There is plenty of pressure on New Year’s Eve but, truth be told, the event rarely lives up to the night’s expectations. Thankfully, it seems that there is a new movement making its way across the social diary – at least in Sydney any way – and that’s the New Year’s Day party. Forget all about December 31, now the focus has been firmly placed on how you are going to spend your first 24 hours on January 1. And if the following events are anything to go by, they will be lively…

Icebergs X Sneaky Sound
1 Notts Avenue, Bondi Beach
Open: 12pm to sunset, tickets $450
idrbevents.com
Bondi Beach’s Icebergs is host to one of the most famed ways to welcome the New Year. Housed at the iconic beachside restaurant, the January 1st soiree is a lively extravaganza of DJ-provided tunes and fare courtesy of Monty Koludrovic. A collection of Italo-Australian canapés will be served throughout the festivities, think along the lines of stuffed olives, saffron and mozzarella arancini, chilled melon with ‘sparkling’ sherbet’ and eggplant parmigiana panini. This year Sneaky Sound System will be taking over the DJ decks, accompanied by a line-up that includes Miss Annie, Lunar Disco, Ali Love, Nations, Kali, and Beni. For the first time in 2018, the event will also offer a chance to reserve private tables. Due to the day’s popularity, those interested will need to register online before ticket allocation begins.

Watson’s Bay Boutique Hotel
1 Military Road, Watsons Bay
Open: 12pm to 10pm, tickets $179
watsonsbayhotel.com.au/new-years-day
While Watson’s Bay stylish drinking spot offers a fairly riotous New Year’s Eve event, the venue knows how to back it up and will be doing so on January 1. For the third year running, the sellout event will see Watson’s Bay collaborate with Montauk favourite The Surf Lodge will be kicking off from midday and running until 10pm. There’s a host of Australian musical talent involved in the day’s party proceedings, including Touch Sensitive, Alice Q, Oli Benz, Matty Sav and more. In 2018 there will also be the chance to grab yourself some personal space with the ability to reserve a VIP Lounge for yourself and five of your friends, which includes alcohol packages for your cohort.

Catalina NYD 2018
Lyne Park, Rose Bay
Open: 1pm to sundown, tickets $450
catalinarosebay.com.au
Rose Bay’s beloved restaurant doesn’t just know its way around a fine dining experience, as its annual New Year’s Day celebration goes to show. This year the theme is Palm Springs, which means that guests can expect plenty of pastels alongside free-flowing cocktails and canapes. From 1pm to sundown, the all-inclusive celebration will see drinks courtesy of sponsors Aperol, Beluga Vodka, Pommery Champagne, and Singha beer, accompanied by both hearty fare and party bites in line with Catalina’s famed seafood and contemporary Australian menu. Yolanda Be Cool and DJ Cassian will be in charge of the musical element of the day, with a number of special guests also expected to make an appearance. All expressions of interest can be made to katem@catalinarosebay.com.au.

New Year’s Day on The Island
Open: 12 to 9pm, tickets $300
theislandsydney.com.au
Pontoon party palace The Island will be home to a lively January 1st extravaganza. This year the event is presented in union between The Island, Fishbowl and Corona. The Island plans on setting down its anchor in Farm Cove, right by the iconic Opera House. There DJs including Herman, Marc Jarvin, Grav, La Paz and headliner Jasper James will take to the decks, with a secret international artist also on the cards. Water taxi transfers will be available between Man O War Steps (sitting directly behind the Opera House) ferrying guests between land and sea.