Eight Sydney venues for last-minute New Year's Eve celebrations

Party plans in disarray? Left your New Year's Eve to the last-minute, again? These venues (and plenty of others) have seats that need filling, as Covid-related cancellations wreak havoc with their reservations.

Of course, if you have any symptoms at all, even mild ones, you should stay at home and get tested as soon as possible. Anyone who plans on socialising on New Year's Eve should do a rapid antigen test before meeting up with others.

Now, get ready to raise a glass to 2022.

Il Pontile (Woolloomooloo)
Not just a prime spot for seeing the show in the sky, Il Pontile on Finger Wharf is also your destination for New Year's Eve with an Italian bent. Dishes that symbolise good luck, such as pig's trotter with lentils, are joined by summery fare like caprese salad and grilled seafood, with a glass of prosecco's grown-up cousin, franciacorta, to kick things off. $250 for 4 courses. Book via ilpontile.com.au

Ruse Bar and Brasserie (Parramatta)
End the year on a high with prime cuts from the Josper grill, French bistro classics like beef tartare or seafood, if that's more your vibe. Sit outside on the terrace or ask for a seat with a view of the action in the open kitchen, as you raise a glass of Louis Roederer to a better 2022. From 5.30pm, a la carte menu available. Book via rusebarandbrasserie.com

Loulou (Lavender Bay)
If your 2021 didn't have enough French flair, make up for it on December 31 at Sydney's newest bistro. Paris Brest topped with foie gras, a seafood platter crammed with oysters, prawns and yellowfin tuna, a whole roasted fish in a Champagne-lifted sauce - yep, Loulou really does know how to party. Caviar, lobster and bottles of Champagne all optional but highly recommended. $195 per person for 9-dish shared menu. Book via loulou.sydney

Backyard at The Alex (Alexandria)
Keen to take it outside? Look no further than this local beer garden reimagined as a venue in its own right. There's shade for the kids, screens to watch sport (or the fireworks on December 31), skewers of chargrilled goodness from Firepop and pub staples like cheeseburgers or schnitties by Wholly Schnitt. Sounds like the perfect spot to keep the whole household happy. Walk-ins for groups under 10 people; bookings for 10 or more via merivale.com.au

Monopole (CBD)
Wind back the clock and revel in the OTT vibes of the 1980s for one night only at Monopole. The kitchen is dipping into the archives with devilled eggs, corn vol-au-vents, steak Diane and a choc-cherry bombe Alaska, while sommelier Nick Hildebrandt has raided the cellar for some top drops from the decade. Will you join the fun with an appropriately retro outfit? $150 per person for 5 courses. Book via monopolesydney.com.au/newyearseve2021

Lola's Level 1 (Bondi Beach)
Beautiful people, beautiful food and a beautiful room are all part of the package at Lola's, the new restaurant perched above Bondi, serving chargrilled plates drawn from the Spanish and Italian playbooks. On the last night of the year, that means spiced lamb skewers with goat's curd, burrata with citrus and basil, Bannockburn chicken with macadamia salsa, and meringue dotted with mango, passionfruit and creme diplomat. And outside? Well, it's all about that view. From 7pm, $150 per person for 12-dish set menu. Book via lolaslevel1.com.au

101 George Street (CBD)
Good times outdoors in The Rocks sounds like the party you want to be at. And when the Swillhouse Group are hosting at their pop-up bar, there's no question about it. DJ Nitecall is providing the tunes, the fireworks will be burning bright and every ticket includes a drink to welcome you. The fun starts at 7pm. $35 per person. Book via eventbrite.com.au

Woodcut (Barangaroo)
The flames of the grill at Woodcut will add drama of the best kind to your New Year's Eve, whether you opt for four courses earlier in the evening or a luxe seven-course feast later on. Both feature wagyu and marron, plus salmon smoked over red gum and a glass of Charles Heidsieck to set the mood, but if you're staying up till the wee hours, Southern rock lobster, Maremma duck and an aged Comte custard are your reward. First sitting $350 for 4 courses, from 5.30pm. Second sitting $750 for 7 courses from 8.30pm. Kids' menus available. Book via crownsydney.com.au