The goal of staying away from the crowds of tourists in Manhattan on New Year’s Eve is pretty much acknowledged by everybody these days. Too many people and too hard to get around. And who cares about the ball drop anyway?

So, you’re staying in Brooklyn this year and trying to figure out what to do? Below, a few options both for those who like to party the night away as well as people who want nothing more than to hit the sack not long after the stroke of midnight.

brooklyn new year
Photo by Andrew Gardner via Prospect Park Alliance

Fireworks

Once again, one of the most reliably fun things to do in Brooklyn on New Year’s — as long as the weather isn’t frigid — is to stroll over to Grand Army Plaza and watch the fireworks. Now in its 39th year, the festivities begin at 10:30 p.m. with live entertainment, followed by the fireworks at midnight. The event is free and will be, as always, very crowded.

Coney Island is also having fireworks this year. The festivities start at 9:00 p.m. at Steeplechase Plaza and West 19th Street, with free rides on the carousel and karaoke.

If you want something different, there’s also a ticketed Brooklyn Bridge walking tour, which promises views of fireworks from multiple boroughs. You have to book in advance, though, with tickets starting at $25 for children and $50 for adults.

brooklyn new years eve
Photo by Couleur

Drink the Night Away

Brooklyn Brewery (79 North 11th Street) will once again have an event, beginning at 10 p.m. and tickets at a whopping $115. Braven Brewing Company (52 Harrison Place) will have a similar event, which starts at 9 p.m. with tickets starting at a more manageable $49. If the trip to Williamsburg seems like it’s not worth the effort, you can head to Other Half Brewery (195 Centre St), which is having an event, with tickets starting at $150.

Or, you could grab a set at one of the hundreds of bars in Brooklyn and enjoy a smaller crowd and regular-priced drinks.

brooklyn new years
Photo by Chad Kirchoff

Dance to the Music

Williamsburg dance mecca Output (74 Wythe Avenue) is hosting its final party on New Year’s Eve. So there is no better time to head out and join the certainly-packed crowd. John Digweed will be closing the club down, literally: the party ends at 8 a.m. on January 1.

There’s also stellar lineups at Elsewhere (599 Johnson Avenue) with tickets starting at $45, as well as Good Room (98 Meserole Avenue) with tickets starting at $35. The Bunker is having a party at Market Hotel (1140 Myrtle Avenue) with $25 tickets. All promise a reliably good time.

Peace and Quiet

Ring in the new year with some peace and quiet from the comfort of your own home. Or, if you want something similar but feel like you need to exit your home, you can head to the Brooklyn Zen Center and sit quietly as the city descends into chaos.

Related Stories

Email tips@brownstoner.com with further comments, questions or tips. Follow Brownstoner on Twitter and Instagram, and like us on Facebook.

Brooklyn in Your Inbox

* indicates required
 
Subscribe

What's Your Take? Leave a Comment