13 Can’t-Miss New Year’s Eve Celebrations in Honolulu to Kick off 2020

Whether your ideal way of ringing in the new decade is mingling in cocktail attire, rolling the dice at a casino night-themed party, or treating yourself to a three-course dinner, we have you covered with these 13 New Year’s Eve options.

December 23, 2019

Jacquelin Kojima,

PHOTO: COURTESY OF THE ROYAL HAWAIIAN

Stripsteak Waikīkī

4:30 TO 9:30 P.M.

Treat yourself to a luxurious meal on the last day of 2019 with Stripsteak Waikīkī’s signature menu, which consists of ahi tartare or chilled shrimp cocktail, your choice of “instant” bacon, truffle Caesar salad or butternut squash soup, your choice of prime steak or grilled local catch, and pain au chocolat to finish. The luxury tasting menu includes Hāmākua mushroom risotto and surf & turf prepared with American Washugyu filet mignon.

$129 per person for signature menu, $159 per person for luxury tasting menu, 2330 Kalākaua Ave., Ste 330, (808) 800-3094, michaelmina.net

Merriman’s Honolulu

5 TO 9 P.M.

Dine on celebratory prix fixe menus with friends and family at Merriman’s Honolulu in Ward Village. Start your meal with an appetizer then choose from seven main courses, including American-style Kobe ribeye (additional $25) and butter poached Keahole lobster (additional $25). Save room for dessert: lilikoʻi profiterole (cream puffs) and flourless chocolate cake for the whole table to share.

$69 per person, $32 for keiki under 12 years old, 1108 Auahi St., (808) 215-0022, merrimanshawaii.com

Top of Waikīkī

5 TO 11:15 P.M.

Enjoy the view of Honolulu’s city lights from the state’s only revolving restaurant, Top of Waikīkī. The special four-course prix fixe boasts pan-seared scallop (pictured, above), king crab-crusted monchong, braised short rib and jasmine tea panna cotta.

$95 per person, regular dinner menu and happy hour not available on New Year’s Eve, 2270 Kalākaua Ave., 21^st floor, (808) 923-3877, topofwaikiki.com.

Around the World at the Moana Surfrider

8 P.M. TO MIDNIGHT

For a celebration fit for the whole family, don’t miss Moana Surfrider’s new year’s event honoring Hawai‘i’s rich multicultural history, “Around the World.” The outdoor event will feature lion dances, taiko drummers and various cultural performances, face painting, caricature artists, photo booths and more. Ring in the new year with DJ Baby G, and order from a full drink menu and limited food menu from Moana’s circular Beach Bar. Besides the beachfront view of the fireworks, the tickets include party favors.

$125 general admission, $75 keiki admission, 2365 Kalākaua Ave., honoluluboxoffice.com/moana

Blanc de Blanc at Hideout at The Laylow Waikīkī

8 P.M. TO 1 A.M.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF HIDEOUT

For a swanky evening at one of Waikīkī’s most Instagrammable locations, put on your chicest white attire and check out the “Blanc de Blanc” event at Hideout at The Laylow Waikīkī. Spend your evening cuddled next to multiple fire pits, lounge poolside or take in the views of Kūhiō when the clock strikes midnight. DJ Buddhabud will provide the entertainment for the evening; don’t miss the Champagne toast at midnight and passed pūpū from 10 p.m. to midnight, including Kumamoto oysters topped with ponzu and chili, beef skewers and mango mousse tarts. Want to indulge in a celebratory dinner before the party? Hideout will be open for dinner prior to the event. Reservations required.

$65 pre-sale tickets, $75 for general admission at the door. Guests looking to purchase a table (either a couch on the lanai or a seat at one of the fire pit areas) can email Ben Buckley at bbuckley@laylowwaikiki.com. The Laylow, Autograph Collection, 2299 Kūhiō Ave., eventbrite.com

Adventures in Wonderland at The Royal Hawaiian

8:30 P.M. TO 1 A.M.

Celebrate the new year at Waikīkī’s iconic pink hotel, The Royal Hawaiian, for a fantasy-themed “Adventures in Wonderland” party. Enjoy delicious cuisines at the Chef’s Table buffet, dance to tunes from DJ Teley and mingle in style right in front of the beach. The all-ages event also offers party favors and a complimentary glass of Champagne for guests 21 years old and older with admission.

$250 general admission, $175 keiki ticket, $250 and up for reserved seating, The Royal Hawaiian, 2259 Kalākaua Ave., honoluluboxoffice.com

Rio Carnival at RumFire and Sheraton Waikīkī

8:30 P.M. TO 2:30 A.M.

Start off the year with a Rio de Janeiro-inspired celebration at the “Rio Carnival” New Year’s Eve event at RumFire in Sheraton Waikīkī. Dance the night away to multiple DJs spread across their Infinity Edge Pool deck and have a front-and-center ocean view of the fireworks. Feel like splurging? Champagne room tickets include a dedicated bar, a reserved area for viewing the fireworks and, of course, Champagne.

$135 pre-sale, $150 for general admission at the door, $280 Champagne room tickets, RumFire at Sheraton Waikīkī, 2255 Kalākaua Ave., honolulu-box-office.squarespace.com

Midnight in Paris at 53 By The Sea

9 P.M. TO 1 A.M.

Feeling lucky? 53 By The Sea will hold a casino night-themed party with casino-inspired games, live music and a cigar lounge. Enjoy hors d’oeuvres and craft cocktails with a sweeping view of Waikīkī, Diamond Head and the shores of Kakaʻako in your best black-tie attire. Try your luck at the high-rollers table and finish the night off with a Champagne toast featuring a front-row view of the fireworks show.

$150 general admission, $275 and up for VIP, 53 By The Sea, 53 Ahui St., 53bythesea.com

NYE 2020 at Addiction at The Modern Honolulu

9 P.M. TO 3:30 A.M.

PHOTO: COURTESY OF ADDICTION

For a wilder evening, celebrate the new year at one of Honolulu’s hottest nightclubs, Addiction at The Modern Honolulu, for its “NYE 2020” event. Dance to DJ Compose and Anit underneath 40,000 lights in the nightclub. If you have a VIP ticket, start the party at 9 p.m. with a complimentary hosted Champagne bar, with the general admission ticket holders starting the party fashionably late at 10 p.m.

$40 general admission, $50 and up for VIP, Addiction Nightclub at The Modern Honolulu, 1775 Ala Moana Blvd., nightout.com