30A New Year’s Eve Party Planner

Especially at the beach, the last meal of the year should be a special affair. So whether you’re looking for a quiet, casual dinner or an over-the-top all-out bash, here’s a roundup some of the top New Year’s Eve parties that you’ll find this year along Scenic Highway 30A…

Crush Wine Bar: Enjoy delicious food along with Crush’s extensive wine and champagne list. You’ll also have a front-row seat for Seaside’s famous fireworks display. (See below)

TIME: 6pm onwards

RESERVATIONS: 850-468-0703

Marie’s Bistro

Marie’s Bistro: Marie’s is spreading love and welcoming the New Year with a special three-course menu along with an all-you-can-drink-for-$25 deal.

Live entertainment will start at 8 pm, and Tim Jackson and Ike Bartley will play on until everyone is gone.

TIME: 7pm onwards

COST: Free

RESERVATIONS: 850-278-6856

Baytowne Countdown: Ring in the New Year with a tribute to the classics at Baytowne Wharf’s Events Plaza, beginning at 7pm.

Enjoy sounds from the Rat Pack, Billy Joel, Elton John and all your ’70s favorites. Later, enjoy breathtaking fireworks as they light up the sky over the lagoon at midnight.

TIME: 7pm onwards

COST: Free

INFO: 800-622-1038

Vue on 30a

Vue on 30a recently announced a special menu for this year’s celebration, as well as live music.

Live entertainment includes Heather Laveaux and Chris Alvarado & Company. There’s a special New Year’s menu that you can sample, with two seating choices to choose from.

TIME: Early Seating — 5pm, 5:15pm and 5:30pm, Late seating — 8pm, 8:15pm and 8:30pm

RESERVATIONS: 850-267-1240

The Merchants of Seaside will present their 6th Annual Countdown Seaside.

Especially for the kids, Abrakadoodle will be on hand from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. offering unique art projects as part of the New Year’s Eve Celebration. With music by Mockingbird Sun, Daniel Ellsworth & The Great Lakes and Mama’s Blue Dress along with family activities, street performers, and a fireworks show at midnight, it’s going to be a great New Year’s Eve celebration in Seaside.

TIME: 6pm onwards

COST: Free

INFO: 850-231-5424

Travinia Italian Kitchen

Travinia Italian Kitchen & Bar… Any party invite that begins with “15% off all bottles of wine” is a winner as far as we’re concerned.

Touted as the Biggest New Year’s Eve Party, the evening will feature a special menu that includes Crabcake Travinia, Sinatra Chicken and complimentary Prosecco toast at midnight. There will be two seatings and you can keep your table until midnight.

TIME: 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm

COST: $45 per person

RESERVATIONS: 850-654-4442

NYE Countdown at Rosemary Beach: While it’s not Times Square, it is South Barrett Square and it’s the perfect place to ring in the new year… literally!

There will be a countdown clock projected on the front of Rosemary Beach Townhall, starting at 6:00 pm. At midnight, they’ll ring the bell and usher in 2014.

TIME: 6pm onwards

COST: Free

INFO: 866-348-8952

Funky Blues Shack in Baytowne has put together a special four-course dinner.

There will be three seatings: 5-5:30pm ($39), 6:30-7pm ($59) and 8:30-9pm ($79). The third seating includes champagne at midnight, party favors and entry to The Funky Blues Shack.

TIME: 5pm onwards

COST: $39-$79 per person

RESERVATIONS: 850-424-6650

Santa Rosa Beach revelers will have a new way to celebrate New Year’s Eve this year with the Inaugural Drop the Paddle Board party at Redd’s Fueling Station.

Restaurant owner Redd Vizard came up with the idea to drop the paddle board to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The paddle board will also be raffled off to raise money for Sacred Heart Emerald Coast Cancer Unit. The $1,800 paddle board is supplied by Bote Board.

The evening will start with Redd’s famous Singing Bartender Show along with food and drink specials. A champagne toast and carving station along with party favors will be on hand all evening for attendees.

At midnight everyone is welcome to see the decorated lighted Bote Paddle Board drop to bring in the New Year.

TIME: 8pm onwards

COST: $40 per person

RESERVATIONS: 850-325-0252

Salute 2013 at Fonville Press before you ring in the New Year! Enjoy fare, cocktails, and live music by Kyle LaMonica as you bid goodbye to 2013.

TIME: 11am to 1pm

INFO: 866-732-9110

Glen David Andrews

Rockin’ NYE at Grayton Bar & Grill: Grayton Bar & Grill is pulling out all the stops for their very first New Year’s Eve party, featuring world-class entertainment by Glen David Andrews.

Andrews’ talent and showmanship will be paired with a special New Year’s Eve menu created by Chef Johnny Earles. The menu includes a midnight Champagne toast to ring in 2014 and to bid adieu to 2013. The Early Seating (5-7:30pm) is priced at $55 per person, while Late Seating (8-10pm) is priced at $85 and includes live entertainment with Glen David Andrews and a midnight champagne Toast.

TIME: Early Seating – 5-7:30pm, Late Seating – 8-10pm

COST: $55-$85 per person

RESERVATIONS: 850-213-0891

Kids’ Night Out at WaterColor Inn & Resort: Enjoy a special dinner at Fish out of Water on New Year’s Eve for $115 per person.

There’s also a special Kids’ bash planned for the evening, which will cost $75 per child. Reservations required.

TIME: NYE Dinner (5:30pm – 10pm), Kids’ Bash (7:30pm – 12:30am)

COST: $115 for Dinner, $75 for Kids’ Bash

RESERVATIONS: 850-534-5050

Poppy’s Seafood Factory

Poppy’s Seafood Factory: Executive Chef Shane Quinlan will present a spectacular four-course menu featuring fresh Gulf seafood, prime steaks, live Maine lobster, signature entrees, and house-made desserts.

With live music on the patio and a promise of fireworks, this is one dinner you don’t wanna miss.

TIME: 5pm onwards

COST: $65-$85 for Entrees and $95 for Lobster Feast

RESERVATIONS: 850-351-1996