Studio 16: New Year’s Eve at Mesa
Say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016 with hosted Ketel One punch bowls, hors d’oeuvres and a raw bar, live entertainment and of course–a disco house party. Raise your glasses for a champagne toast at midnight. 21 and over. Table reservations available with bottle service. Punch bowls and hors d’oeuvres 9-11:30 p.m.; 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Presale $50, at the door $100. Mesa, 725 Baker St., Costa Mesa, 714.557.6700. mesacostamesa.com
White & Gold Party
Raise your glasses and step into Newport Beach’s most stylish soirée for New Year’s Eve. Enjoy a four-course prix-fixe meal along with a lively cocktail reception inspired by the French Riviera. The menu includes options such as lamb chops, seared sea scallops and filet mignon. Cocktail reception options include truffle risotto, mushroom croquettes and more. Prix fixe menu 8:30 p.m.-close, $150; Cocktail reception 9 p.m.-close, $100. Fig & Olive, Fashion Island, 151 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.877.3005. figandolive.com
Havoc NYE 2016
Rock out to two stages of music at Festival Hall and The Yost Theatre. Freely move between the two venues with each stage featuring full light shows and LED screens, along with New Year’s party-effects such as cryo cannons, confetti and more. Some of the performers include renowned artists Milo & Otis, Destructo, Sweater Beats and more. For guests 21 and over, there will be access to a full bar and bottle service. 18 and over. See website for full lineup. 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $40-$70. Yost Theatre, 307 N. Spurgeon, Santa Ana, 714.989.3552. havocnye.com
Gatsby Glam New Year’s Eve
Step into the sparkling style of the Roaring ’20s for Aqua Lounge’s New Year’s Eve celebration. The ultra-chic lounge offers a four-course dinner at Oak Grill prior to entry for additional cost. 9 p.m. $150/pp includes entry and complimentary drink. Dinner package $250. Aqua Lounge, Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.760.4920. aqualoungenb.com
Countdown to 2016 with Chapter One
Join Chapter One’s 5th annual New Year’s Eve party, Rat Pack New Year’s Eve. Indulge on a five-course prix fixe menu with special bar menu offerings and champagne. Enjoy live music and dancing while sporting your best 1960’s attire. Raise your glasses as you countdown and celebrate with an exploding confetti canon and balloon drop. Reservations are required. Three specific seating times are available, call for availability. Chapter One: The Modern Local, 227 N. Broadway, Santa Ana, 714.352.2225. chapteronetml.com
Midnight at the Cliffs
Ring in the New Year with Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa. Enjoy the live music from Flashback Heart Attack in the Richard Henry Dana ballroom. Tickets include two drinks, small bites throughout the evening and a champagne toast at midnight. 9 p.m. $125-$145/pp. Laguna Cliffs Resort & Spa, 25135 Park Lantern, Dana Point, 949.661.5000. eventbrite.com
Colony Wine Merchant
Wine-down this New Year’s Eve as Colony Wine Merchant in Downtown Anaheim is kicking off the new year with class. Enjoy items on the prix-fixe menu of small bites including oysters with mignonette sauce, lump crab cakes, artisan cheese plates, hand-crafted chocolate flights from Valenza Chocolatier and a midnight toast with Lanson Champagne. Guests can sit back and enjoy live music by co-owner Mike Kelson throughout the night. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling ahead or emailing Events@ColonyWineMerchant.com. 9 p.m.-12 a.m. $100. 280 S. Lemon St., Anaheim, 657.208.1860. colonywinemerchant.com
Toast – A Midnight to Remember
Bling in the New Year with a little sparkle and a lot of flash with champagne and dancing at Red Bar & Lounge. Enjoy bubbly, handcrafted cocktails and a late-night menu to keep the revelry going all night long. Reserve a table for four-20 guests. Call for table pricing. 9-2 a.m. General admission $25/pp, includes champagne toast at midnight and party favors. Hotel Irvine, Red Bar & Lounge, 17900 Jamboree Road, Irvine, 949.225.6757. redbarandlounge.com
The Ritz Prime Seafood
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with some glitz and glam at The Ritz Prime Seafood.  In addition to their full dinner menu, The Ritz will be offering a special three-course prix fixe menu with wine pairings. Guests will begin with an amuse bouche from Chef Phil Kastel, then select from a number of appetizers and entrees, and for dessert select from indulgent options like passion fruit crème brûlée, chocolate flourless cake or a Piper Heidsieck Champagne toast. In addition, a festive holiday-themed cocktail will be available for one night only. 5-11 p.m. $150. 2801 W. Coast Hwy., Newport Beach, 949.720.1800. ritzprimeseafood.com
