New Year’s Eve Party Planning

The countdown is on, and the decision is yours: a quiet night of culinary excellence or a party that requires a disclaimer?

We have curated four distinct ways to bid farewell to 2025 on James St, ranging from intimate social soirées to all-out spectacles. Whether you are chasing the comfort of Italian hospitality or a sensory overload of cabaret and champagne, here is your guide to where to be, and exactly what to wear, when the clock strikes twelve.

Biànca
If your idea of a perfect NYE involves carb-loading in the chicest way possible, Biànca is the place for you. The menu is a rollcall of hits: start with their mortadella milk bun and crudo di mare with fermented chilli, before moving onto rigatoni with tiger prawn and nduja. The main event is a rib-eye "tagliata" with salsa verde, that is closely followed by a crispy cannoli and pistachio gelato.

$150pp
Book here

The Look: You’ll want an outfit that is as put together as it is forgiving for an Italo occasion like this. Pair the Silk Twill Relaxed Slip Dress in milk from St. Agni with the black Padded Thong Heel from bassike and the black Raffia Pouch Bag from CAMILLA and you’ll be set to eat your way through the night.

Mosconi
If you prefer your countdown with a subtle side of luxury, secure a table at Mosconi. This is Old World charm done right: crisp white linen, dim lighting, and a menu that leans heavily into the ocean. You’ll be dining on Pacific oysters and Moreton Bay bug lasagne before tackling a roast sirloin, kipfler potatoes, tiramisu and peach granita. It’s sophisticated, intimate, and the perfect place to hide from the chaos of the city.

$160pp
Book here

The Look: Channel off-duty Bond and opt for a tailored look of the Jobby Jacket in Light Khaki from Calexico Man,  Classic Chinos in off-white and Ice Cotton Polo from P.Johnson, topped off with the Fratelli Rossetti Dark Brown Driving Loafers from Mitchell Ogilvie.

Penelope
There’s no such thing as a quiet night in when Penelope is involved and NYE is no exception. An all-inclusive evening, Penelope RED is a full-blown spectacle of drag queens, burlesque dancers, French hors d’oeuvres, caviar bumps, and free-flow martinis and enough Laurent Perrier Champagne to see you through to 2026.

$260pp
Book here

The Look: Subtlety has no place here. Make an entrance in the Cult Gaia Pemma Knit Dress from The New Trend and up the glitz and glamour with gold accessories like the Aquazzura Tease Sandal from Maryon’s Shoes and the Double Drop Hoop Earrings from Natasha Schweitzer.

sAme sAme
Spice, rice, and all things nice is what sAme sAme are bringing to the table for your countdown celebrations. Think ma oor pork with fresh pineapple, king prawn salad with coconut caramel and sour mango, seared duck breast, and a rich southern Thai-style curry of beef shin. And, as all good celebrations should, this one ends on a sweet note of Thai pandan kaya pudding, crispy lotus flower, and coconut sorbet.

$150pp
Book here

The Look: The vibe here is effortlessly cool; both in temperature and in style. Layer the 90s Slip Dress in Hazelnut over the matching Bias Cut Pants from Silk Laundry, then add some fitting flair with the red Simone Rocha Double Pierce Drip Earrings from Camargue and equally as fiery Wrentit Sandals in poppy red from Bared Footwear.