To properly ring in the new year, many local bars and restaurants roll out special menus and drinks packages for New Year’s Eve. Instead of serving and pouring off the regular menu, these are opportunities for mixologists and chefs to tinker around in search of something festive. Here’s where to go for these celebratory bashes.
Amilinda
315 E. WISCONSIN AVE.
Enjoy a five-course dinner ($130 per person, plus $35 per person for beverage pairings) on New Year’s Eve that, like the restaurant’s menu, is influenced by the Iberian Peninsula, from croquettes as the starter to Iberian pork with quince puree as a main course, followed by frozen turron mousse for dessert. There are two seatings: at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. A complimentary glass of sparkling wine is included.
Book a table through OpenTable.
It’s time to pick your Milwaukee favorites for the year!
Ash and The Iron Horse Hotel
500 W. FLORIDA ST.
Tucked into the Iron Horse Hotel, this restaurant’s New Year’s Eve dinner is served between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., with selections on the à la carte menu for starters, mains, sides and desserts. For example, one menu could be wagyu beef tartare, wild-boar tortellini, ember-roasted delicata squash and tiramisu. Then, stay for the hotel’s New Year’s Eve party ($85 per person or $160 per couple) as doors open at 9 p.m. There will be an open bar, DJ, late-night appetizers, a Champagne toast and other activities.
Book a table through OpenTable and buy party tickets through Eventbrite.
At Random
2501 S. DELAWARE AVE.
On New Year’s Eve at this cocktail lounge that dates back to 1964, commemorative 60th-anniversary merchandise is part of three VIP packages that also include reserved seating. The first experience kicks off with a cocktail hour ($39.35-$65.58, includes punch and a cocktail) from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., followed by another celebration from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. ($65.58-$104.92, includes punch and two cocktails) and yet another from 10 p.m. to midnight ($104.92-$157.38, includes punch, three cocktails and a sparkling-wine toast at midnight)
Reserve a spot through Tix.com.
Bacchus
925 E. WELLS ST.
This fine-dining restaurant’s special menu for New Year’s Eve (served between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.) spans three courses, starting with soup or salad, then a main and dessert ($125+ per person). There are choices within each course, such as oysters or Rush Creek crepe, lobster tail or charred Wagyu bavette, and a Wisconsin-cheese selection or Gateau St. Honore (black-tea poached pear). Tack on wine pairings for an additional fee, or boost the decadence even further with caviar service ($125-$175).
Book a table through OpenTable.
Barnacle Bud’s
1955 S. HILBERT ST.
Instead of seafood served outdoors on the riverfront patio, as is the case in summer, the restaurant is switching to something different for New Year’s Eve: a five-course dinner $160 per person) inside its cozy dining space. Only 26 people can be accommodated and for only parties of less than four. On the menu are oysters, roasted mushroom bisque, lobster tail, braised beef short rib and dessert. Seatings are at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Email barnaclebudsparty@gmail.com to reserve a spot.
Bartolotta’s Lake Park Bistro
3133 E. NEWBERRY BLVD.
Served before 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., this upscale French-style restaurant’s New Year’s Eve menu ($125+ per person) features four courses with selections in each: an appetizer, gourmandises (small middle course), main course and dessert. Among the selections are oysters, foie gras, sea scallops, filet mignon, steak frites, chicken with black truffle, a French almond tart and pot de crème au caramel.
Book a table through OpenTable.
Birch
459 E. PLEASANT ST.
Special to New Year’s Eve is a five-course dinner ($145 per person) that’s different than the nightly menu, featuring hot-smoked steelhead trout and lobster pasta for two of the courses, and chocolate mousse or cotton candy for dessert. Pepe’s Oyster Menu will be served at the bar, with three chilled oysters and three hot oysters, plus an ice-cream sundae.
Book a table through OpenTable.
Blu at The Pfister Hotel
424 E. WISCONSIN AVE.
Located on the 23rd floor of the hotel, this cocktail lounge is hosting a New Year’s Eve party with seatings that start at 7 p.m. Three packages – silver ($350), gold ($450) and diamond ($500) – include a table reservation, Champagne, party favors and desserts. Vocalist Donna Woodall performs at 8 p.m.
Email blureservations@thepfisterhotel.com to make a reservation.
Blue Bat Kitchen & Tequilaria
249 N. WATER ST.
In honor of New Year’s Eve, this Third Ward restaurant’s menu expands with a special entrée and cocktail: shrimp scampi in a lemon-cream sauce and “Starry Night,” a drink adorned with edible glitter and folding in Blue Curacao, tequila, agave and lime.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
Braise
1101 S. 2ND ST.
On the four-course menu ($85 per person, plus $30 for optional wine pairings) served on New Year’s Eve at this farm-to-table restaurant are selections within each course, such as duck confit empanada or ricotta gnocchi; harissa stewed squash, seared scallop or beef tenderloin; or strawberry chocolate entremet or coconut peach blossom panna cotta.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
Canal Street Café
1721 W. CANAL ST.
On New Year’s Eve, this first-floor restaurant at Potawatomi Casino is offering all-you-can-eat crab between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Call 414-847-8510 to make a reservation.
