Pittsburgh New Year's Eve: Where To Ring In 2018 Updated

UPDATED: New Year's Eve information added for or, the Whale PGH, Social House 7, Olive or Twist, Smallman Gallery, Xtaza, Muddy Waters Oyster Bar, Spoonwood Brewing Co., Federal Gallery and Vines.

PITTSBURGH, PA - Love it or hate it, New Year’s Eve is happening again this year. Whether you plan to ring in 2018 at your favorite restaurant, a buzzing party with your friends, or all cozied up in front of the TV, we’ve got you covered.

So pop the bubbly, come up with some resolutions you can actually stick to and get ready to celebrate the New Year. Check out town-by-town listings below of New Year’s celebrations and events for 2017 in and around Pittsburgh. If you’re one to want to go out, plus a look at what television programming may make you want to stay in.

If you want to go out..

Of course the big event Downtown is Highmark First Night Pittsburgh, an arts-focused celebration produced by the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust.

Culminating with the city’s countdown to midnight and raising of the Future of Pittsburgh Ball, the six-hour celebration sprawls downtown’s renowned 14-block Cultural District — inside theaters, galleries, and unique spaces and along city streets on outdoor performance stages. Acclaimed national artists and Pittsburgh’s vibrant artist community ring in the new year for revelers with live music, dance, theater, visual arts, comedy, magic, kids’ activities, and a signature parade along with two Zambelli Fireworks displays, at 6 p.m. and midnight.

Admission button prices remain among the most affordable in the nation: $10 per person (kids 5 and under are free).

If you want to ring in 2018 on the water, the Gateway Clipper Fleet offers a New Year’s Eve cruise on the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers. For $107, you’ll get to enjoy a delectable hors d'oeuvres buffet, champagne toast, DJ entertainment and magnificent sparkling views of the city.

Among the Downtown nightspots throwing parties during the First Night celebration are Il Tetto on Penn Avenue ($150); Ten Penny on Penn Avenue ($10 for general admission, $60 for open bar); Howl at the Moon on 7th Street ($85); or, The Whale PGH on the Boulevard of the Allies, where packages range from $50 to $250; Social House 7 on Seventh Street ($50) and Olive or Twist on Sixth Street ($125 or $150).

In the Strip District, you can dine at the Smallman Gallery on 21st Street for $95. If that's too expensive for your tastes, the soiree at Xtaza on Smallman Street will only set you back $20.

In East Liberty, Muddy Waters Oyster Bar on South Highland Avenue is having a shindig ($75). In Bethel Park, there's a beer pairing dinner at the Spoonwood Brewing Co. on Baptist Road ($65).

Across the Allegheny River from Downtown, there’s the New Year’s Eve North Shore Block Party at Steel Cactus PNC Park and Local Brewhouse. For $50 you’ll get an open bar and light hors d’oeuvres at both Federal Street places. Just a few blocks away, you can celebrate Brew Year's Eve at the Federal Gallery in Nova Place ($75).

If you’re the type who prefers live music, the instrumental electronic jam band Lotus is playing at Stage AE on the North Shore. Lotus tickets are $35 in advance, $40 the day of the show.

On the South Side, you can enjoy New Year’s Eve Bliss at Diesel/Skybar. General admission to the nightclub is $30, and it will set you back $90 for the open bar package.

More music can be heard out by Pittsburgh International Airport the airport at the New Year’s Eve Blues Bash from the Blues Society of Western Pennsylvania. The event at the Airport Area Doubletree Hilton will be headlined by the Santini-Jensen Project. Tickets are $99.

In Butler County, there's the Vines New Year's Eve Countdown Party at former Steeler Hines Ward's Table 86 and Vines Wine Bar in Seven Fields ($69.85).

Watch Patch for more New Year's Eve events as they are announced, and if you have details about other events taking place in the metro area — including festivities for the kids — you can add them to the Patch calendar here.

If you want to stay in...

If your idea of the perfect New Year’s Eve is curling up on the couch with a hot toddy and watching the countdown in your pajamas, you’re in luck. These are the top two live TV specials people are already talking about. Here’s a peek so you can you can plan accordingly:

“New Year’s Eve Live” With Anderson Cooper And Andy Cohen
Where to catch it: CNN
Why you should watch: For the first time ever, Anderson Cooper will host CNN’s annual New Year’s Eve Live special with none other than “Watch What Happens Live” host Andy Cohen. As these two are best friends in real life, you can expect tons witty banter and hilarious moments from the pair. The Bravo mogul will replace Cooper’s former co-host Kathy Griffin, whom CNN fired after her controversial Donald Trump photoshoot.

“Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve 2018” Hosted by Ryan Seacrest
Where to catch it: ABC
Why you should watch: Remember last year’s infamous Mariah Carey mic incident? Yes, it happened on Seacrest’s watch. So if that’s any indication, this could be a good one to tune-in to. And even if there aren’t any crazy celebrity snafus, you can count on crazy views of Time Square packed with people, as well as awesome musical performances.

Graphic via Pixabay.