A Cosmic Disco and Spit-Roasted Goat: Ring In 2026 at These Restaurants and Bars

There’s no wrong way to do New Year’s Eve. Whether you’re looking for a big party, an elegant evening with views of the fireworks, or something more laid-back, these top Melbourne venues have you covered.

Johnny’s Green Room, Carlton

If you’re looking for a party, no one does it quite like the crew at Johnny’s Green Room. The rooftop bar on Lygon Street is hosting a cosmic-disco-themed party from 7pm to 1am. Culinary director Karen Martini has designed a menu including open calzones and tuna crudo available from food stations around the bar. There’ll also be a champagne tower, a special cocktail menu and a DJ line-up curated by Hope St Radio. Tickets are $300 per person and include one cocktail on arrival, as well as food, wine, beer and basic spirits.

Bistra, Carlton

This New Year’s Eve, intimate Carlton restaurant Bistra is serving a celebratory dinner. For $175 per person, enjoy a glass of NV Pol Roger Brut Reserve on arrival, followed by a three-course menu that includes tiger prawns with fermented chilli, eye fillet with peppercorn sauce and an ice-cream-filled cream puff with chocolate ganache. Book here.

Saadi, CBD

Chef couple Saavni Krishnan and Sriram Aditya are celebrating the year that was with a spit-roasted Meredith Dairy goat. Book a seat at Saadi, their Indian restaurant in the former Sunda space, and enjoy a set menu of small plates, spit-roasted goat and dessert for $100 per person. Book here.

Geralds Bar, Carlton North

The (giant) bar, pub and salon hybrid that is the new Geralds Bar is a guaranteed good time any day of the week. But this New Year’s Eve, the team is offering a $150 menu with a selection of charcuterie; small plates such as duck liver parfait with pickles; stuffed lamb saddle; and champagne cheesecake. Plus, a glass of champagne when the ball drops. Book here for the set menu. The bar and courtyard will also be available for walk-ins.

Daphne, Brunswick East

Daphne, Etta founder Hannah Green’s new venue in the former Bar Romantica space, is putting on a special $95 four-course menu with oysters, pasta, cheese and champagne available as add-ons. Celebrate the start of 2026 with dishes including mortadella skewers, a Bloody Mary heirloom tomato salad, a choice of mains and pavlova. The front bar will be available for walk-ins.

Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar, Yarraville

Yarraville favourite Eleni’s Kitchen and Bar is hosting a celebration that the team says will “bring the spirit and energy of a Greek village party to Melbourne’s inner west”. For $120 per person, celebrate 2026 with a seat in Eleni’s outdoor courtyard and enjoy a set menu that includes meze platters with dips and house-pickled octopus; chargrilled king prawns; flash-fried calamari; lamb cutlets; gyros from the spit; and more. Plus, house-made vasilopita (a Greek New Year cake) and a glass of sparkling at midnight. There’ll also be a belly dancer, a live Greek band and plate smashing.

Askal and Inuman, CBD

There’s nothing quite like ringing in the new year (and watching the fireworks) from a rooftop bar in the CBD. At Inuman, the sibling bar to John Rivera’s Exhibition Street restaurant Askal, you can enjoy a $65 per person sips and snacks shared grazing menu with two hours of free-flowing house beer, wine and spritzes. Or start with dinner at the downstairs restaurant, which comes with a complimentary glass of sparkling, cocktail or mocktail on arrival, and head up to the rooftop bar for a drink with a view of the fireworks right after.

Le Meridien Rooftop, CBD

Luxury hotel Le Méridien is going all-in for NYE, with a rooftop party at its Le Splash bar that will be long on canapes, oysters (there’s a dedicated bar) and free-flowing drinks. The hotel is located at the top end of the CBD, so it’s a prime spot to watch the fireworks at midnight. Before then, there are DJs and live bands. The party runs from 8pm to 12.30am.

The Waterside Hotel, CBD

Seven-level pub The Waterside Hotel reopened its doors this November after a multi-year renovation. It’s celebrating the start of 2026 with three events across the venue. The main New Year’s Eve party takes place from 7pm to 3am across the ground and first floors; get a ticket for $175 per person and enjoy roaming canapés, house drinks and a series of DJ sets including DJ Joey Lightbulb. Or book a table on the second floor at Past Port, the hotel’s Southeast Asian restaurant, and enjoy a banquet and a glass of sparkling for $145 per person. You’ll have the option to upgrade to a place on the fifth floor for views of the fireworks (for an additional $300 per person). And if you want to go all out, get a ticket for the open-air New Year’s Eve party on levels three and four. For $345 per person, you can enjoy city views, four hours of canapés and drinks, plus DJs until 3am. 

Brico, Carlton North

For a more laid-back start to 2026, visit the team at slick Carlton North wine bar Brico. It’ll be open from 5pm to well past midnight for you to pop in and enjoy the usual menu and topnotch wine list.

Yugen, South Yarra

Book at table at LK Hospitality Group’s South Yarra restaurants Omnia, an elegant European bistro, or Yugen, a subterranean Japanese restaurant, from 8.30pm and receive a complimentary ticket to Yugen’s New Year’s Eve party, which runs from 10.30pm to 1am. There’ll be a signature cocktail at the start of the party and roaming canapés from 10.30pm to 11.30pm.