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The Insane Price Tag For Ringing In The New Year At Times Square’s Chain Restaurants

Author Chris Allen

December 28th, 2023 9:51 AM

Some people are shelling out big bucks to ring in the New Year at a chain restaurant in New York’s Times Square. The insane price tag for ringing in the New Year at Times Square’s chain restaurants is nuts.

CBS News says, although attending the world-famous event is free for those watching from the sidewalks below, some people are ponying up for NYE party packages in Times Square that offer a little extra comfort.

Many chain restaurants near the famous New Year’s Eve ball drop offer food buffets, open bars, live entertainment, and more, but it’s not cheap.

The Olive Garden in Times Square is holding an NYE event for $450 a ticket. Applebee’s has tickets starting at $799, while Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is charging $1,015. The most expensive party is taking place at the Marriott Marquis, where a VIP for two people costs $12,500.

That’s a lot of cash! Truly an insane price tag for ringing in the New Year at Times Square’s chain restaurants. Would you spend a large amount of money to attend one of these NYE parties?

LIST: Top 13 Best U.S. Cities To Spend New Year's

Is there someplace you always go to celebrate New Year’s? Or do you like to travel to new places during the holiday and experience ringing in the new year in a new place every time? WalletHub says 60% of people plan on celebrating New Year’s this year, but only 24% plan on going to an event.

The company looked at 100 of the biggest American cities to compare over 25 different factors. These factors include each city’s vaccination rate, the average cost of food, and overall safety.

No city from North or South Carolina made the list, so you might want to consider traveling elsewhere. But, no matter where you end up celebrating, crack open your favorite wine and be a part of the 360+ million glasses of sparkling wine that WalletHub says will be drunk this holiday.

Here are the top 13 cities to spend New Year’s:

Source: WalletHub

13. Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful sunset of Los Angeles downtown skyline and palm trees in foreground
12. Seattle, WA
Seattle Skyline
11. Philadelphia, PA
Philadelphia skyline at night with the Schuylkill river
10. Houston, TX
Houston, Texas, USA downtown city skyline over Root Square.
9. Louisville, KY
8. Denver, CO
Panorama of Denver skyline long exposure at twilight.
7. San Francisco, CA
San Francisco skyline and Bay Bridge at sunset, California
6. Washington, DC
The United States Capitol building in Washington DC
5. Miami, FL
Miami Beach, wonderful aerial view of buildings, river and vegetation.
4. Atlanta, GA
3. Orlando, FL
The most magical place in the world finally opened! On October 1st of 1971 Walt Disney World Resort opens in Orlando Florida. This just so happens to be one of my favorite places. The resort opened with the Magic Kingdom theme park featuring the Cinderella Castle at its center and has since added Epcot and the others. Thank you, Mr. Walt Disney!
2. Las Vegas, NV
Las Vegas, Nevada, USA at the Welcome to Las Vegas Sign at dusk.
1. New York, NY
New York City skyline with urban skyscrapers at sunset, USA.