Part 1.
-New Year
Each country has their way of celebrating the new year and saying goodbye to the old. Most celebrate with a large display of the fireworks, going to a party, toasting and drinking champagne and let’s not forget the countdown to the new year’s kiss, five, four, three, two, one HAPPY NEW YEAR! Some traditions are old, and some are new, one thing is evident each time we come together to celebrate and wish for a better and a healthier year. An old Russian saying “How you spend your new year is a reflection of how you will live that year” and the main reason why I decided to party my way into 2018 at the Sydney Opera Bar.
Located on the doorstep of the opera house, on New Year’s Eve this particular bar offers an excellent view of the Harbour Bridge fireworks and a wildly fun party leading up to midnight. Doors open at 6 pm and the party goes until 2 am.
Roughly one million people show up for this event, flooding the street to get a great view of the midnight spectacular. Planning your day well in advance is going to help. Many of the best viewing locations are ticketed and get sold out within months away from the New Year’s Eve event. I purchased my tickets a month in advance, the best advice I can give is don’t wait until the last minute, or you will be disappointed either by the prices or lack of availability.
Sydney Opera Bar charges an entrance fee of around $350 pp USD. The price may seem high, or at least my first reaction was outrage and disbelieve. However, after comparing rates with other venues, for example, a New Year spend on a boat will cost anywhere from $550 pp to $1000 pp. Therefore, I thought the Opera Bar was a pretty good deal a promising location, fair pricing (at the time) and a fantastic view (book in advance). All prices are in USD.
Four reasons I liked the Opera Bar New Year’s Eve Party:
One: Fabulous view, it feels like you can reach the Harbour bridge. The water is right there, and the passing boats light up the Harbour creating a magnificent light display. Sydney is an incredible city that has thought of everything and everyone. Proving two fireworks shows one starts at 9 pm, designed and meant for families with small children and the other massive show begins at the last stroke of midnight.
Two: By purchasing the Opera Bar entrance ticket, you skip the lines. You don’t have to wake up early to get a great spot next to the water all you have to do is show up and show your ticket. The best part everything is controlled, only people with vouchers can enter specific areas, and it doesn’t get crowded for example like Times Square on New Year’s Eve.
Three: The tickets included food, (and I mean food food), no fast food or chips. The servers came around with trays filled with lamb chops, grilled scallops, shrimp cocktail, mini chicken burgers, delicious quesadilla, ice cream and many other delicious dishes that I was too full to try. Please note the only thing not included in the ticket price is alcohol. If you plan on buying campaign it’s only sold by the bottle and costs USD 120, a glass of wine is around $12, and a pint of beer is $10.
Four: Entertainment was on point! The dance floor seemed large enough to fit one hundred people, on stage live music filled the air, bands and singers performed, and people sang along, and after midnight the DJ made you want to dance your night away. It didn’t stop with music; throughout the open-air bar, there was something to do, first a fun photo booth where you could get creative by picking out fun accessories to make your picture funny and memorable. As well different performers walk or skate around entreating the crowd. Time flies when you’re having fun!
