Top 10 ways to spend New Year’s Eve in Brooklyn

December 22, 2017 By Scott Enman Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Photo by Jim McDonnell

1. Amble Across the Brooklyn Bridge

With little chance of rain, spend the evening walking across the Brooklyn Bridge or the Brooklyn Heights Promenade if the overpass is too crowded. Come around midnight to see fireworks all over the city’s skyline from Brooklyn, Central Park, New Jersey and even Staten Island.

There’s also NYC Walks’ annual “Brooklyn Bridge Walk Into The New Year,” a historical guided tour. Learn tidbits about the history of the borough’s most famous landmark. At midnight, the excursion will pause so that attendees can feast their eyes on the many pyrotechnic displays.

Afterward, hop on the subway or take a cab to another event on our list.

2. New Year’s Eve Grand Army Plaza Fireworks Show

As another alternative to heading into Manhattan, New Yorkers can check out Grand Army Plaza’s 38th annual fireworks show just off of Prospect Park with Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams and the Prospect Park Alliance. The event is free and the fireworks start at midnight.

Be sure to arrive early, as it gets crowded well before the clock strikes midnight. There will be live entertainment starting at 10:30 p.m.

3. Cityfox’s 26.2-Hour Party

This one is not for the faint of heart. This marathon affair runs from 10 p.m. on Dec. 30 until 12:12 a.m. on Jan. 2.

With a massive lineup of underground talent, including Dixon, Lee Burridge and The Martinez Brothers, among many more, this is not to be missed. Cityfox Marketing Director Simar Singh confirmed with the Brooklyn Eagle that “nearly every DJ” would be playing extended sets of at least three hours.

“We’re offering long sets from some pretty incredible house music acts, among the most well known, some lesser known, some who’ve been at it for decades,” Singh told the Eagle.

“We’ll have top tier sound and production in a large and medium sized rooms, a lounge, food, great drinks and good vibes. If that strikes your fancy, come on by!”

4. New Year’s Eve Masquerade

Bid adieu to 2017 and say hello to 2018 at Sleepy & Boo’s New Year’s Masquerade at TBA Brooklyn in Williamsburg.

This married house and techno DJ duo has hosted many unforgettable parties at this discreet nightspot tucked underneath the Williamsburg Bridge. The affair will feature a four-hour premium open bar, an open buffet, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. Need we say more?

5. BangOn!NYC’s Time and Space

Travel through time and space at BangOn!NYC’s New Year’s Eve party with deep house DJ and Ibiza mainstay Claptone.

If you don’t know the name BangOn!NYC by now, you should. The company has established itself as a staple of the Brooklyn house music scene, having thrown many legendary warehouse parties.

BangOn!NYC prides itself on not only bringing in a stellar lineup of DJs and artists, but also on creating an immersive, interactive and innovative experience for its guests.

Expect two stages, a silent disco, art installations, a planetarium and many nooks and crannies to get lost in.

6. New Year, New Beer

It doesn’t get more Brooklyn than this. Spend the night at Brooklyn Brewery’s New Year’s Eve bash. The event will feature an open bar with 21 different beers, barrel-aged releases and an unreleased ghost bottle.

There will also be music and tasty snacks from Stuf’d.

7. Coney Island New Year’s Eve Celebration

Ring in 2017 at the Fourth Annual Coney Island New Year’s Eve Celebration.

Attendees will be treated to live entertainment, sideshow performances, free rides and free ice skating starting at 6 p.m.

At midnight, there will be a firework show off the beach and boardwalk. Don’t forget to watch the midnight ball drop from the Parachute Jump next to MCU Park.

Did we mention there will be free rides on the B&B Carousell, Deno’s Wonder Wheel and the Thunderbolt rollercoaster from 6 to 9:30 p.m.?

“Coney Island is once again the place to be when ringing in the New Year,” Councilmember Mark Treyger said.

“The People’s Playground will have everything you need — the beautiful views from the boardwalk, exhilarating rides, delicious treats, live music and fantastic fireworks — to welcome 2018 in style.”

8. New Year’s Eve Ride

Now in it’s 20th year, the New Year’s Eve ride must be doing something right given its long tenure.

Start 2018 off right on your bike or skates. The ride begins at 9:45 p.m. on the Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge. The route will then bring you to Washington Square Park, Madison Square Park and finally to Belvedere Castle in the middle of Central Park. At that point, enjoy a free dance party with fireworks.

Festive attire is encouraged, and don’t forget to bring food and drink. Be careful not to ride and imbibe!

9. Gemini and Scorpio’s Sensory Playground

One never knows what to expect at Gemini and Scorpio’s 3,000-square-foot loft in Gowanus. Enjoy a night of “sensory exploration” at the company’s Masked party.

This year’s event will feature body painting, massages, blindfolded touch exploration, scent activation and spin the bottle, all in a lush setting.

There will, of course, be dancing too.

10. New Club, Who Dis?

Elsewhere, the latest venue to join North Brooklyn, is a 24,000-square-foot warehouse turned nightclub in East Williamsburg on the Bushwick border.

Dance to some disco as English quintet Hot Chip takes listeners deep into the New Year with a rare DJ set.

With a 675-capacity performance hall, a 200-person cafe, bar and art gallery, and a 500-capacity rooftop, there will be lots of room to make mischief.

Follow reporter Scott Enman on Twitter.