The Best Ways to Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Las Vegas

Ring in 2023 with the best parties in Sin City.

fireworks
Photo courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau
Photo courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau

Hard to believe we're already three years into the new Roaring 20s. So let's make up for a rough start to the decade by welcoming 2023 with as much decadence, drinks, and fireworks as possible. It's good to be in Las Vegas for New Year's Eve. The weather is warmer than usual this winter season and parties are everywhere, whether you plan to celebrate on the Strip, Downtown, or in the surrounding neighborhoods. Just remember to plan carefully. Police will be on the lookout for drunk drivers, rideshare services will have longer-than-usual waits with surge pricing in effect, and the Strip will be closed to traffic between Russell and Sahara. Give yourself plenty of time and study up on the following events to bid farewell to 2022 in style.

America's Party 2023

The Strip
One of the biggest firework shows in the country takes place on the Las Vegas Strip. Explosions will erupt at midnight from eight resorts: Aria, Caesars Palace, MGM Grand, Planet Hollywood, Resorts World, The Strat, Treasure Island, and the Venetian. The Strip will be closed to auto traffic, creating a massive four-mile block party. Just scope out a spot and watch the show (officially called America's Party 2023). You'll get some of the best views attending New Year's Eve events at Skyfall Lounge, Cabo Wabo, Beer Park, Chateau, and the newly opened BrewDog.
Cost: Free to watch fireworks. Admission varies for Skyfall Lounge and begins at $250 for Cabo Wabo Cantina, $300 for Beer Park, $240 for Chateau, and $50 for BrewDog. Inquire with each venue about open bar options.

AREA15
AREA15 | Photo by Laurent Velazquez

Off the Strip
The off-Strip entertainment warehouse known as AREA15 has a few options for celebrating New Year's Eve with a property-wide party at 10 pm. The Blue Package includes entry to Meow Wolf's Omega Mart, Museum Fiasco, The Portal, and Wink World, a ride on the Liftoff levitating bar, $5 tokens at Emporium, and DJ sets in the outdoor A-Lot after the fireworks go off on the Strip at midnight. The Pink package has all that plus Dueling Axes, Five Iron Golf, and a pair of drink tickets. The Purple Package adds on a ride on the Haley's Comet motorized zipline, entry to Virtualis VR and Sanctuary lounge plus VIP viewing areas outdoors. If you want to keep things simple and save a few bucks. The Red Package just covers general admission, Museum Fiasco, The Portal, and the Oddwood bar. Illuminarium is part of the AREA15 complex, but is hosting its own NYE party with immersive projection mapping set to hip-hop and house with a Champagne toast at midnight.
Cost: $100 to $495.

Fremont Street Experience
Fremont Street Experience | Photo courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau

Downtown
The Fremont Street Experience will be closed off for the Time of Your Life with live music from some of your retro faves. Rockers Bush and The Struts play the main 3rd Street Stage, while Sugar Ray and the Wailers with Julian Marly keep things on the mellow side on the 1st Street Stage. A pop-up Main Street stage will host a night of hip-hop and R&B with the Sugarhill Gang, Tag Team, All-4-One, and DJ Skribble. All performances will be surrounded by the neon lights of Fremont Street with holiday graphics and digital fireworks on the overhead Viva Vision digital canopy.
Cost: Tickets begin at $50.

Las Vegas Shows

The Strip
Sin City typically draws tons of big stars for New Year's Eve, and this year is no exception. Bruno Mars is pulling double-duty, first for a regular concert at Dolby Live inside the Park MGM, followed by an after-party appearance at the Bellagio's Mayfair Supper Club, which will also include a four-course dinner, live salsa music, SelvaRey rum cocktails, and a vinyl DJ set by Anderson .Paak. Other top shows include Kevin Hart at the Resorts World Theatre and Pitbull at the same hotel's Event Center, Gwen Stefani at the Venetian Theatre, Tenacious D at the Virgin Hotels Theater, and hometown favorites The Killers at the Chelsea inside the Cosmopolitan.
Cost: Tickets vary with surge pricing in effect for most shows. Call Bellagio Luxury Experiences for reservations at Mayfair Supper Club's Rum Fiesta with Bruno Mars.

The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan
Photo courtesy of The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan
The Ice Rink at the Cosmopolitan is one of our favorite winter holiday attractions in Las Vegas. The space will transform into a private New Year's Eve party with a three-hour open bar, champagne toast, and views of the fireworks from the Boulevard Pool rooftop deck. And if you want to hit the ice, skate rentals are included.
Cost: Tickets are $200 (21 and older) and $100 (under 21).

