Avoid disappointment this year and indulge with a New Year’s Eve feast from one of the Gold Coast’s many fine eateries that are offering banquets and set menus for the evening. Etsu Izakaya in Mermaid Beach is hosting a ninja-, samurai-, geisha-themed event that includes a set menu featuring sashimi, gyoza and karaage among the many tempting delights. QT hotel is taking a step back in time with a 1959-themed party based on the television drama series Magic City. Partake in a little pre-party feast at Bazaar before heading down to the soiree at Stingray Lounge to enjoy an evening of glamour befitting for the era that brought us Grace Kelly, Sophia Loren and Audrey Hepburn. Raise a glass of sangria and say salud at Bonita Bonita’s Mexican masquerade soiree or Mexicali’s Mexican fiesta or keep things low-key and head to K-Bar’s block party, where you can munch and dance to your heart’s content with street food from The Weiner Haus and Siguenos as well as a pig on the spit and live entertainment.

Justin Lane is throwing a cocktail-style soiree with canapes and pizza from 7:00 pm, while the resident mixologists at Finders Keepers Bar & Dining Lounge will be busy concocting heavenly NYE-themed cocktails and entertaining guests with live music by Katie Who. In Broadbeach, Social Eating House and Bar is kicking it up a notch with an eight-course meal sponsored by Veuve Clicquot, HANK is hosting dinner packages and Alto Cucina is throwing a lavish celebration that includes a drinks package and food all night. And come midnight, you’re just a hop, skip and jump away from the fireworks and festivities in Kurrawa Park. Speaking of, there are also plenty of other locations around the city that are hosting fireworks, from Ormeau to Coolangatta Beach.

Don some fancy threads and bring in the new year in exclusive Rio Carnival style at Palazzo Versace featuring the musical stylings of triple-platinum-selling artist Samatha Jade, or be spoilt for choice at Jupiters Hotel & Casino where each of the venue’s bars and restaurants will turn it on with DJs and entertainment until the wee early hours.  For the best views of the sky ablaze with bursts of colour, venture up to SkyPoint, the highest vantage point on the Gold Coast, perched 230 glorious metres above the glistening coastline. The Arts Centre will be bringing back the funk with Gold Coast band The Red Cherries jamming out disco hits that will take you back to a time and a place you may or may not have been alive for. If a party (read: hangover) is what you’re after, then look no further than the White Party sunset cruise where you can watch the entire coastline light up from Stradbroke Island or bust out the bikinis and boardies at Hotel Kommune’s Ken & Barbie Pool Party.

As always, getting around on New Year’s Eve can be somewhat of a challenge, particularly if a cheeky tipple is on the agenda. Take advantage of TransLink’s free travel on Gold Coast busses and trams from 9:00 pm on Wednesday December 31 to 5:30 am Thursday January 1.

No matter where you spend the evening, if you’re surrounded by good friends and great food, you’re sure to have a night to remember – or not remember, because the cocktails tasted too good.