It’s high time to decide where to land on New Year’s Eve as 2016 gives way to 2017. For those who want to toast the fresh year in style, choose an Orange County bar or other venue where the libations will flow as the celebration continues before and after the ball drops in Times Square and kisses are exchanged across the country. That said, following are five of the best such outposts in the Southland for your consideration.
Kobe Steakhouse and Lounge
3001 Old Ranch Parkway
Seal Beach, CA 90740
(562) 596-9969
www.kobebistro.com
High octane group Boxcar 7, dubbed “The Best Band in Long Beach”, is set to give glorious music at this go-to venue in the western corner of Orange County on New Year’s Eve 2016/2017. Book a seat as well as a special three-course meal and expect some mighty moving soul, classic rock, blues and R&B sounds to fill the rarified air at Kobe Steakhouse, a Seal Beach hot spot where Japanese Kobe beef (mouth watering!) tops an awe inspiring, most memorable menu.
Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd.
Buena Park, CA 90620
(714) 220-5200
www.knottsberryfarm.com
At the inimitable Knott’s Berry Farm, the Amber Waves Bar is sure to be hopping, as every hour will be happy hour, both before and after 2017 begins. Midnight means the 200-foot Knott’s Sky Cabin will take to the sky while overhead, fireworks of epic proportions will explode in all the right places. Indeed, this New Year’s Eve celebration is ripe for the whole family as the entire theme park turns into a big party, with dancing and music and all kinds of favors, up to and including noise makers for which everyone can express the sentiments of this big night when one year is over and the other has just started. Admission price to gain access to all this excess? The same as any other day at merry Knott’s Berry Farm.
Ambassador Yacht
2901 West Coast Highway
Newport Beach, CA 92663
(323) 604-6030
www.yachtparties.com
All aboard this fabulous floating bar as the celebratory vessel departs the Newport Beach dock at 9 a.m. (and returns at 1 a.m.) for a four-hour cruise sure to bring in the New Year with a bang. To satisfy any hunger pangs during the big event, now in its 14th year, depend on an on board station that three-level luxury yacht when devote to never ending appetizers. Meanwhile,u the open bar serves premium booze as picky DJs spin all sorts of music to keep the party hopping. General admission is $189.
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Hotel Fullerton Anaheim
1500 S. Raymond
Fullerton, CA 92831
(714 635-9000
www.ocnewyearseve.com
Any New Year’s Eve celebration that is heralded as being giant must be a big deal. That’s the way the Hotel Fullerton’s do is being announced so don’t delay in buying into their set dinner and dance (price: $75 at door). Or, if you’re not ready to munch but you are ready to move, simply choose the dance portion of the evening (cost: $50 at door) and join up to 500 other revelers while shaking the night away to the sounds of Yvette Cooke and the Family Band as one year turns into another. You’ll be glad you did–and then some.
San Juan Hills Golf Club
32120 San Juan Creek Road
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-1167
www.sanjuanhillsgolf.com
The $100 price tag for the Last Dance 2016 event in San Juan Capistrano is a steal given a good time is nearly guaranteed while living it up at the San Juan Hills Golf Club. This host is most hospitable, especially so when it comes to lighting up the festivities with live music, special appetizer stations (one of which is meant solely for appetizer munchies), free pictures to commemorate the occasion and a celebratory champagne toast to bring in the new year in the style to which we have all become accustomed. Cheers!
Related: Best Places To Take Out-Of-Towners In Orange County
By Jane Lasky