10+ places to celebrate New Year's Eve in DTSA

Whether you look back at 2018 and feel it was joyful 12 months, or you’re just excited to start fresh in 2019, New Year’s Eve is a time to come together with friends and celebrate! If you’re looking for an elegant NYE dinner, or the best bar-hopping in OC, Downtown Santa Ana has you covered. Here are 12 exciting New Year’s Eve happenings to consider!

DINNER EVENTS

*DEC 30th
There’s no rule that says you can’t start celebrating the New Year early. 

Irenias “Pre-New Year’s Lechon Party”
Modern Filipino hot-spot Irenia will be hosting a Pre-New Years Lechon Party, featuring a slow-roasted whole pig as the centerpiece of the meal. Menu will be served family style.
(Subject to change without notice, based on product availability) 

​To reserve your seats email sarah@ireniarestaurant.com
First seating- 6:00pm, last seating- 8:00pm
Price: $65 per person
Address: 400 N Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (657) 245-3466

---

DEC 31st
​
Playground’s "Sunday Supper: NYE Edition" 
Downtown’s dining gem, Playground, will be hosting an Epic 10-course tasting meal of shared plates with entree selections of rib-eye steak, loup de mer en papillote, Uncle Lou’s Chicken or their famous Pork Chop (which will be leaving the menu after this event). Reservations are  made by table from 4-12ppl.

Reservations made by table size from 4-12ppl
Price $400-$1600
Visit https://www.playgrounddtsa.com/reservations/
Address: 220 E 4th St #102, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 560-4444

---

Chapter One: The Modern Local “New Year’s Eve Celebration”
If you’re looking for a date night that includes dinner, plus a flight of Pappy Van Winkle, a bottle of bubbly, and a party until 2am, look no further than Chapter One, the Modern Local’s New Year’s Eve celebration! If the Pappy dinner for two isn’t your speed, you can make a still make a dining reservation and order off their special New Years Eve menu.
​
$250 plus tax & gratuity (Limited Amount)
Visit http://chapteronetml.com/
Address: 227 N Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 352-2225

---

​El Mercado’s “New Year's Eve Celebration”
El Mercado is normally closed on Monday night, but New Year’s Eve is an exception. They’re opening their doors and serving their regular dinner and amazing cocktails, with special offerings from the chef. 

A'la Carte 6:30-11:30
Visit www.mercadomodern.com/contact-reservations
Address: 301 N Spurgeon St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 338-2446

---

Velvet Lounge
Velvet Lounge is offering an exciting New Year’s Eve with tickets to the “The Best of Dinner and Drag” which includes an upgraded 3-course meal, plus tickets to DTSA’s favorite drag queen productions. Non-dinner ticket options are also available. 

Price ranges from 14.99-99.00
Visit Velvet Lounge Reservations
Address: 416 W 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 664-0663

---

Electric City Butcher
If you’d rather stay in and host your own New Year’s Eve party, Electric City Butcher is featuring some delicious Holiday Cuts and Creations. Festive classics like Beef Wellingtons, Pate en Croute, and Goose are among the offerings!

Visit https://www.electriccitybutcher.com/
Address: ​201 E 4th St, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 474-9096

---

DOWNTOWN DRINKS

Copper Door's "New Year's Eve Neon Party"
The Copper Door has a bevy of holiday nights leading up to New Years Eve, including NYE Neon Party featuring Power106 DJ Precise and MC Qui West. Live music will be back-to-back from 8pm-2am, but get there early if you want to enjoy the open bar from 8pm-10pm.

Visit thecopperdoorbar.com/upcoming-events/
Address: 225 N Broadway, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 696-1479

---

Pizza Press
Build-your-own pizza press is known for custom pies, but they always have a great rotating selection of beer on tap. On New Years Eve, they're offering all beers for a cool $5.

Visit https://www.thepizzapress.com/location/santa-ana-ca/
Address: 117 W 4th St Unit 101-102, Santa Ana, CA 92701
Phone: (714) 760-4425

​
​La Santa Modern Cantina
One of the hippest spots on the East end, known live music and sports, is open for New Years late into the night. Details of the nights programming are still to come.

Congregation Ale House
The newest addition to the Artists Village is open, serving food and drinks until 2am. Patrons ringing in the New Year at Congregation will be treated to a complimentary Midnight champagne toast.

Mission Bar
Also open for business on New Year's Eve is local favorite Mission bar, with a curated list of craft beers on tap. The intimate bar will stay open past the New Year for those wanting to stay late and count down to 2019.

Native Son Alehouse
One of the best patios in town can be found upstairs on the corner of 4th St. and Spurgeon at Native Son Alehouse. If you're looking to cheers the New Year with craft beers, you'll be a happy camper.

Do you see an event missing from this New Year's Festivities? Please email events@downtown-inc.com and we'll be sure to add it to the list!

---

Article compiled by Scott Levy, DTSA Restaurant District Manager