Looking for free / no cover (or cheap) New Year’s Eve events? Look no further! We’ve rounded up top events across the city where you can have fun without the insane open bar tab!
Manhattan
Times Square New Year’s Eve: Experience the iconic ball drop in person at Times Square. Be sure to get there early and expect a long (but exciting!) night (Free)
Listerine NYE Pop-Up: Enjoy an immersive experience from 5pm-12:30am with interactive activities, photo experiences, exclusive swag and free product giveaways (Free)
Sour Mouse (Lower East Side): Enjoy pool, ping pong, foosball, life-size board games and a free champagne toast at midnight (No cover)
Sugar Mouse (East Village): Enjoy over 40 immersive projectors, a DJ, midnight toast, and cotton candy + small bites (No cover)
Albert’s Bar (Midtown East): Live DJ with midnight countdown, balloon drop, and champagne toast (No cover)
Somebody’s Darling (Upper East Side): Champagne toast, televised ball drop, photo booth, NYE party accessories (No cover)
Calaveras Corner (Manhattan Valley): Music, dancing, free shots at midnight and open til 4am! (No cover)
Cocteleria Perla Negra (Harlem): Live DJ, food and specialty martinis for purchase (No cover)
TIMES' UP! Annual New Year's Eve Bike Ride: Start the year off on your bike or skates. Join this group ride at one of 3 meetup locations, ride to Belvedere Castle in Central Park and enjoy the (free) after party! (Free)
St. Bart’s Concert to Usher in the New Year (Midtown East): Ring in the new year with a concert at 11 pm, followed by a champagne reception at the stroke of midnight. (Suggested donation: $20)
The Sanctuary RI (Roosevelt Island) Celebrate New Year’s Eve with The Sanctuary! Free entry, free food (passed Hors d'oeuvres), and a cash bar. (No cover)
Brooklyn
Prospect Park Celebration: Head to Grand Army Plaza starting at 10pm for live music followed by a light display at midnight (Free)
Vinyl Nights New Year’s Eve (Downtown Brooklyn): Special performances, 3 DJs, 75 inch TV at Somethin' Else (No cover)
King Tai Bar (Crown Heights): There will be a DJ with ‘00s pop, rap and dance bangers (No cover)
Three’s Brewing (Gowanus and Greenpoint): Second Annual Family-Friendly NYE Balloon Drop, with Sunset Balloon Drop & Sparkling Cider Toast 2-5pm (Gowanus only), followed by New Year’s Eve party with complimentary beer toast (both locations) (No cover)
Strong Rope Brewery (Red Hook): Food, music, a stream of the Ball Drop in Times Square, and a complimentary midnight toast with a spectacular harbor view with a chance to catch fireworks over the Statue of Liberty at midnight! (No cover)
Syndicated Brooklyn (Bushwick): DJ all night, free champagne toast at midnight (No cover)
Pine Box Rock Shop (Bushwick): Ring in the New Year with the longest running NYE Party in Bushwick! Free champagne at midnight, free noise makers, hats, tiaras and good times! (No cover)
Royal Palms Shuffleboard (Gowanus): Flamingo Formal: Free admission is offered but not guaranteed entry, you can also purchase beverage package or cabana)
Queens
Rivercrest (Astoria): DJs, complimentary champagne toast and party favors (No cover)
Fifth Hammer Brewing Co. (Long Island City): Ft. complimentary Toasts & Jams (bread + jam plus live music jams) (No cover)