Looking for the best New Year’s Eve outing in Buffalo or are you just looking to get away from Aunt Alice and her hourly sherry shot countdown to the ball drop? We have you covered with where to go for a personalized “best place to be” when it becomes 2016.
Downtown Ball Drop
Free
Join the second largest ball drop in the country by arriving downtown around 10 pm. What should you expect? Thousands of people enjoy the festivities, so if you are an introvert this may not be the best selection for you. Enjoying some singing from Caitlin Koch and fireworks to follow directly after the ball drop at midnight.
Roosevelt Plaza
Main @ Huron 14202
Tux and Pucks
$99+
Get fancy and take in a Sabres home game at the same time. The Sabres take on the New York Islanders at the First Niagara Center on New Year’s Eve, and fans have the option of dressing up with a discounted tuxedo rental from Tuxedo Junction. Stop by with your game ticket to receive your discount. Love hockey and dressing up? Then this is your jam. The game starts at 6 pm. Following the game, 716 Food and Sport will be hosting a party with no cover charge.
First Niagara Center
1 Seymour Knox III Plaza 14203
https://sabres.formstack.com/forms/tux
New Year’s Eve Masquerade Ball
$85 – $125
Valet, coat check, masks, and an open bar – think Eyes Wide Shut without the sex. Tickets are available at the door.
The Foundry Suites
1738 Elmwood Ave 14207
http://www.ticketfly.com/event/727549-new-years-eve-masquerade-ball-buffalo/
Statler Annual Ice Ball
$130-$160
If you ever want to pretend to be in the ballroom scene in The Shining prior to the horror scenes, this is for you. This is your place to act classy while you drink the night away with sit down food service, live music, and champagne toast all included.
Statler City
107 Delaware Ave 14202
http://www.statlercity.com/iceball/
Big Ditch Brewery
$25 pre-sale or $35 at the door
View the ball drop from the indoors. This place is on the smaller side but totally worth the price if you don’t want to stand outside. Price includes an appetizer buffet, two drink tickets, and a toast at midnight of barley wine in a souvenir glass. Party 10 pm – 1 am.
Big Ditch Brewing Co.
55 E Huron St 14203
Salvatore’s Masquerade Ball and Gala
$115-$135
Don’t feel like fighting downtown traffic? There is a better way. Enjoy good food, drink and music in a perfectly gaudy setting.
Salvatore’s
6461 Transit Rd 14043
http://salvatores.net/new-years-celebration-2016.html
Polka New Year’s Eve Celebration
$269 per couple
This one goes out to all my Polish people. Enjoy your New Year’s with dancing, Polka music and dancing to Polka music. Tickets include 5 hours of open bar, champagne toast at midnight, and a Polish pajama party.
Millennium Hotel
2040 Walden Ave 14225
http://polkaconcerts.com/events/polka-new-years-eve-celebration-at-the-millennium-hotel/
Templeton Landing
$117
Partake in live music, Hors d ’Oeuvres and a dinner buffet. Five hours of open bar would be worth the price alone, but they also give you noise makers, fun hats, and bye-bye burritos.
8pm – 1am
Bonus Two Family Friendly Events
First Night Buffalo
$10 at any local Wegman’s before the event or $12 at the door
Party like a 6-year-old rock star with puppets, bounce houses, costumed characters and comedy. Get your children tired out with all the fun. Then enjoy your “me” time after you put them to bed.
5pm – 10pm
Buffalo Niagara Convention Center
153 Franklin St 14202
http://www.firstnightbuffalo.org/
Niagara Old Falls Street
$6
This is a family friendly event located in Niagara Falls. The price includes a dance floor, family friendly movies, face painters, popcorn, and balloon drop with juice toast.
6pm -10pm
The Conference and Event Center
101 Old Falls St 14303
Choose the New Year’s Eve event right for you and you are bound to have fun. Happy New Year!
Written by Dana Stansbury
Mother of cats and children. The cat’s pajamas. Unapologetic lover of drinking and crafts.
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