Christmas is about to be a thing of the past and New Year’s Eve is fast approaching. Here are our top Toronto (and sometimes Ontario) picks. There’s a NYE adventure for every kind of person. Even the NYE hater.
1. Get down with the people
It’s a Toronto tradition to ring in the new year with thousands of people at Nathan Phillips Square. Fresh air, body heat from the sardine like crowd… Bundle up, hug strangers, listen to some music and have fun. This is a super child friendly option, content wise.
When: From 8pm onwards
Where: 100 Queen St. West
What you get: Skate on Toronto’s famous ice rink to the sounds of a local DJ, enjoy live musical performances from top Toronto talent throughout the evening and a spectacular fireworks presentation at midnight. More info here
How much: FREE
2. Just. Have. FUN.
The 6th annual F’UNREAL event features one of our favourite DJ’s, Well Said (of Grand Analog). It’ll be great.
When: 10:00 pm – 3:00 am
Where: The Boat in Kensington Market
What you get: It’s an anything goes music experience. 70s, 80s, 90s, everything they play is going to be FUN. That’s the promise. We tend to believe them. Plus it’s good and cheap. More info here
How much: $10
3. Go old world glam.
Return to the roaring twenties with the Lower West Side New Year’s Eve party at The Gladestone Hotel.
When: 9:00 pm
Where: 1214 Queen St. West
What you get: We’re not sure what is included but we do know this: The Gladstone throws a rockin’ party. Seriously, they’re the best. And they’re not pretentious or stuffy, they’re just fun. Mingle with gentlemen sipping whiskey and smoking cigars (outside of course!), flappers tap dancing and cocktails served surreptitiously in teacups. More info here
What you get: We’re not sure what is included but we do know this: The Gladstone throws a rockin’ party. Seriously, they’re the best. And they’re not pretentious or stuffy, they’re just fun. Mingle with gentlemen sipping whiskey and smoking cigars (outside of course!), flappers tap dancing and cocktails served surreptitiously in teacups. More info here
How much: $50 in advance, $75 at the door
4. You fancy, huh?
Then perhaps Minutes to Midnight,: an elegant NYE at the Ritz, is the way to go. Rub elbows with the fancies of Toronto, dress to the nines and share your champagne toast with 1000 other elite professionals.
When: Happening from 9:30pm to 2:30am.
Where: 181 Wellington St. West
Where: 181 Wellington St. West
What you get: Hors d’oeuvres, two DJs and a champagne toast at midnight, plus late night desserts served at 1am. DJs will be spinning top 40, hip hop, R&B and progressive house music. More info here.
How much: $75 a ticket, $90 for VIP tickets that give you access to the 4th floor and a more intimate party.
5) Go old school. Back in the Day 90s New Years Eve
If you love Biggie, ‘N Sync, Aaliyah, Spice Girls, Fugees, Ace of Base, Puff Daddy, and Nirvana, then ring in the New Year like it’s 1999.
Where: 42 Mowat Avenue
What you get: A Tribute to Old School Hip Hop, R&B, Dance, House, Reggae, & Pop from the 90’s, 2 Floors & 18 VIP Booths, Extended Bar until 3AM, Midnight Countdown & Party Favours, Complimentary Parking.
More info here
How much: Tickets: $25
6) Go for the talent
Into live performances by Lights, Keith Urban, Nick Jonas and more? Roadtrip! Head to Niagara Falls for a musical feast with Canada’s only nationwide televised New Years eve bash presented by ET Canada.
Where: Queen Victoria Park
When: Starting at 7:45pm
What you get: This two and half hour show will be broadcast live on Global and features a number of musical performances as well as ET hosts Cheryl Hickey, Rick Campanelli and Sangita Patel. Expect tens of thousands of people to come out in order to catch some Jonas brow sweat and perhaps a glimpse of Nicole Kidman who presumably will be celebrating New Years with her husband Keith Urban. More info here.
How much: FREE
7) Pass out friendly
Image: now-here-this
We all know that some of the best parties we’ve been to are in your own house or someone else’s house. Host a bash. Create a fun theme if you’re so inclined or keep it simple if you’re a bit on the lazy side.
What you get: anything you want. Have a potluck, invite your world, party all night long. Pass out on our own living room floor.
How much: FREE
8) The Breakfast Club of gatherings
Image: Danielle Morgan
We suggest an oddball dinner party or fondue night for the friends in your life (and you) who aren’t into the big parties but want to avoid the NYE depression of the night. As an alternative to throwing a party, have a chill night with friends. Host an evening for those who somehow don’t have plans, likely because all their friends are couples and they’re a single. Jerks.
9) Sexy time
Somehow one of the acts isn’t listed on this poster but Roboteyes, a synth pop band from Peterborough, is playing the New Year’s Eve edition of Pussy Whipped Wednesdays at the Bovine Sex Club.
When: 9:00 pm (go early)
Where: Bovine Sex Club (542 Queen St W)
What you get: This is the NYE edition of Pussy Whipped Wednesdays. Listen, it’s a Toronto institution as a spot to party and the music is going to be head boppingly fun. Do it. More info here.
How much: $10
Did we miss a bash?! Tell us how you’re ringing in the New Year. Tweet us @clutchpr
Happy 2015!
