Ring in the new year in Wichita with unique venues, unforgettable experiences
New Year’s Eve falls on Saturday this year, so finding a restaurant, bar or entertainment venue to ring in 2023 should be easy. Many Wichita establishments are offering a special menu, festive drinks or celebration-worthy entertainment on Dec. 31.
We’ve rounded up a selection of New Year’s celebrations open to the public at the end of this article. Beyond those types of nights out, two inaugural events highlight a trend local event organizers say they see of going out with friends and family to celebrate in an intimate way that feels safer and more memorable than hotel ballroom events of the past.
New Year’s Night of Elegance on the Farm at Eberly Farm is a low-key night at Eberly Farm Event Venue, 13111 W. 21st St., that for many years was accessible only through private events.
Since purchasing and taking over operating the event center in January 2022, Stacy Rogers has added family-friendly events open to the public — an Easter egg hunt and breakfast with Santa, for example — to the mix of corporate events and weddings happening there.
She hopes this 21+ event will open up other adult-themed events on the property, which includes an elegant, rustic lodge with a dance floor and a large outdoor, lighted deck with a serene view of the 15 acres of mostly wooded land. The venue can hold nearly 300 people but New Year’s Night of Elegance on the Farm is limited to 100.
Tickets are $135 per person and include appetizers, party favors, a photo station, a DJ and eight tickets for wine and beer plus a midnight toast. A limited number of reserved tables for up to eight are available for an additional $50. There will be a full cash bar and additional concessions available to purchase.
“We just want to provide a place for people to come and enjoy themselves safely, have a good time and not have to deal with some of the things that come with a bigger event,” Rogers said. “This will be an intimate, elegant way to bring in the new year.”
Owner Melanie Collins is also using a public event for the New Year’s holiday to introduce Wichita to her Red Carpet Event Center. The 176-person capacity venue opened at 4925 W. Central a few months ago, and while it can be rented for weddings Collins also wants to offer an alternative to a courthouse ceremony with a New Year’s Eve Elopement Party.
“This is for people who want to keep it simple but look like they spent some money,” she said. “It’s a lot more memorable than getting married at the courthouse and we have a really pretty setting with lights and a little chapel backdrop.”
She said for the Elopement Party package just bring your marriage license, rings and bouquet. There’s seating for up to 10 guests. Each ceremony is less than 30 minutes with the idea that a stream of couples will come through one after another. For the Dec. 31 elopements, there will champagne and cupcakes at a toasting station as well as a cash bar. Those who marry or renew their vows can leave right away, or they can stay to watch other ceremonies and celebrate with fellow newlyweds.
If the concept is popular enough, she said she’ll do it throughout the year as well.
The public elopement costs $250 if you bring your own officiant, witnesses and have one of your guests take photos. The venue has an officiant available and prepared to handle a variety of ceremony styles for an additional $100. You can also pay for witnesses to sign the marriage license and a photo package. For New Year’s there is also the option of participating in a group elopement with all couples saying their vows at 12:01 a.m. on Jan. 1.
Go to facebook.com/redcarpetict to book a time during the New Year’s Eve Elopement Party.
“We think couples will have a good time because it’s different and not something that happens every day,” Collins said. “For $250, it’s something that they’ll never forget.”
The following events are all scheduled for Dec. 31. Check with venues to confirm ticket availability and event details.
Cosmos: A New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring The Party Crashers at Mark Arts, 1307 N. Rock, 8 p.m. This fundraiser for Mark Arts’ educational mission is limited to 550 guests; a few $500 per person general admission tickets are available at MarkArtsKS.com/nye and include heavy hors d’oeuvres and full bar.
Mosley’s Rockin’ & Ringin’ New Year’s Eve Spectacular at Mosley Street Melodrama, 234 N. Mosley, 6:15 to 10 p.m. Includes a plated dinner, dessert, sparkling wine and entertainment featuring favorite musical moments and skits from the past year. Tickets (mosleystreet.com) are $120 for two or $440 for a table of eight. Note that the evening ends at 10 p.m.
NYE on the Lanes packages available at the three Bowlero bowling facilities in Wichita: The Alley Indoor Entertainment, 11413 E. 13th St.; Northrock Lanes, 3232 N. Rock; and West Acres Bowling Center, 749 N. Ridge. Family Packages starts at $27.99 per person and Ball Drop Packages starts at $51.99 per person; advance reservations for specific timeslots required at bowlero.com/nye.