Dream Dance Steakhouse
1721 W. CANAL ST.
A prix-fixe menu spanning four courses is how this steakhouse will celebrate New Year’s Eve. You can also order the special meal on Dec. 30. On both nights, dinner will be served between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Cal 414-847-7883 to make a reservation or book a table using this link.
Ester Ev
2165 S. KINNICKINNIC AVE.
Named for the chef-owners’ great-grandmothers (Evelyn and Ester), this tasting-menu restaurant is rolling out a special menu ($125 per person and an additional $65 per person for optional beverage pairings) on New Year’s Eve. The menu is actually available Dec. 28, 29 and 30, too. Included on the menu are dishes featuring lobster, white truffle, black truffle, crab and Beef Wellington, along with bouche de noel for dessert.
Book a table through OpenTable.
Harbor House
550 N. HARBOR DR.
Available between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m., the restaurant’s New Year’s Eve menu ($125 per person) is as seafood focused as on other days of the year. Each of the three courses (starters, entrees and dessert) features half a dozen choices, such as shrimp cocktail or oysters and caviar for a starter, lobster thermidor or filet mignon for an entrée, and espresso crème brulee or key-lime pie for dessert.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
Hilton Milwaukee City Center
509 W. WISCONSIN AVE.
Adopting a Casino Royale theme, this hotel’s open-bar and dance party ($200-$300 per person) kicks off on New Year’s Eve at 9 p.m. (also when doors open) and winds down at 1 a.m. Activities include casino games, performances by DJ and an electric violinist, and a Champagne toast at midnight.
Book tickets through EventBrite.
Il Cervo
420 W. JUNEAU AVE.
This enclosed rooftop bar at The Trade, Autograph Collection Hotel across from Fiserv Forum is serving a special four-course tasting menu ($90 per person) on New Year’s Eve. The hours are between 4 p.m. and 11 p.m. Keeping with the restaurant’s Italian traditions, each course is served family style, from the stracciatella (crispy Brussels sprouts) to dessert (choose from tiramisu, Italian wedding cake, formaggio and fruit, and blackberry meringue. There are selections within each course, such as surf and turf for the main course. The hotel is also hosting “Gatsby MKE,” a Great Gatsby/1920s-themed party ($90-$2,000 for packages) with fortune tellers, a photo booth, photographers, jugglers, DJs, a jazz band and food, plus a Champagne toast at midnight.
Book a table through Tock (dinner) or EventBrite (party).
Joey Gerard’s, A Bartolotta Supper Club
5601 BROAD ST., GREENDALE
Continuing with its supper-club concept, on New Year’s Eve the restaurant will serve an à la carte menu between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. that features specials like oysters Rockefeller and stuffed lobster tail.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
Lakefront Brewery
1872 N. COMMERCE ST.
As a nod to the state’s earlier Swedish immigrants, who arrived in the late 1800s, the brewery’s taproom will host a Swedish-style New Year ($35 per person) on New Year’s Eve between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. There’s a toast at 5 p.m., the exact time Sweden rings in the New Year, along with Swedish music, décor and food (cheeses, meats, sausages, herring, pâtés, boiled eggs, rye bread, shrimp salad, meatballs and “little smokies”).
Buy tickets through Tock.
Lou Malnati’s Pizzeria
15795 W. BLUEMOUND RD., BROOKFIELD
This Chicago-style (deep dish) pizzeria’s New Year’s Eve Early Countdown Dinner is kid-friendly with a buffet starting at 3 p.m. and a “bubbly” (kids have options) countdown at 5 p.m. There will also be activities appropriate for all ages.
Book a table through OpenTable or call 414-930-4500.
Lupi & Iris
777 N. VAN BUREN ST.
As a nod to the restaurant’s French and Italian Riviera focus, this extends to New Year’s Eve, too, when there’s a three-course lunch ($50+ per person, between 11:30 a.m. and 2 p.m.) and four-course dinner ($150+ per person, between 5:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.). There’s also an early dinner with a seating between 5 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. ($100+ per person). In the bar area will be live music from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Book a table through Tock.
Mason Street Grill
425 E. MASON ST.
At this hotel on the street level of The Pfister Hotel, on the special prix-fixe menu ($125+ per person), with options to choose in each of the three courses, are items such as lobster bisque, lobster tails, New Zealand strip steak and peanut butter and chocolate cheesecake.
Book a table through OpenTable.
Mr. B’s – A Bartolotta Steakhouse
18380 W. CAPITOL DR., BROOKFIELD
Between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, the restaurant’s à la carte menu features black truffle arancini, chops and steaks, and a Schaum torte.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
Mr. B’s – A Bartolotta Steakhouse
11120 N. CEDARBURG RD., MEQUON
From oysters Rockefeller with creamed spinach to Chocolate Entrenet (a chocolate-y dessert with chocolate cake, white-chocolate mousse and a macadamia-nut crumble), the à la carte menu for New Year’s Eve is indulgent and decadent. Seared yellowfin tuna along with steaks will also be served.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
Odd Duck
939 S. 2ND ST.
During its dinner service on New Year’s Eve, this Walker’s Point farm-to-table restaurant will roll out special New Year’s Eve drinks and menu items, along with a Champagne toast and party favors at midnight, and plus a “space disco” dress code.
