What to Do for New Year’s Eve in Baton Rouge
We’re just a few short weeks away from one of the biggest party nights of the year — New Year’s Eve. We’re ringing in the start of a new year as well as a new decade, so the celebration has to be epic. It’s time for us to rejoice in the successes of 2019 and the 2010s as a whole and to leave behind our struggles to start anew. Whether Baton Rouge is your home or you’re just in town for this momentous occasion, grab your friends and get ready to party. Pick one New Year’s event to attend or try to hit them all if you’re feeling ambitious — 10 years to celebrate, and 10 places to do it.
When deciding where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Baton Rouge, consider these festivities:
1. Grab a Night Cap at The Gregory
Start your night off right at one of Baton Rouge’s top restaurants for New Year’s Eve, The Gregory, for happy hour from 4:00PM to 7:00PM. The Gregory is located in the Watermark hotel near the Mississippi River and capitol building in downtown Baton Rouge. Along with our full bar menu, we offer some signature cocktails such as the Thunder & Spice with Bayou Spiced Rum and Ancho Reyes Chile or the Cucumber Cloud with Hendrick’s Gin and Fleur Elderflower. Want to grab a bite while you’re here too? We offer a burger and fries special during our happy hour that can’t be beat. Looking for a place to eat earlier in the day? Head next door to Milford’s on Third for a genuine delicatessen menu featuring bagels and schmears, deli sandwiches and pastries and baked goods.
Why stop at New Year’s Eve? Join us at The Gregory on New Year’s Day to watch the LSU Tigers play in the Fiesta Bowl. We’re hosting the Pregame Radio Show starting at 10:00AM. In addition to our full menu, enjoy a special dish of smothered rabbit with cabbage and black-eyed peas as well as special pricing on bloody marys and mimosas.
2. Fourth Annual Rockin’ In the New Year at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center
For the fourth year in a row, celebrate the new year at this annual New Year’s Eve party in Baton Rouge with Ryan Foret and Foret Tradition at the Lamar Dixon Expo Center. Doors open at 8:00PM and the band starts playing at 9:00PM. Tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. Purchase eight tickets or more to reserve a table. This event is BYOB and soft drinks and Jambalaya will be sold with proceeds benefitting the nonprofit, Anything Outdoors.
3. Glow All Out at Topgolf
For an unforgettable 2019 New Year’s Eve in Baton Rouge, attend the midnight celebration at Topgolf from 9:00PM to 1:00AM. Enjoy unlimited Topgolf gameplay and music all night from a live DJ. Ring in the New Year with a fireworks show at midnight and remember the evening with glow in the dark favors. Go for the VIP Bay Reservation package for exclusive access to their Premium Feast from 9:30PM to 11:00PM and a bottle of sparkling wine for your group to share.
4. Celebrate a Night of Music at Crowne Plaza Executive Center
Experience a variety of music styles with a three-group musical performance at Crowne Plaza Executive Center featuring The Eddie Smith Band, Chase Tyler Band and Carbon Copy Band. These local Louisiana bands play a range of music from all generations and across a range of genres. Dance the night away or relax and enjoy the music while taking part in the dinner buffet and open bar.
5. The Roaring 2020 Party at George’s Place
Break out your flapper dresses and feather boas to celebrate The Roaring 2020 at George’s Place — located between downtown Baton Rouge and Louisiana State University. Ring in the new ‘20s decade with this 1920s themed party featuring performances from The Krewe of Divas. Finish off the countdown to the New Year with a champagne toast at midnight to welcome the year 2020.
6. Rooftop Sparkle Party at Tsunami Sushi
Attend Tsunami Sushi’s annual rooftop dining experience and terrace party to celebrate the new year under the stars from 7:30PM to 12:30AM. A ticket for general admission to the terrace party includes a buffet and sushi stations with a champagne toast at midnight. Dance under the stars as a DJ plays or capture the memory of the night with friends in the photo booth. The VIP ticket will get you a five-course meal in the main dining room in addition to access to the terrace party.
7. 2020 New Year Celebration at Splash Nightclub
Stop by Baton Rouge’s largest dance club, Splash Nightclub, for music, dancing and complimentary champagne at midnight. Splash offers two dance floors with a variety of music to dance to on each and a stage with a 24-foot screen playing dance videos. Celebrate 2020 at Splash with a balloon drop for prizes and free party favors upon entry. You could win a year VIP pass to Splash, Splash gift cards and more.
8. Light Up the Night at L’auberge Casino & Hotel
Enjoy a lineup of live music at L’auberge Casino & Hotel with two performances open to the public and one exclusive for ticket holders only. At 9:00PM, head to the Promenade to see Press 1 For English perform covers of classic rock favorites and current hits. At 10:00PM, listen to The Anteeks perform at Edge, L’aberge’s music bar that features outdoor seating overlooking the Mississippi River. If you’ve purchased a ticket, finish the evening with the New Year’s Eve Bash in the Event Center with an open bar and live musical performance from Pants Party.
9. Paint Your Champagne Bottle at Painting With A Twist
If you’re looking for low-key things to do on New Year’s Eve in Baton Rouge, reserve a spot at Painting With A Twist from 7:00PM to 9:00PM to create an acrylic painting of a champagne bottle on a canvas or a wood plank board to celebrate the incoming New Year. Painting With A Twist is a BYOB studio, so snacks and drinks are welcome. Grab a group of friends and finish the year in a relaxing and creative way.
10. Red Stick Revelry Celebration in Downtown Baton Rouge
After its start on New Year’s Eve 2013, Red Stick Revelry has become the pièce de résistance of New Year’s Eve celebrations and is where everyone in Baton Rouge will end up by midnight. An LED-lighted Red Stick sits atop the Town Square Beacon as Baton Rouge’s own version of the Times Square Ball in New York City. Before the countdown, enjoy music by Phat Hat at the Crest Stage in Galvez Plaza starting at 9:00PM. When the clock strikes twelve, be sure to watch the Red Stick descend and mark the beginning of the New Year while admiring a fireworks show over the Mississippi River. If you’re looking for New Year’s Eve fireworks in Baton Rouge, this is the place to be.
Celebrate With The Gregory
Whether you’re stopping by on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day or any other day of the year, The Gregory feels like a celebration. Enjoy a carefully crafted selection of food and beverages at any time from breakfast to dinner and beyond. It doesn’t matter where you celebrate New Year’s Eve in Baton Rouge — at the Gregory, we can make any day feel like a special occasion.