Toast the New Year, wet, dry or family friendly; Suzanne Corbett’s NYE St. Louis choices

By Suzanne Corbett

As time ticks down on 2025 here’s a New Years Eve round up we hope you can use.  Here’s to a great New Year of blessings for us all.

If you’re looking for a fun way to countdown 2025 and welcome 2026, St Louis has lots of options to ring in the New Year, with libations, or without.

New Years Dry and Family Friendly

Kicking off what’s become known as Dry January, is Le Meridien St. Louis Clayton launch of a Dry Wellness Bar opening January 1. A unique design your mocktail menu is available for guests build their own zero-proof creation by selecting from flavor-forward combinations such as Pomegranate + Rose, Apple + Cinnamon, Citrus + Sugar, Orange + Honey, or Cranberry + Spice, paired with a preferred mixer including club soda, tonic, ginger ale, ginger beer, lemonade, or iced tea. Wellness program emphasis continues on January 24 at Le Meridien with a combine with a 45-minute yoga class followed with Dry January mocktails, coffee, and brunch options.

For family fun, come to City Museum’s NYE Party and be home in time for bed. Weirdly Wonderful Holidays is here until the very end of 2025. Join the merrymakers at City Museum for a New Year’s Eve Party full of dancing, karaoke, crafts, and other year-ending entertainment, plus a balloon drop and sparkling juice toast at 8 p.m. to ring in the new year at a family friendly hour. The event runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is included with general museum admission or a member pass.

Forget midnight. Think Noon Year’s ever at The St. Louis Aquarium.  It’s family fun with the fishes at the St. Louis Aquarium on December 31. Your whole family can celebrate without staying up late. At noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., join in the countdown for a festive and glittery beach ball drop. Kids can color their own New Year’s Eve crowns and earn prizes. It’s all included with Aquarium admission or membership.

NYE Toasting in Style

Havana Nights is this year’s New Years Eve theme at Live! By Loews-St. Louis. The creation of Executive Chef Daniel Acosta who is a Cuban native who will showcase the flavors, traditions and culinary heritage he grew up with. Topical Havana inspired décor and immersive theme to set the tone for an inclusive celebration spotlighting hor d’oeuvres featuring bold Cuban and American inspired flavors

360 Downtown NYE Party in the Sky Limited tickets are still available for the high-in-the-sky year end party at 360 at the top of the Hilton at the Ballpark downtown on December 31. The popular annual event from 9 p.m. until 1 a.m. includes celebratory small plates, a bevy of amazing cocktails, a Champagne toast and a spectacular midnight fireworks display and balloon drop at the hottest rooftop bar in St. Louis. Guests can make a night of it by staying with the St. Louis Hilton at the Ballpark using a package that includes a bottle of Champagne to ring in the new year.

Westport Social , within site of the big gold glove atop the Rawlings headquarters at Westport, offers a first-come, first-served party no cover charge starting at 8:30 p.m. Night features live music from The Lone Rangers until 12:30 a.m., party favors, a balloon drop and a Champagne toast at midnight, plus all the popular interactive games and karaoke.

Moonrise Hotel in the Delmar Loop transforms into Gotham City on New Year’s Eve from 4 p.m. until 2 a.m. Guests will enjoy a night market, tattoos, a CarGirlsSTL meet-up, SuperSmash Bros tournament, DJ, food, drinks and a toast at midnight. Or, if you prefer to boogie in Lafayette Square head to  SqWires Restaurant & Market on New Year’s Eve.

At SqWires, the vinyl will spin from 7 p.m. to midnight paired with great food, cocktails and bubbly. If brunch is more your style, make a reservation for SqWire’s famous Bloody Mary & Mimosa Bar for New Year’s Day from 10 a.m. to 2p.m.