New Year’s Eve 2024: Intimate dinners, free-flowing drinks and affordable tickets on the rise for revellers

Sequins and sparkles. Massive festival-sized events. Overpriced drinks served in plastic cups. Dancing into the wee hours of the morning. Fireworks. Astronomical ride share prices. Days long hangovers. Half-hearted resolutions. There is only one celebration that this series of events could be describing. New Year’s Eve was once the biggest night on the calendar for party-goers and the event industry alike, as each year hundreds of dollars were poured into a ticket for the hottest event as well as a new outfit, average and often warm wine or beer, pricey taxis (if you were able to nab one) and a greasy first meal of the year. In Perth, we were spoiled for choice. Big ticket events Origin, Snack, Seasons, Hopman Cup Ball and Freedom Time were quick to sell out as revellers would flock to them in the thousands. Countless social butterflies would back it up at Marquee or Cuban Club the next day. Then came the ultimate party-pooper — the pandemic — followed by a cost-of-living crisis. As worry and restrictions rose, ticket demand fell. The aftermath of COVID-19 is wide-reaching and well-documented, with the hospitality and events scene hit hard and swift. The double C’s also accelerated a cultural shift that had been bubbling away among the younger generations; an underlying feeling that they didn’t have to go out to have fun. And in some cases, they could no longer afford it. In the years since, the industry has pivoted and adapted to match the new budgets and expectations of revellers. The race among promoters and event organisers to announce their event first — sometimes as early as August — in order to sell tickets isn’t as competitive. Now, people keep their options open, often until a few days before the big night. While tickets to the massive festival-style events are still being snapped up, and a trusty house party always hits the spot, the smaller and more intimate events at restaurants and bars are proving just as popular. Party-goers also looking for more bang for their buck, an event or experience that includes free-flowing alcohol and a meal are on the rise. Many offerings will also further entice revellers with group discounts. And Perth venues are listening. The Claremont includes bottomless drinks and canapes in its $140 ticket price. At the Republic of Fremantle $140 will get you a four-course dining experience, cocktail, champagne and oysters. Or if you won’t be making it to midnight, Good Company in Karrinyup is offering two hours of food and drinks from 5.30-7.30pm starting at $59. Big ticket events were once Ross Drennan’s bread and butter. The co-founder of Nokturnl — the group with Stories at Yagan Square, the Old Synagogue in Fremantle, the Beaufort in Highgate and the Station in South Perth in its portfolio — began his career in hospitality and events with an annual NYE party. His focus then moved to the opening of the Old Synagogue in 2019, the success of which saw its 2021 NYE party tracking towards 15,000 ticket sales before it was forced to cancel due to a last-minute lockdown. In the years since the pandemic, Drennan says NYE is a harder sell across the board and people decide on their plans a lot later. As whispers grew louder that the big events weren’t attracting as many ticket sales, his venues were quick to recalibrate. Stories is hosting what they’re dubbing a micro festival in the amphitheatre — with tickets starting at $29.90 — while each of its restaurants is hosting their own offering. Another drawcard is its CBD location and easy access to the train line. The dining options at the venues are proving particularly popular, with dinner at Lotus (the Beautfort’s modern south-east Asian eatery) close to selling out after just one email alert to subscribers. Stories’ neighbour, The Royal, has also turned its focus on the individual offerings of its venue to tantalise a range of tastes. “We’re seeing interest across the spectrum, thanks to the varied personalities of our venues — each one catering to different preferences,” says owner John Parker. For those looking for a splash of luxury, there is a six-course European inspired soiree at Fleur paired with champagne. The $295 price also includes entry to The Royal’s celebrations. The Disco and DJ at Wili’s pizza bar or the karaoke at The Royal are its more laid-back options. Parker, who also owns The Standard in Northbridge, Ciao Dandy in Karrinyup and the Busselton Pavilion, says ticket sales are consistent with previous years. “However, as is typical for this time of year, sales for NYE events are trending last minute,” he adds. The trend of appealing to both a champagne and beer budget within one venue is prevalent across Perth, with Crown Perth another clear example. On one end of the scale its $395 NYE Gala is decked out with a three-course menu, Moet and Chandon champagne, entertainment and comedian Ed Kavalee as the MC. Or, for $25, revellers can head to the Crown Nightclub for an 80s-style dance party. Crown Perth interim chief executive Brian Pereira says its NYE customers are a mix of highly organised — booking a staycation and meal at Nobu months in advance — or more relaxed, deciding on plans after Christmas. Despite the casual approach to plans in 2024 one thing that revellers aren’t putting off until the last minute is their outfit. And this year things are looking more festive on the fashion front with Clare Ryan, stylist at Claremont Quarter, revealing women are welcoming in 2025 with a side of embellishment. “From pearl embellished skirts to sparkling beads, they’re loving the additional detail and sparkle to their NYE outfits,” Ryan says. “Elka Collective is a great example of this, they’ve added larger beaded embellishment to their statement, timeless pieces, which just elevates a simple skirt into something more special.” Alvin Fernandez, creative director of Meraki — as modelled in STM’s special New Year’s Eve shoot at Crown Perth’s La Vie Champagne Lounge — says his clients are also embracing glamour this year, with structural, figure hugging and light-catching sequins proving popular. “The common factor is that our customers definitely won’t be fading into the background at their events,” he says. Sequins are also making a comeback, from dazzling dresses to dramatic tops. Ryan says the sparkle trend is going strong. “I mean, there’s nothing better than starting the new year with a little sparkle,” she says.