As the New Year comes around, here are our picks for living it up on the most memorable party night of the year:
Phoenixville:
Iron Hill Brewery
130 Bridge St., Phoenixville, 610-983-9333
Though the Bridge Street location its one of our favorite spots for food, drink, and that perfect blend of warmth and sophistication, we’d hardly call it an old standby. Once again, Iron Hill Brewery will be offering a special expanded New Year’s Eve menu and a midnight champagne toast. Come dressed up or keep it casual, but just don’t come without a reservation, or you might be turned out into the cold. If you should become desperate in the 11th hour for some festive libations, you could at least sneak in before the ball drops for a growler of the brewery’s Nut Brown Ale or Winter Warmer.
Fenix Martini Bar
193 Bridge St., Phoenixville, 610-933-9494
Even if only for one dazzling night a year, everyone deserves to feel like life is nothing less than glamorous. If you haven’t had your dose of glitzy nightlife for 2010 yet, it’s not too late. Phoenixville’s new Manhattan-style martini bar is hosting a glam-worthy red carpet event for their inaugural New Year’s Eve bash.
Downingtown:
Amani’s BYOB
Ring in the New Year with Amani’s by saying good-bye to 2010 over a local, farm-forward four-course meal. Join Jon and Jeanine Amann at their award-winning eatery, which happened to nab the “Best Chef of Chester County” title this fall. The local East Lancaster Avenue restaurant will host a prix fixe menu for the evening that already has our mouths watering, concluding with a toast-worthy glass of complimentary champagne and homemade limoncello. Reserve your spot today by calling 484-237-8179. Cost is $75 per person.
Firecreek Restaurant
20 E. Lancaster Ave., Downingtown, 610-269-6000
With seatings at 5, 5:30, 7, 7:30 and 9 p.m., Downingtown’s ultra-chic steakhouse is full of glitz for your celebration. Offering a four-course prix fixe dinner at $75 per person ($100 if you opt for the wine pairings), Firecreek will satisfy your tastebuds as you select from one of four choices per course. Everything mouth-watering is the evening’s roundup — from crispy pork belly and duck confit and brie quesadillas, to veal osso bucco and pan-fried monkfish medallions. Even better, their dessert lineup is darling, including egg nog creme brulee and bananas foster done tableside. Book your table today!
Thorndale Inn
430 Bondsville Rd., Downingtown, 610-269-5455
Head to this gorgeous and graceful country inn to enjoy a top-notch dinner as your last meal of the year. Preparing a special menu for New Year’s Eve, available from 4:30 to 11 p.m., the eatery also invites guests to dance away 2010 in their lounge. From 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., they will have a DJ, party favors and all the necessary accompaniments to ringing in 2011. Call to reserve your spot. The Thorndale Inn will also be open for lunch and dinner on New Year’s Day.
The Note
142 E Market St, West Chester
Ring in 2012 with local favorite Hoots & Hellmouth at their second annual New Year’s Eve party with Mason Porter. Hoots & Hellmouth creates new music for old souls. Their second full-length effort, “The Holy Open Secret,” continues to blaze a trail in the name of progressive revival. Tickets are $20 in advance and $22 day of show. The show is for 21 and older only. Drinks and food are available a la carte.
Vudu Lounge at High Street Caffe
322 S High St, West Chester, 610-696-7435
Groove to some live blues with the Johnny DeFrancesco Power Trio and Donny Syracuse. Enjoy some delicious food without the prix-fix prices and sip on some champagne special drinks. Visit www.highstreetcaffe.com for details.
Side Bar and Restaurant
10 E Gay St., West Chester, 610-429-8297
Looking for a no-hassle New Year’s Eve? How about a no cover, no package deal, just come out like other nights and enjoy the DJ upstairs to rock into the New Year? Dress to impress!
Kooma
151 W Gay St., West Chester, 610-430-8980
A $10 cover gets you a champagne toast with appetizers, featuring lots of tempting items like edamame, dumplings, spring rolls and more. You’ll also have access to $5 Stoli punches and $3 Heinekens, Coronas and Amstel Lites. A DJ will be spinning all night. Specials are from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.
The Olive Branch (two locations)
142 W Gay St., West Chester, 610-431-714
11411 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, 610-455-0115
Welcome 2011 with an all-inclusive, five-course dinner including dessert. The deal also includes a bottle of champagne for each table! Call for more details. $75 per person
Ram’s Head
40 E. Market St., West Chester, 484-631-0241
Enjoy their special menu for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. A live band (Proximity Effect) will be playing from 10 p.m. to c losing, and a champagne toast will be offered at midnight. They are also open all day on New Year’s Day and will have a free wing buffet between noon and 2 p.m., or while supplies last.
Mas
102 E. Market St., West Chester, 610-918-6280
Ole! A DJ will be playing from 8 p.m. to midnight. All you can eat and drink for $49.99 per person, or receive a couples discount (buy one, get one half-off). Every hour on the hour, starting at 8 p.m., they will raffle off prizes. A champagne toast is offered at midnight.
Barnabys
15 S. High St., West Chester, 610-696-1400
On New Year’s Eve, kids eat free from 4 to 7 p.m. The downstairs is open with regular specials and a champagne toast at midnight. Upstairs, it’s Steak’s Annual New Year’s Eve Party. Tickets are $60 per person ($110 per couple), including a buffet, DJ, open bar from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., and a champagne toast at midnight.
For a full list of other Chester County New Year’s Eve happenings, check out the next issue of Chester County Cuisine and Nightlife (out December 29). Happy New Year!