Off the Strip
Celebrate the New Year before the rest of Las Vegas and the rest of America. Hofbrauhaus is hosting a Midnight in Munich party to ring in 2023 at the same time as Germany. The party runs all afternoon with a countdown and balloon drop at 3 pm (or midnight Munich time). BMX star Ricardo Laguna and magician Murray Sawchuck will make appearances while the Bavarian beer hall serves special dishes and plenty of house beer.
Cost: Free admission (but reservations are required).

The Plaza
Photo courtesy of The Plaza

Downtown
The Plaza hosts the only New Year's Eve fireworks display in the Downtown area. The show will erupt above the hotel at the stroke of midnight and in a new twist this year, includes 150 drones as part of the spectacle. Watch the show from a blocked-off area of Main Street (at the west end of the Fremont Street Experience), the rooftop pool deck if you're a hotel guest staying at least three nights, or during dinner at Oscar's Steakhouse, which has a glass-dome dining room, making it one of the most iconic old-school restaurants in Vegas.
Cost: Free to view. Hotel and dinner prices vary.

Off the Strip
One of the best strip clubs in Vegas is hosting the ultimate industry night for New Year's Eve. A hosted open bar runs 10 pm to midnight with a champagne toast. Afterwards, the club will welcome industry workers getting off the clock with a late-night locals appreciation party with entry, unlimited bloody mary cocktails, mimosas, and breakfast (4-6 am).
Cost: NYE party is $50. Early morning locals party is $20.23.

The Legacy Club
Photo courtesy of The Legacy Club

Circa
The Legacy Club (a romantic spot indeed) has a sky-high perch on the 60th floor of the Circa hotel, offering a rare opportunity to see both the Strip and Downtown fireworks at the same time. The cocktail lounge presents "Light Up the Night," beginning at 10 pm with an open bar and hors d'oeuvres by Barry's Downtown Prime. Upgrade for seating at a VIP table or by a firepit on the outdoor patio.
Cost: Tickets begin at $375.

The Cosmopolitan
Jose Andres' Jaleo is offering an "Endless Feast" of tapas beginning from 5 pm to close. Nosh on your choice of 25 Spanish tapas, including seasonal paella, traditional chorizo, sauteed shrimp, and four different desserts. A few additional higher end items like hand-carved iberico ham and whole-grilled sea bass are available for an upcharge. Add on an "endless beverage" package of Spanish sparkling wine, beer, or sangria. Seatings are limited to 1 hour and 45 minutes with reservations required.
Cost: Endless Feast is $145 per person, endless beverage package is $35 per person.

The Underground
The Underground | Photo courtesy of The Mob Museum

Las Vegas Speakeasies

Multiple Locations
Have a Prohibition-themed New Year's Eve at one of the best speakeasy bars in Las Vegas. The Underground (on the basement level of the Mob Museum) has drink tickets, old-school craft cocktails, live jazz, and a midnight toast 9 pm-1 am. 1923 Prohibition Bar inside the Shoppes at Mandalay Place has a Centennial Celebration for not only New Year's Eve, but to mark one-hundred years since the lounge's namesake year. Enjoy live music, burlesque, and a free champagne toast at midnight. VIP seating includes two drinks, a group photo, Champagne bottle, and choice of 1920s-inspired headwear. Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails (the speakeasy hidden behind a men's grooming salon) is hosting the Casamigos-sponsored Prohibition Nights all weekend long, featuring a New Year's Eve performance by Speed and hosted bar 6-9 pm.
Cost: Tickets begin at $120 for The Underground, $99 for VIP seating at 1923 Prohibition Bar, and $68.81 for Barbershop Cuts & Cocktails.

Henderson
If you don't want to stay up late, party like you're on the East Coast with a fireworks show over Lake Las Vegas at 9 pm. Catch the views from the Village lawn or book a stay at either the Hilton or Westin. Your best bet is a cruise on board La Contessa, an 80-foot yacht that departs from the dock at 8:30 pm with a live DJ. Upgrade to premium tickets for a mini bottle of champagne, drink discounts, and other perks–or a VIP table with two bottles of Champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries.
Cost: Free to view. Yacht reservations begin at $199. Hotel prices vary.

Minus5 Ice Bar
Photo courtesy of Chris Wessling

The Strip
Minus5 Ice Bar at The LINQ, Mandalay Bay and the Venetian—frigid sister bars in which everything from the furniture to the glassware is made of ice—are all doing something fun for New Year's Eve. Guests will receive a free champagne toast every hour to mark a rolling wave of New Year's celebrations around the world, starting with Pakistan at 11 am and wrapping with Las Vegas at midnight.
Cost: Free admission. The Ultimate New Year's Eve VIP Package is also available (two cocktails, souvenir fur coat, Russian snow hat, and a framed photo) for $250.

