A Guide to Dining & Boozing on New Year's Eve, 2013

While New Year's Eve always seems a great time to don the sweatpants and head for the couch, this year Eater suggests you once again stop with the Seacrest cringe fest and leave the house for some downright local debauchery. Whether you feel like feasting on caviar and drinking the champers til you drop, or swinging into the New Years big band style, New Orleans has a little something for everyone on December 31st. We present to you the most promising New Year's Eve options for dining and boozing in town. Don't forget to call ahead to secure tickets and reservations, and don't forget to designate a driver.

Don't see a killer celebration or menu listed? E-mail us down the tipline or leave us the info in a comment, and we'll update this post right up until NYE.

Dining and Boozing on NYE in NOLA

· Coquette is throwing a fried chicken and champagne dinner, with seatings 6 and 6:30 p.m. ($140) and 9 and 9:30 p.m. ($160). Chef Michael Stoltzfus will be throwing down with fried Chicken, eight seasonal/ traditional side dishes, plus free flowing Champagne and family-style desserts from pastry wonderboy Zak Miller. The later seatings also include a champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Info/reservations here.

· Uptown's ever-romantic restaurant, La Crepe Nanou will offer a four-course prix fixe at $65/person, with reservations now being accepted from 5 to 6:45 p.m., 7 to 8:45 p.m. and 9 p.m. on, call (504) 312-3206.

· GW Fins is having a seafood-centric 3 course menu with lots of options from chef Tenney Flynn, including Chilean Sea Bass and Colorado rack of lamb, and they're also including a champagne toast at midnight and party favors for $85/person. Info/reservations here.

· Galatoire's is doing something new this year, with their 1st annual champagne dinner featuring Perrier-Jouët on NYE at 8 p.m. on their 2nd floor. The $175 (doesn't include tax/tip) event includes a cocktail hour, a decadent prix-fixe dinner from 9 to 11 p.m., live music, and an open bar from 11 p.m. to 1 a.m. (504) 525-6022 for reservations.

· Galatoire's 33 Bar & Steak will also be open for LUNCH (unheard of) and dinner, with their regular menu being served, likely until well after midnight. Call for reservations at (504) 335-3932.

· Restaurant R'evolution will be doing a special $85 prix fixe, plus a ballin' caviar menu. More info/reservations via their website.

· M Bistro will be putting on the ritz with a five-course Black Tie Dinner with wine pairings, music from Jeremy Davenport, start at 8 p.m. That being said, black tie/evening wear is required, but at $250/person, you'll want to be that looking good. Reservations/info here.

· Three Muses will rock out Frenchmen style from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. with specials including truffled beef wellington poppers, buffalo frog legs, and Chine barbecue duck egg rolls. The Shotgun Jazz Band plays from 6 to 9:30, followed by lady o' the twang Gal Holiday and 10 p.m.

· In the Irish Channel, Salu is doing a five course pre fixe menu that can be ordered in whole ($44) or a la carte— fried goat cheese, duck confit, and more. Full meal is accompanied with complimentary champagne and caviar.

· Staying Uptown? Superior Seafood's New Year's Eve bash features entertainment by Papa John Gros starting at 10 p.m. and a $45 pre fixe menu being served from 4 pm. on, also with a New Year's Eve bash with entertainment by Papa John Gros starting at 10 p.m. A special pre fixe menu for $45 will from 4 pm. to 1 a.m. ($25 extra for wine pairings). Free champagne at midnight.

· Pat O' Brien's is throwing a bash from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on the 3rd floor of the JAX Brewery building— ie. prime fireworks-watching location— with a dj, full open bar, champagne toast, and party favors for $135. Tickets here or at (504) 561-1200.

· The World War II Museum hosts their first ever New Year's Swingin' Eve, and it sounds like an epic night. Tickets, available here, are $200/person, but include valet parking, open bar, chef John Besh dinner stations from 9 to 11 p.m. and dessert stations until midnight, champagne toast, party favors, balloon drop, photo booth and prizes for best 40s couple, hairstyle, dancing and more. Dang.

· Also embracing a retro theme, Bellocq is ringing in the New Year with in early 1900s 'glitz and style.' Punch and champagne specials all night long with music from DJ Ann and DJ Bunny. Free champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 8:00p.m. Call (504) 962-0911 tp reserve a table.

· Little Gem Saloon is going back in time too with a $125/person Speakeasy party with live music, burlesque performances, costume contest (mobster chic, yo), and midnight toast. Dinner seatings at 6 and 8:30 p.m. downstairs, show at 9 p.m. in the Ramp Room. $95 for dinner only, and $40 show only. Tickets right here or call (504)267-4863.

· Eiffel Society is throwing a 1970s themed Disco Ball with "80s flair." $70 VIP includes open bar, or $30 for general admission, includes dessert bar, dance floor, and midnight champagne toast. Tickets here.

· On Freret, Gasa Gasa (4920 Freret) is doing a 3 hour open bar special along with live music from Brass Bed. $30 - gets you a 3 Hour Open Bar w/ Rolling Rock, well drinks, champagne (plus entry), or $8 advance entry, $10 at the door. Tickets here.

· One Eyed Jacks hosts DJ Soul Sister's 11TH annual New Years Eve Party, with $10 entry, or $50 for open bar from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.. Tickets/info right here.

Further Reading
· This Times-Pic listicle includes bashes at the Hyatt, The Republic, and many more places.
· The Crescent City Countdown is the annual celebration in Jackson Square and features the Baby New Year drop, and live music from Eric Lindell, Honey Island Swamp Band, and more.
· Go New Orleans suggests heading to the Westin shindig to better see the fireworks, plus NYE for kids ideas.
· There are more than a handful of restaurants taking reservations on OpenTable for New Years Eve, including the ever romantic Iris, Lilette, and Cafe Amelie.

· All Holiday Guides [-ENOLA-]