FOOD

Dining in Morris County on New Year's Eve

ANN MARIE BARRON
Correspondent

From free noisemakers and party hats to champagne toasts and live entertainment, Morris County restaurants are offering plenty of incentives to ring in the new year locally.

Morris area restaurants welcome revelers on New Year’s Eve.

OK, so it's not Times Square, but many local eateries, clubs and bars will have the ball drop televised for you enjoy and many offer lots of fun extras, and dinner specials to make the holiday special.

From small town pubs to elegant banquet halls, Morris offers a myriad of options for holiday revelers. Many require reservations, but quite a few are first-come, first-served. Many have live entertainment and no cover charge. So leave Manhattan to the tourists. Morris County has you covered for New Year's Eve.

Black Horse Tavern and Pub in Mendham.

Black Horse Tavern and Pub, Mendham

The Black Horse Tavern and Pub in Mendham, at 1 West Main Street, always draws a big New Year's Eve crowd, and many stick around for the free breakfast buffet at 1:30 a.m.

"We offer a lot of bagels, sausage, eggs and bacon. It's our way of saying thank you for a good year.'' said Michael Horty, general manager of the historic bar and restaurant. "That goes over very well.''

The pub offers its regular menu and dinner specials, ranging in price from $16.95 to $39.95. At midnight, a complimentary champagne toast is offered. Hats and noisemakers are provided and balloons will fall from the ceiling to add to the celebration. There's no cover charge for the live entertainment in the bar area. They don't take reservations, but calling ahead is advised (973) 543-7300.

The Valley Restaurant, Long Valley

This family-friendly eatery and bar, located at 59 East Mill Road, offers its full menu on New Year's Eve, with entrees ranging in price from $9.95 to $17.95. Offerings include seafood, burgers, sandwiches, as well as Italian and Mexican fare.

Free noisemakers and hats will be supplied and a free champagne toast is offered at midnight. Patrons can enjoy the Times Square celebration on televisions in the bar area, which will remain open until 2 a.m. The Valley features a late-night menu until closing. (908) 876-0111.

Dublin Pub, Morristown

Dinner specials, including prime rib, filet mignon and pork chops, are offered for $21.95 on New Year's Eve at the Morristown Irish tavern and restaurant, but a full regular dinner menu is also available.

Dinner is served right up until midnight, at the restaurant, located at 4 Pine Street. Marty McKernan will be on hand to entertain revelers. McKernan plays a mixture of covers ranging from Jimmy Buffet to traditional Irish music.

"It's always a fun time,'' said the pub's manager, Kaitlin Reid. At midnight, a free champagne toast will be available, as will hats, noisemakers and free giveaways. (973) 538- 1999.

Alice's Restaurant, Lake Hopatcong

The relaxing eatery on the lake welcomes holiday revelers and will have the Times Square scene televised for patrons. Located at 24 Nolan's Point Park Road, the dining room will serve its regular dinner menu, beginning at 6 p.m.

A free champagne toast will be offered at midnight and guests will be offered free hats and noisemakers to add to the festivities. Reservations are required. (973) 663-9600.

New Year's Eve

Morris Tap and Grille, Randolph

The menu at the Morris Tap and Grille, located at 500 Route 10 West in Randolph, features American cuisine including pasta, salads, sandwiches, seafood and steaks and chops. The full, regular menu is available on New Year's Eve and there will be unique specials offered for the holiday.

The dining room opens at 4 p.m. and features entrees priced from $15 to $26. The specials range in price from $35 to $48. Dinner is served until 11 p.m. and a disc jockey will be on hand in the bar area. Reservations are required on New Year's Eve. (973) 891-1776.

Jigg's Corner Steakhouse and Music Saloon, Butler

This friendly bar and eatery, located at 1248 State Route 23, in Butler, will offer its full menu until 10 p.m. Entrees range in price from $11 to $16. There will be giveaways, drink and dinner specials, and live entertainment. There won't be a cover charge for the entertainment, or for Open Mic with Pam and Jan.

At midnight, hats and noisemakers will be free, and the restaurant offers a free champagne toast as revelers watch the excitement of Times Square. A late night menu is offered until midnight, featuring wings and select appetizers. (973) 838-8875.

The Old Mill Tavern, Chester

The restaurant and tavern, located at 55 West Main Street in Chester, will offer its full menu until 11 p.m. Entrees are priced from $9.99 to $15.99 and include salads, renowned burgers, sandwiches, ribs and steaks. Revelers can enjoy the Times Square scene on several televisions and will be treated to a free champagne toast.

Domestic draft beers are $1 on Wednesdays at the Old Mill and New Year's Eve is no exception. Also, Buffalo wings are 50 cents each every Wednesday, including this week. Free hats and noisemakers will be on hand at midnight to celebrate the incoming new year. Reservations are not required. (908) 879-9815.

The Hilton Hotel, Parsippany

The Hilton Hotel in Parsippany will host a New Year's Eve gala, featuring a five-hour premium open bar, dinner, entertainment and a live simulcast of the New York Times Square ball drop at midnight.

Special VIP couple's packages are available at both hotels, which include overnight hotel accommodations and breakfast on New Year's Day.

Information is available at www.NewYearsNJ.com. Tickets are still available, and can be booked through the website or by calling (908) 799-8294.

Hibiscus Restaurant, Morristown Inn, Morristown

Offering fine Caribbean fare, the Hibiscus Restaurant in the Morristown Inn-Best Western Morristown, 270 South Street, offers early bird seating from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and a three-course price-fixed menu for $39.95 per person, featuring live music.

Its second seating, from 9 p.m. to midnight, features a four-course dinner and live music for $65 per person. There will be free party favors and hors d'oeuvres. Special overnight packages are available, featuring a free breakfast buffet on New Year's Day. (973) 359-0200.

Wine room at Blue Morel Restaurant in Morristown.

Blue Morel Restaurant and Wine Bar, Morristown

Enjoy the sounds of a live jazz trio while dining on local, regional and organic fare at Blue Morel Restaurant and Wine Bar, located at the Westin Governor Morris Hotel, 2 Whippany Road in Morristown.

A four-course tasting menu and champagne toast will be offered at $129 per person with seating from 7:30 to 10 p.m. A special three-course menu will be offered from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at $85 per person. (973) 451-2619.

SEE ALSO: First Night Morris County rings in 2015 http://dailyre.co/1BaOBOz

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