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New Year's Eve Northern Beaches & Manly Beach

Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2011 on the Northern Beaches - Our Guide

NYE Northern Beaches Style

NYE is often the point of social conversation around this time of year and has been known to generate some unwanted anxiety surrounding the style in which one is to celebrate it and where and with whom they will do it. Often, as I have heard people complain, a lot of effort is put into a night that turns out to be, for lack of a better expression, a bit of a fizzler. For this reason Our Manly has decided to throw your way a few options on the Northern Beaches for you to mull over whilst you make plans on how, where and with whom you will see in the New Year.

K.I.S.S

Keep it simple stupid, a favorite saying of an old music teacher of mine. Sometimes the best options are often the easiest. However, don’t create for yourself a false sense of security. It’s NYE, even the simplest options involve some degree of planning. If the weather is right, as it typically is on NYE, a good option is finding a nice spot outdoors for a simple picnic with some mates. This option generally involves a well packed esky, portable music, easy transport to and from and preferably somewhere to see at least some fireworks to remind you it’s not just another everyday run of the mill picnic.

North Head Manly

North Head in Manly is a good option for the NYE picnicker. It does involve a bit of a walk and sub sequentially a bit of a carry of goods to and from but it is worth it. The atmosphere is generally well spirited festiveness and usually accommodates a few backpackers who want to do something nice on a budget. From this vantage point you are able to catch a glimpse of the city fireworks but don’t be mistaken, if this is something of great importance to your evening then you’d be better of going into the city with the rest of the mob and battling it out for a good viewing point. But if you want to stay local and enjoy a nice chilled out evening out doors with little fuss and low cost then this would be the option for you.

Collaroy & Newport Fireworks

For those of you who enjoy the idea of a picnic watching fireworks but couldn’t stand the thought of venturing into Manly for the event, then be still your beating hearts for there is an alternate option for you.

Collaroy Beach and Newport Arms both have their own fireworks display which can be easily viewed from a number of different vantage points such as Collaroy Beach itself or Jamieson Park Reserve or any of the other numerous reserves around the area. While these fireworks aren’t quite as spectacular as the Harbor Bridge fireworks they are family friendly and highly convenient for any local wishing to keep things simple this NYE.

I Love To Party On NYE! Show Me A Pulse!

For those of you outrageous party animals with severe cases of ADHD who couldn’t handle being still and peaceful for more than two minutes on the party night of party night’s, please contain yourselves, and relax. The Northern Beaches does have options with a bit more of a pulse. Let’s start from the top of the Peninsula and work our way down shall we.

Newport Arms

Newport Arms has long been a favorite option for NYE for many a Northern Beachian. They have fireworks, they have music, they have cold beer and they have a vibing crowd. This is probably one of the simplest options for an established NYE party.

Rock up, drink and be merry. The huge beer garden of the Arms with its spectacular views of Pittwater make for a perfect place to spend your NYE afternoon, watch the sunset and have a feed before slipping into full NYE mode for the night to come.

This place does get crowded though, extremely crowded, so make sure you get there early in order to claim a prime piece of real estate for the evening.

New Years Eve @ Dee Why Foreshore

Dee Why foreshore has various different options with variant degrees of excitement levels depending on preference. With the new expansion of the sidewalk that lives opposite Dee Why Beach, running along the café strip creating a much more pedestrian friendly alfresco atmosphere Dee Why Beach will be one of the new great, chilled, hang out spots on the Northern Beaches this summer.

This NYE there will also be fireworks on the beach making any of the small eateries/bars perfect for a chilled, carefree evening with a few mates.

Deck Dee Why

The Deck, formerly known as Deck 23, has recently been refurbished and presents itself with a new style, still fitting with the original local hang out vibe, but transforming to a night spot with an increased level of beach chic and sophistication.

While any place in Dee Why Beach would make for a pretty good NYE choice, The Deck would probably have to be the pick of the litter.

Lizotte’s Dee Why

Lizotte’s in Dee Why is also hosting a NYE function well worth a solid old mention. This place really is one of the premier dinner and show venues on the Northern Beaches and never fails to satisfy. This setting would be ideal for either a couple looking for a bit of privacy or a small group of friends who don’t want to have to deal with obnoxiously drunk crowds and the madness that usually ensues NYE functions.

Having said that, a lot of fun can be had at this intimate little venue and I would recommend getting a group of 6 or more together to make this event worthwhile.

New Years Eve - Manly

Last but not least we come to Manly. Now NYE in Manly used to be an amazingly spectacular event. However it seems in recent years that Manly hasn’t been the hot spot it used to be, i.e. less street drinking.

In actual fact the last time I can remember Manly looking like NYE was in 2008 when the Manly Sea Eagles beat Melbourne Storm, who at the time had breached their salary cap, in the NRL Grand Final in what to date is still the biggest win in NRL Grand Final history, 40 – 0.

Needles to say I was amongst the crowd chanting 40 nil in the streets when all of the pubs had closed. Having said this however, there are still a few places that will make for a great NYE venue.

New Years Eve Ball @ Manly Q Station

For something a little different it’s worth at least investigating the doings that will be a transpiring at the Manly Q Station. The Manly Q Station will be hosting what they are calling the Rat Pack Ball, a 1950’s themed fancy dress party. This is probably the most unique NYE event on the Northern Beaches.

The Q Station is slightly isolated from the rest of Manly and has an amazingly tranquil setting and is also another good vantage point for Sydney fireworks.

New Years Eve - Manly Beach Bar and Nightclub - Sugar Lounge

Bulk standard tried and true, the Sugar Lounge hosts a NYE party just about every year and it, like the Arms, is another one of your safest options which also includes a view of the Manly Beach fireworks. The Sugar Lounge always draws a substantial crowd for NYE and generally only has some pretty good DJs for the event. Let’s also not forget that the Sugar Lounge is home to what is probably the most diverse rum bar on the Northern Beaches and or possibly even Sydney.