Summer, schmummer: the Catskills shine in the holiday season, too. What says “Happy New Year” more than a glass of bubbly next to a roaring fire, with locally produced food on the table and good music on the speakers? The region’s restaurants, bars and craft beverage makers host a wide range of celebrations to put 2016 to bed and kickstart 2017. Here are a few of our picks for both New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
The countdown is starting, so unless you want to stay home and play board games (not that there’s anything wrong with that!), make your reservations now.
Dinners and Parties
The Bull & Garland (Hobart): Missing Prince and David Bowie? Delaware County’s new English pub ushers in 2017 by mourning the fallen stars of 2016. Guests are encouraged to dress in costume for “a night of self-indulgence, commiseration and wild abandonment” featuring dinner, dancing and prizes. From 6 to 9 p.m., enjoy a three-course menu for $45/person, which includes a toast; reservations required by Dec. 26. After 9 p.m., the party is free, with a cash bar.
Cabernet Frank’s (Parksville): The Sullivan County music venue puts on a hootenanny of a dance party. The kitchen opens at 6 p.m., the bands start at 9 p.m. and midnight brings complimentary bubbly and a buffet. Tickets are $10/advance and $12/door. Details on the Facebook event page.
Dancing Cat Saloon and Catskill Distilling (Bethel): The combination restaurant and distilling company hosts an early prix-fixe dinner seating (5 to 8 p.m.) and a second seating that includes dinner, live music, midnight snacks and champagne. The first is $45/person; the second is $80/person and covers admission to the dance party with the Somerville Brothers Band. See the full menu for both meals and more details on the Facebook event page.
Deer Mountain Inn (Tannersville): The cozy mountainside restaurant and lodge throws a two-part party, with a prix-fixe dinner from 5 to 9 p.m. ($50/person) followed by a Harlequin Masquerade Party ($150/person). The party runs until 2 a.m. with an open bar, passed hors d’ oeuvres and a live band. Call 518-589-6268 or email info@deermountaininn.com for tickets; more info on the Facebook event page.
The Heron (Narrowsburg): A special holiday meal served as a tasting menu or a la carte kicks off the night, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the restaurant. At 6 p.m., the doors open at the Emerald Ballroom for a New Year’s Eve party featuring drink specials and live streaming from Times Square.
Peekamoose Restaurant & Tap Room (Big Indian): Tickets are going fast for the popular restaurant’s after-hours dance party, which runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Revelers will enjoy DJ music, dancing, savory and sweet vittles, a champagne toast, party favors, confetti cannons and a professional photo booth. Tickets are $45 per person. Call 845-254-6500 or email info@peekamooserestaurant.com for tickets and info.
The Sullivan (Rock Hill): Indulge in an old-fashioned ball, featuring a cocktail party with a raw bar, open bar, dinner, dessert and dancing, all for $139/person including tax and tip. Call 845-796-3100 for reservations; discounted room rates also available for party-goers.
Wayside Cider (Andes): The cidery’s brand-new tap room will be buzzing with DJ music for a fireside dance party that runs until late., with locally sourced pulled pork buns for $3, and a bar stocked with Wayside’s excellent offerings. Read more about the new tap room in our recent story.
Brunch
Ate O Ate Catering @ Union Grove Distillery (Arkville): Caterer Rich Ellsworth sets up shop for a locally sourced three-course prix-fixe brunch from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. ($25/person). Banish your hangover with sausage, biscuits and gravy, French toast or several other entrée options. Reservations required, call 607-326-3392. See the full menu here.
Heather Ridge Farm (Preston Hollow): The cozy on-farm cafe puts on a special brunch over the holiday weekend, both Saturday, Dec. 31 and Sunday, Jan. 1, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy the mountain views from the historic farmhouse, or take part in a farm tour that starts at 11 a.m. Adults pay $24 and kids pay their age. Reservations requested: 518-239-6234 or heatherridgefarm@aol.com. More details on the Facebook event page.
Reynolds & Reynolds (Woodstock): Beer and light bites await at the Catskills’ newest bottle shop and tap room, which opened in October. Proprietor Megan Reynolds is starting the year off with a thank-you brunch to celebrate her shop’s wam welcome to the community. Special stouts and beer cocktails join the festivities, which run from 1 to 3:30 p.m.
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