New Yorkers Still Planning NYE Bashes Despite Coronavirus Surge

NEW YORK, NY — As New York City's mayor warns of a March-level coronavirus shutdown after the holidays, some New Yorkers will be heading to undisclosed locations to ring in the New Year with open bars and DJ dance parties.

Despite a worrying second surge of coronavirus that has closed schools and started to fill up New York hospitals, tickets are still being sold for lavish New Year's Eve parties across the five boroughs, according to several event listings found by Patch.

The events — some with $1,250 bottle service price tags and still-to-be revealed party sites — come as officials warn New Yorkers to avoid gatherings during the most social time of the year in order to stave off a second statewide shutdown.

"The next 10 days are going to be key for us," Cuomo said Wednesday. "I want to do everything I can to avoid a shut down...Celebrate, but be smart. We're in a race between the vaccinations and the increase in the COVID rate."

New York's coronavirus positivity rate reached 5.84 percent and nearly 7,000 New Yorkers were hospitalized with the virus the Wednesday before Christmas.

The increasing rates have led Mayor Bill de Blasio to say he believes a shutdown will happen, though Cuomo has told New Yorkers it can still be avoided.

Health officials for both the city and state have advised New Yorkers not to gather in groups and only celebrate with household members.

"Be festive while protecting your loved ones and preventing the spread of COVID-19: Do not travel (rediscover holidays at home!); do not host or attend a holiday party (go virtual instead!); and do not gather in groups and only celebrate with household members (less is more!)," guidelines for the city read.

But the message hasn't seemed to reach some party organizers.

Among the events still available for ticket purchases online are a Caribbean-themed "New Year's Eve Extravaganza" with at least four DJ performances, bottle service options for groups of up to 10 people and complimentary food.

The event advertises a "Private Venue- released to ticket holders only" and makes no mention of coronavirus restrictions. Photos on the listing show an indoor lounge setting, though indoor dining is still banned in New York City.

Another party that appears to have at least some restrictions advertises a "Refresh" theme to ring in the New Year. The listing includes a requirement for face masks and temperature checks and, again, a "to be announced" location.

"The year 2020 has been a crazy one! Full of ups and downs...It's time to put it all behind us and 'Refresh,'" the listing reads. "This New Year's Eve we're celebrating an end to a turbulent year and helping to usher in a hopeful year of change for the better!"

None of the event organizers responded to requests for comment and details about their coronavirus safety precautions.

The parties will not be the first time New Yorkers have shirked coronavirus guidelines to celebrate a holiday this year. Similar secret raves were planned for Halloween, including at least one 400-person party that was busted in Brooklyn.

City officials have had to shut down raves in Prospect Park, under the Kosciuszko Bridge, on a "party boat" in Red Hook and in warehouses in Sunset Park as the neighborhood was in the middle of its own coronavirus surge.

Dozens of bars and restaurants have also lost their liquor licenses in crackdowns on pandemic-rules, though enforcement has been a sticking point in Cuomo's critique of New York City's handle on the virus.

The in-person parties come as New York City's most time-honored traditions for the New Year's holiday head online.

For the first time in more than a century, the Times Square ball drop will be closed to the public, marking the first time since its inception in 1907 that throngs of people would not gather in Midtown.

The NYPD did not respond to a request from Patch about increased enforcement during the holidays. The New York City Sheriff's Office, which is tasked with enforcing coronavirus restrictions, told Patch they couldn't reveal their specific plans, but would have increased enforcement ready to go.

"We will have additional officers on duty in the evening hours next week," Sheriff Joe Fucito said in an email Wednesday.