New Year’s Eve Celebration featuring DJ Karetaker and a champagne toast at Chicken N Pickle, 1240 N. Greenwich, 9 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person; 21+ only. The rooftop pop-up Snowbound: Merry Ski Lodge is taking reservations for two-hour sessions starting at $10; details at chickennpickle.com/wichita.
New Year’s Countdown in Dockum, 104 S. Broadway, bar opens at 6 p.m. and live music with Tori Music and Joe Stumpe from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m. General admission is $15 and includes party favors. The Ambassador Hotel’s underground bar has limited seating, so buy tickets in advance at linktr.ee/DockumWichita.
Comedian Collin Moulton headlines three NYE shows at Loony Bin Comedy Club, 215 N. St. Francis. The 5 p.m. matinee is $16 per person and suitable for ages 8 and older; the 7:30 p.m. show is $18 and for ages 21+, as is the 10 p.m. show, which costs $32 and includes party favors, snacks and a champagne toast. Advance tickets only (wichita.loonybincomedy.com).
Paramount ’80s Rock Night NYE with special guest Monterey Jack at The Cotillion, 11120 W. Kellogg, 8:30 p.m. Advance tickets are $17 at thecotillion.com. A limited number of table reservations are available by calling (316) 722-4201.
New Year’s Eve Salsa Night with Tumbao at John Barleycorn’s, 608 E. Douglas, 10 p.m. $15 cover; details at facebook.com/Barleycornswichita.
New Year’s Eve with Marty Haggard and the Jason Boyd Band at Wichita Union Stockyards, 6425 W. MacArthur, 8:30 p.m. Get $35 general admission tickets (includes a breakfast buffet served right after midnight) at kwlsradio.com or call (316) 945-1079 for information on VIP tickets.
NYE Celebration at Latin Fever Night Life or Opulence: A NYE Met Gala Experience at Fever Night Life, 116 N. Mead, 9 p.m. Entrance is $20; call or text (316) 519-5200 for advance tickets and VIP seating in either room.
2ŁØT presents “Time Traveler’s Ball” at Wave, 650 E. 2nd St., 9 p.m. Tickets are (waveict.com) $10 general admission, $40 for VIP; 21+ only.
Annie Up is playing an unticketed concert in the rotunda at Kansas Star Casino, 777 Kansas Star Drive in Mulvane, starting at 9 p.m. There will be party favors and a live countdown at midnight.
New Year’s Eve featuring R&B singer Rome at City Nightz Old Town, 222 N. Washington, 8:30 p.m. Tickets start at $35 per person general admission and include a champagne toast, balloon drop and more. Get the link to buy tickets online at facebook.com/WichitaRnBLoveFest/events.
New Year’s Bash featuring Jukebox 45 at Mortdecai’s Tavern & Eatery, 330 S. Greenwich, 7 p.m. Packages including party favors, beverage ticket, champagne toast and optional table reservation start at $15 per person or $25 per couple. Cover for those not purchasing a package is $5. Call (316) 440-5131 for reservations.
New Year’s Eve Party with Delano Drive at Shamrock Lounge, 1724 W. Douglas, 9 p.m. Cover is $5 at the door.
New Year’s Eve Party with Bottoms Up at The Humidor Cocktail Lounge, 8558 W. 21st St.
New Year’s Eve Party with Sister Sarah Tree at Shenanigans, 426 E. 61st St. N., Park City. Cover is $5 at the door; call (316) 364-4832 for table reservations.
New Year’s Eve Party hosted by MC Jay Parlay at BarCode, 1507 E. Pawnee, 9 p.m. Cover is $10 and includes performances by Sirious Sidefx, Jacobi Winter and others.
Sunshine the Bunny at Mort’s Martini Bar, 923 E. 1st St., 8 p.m.
NYE Party with Suite 68 at Jerry’s Bar & Grill, 630 N. Robin, 9 p.m., $10 cover.
Ring Ring Ring in 2023 at Dave and Buster’s, 2644 Greenwich Ct., 9 p.m. The entertainment center is having a ticketed event that includes a premium appetizer buffet, a midnight toast for guests with valid ID, unlimited video game play for non-redemption games, a $20 power card to play redemption games, party favors and more. Depending on drink options chosen, tickets range from $69 to $91 per person. There’s also an early celebration from 4 to 7 p.m. with similar elements; tickets are $36 per person. Both events are all ages; get tickets at prekindle.com/events/daveandbusters-wichita.