Book a table through OpenTable.
On Tap
1203 N. 10TH ST.
Located inside The Brewhouse Inn & Suites, this bar and restaurant’s New Year Eve’s party ($85 per person, kicking off at 9 p.m.) adopts an adult-prom theme paired with DJ music. There will also be a lot of complimentary additions, such as a late-night pizza buffet, a spread of charcuterie and other appetizers, cocktails and draft beer, and a Champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. An outdoor ice bar and fire pits will also be open.
Book a table through Tock.
Onesto
221 N. BROADWAY
Some of the unique New Year’s Eve menu items available on New Year’s Eve are shrimp cocktail, seafood gnocchi, veal Osso Buccon and 24K Gold cannoli, along with festive cocktails just for the holiday.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
Pipsqueak Wine
6410 W. NORTH AVE., WAUWATOSA
Called Le Reveillon, which refers to a French celebratory toast, this wine bar’s five-course dinner ($100 per person) begins at 6:30 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Wine pairings are included in the cost.
Reserve a seat using this link.
Ristorante Bartolotta Dal 1993
7616 W. STATE ST., WAUWATOSA
A four-course menu with the ability to select in each course will be available on New Year’s Eve at this Italian restaurant, serving between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. All dishes can be further enhanced with Alba white truffle ($75-$100), too. Some of the items on the menu are a shaved smoked prosciutto goat cheese salad, pecorino-filled ravioli with buttermilk-saffron sauce, grilled lamb chops and lobster fricassee, along with five dessert choices.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
SafeHouse
779 N. FRONT ST.
Despite this being an espionage-themed bar and restaurant, there’s no secret about its New Year’s Eve party ($85 per person). Tickets include all-you-can-drink beverages, an hors d’oeuvres station and tunes by a live DJ. The party starts at 10 p.m.
Reserve tickets through Eventbrite.
Saint Kate – The Arts Hotel
139 E. KILBOURN AVE.
Hosted at this boutique hotel’s lobby bar, the New Year’s Eve festivities begin at 3 p.m. on with live music, followed by party favors and a Champagne toast at midnight.
Reservations are not necessary.
Shakers Cigar Bar
422 S. 2ND ST.
With an intention for guests to “party like it’s 1925,” this Walker’s Point cigar bar’s New Year’s Eve party promises “a night full of vintage vibes.” Details are still being released although what’s confirmed is that a Champagne package includes a table reservation. A cover charge does not apply.
Call 414-272-4222 for more information.
Shanghai
2238 N. FARWELL AVE.
Tucked away near Black Cat Alley on Milwaukee’s East Side, this speakeasy-style cocktail and Absinthe bar is an intimate venue also inspired by the former Oriental Drugs and the neighborhood’s Oriental Theater. On New Year’s Eve ($30 per person), there will be a special sparkling-wine toast on New Year’s Eve and the price also includes one cocktail.
Book a 90-minute reservation through Tock.
Story Hill FireHouse
407 N. HAWLEY RD.
Sporting a speakeasy theme, this historic firehouse turned event venue is hosting a New Year’s Eve party ($92-$160 per person), dialing it back to 1929 and Prohibition. The party is between 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., with an open bar and appetizers between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., along with ‘20s-inspired cocktails at a cash bar, a photo booth, DJ, cigar bar and Champagne toast. Guests staying at Ambassador Hotel can utilize the FireHouse’s trolley service and a password for the party is sent out the week prior.
Buy tickets through Eventbrite.
The Bridgewater Modern Grill
2011 S. 1ST ST.
To celebrate New Year’s Eve, the menu will add some special dishes, including Ahi steak tuna and Wagyu New York strip. These can be paired with glasses of Champagne and there’s also live music starting at 6 p.m.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
The Commodore, A Bartolotta Restaurant
1807 NAGAWICKA RD., HARTLAND
The newest restaurant in The Bartolotta Group, hugging Lake Nagawicka in a 1902 building, will celebrate its first New Year’s Eve with a four-course menu ($125 per person), serving between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
The Edison
322 N. BROADWAY
Special for New Year’s Eve are items like lobster bisque, oysters, New Year’s surf and turf and Beef Wellington and – for dessert – tiramisu and red velvet cake.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
The Melting Pot
19850 W. BLUEMOUND RD., BROOKFIELD
In lieu of the regular menu, a four-course fondue dinner ($79.95 per person) will be served on New Year’s Eve, starting with a cheese fondue then easing into a salad choice, meat or seafood entrée, and chocolate fondue.
Book a table through the restaurant’s website.
WhirlyBall
185 S. MOORLAND RD., BROOKFIELD
This family-friendly New Year’s Eve event ($40 per adult, $30 per child) starts at noon and ends at 5 p.m. Expect laser tag, bowling and pop-up games in addition to WhirlyBall (best described as playing a game of catch from bumper cars).
Buy tickets through Eventbrite.
