It’s almost here: New Year’s Eve, a seemingly arbitrary reason to say the next chunk of time will be better than the last. Pessimism/realism aside, a new year is an excellent chance to dance, drink and eat to your heart’s content. Here are 23 options to ring in 2023. From extremely high-end tasting menus to daytime activities for the family that wants to toast at a reasonable hour, concerts with locals and the godfather of funk, there’s no reason to think this trip around the sun won’t be the best yet.
Drink
Our first drink option is for the parents of young kids. Anxo is screening Frozen at 5 p.m. and offering kids a cheese or pepperoni pizza, sparkling apple juice, face painting, snacks, a pinata and more activities that should keep them entertained before a 7 p.m. “midnight” toast. A great option for parents that love cider and keeping bedtime.
Drink the finest whiskey in a 100-mile radius at the bar with the best whiskey collection in a 100-mile radius.
An all-day event (noon to 1 a.m.), Lulu’s is offering two happy hours (early and late night), party size bottles of wine and $35 bottles of bubbly.
Metrobar is open through midnight, but we’re recommending this family-friendly afternoon event because a little kid does not need to stay up until midnight. Also, there’s no cover, so there’s no pressure.
Most “midnight” toasts are for kids. This is definitely not for kids. The $175 ticket gets you all-you-can-drink select wine, cocktails and beer, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a Champagne toast when the clock hits midnight in Paris (6 p.m. EST).
Hell yeah, bottomless beer at a punk rock burger bar.
Eat
The beloved contemporary Korean restaurant that Eater and Washingtonian loves is offering a 5-course prix-fixe menu for the New Year.
A high-end tasting menu with promises of caviar, truffles and Champagne.
Lean into 2023 with a hearty meal centered around red sauce.
One of D.C.’s buzziest restaurants still has a few tickets in the early evening for the tasting menu.
One of Bon Appetit’s 50 Best New Restaurants in America and New York Times’ America’s Best Restaurants is, well, pretty popular. Get seats for their NYE tasting menu ASAP.
You either love or hate smoke on your clothes after dining at Maydan. (I love it.)
A no-brainer for any big date night is a no-brainer for NYE. The tasting menu makes it even more appealing.
We’re legally required to include at least one Jose Andres property in any food and drink-based roundup set in D.C. Bonus, you can take a bottle home from their NYE celebration!
Dance
A Jazz New Year’s Eve: Carmen Lundy and Friends at Kennedy Center
Do you love jazz? Do you love options? Do you love celebrating the new year hours before the new year begins? Or closer to midnight? Great! There’s a 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. show.
Bad Moves, Light Beams at Quarry House Tavern
Do you love power pop? Do you love local music? Do you love celebrating the new year hours before the new year begins? Great! Here’s a fantastic 7 p.m. double bill.
Rare Essence at Howard Theatre
Do you love go-go? Do you love local music? Do you love celebrating the new year at midnight? Great! Here’s a fantastic 9 p.m. double bill.
Rebirth Brass Band at The Hamilton
Do you love horns? Do you love New Orleans? Great! Wear ear plugs and comfortable shoes.
George Clinton & Parliament Funkadelic at 9:30 Club
The obvious pick for the best show to ring in 2023 if you’re looking to funk it up.
Peaches O’Dell & Her Orchestra at Black Cat
For the big band fan who prefers their big band in a dark rock club.
White Ford Bronco at The Lincoln Theatre
One of D.C.’s most popular bands is a ’90s tribute band. No one wants to live in the now. Most people are 100 percent cool with covers by a band that wants to remind you what O.J. did.
If you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars seeing Styles in 2023, this $20-to-$40 show is much more reasonable. Also, if it’s not clear from the title, this is a Harry Styles dance party, not an inclusive party for people that identify as hairy.
NYE Underground Cellar Bash at The Imperial
This one borders between a fun dance party and a good drink deal. The extremely reasonable ticket price makes it a great overall option.
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