New Years Eve Dinner & Dance
See breathtaking views of Orange County with ceiling to floor windows at Orange County Mining Co. Enjoy a buffet dinner, live entertainment, dancing and, of course, a midnight champagne toast in the saloon that will take you back to the mining era. 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Orange County Mining Co., 10000 Crawford Canyon Rd., Orange, 714.997.7411. orangecountyminingco.com
Skyloft
See the brand new restaurant and celebrate New Years Eve with live entertainment, rooftop dining and ocean views. Skyloft will offer two seatings with a prix-fixe three-course menu featuring coast-to-coast fare such as glazed wild Atlantic salmon and herb roasted chicken. The Stone Jonez Band will be playing on the music stage on the main level of the restaurant throughout the night and guests can enjoy a complimentary glass of Champagne at midnight. The early seating is $55 from 5:00p.m. to 7:00 p.m. and the late seating is $75 from 8:00p.m. to 10:00p.m. For guests who are not dining, there is a cover charge of $25 after 9:00p.m. 422 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.1550. skyloftoc.com
SOCIAL Costa Mesa
Kick off your new year in style at one of Orange County’s trendiest nightlife destinations,SOCIAL Costa Mesa. Toast your champagne glasses and enjoy live music and an open menu. Make your reservations now. 6 p.m. 512 W. 19th St., Costa Mesa, 949.642.2425. socialcostamesa.com
Cucina Enoteca Newport Beach
End 2015 on a delicious note with a four-course specialty menu straight from Cucina Enoteca’s California-inspired Italian kitchen. Guests will be treated to Chef Brent Omeste’s beef tartare cannoli and mushroom stuffed quail with creamed Swiss chard, hazelnut, and balsamic bordelaise. Linger ‘till midnight over a shared plate of Caramelized Honey Budino for dessert, and say cheers to the beginning of a new year with a champagne toast. For those looking to feast on CUCINA Enoteca’s famous Italian staples, a full menu will be available to order from, as well as any pre fixe menu items a la carte. $68, optional wine pairing for additional $38. CUCINA enoteca Newport Beach, 951 Newport Center Drive, 949.706.1416. urbankitchengroup.com
Cucina Enoteca Irvine
Grab a table at CUCINA enoteca Irvine and indulge in a decadent four-course meal. Guests will be welcomed with with starters such as the New Zealand honey mussels and the chestnut agnolotti made with lamb sausage, maitake, ricotta salata and smoked tomato sugo. Moving onto the third course, diners will have their choice of veal piccata with toasted farro or the seared Hakkaido scallop with celery root, carrot, cipollini onion, red watercress and salsa verde. Cozy up to a plate of Almond Torte for dessert, and raise a glass to 2016 with CUCINA’s champagne countdown. $68, optional wine pairing for additional $38. CUCINA enoteca Irvine, 532 Spectrum Center Drive, 949.861.2222. urbankitchengroup.com
NYE at Oak Grill
Conclude 2015 with Executive Chef Marc Johnson’s elegant, celebratory four-course prix fixe menu. Choose from dishes such as oysters Rockefeller with bacon lardoons, young spinach and parmesan; roasted turbot with braised savoy cabbage, persimmons and celery root puree; and braised Wagyu cheeks with parmesan gnocchi, Swiss chard, forest mushrooms and bordelaise. All will be accompanied by a choice of cocktail or a bubbly glass of Veuve Clicquot champagne. 5-11 p.m. $130 per person; $25 for children ages five to 12; children four and under are complimentary. Call for reservations. Oak Grill, Island Hotel, 690 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949-760-4920. oakgrillnb.com
Red O
Grab your glass of champagne upon entrance for an evening to remember at Red O. There will be special chef features on the menu and for reservations made after 9 p.m., guests will receive party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. 143 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, 949.718.0300. redorestaurant.com
Mozambique
Bid farewell to 2015 with South African-inspired cuisine and rooftop ocean view dining. The upscale eatery and lounge invites guests to ring in the new year with a special menu and live music. The menu will include favorites such as the Atlantic lobster tail, served with Mozambique rice, asparagus, peri-peri sauce and lemon butter sauce or the Chilean sea bass made with Moroccan spices and served with a potpourri of artichokes, fennel, tomatoes, asparagus, pesto mashed potatoes and a buerre blanc sauce. Mozambique will offer two separate seatings throughout the night, one from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00p.m. for $69.00 and a second seating from 6:00p.m. to beyond, for $99.00 which will also include live music from The Andrew Bloom Band. 1740 S. Coast Hwy., Laguna Beach, 949.715.7777. mozambiqueoc.com