How to Instagram like a pro this summer
Hijacked's guide to New Year's Eve in Melbourne
December 27, 2014
Haven’t locked down any plans yet? You might be in need of Hijacked’s NYE survival guide. Alternatively, below is a list of the ten best places to party this New Year’s Eve in Melbourne.
Watch the fireworks from Rooftop Bar
No. Better. Vantage point. Welcome in the New Year by watching the fireworks display from the beautiful Rooftop Bar, situated smack bang in the middle of the city.
252 Swanson Street, Melbourne. Free.
Dance at Cookie
Cookie is located a mere few flights of stairs below Rooftop Bar, in one of the city’s best buildings to party in, Curtin House. This New Year’s Eve Mr Doris will take to the decks. The best part? It’s totally free.
252 Swanston Street, Melbourne; 6pm-3am. Free.
Pop-Up Events put on secret one-off parties with local performers and a strong burlesque vibe all over the city. For New Year’s Eve they’re bringing their A-Game, putting together a Mad Hatters New Year’s Eve Ball, with jugglers, acrobats, stilt walkers, dancers, songstresses, unicyclists, hula-hoopers, roving madmen, belly dancers and pythons all on the bill. Then there’s the well-stocked bar. Bust off your most outrageous hat and prepare for anything.
St Brigids Parish Hall, 378 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy; 7.30pm-1am. $55.
Party with hundreds of underwater critters
For a totally unique venue in which to ring in 2015, Melbourne Sea Life Aquarium is throwing a New Year’s Eve party, which will feature an oyster bar, normal bar, canapes, ice cream station and live music all night long. And what better way to welcome in the new year than with hundreds of varieties of underwater critters. Just ask Sebastian if you don’t believe us.
Melbourne Sea Life Aquariums; 8pm-1am. $149.
St. Kilda’s Secret Garden is throwing one of their infamous block parties for New Year’s Eve. Beats courtesy of Adam Bartas, Seany B, Josh Baola, Tiago, Ziggy, Press Play, Brad Sassman, Frazer Adnam, Jabob Malmo and Wonston Wolf.
Metropol & Secret Garden, 60 Fitzroy Street, St Kilda; 2pm-3am. Tickets from $25.
Let your hair down at the espy
The Espy’s traditional New Year’s Eve party is not one to be missed. This year’s lineup features Kingswood, DZ Deathrays and Adalita. One of Melbourne’s best-loved venues in one of Melbourne’s most beautiful locations, with some of Melbourne’s best bands makes for a guaranteed good night.
The Espy Hotel, 11 the Esplanade, St Kilda; 7pm-late; $72.95.
Wallet feeling a bit heavy? Crown Casino are throwing a range of parties to suit every budget, from Groove’s ’80s-themed event (free before 9.30pm) to Club 23’s hefty $275 celebrations that come with food, drinks, and a view. You never know, you might win your money back.
Crown Casino, 8 Whiteman Street, Southbank; 7pm-late; free-$275.
Head northeast
Take the opportunity to start 2015 with party experts Northeast Party House at Ding Dong Lounge in the city. With a range of support DJs and a reputation for a killer live show, your night will be in safe hands with these legends.
Ding Dong Lounge, 18 Market Lane, Chinatown; 8pm-late; $30.
Get outta town
A breezy two-hour drive from Melbourne, Phillip Island will play host to boutique music festival Beyond the Valley. Ball Park Music, Danny Brown, and Hermitude are only a few names on this jaw-dropping lineup.
Back Beach Road, Phillip Island; Dec 30 – Jan 1; $309 including camping.
Frances Vinall
Frances Vinall is a freelance culture and lifestyle journalist and a Monash University student. She spends most of her free time watching Parks And Recreation and eating cheese. Frances blogs at francesvinall and tweets at @fvinall.