Venetian
The secluded, upscale Prestige Club at the Palazzo tower of the Venetian resort is throwing a swanky New Year's Eve bash at 10 pm. Enjoy a Champagne toast and front-row view of the Strip fireworks from the 23rd floor through floor-to-ceiling windows. The evening also includes a DJ, party favors and two drink tickets (or unlimited drinks for VIP ticket holders).
Cost: $275 (with an optional $100 upgrade for unlimited drinks).

Drai's Nightclub
Photo courtesy of Drai's Nightclub

Las Vegas Nightclubs

New Year's Eve is one of the biggest nights of the year for nightclubs in Las Vegas. Ring in 2023 with Tiesto at Zouk inside Resorts World… The Chainsmokers at XS inside Wynn (with the option of outdoor or all-access tickets)… Steve Aoki at Omnia inside Caesars Palace… Chris Brown at Drai's on the rooftop of The Cromwell… Lil Jon at Jewel inside Aria… DJ Pauly D at Marquee inside the Cosmopolitan… O.T. Genasis at Tao inside the Venetian… and Illenium at Hakkasan inside the MGM Grand.
Cost: Tickets begin at $150 for Tiesto, $55 for the Chainsmokers, $125 for Steve Aoki, $300 for Chris Brown, $75 for Lil Jon, $75 for DJ Pauly D, $50 for O.T. Genasis, and $75 for Illenium.

Multiple Locations
Drink bottomless sparkling wine between 10 pm and midnight for ten bucks per person. Everyone gets a complimentary toast to welcome 2023 with noisemakers and party hats. From there, happy hour kicks in 12-2 am with 50% off wines by the glass, premium spirits, and all craft and imported beer. An Absolut Bloody Mary is just $5 on January 1 to help take the edge off all that drinking the night before. The offers are good at all 64 locations under the PT's umbrella.
Cost: Free admission

Photo courtesy of Casbar Lounge at The Sahara

The Strip
Pay one price and drink up with a select premium open bar of spirits, beer, or prosecco 8:30 pm-12 am at Casbar and Azilo Ultra Lounge at the Sahara resort. Live musicians, DJs, go-go dancers, illusionists, and photo stations will supply the entertainment. Head over to Azilo Ultra Pool for a midnight countdown and views of the Strip fireworks. Anyone who buys tickets also gets access to a New Year's Day Recovery Station at the Tangier (10 am-2 pm) with an open bar of Bloody Marys and mimosas.
Cost: Tickets begin at $123.

Off the Strip
Boogie your way into 2023 by going back in time to the '70s at the Westgate. The hotel is hosting a Westgate54 cocktail party with a three-course dinner, live music, and more. Wear your most dated '70s outfit and toast early to the East Coast countdown from Times Square at 9 pm. Stick around afterwards with entertainment and Champagne in the Cabaret.
Cost: $320

S Bar Las Vegas
S Bar Las Vegas

Mandalay Bay
One of the best new bars in Las Vegas has an "All That Glitters is Gold" celebration from 8 pm to 2 am with all guests asked to arrive by 11 pm. S Bar is going all-out on the shindig with unlimited cocktails (including the Midas Manhattan and the Desert Heat spin on a spicy Margarita) and ahi poke cones, spiced chicken empanada, and pork gyoza among the passed bites.
Cost: $200 general admission, $300 for table service.

The Strat
If you really want to celebrate without limitations, the parties near the top of the 1,149-foot-tall Strat will not only have views of the Strip, but anything else going on in the surrounding Las Vegas Valley. Head to the 108th floor for a party at the SkyPod observation deck with a DJ, party favors, and food and drinks for sale at 108 Drinks and 108 Eats 9–1:30 pm. One floor below, the Top of the World revolving restaurant has a five-course tasting menu (featuring a choice of cocoa and red wine braised short rib with blackened shrimp or boudin stuffed quail as the main entree), champagne toast, and party favors for late seatings at 9:45 pm.
Cost: SkyPod party is $150 per person. Dinner at Top of the World begins at $371 per person.

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Rob Kachelriess has been writing about Las Vegas in Thrillist for more than eight years. In addition, his work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Leafly, Supercall, Modern Luxury, and Luxury Estates International's seasonal publication. Follow him on Twitter @rkachelriess.