

With its stunning new location on the ground floor of the Four Seasons hotel, The Woods Restaurant dazzles with a design led fit out, chefs table, and edible herb walls, to a headline act of talent on the floor and behind the kitchen. The Woods’ produce-driven menu will see you munching on Anthia’s fire stick radishes with lashings of house made butter, olive wood roasted Flinders island lamb or lapping up rose geranium ice-cream. With a glass of champagne on arrival it’s the most delicious way to see in the New Year.

Bookings: The Woods Restaurant
Location: Four Seasons Hotel Sydney, 199 George Street, Sydney 2000
Tickets: Two Seating’s: Early: $300, 6:00pm-8:30 pm, includes a glass of Champagne on arrival and a 3-course dinner before the 9:00 pm fireworks.
Late: $500 8.45pm – Midnight 5 course dinner and beverage package

For your chance to win two tickets (valued at $880) to Island Light post a comment below telling us why you deserve a NYE to remember on Clark Island? Competition closes 19.12.12

About the author

Karen’s corporate job back in the UK had included entertaining clients in some of the best restaurants. This ultimately sparked a curiosity 'Just how do they do that?' (she confesses she was brought up on meat and vegetables, so this was all very exciting). Currently a Mr & Mrs Smith 'Tastemaker', she’s flashpacked around the world, learning about wine, experiencing different cultures and cuisines and had a two- year love affair with it all. Originally from England, she finally settled in Australia and continues to be besotted by food, wine and travel preferring to focus on the luxury end of town (thread count does matter).

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