Celebrate New Year's Eve - Vallarta Style

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The year may be coming to an end, but here in Puerto Vallarta, we don't plan on winding down anytime soon. Considering New Year's Eve is right around the corner, it's time to get the ball rolling and start planning your celebration.

All it takes to have a great New Year's Eve is close friends, the right attitude and of course, a place to party - and Puerto Vallarta Mexico provides the atmosphere, the proper attitude and the energy to attract people who know a great party when they see one.

The Banderas Bay area offers a host of New Year's Eve options for every taste and budget. Some people choose to "take it to the streets," bar crawling or dropping in on the Olas Altas street party before heading to the beach at midnight to watch the firework displays over the bay, while others choose to reserve a table at one of the city's fine dining restaurants for an intimate evening of wining, dining and romancing.

Whatever your preference, our New Year's Eve Party Planner will give you a closer look at some of the most spectacular celebrations taking place in Puerto Vallarta and around the bay on the last night of 2011.

Blanca Blue Restaurant & Lounge
Km. 7.5 Carretera a Barra de Navidad

Welcome 2012 at Blanca Blue, where you'll enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime evening full of surprises, Champagne, Petit Fours, live music and an outstanding 6-course dinner prepared by Chefs Leopoldo Cortés and Kory Sutton, as well as a ring-side seat for the fireworks display over Banderas Bay and Mexico's traditional 12 grapes of happiness toast at midnight for $1350 pesos per person, tax and gratuities included. Dinner served from 6:00 to 11:00 pm on December 31, 2011. Reservations are required and can be made by calling Yesika Nuñez at (322) 176-0700 ext 113, or by emailing Mayra Valle at pr(at)garzablancaresort.com.

Daiquiri Dick's
Olas Altas 314, Romantic Zone

Ring in 2012 at Daiquiri Dick's Restaurant with fabulous food, live entertainment, festive fireworks and a glass of bubbly! A three-course New Year's Eve dinner will be available from 5-11 pm featuring your choice of: Japanese Seed Oysters on the half-shell with Champagne Mignonette -or- New England Clam Chowder; a main course of Fig and Orange Glazed Roasted Ham with Good Luck Black Eyed Peas and Chard -or- Chimichurri Marinated Beef Tenderloin with a Garlic Butter Giant Prawn Crown over Grilled Portobello and Mashed Potatoes -or - Macaroni & Cheese with Shrimp; and Flourless Chocolate Torte with Berry Compote for dessert. There will be a $450 peso cover charge after 9 pm. This includes live music from the popular Los Bambinos, a glass of champagne, party favors, fireworks and lots of good cheer. Reservations are highly recommended, and may be made by calling (322) 222-0566.

Lido Club de Playa
Calle Malecon #167, Playa Los Muertos

Michel Ferrari's newly opened Lido Club de Playa is an elegant beach front venue offering one of Puerto Vallarta's finest dining experiences and the perfect place to ring in 2012. Don't miss it... Live it! You'll enjoy a four-course dinner that includes: an organic mixed greens with asparagus and Hollandaise sauce -or- Lobster bisque with jumbo shrimp and puff rice -or - Foie gras al torchon with caramelized red wine pears; a main course of Fillet of sole stuffed with porcini mushrooms, served with truffle sauce -or- Crispy duck breast with sweet potato puree and baby vegetables -or- Rack of lamb with baby potatoes and veggies - or- Lobster tail with butter glaze with lentil salad on a roasted tomatoes vinaigrette; a Melted mozzarella cheese plate; and Chocolate orange cake layered with orange cream and drenched in chocolate orange for dessert. New Year's Eve dinner is prix fixe at $790 pesos, which includes a welcoming glass of champagne. Diners can add additional courses for $150 pesos each. Reservations are required. For more information, call 044-322-170-4984.

Mark's Bar & Grill
Lazaro Cardenas #56, Bucerías

New Year’s Eve Dinner at Mark's Bar & Grill will be a party with a four course menu including, to start, Rockefeller Oysters, Duo of Ahi Tuna, Organic Venison Carpaccio and Truffle Oil, with main courses of Rack of NZ Lamb, Fillet Mignon with Oysters, Sea bass rolled with Shrimp, Organic Veal Chop with Figs, Butter poached Lobster with Ricotta cheese Gnocchi. The early seating from 5-8:30 pm is just $750 pesos ($60 USD) and the late seating 8:45 pm – till close, with live band, dancing and party favors for $1115 pesos ($88 USD). Call 01-329-298-0303 for more details and reservations.

River Cafe
Rio Cuale Island, El Centro

There's no better place to ring in the New Year in Puerto Vallarta than at The River Cafe. This year they have a great party planned that includes everything you need to have a delicious and fun evening! They'll be serving up an exquisite 4 course menu with Crab Cakes with lemon aioli, mango & papaya salsa -and- Shrimp Bisque with a light cream and roasted red peppers -and- Pacific Fish Sampler: Sweet Chili Tuna, Macadamia crusted Mahi Mahi and Swordfish with a black pepper sauce -or- Baked Filet Mignon over sautéed mushrooms and spinach with a pink peppercorn sauce -and- a Tropical Chocolate Delight with Passion Fruit Ice Cream for dessert, plus the Traditional 12 Grapes / Champagne Toast, National Open Bar from 8 pm-12 am and Live Jazz and Blues Music for $1500 pesos per person, service not included. A vegetarian menu and a special kid's menu will also be available. For more information or to make your reservations, call (322) 223-0788, or visit RiverCafe.com.mx.

Trattoria Michel
Olas Altas #507, Zona Romantica

On New Year's Eve, Trattoria Michel is offering a special 4- 5- or 6-course dinner with your choice of spectacular menu items, including: Bresaola, Porchetta and Parmaham with grilled figs - and/or - Original Cesar Salad; Grilled Jumbo Scallops sauteed over pleos mushroom and kale - and/or - Sauteed fresh Foie Gras with garnish - and/or - Wild Mushroom Ragout; Frenched Rack of Lamb in its own juice - and/or - Vegetables and Gratin Dauphinoise - and/or - Grilled U-8 Shrimp with garlic butter glaze, green lentil salad with smoked tomato vinaigrette - and/or - Vegetable Pie with asparagus, tomatoes, snow peas and a mushroom finish; and Dessert from the buffet and a glass of Sparkling Rosé. 4 courses: $720, 5 courses: $820, 6 courses: $920 pesos. One seating starting at 6:30 pm. Reservations and a cash deposit are required. For more information & reservations, call (322) 223-2088.

New Year's Eve celebrations in Puerto Vallarta are as diverse & exciting as the population of this magnificent & vibrant city. Fireworks exploding all over Banderas Bay provide an excellent backdrop for the festivities, and wherever you turn, the city is one huge party. Keep checking BanderasNews.com for additional Puerto Vallarta New Year's Eve parties and dinner menus, which will be added as more information becomes available.