Editor’s Note: Ukraine remains under quarantine as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow. However, after the country lifted some of the restrictions, the entertainment industry has been returning to life under new measures that include physical distancing and limits on the number of attendees.
The year 2021 is just around the corner and Ukraine is looking forward to welcoming the new year.
The country traditionally celebrates its most anticipated holiday — New Year’s Eve — with loud parties, fireworks and dances with friends and families.
But the COVID-19 pandemic is overshadowing this year’s celebration.
Ukraine is now getting ready for the upcoming lockdown on Jan. 8-24, right after Orthodox Christmas, celebrated on Jan. 7. The country was also a whisper away from making the New Year’s celebration even gloomier by only allowing restaurants to work until 1 a.m.
The government, however, has changed the initial plan and allowed restaurants and cafes to work until 7 a.m on Jan. 1, 2021. Eateries must follow several rules to make the New Year’s celebration safer: The staff needs to wear masks covering both the nose and mouth, visitors must do the same while moving around, and only up to four adults can sit at one table.
But all safety measures will not stop Ukrainians from enjoying the night to the fullest.
For those who have not yet decided where to ring in 2021, the Kyiv Post has picked out some of the best venues offering great New Year parties in the capital.
Put on a mask, maintain social distancing and ring in the new year safely.
Like a Local’s
It’s been a tough year for Kyiv’s Like a Local’s bars — one out of its three venues in the capital closed due to COVID-19, which has upended people’s lives around the world in 2020.
To mark the beginning of 2021, the Like a Local’s bar in Kyiv’s historic Podil neighborhood is throwing a great celebration on Dec. 31. The event will start at 10 p.m. and continue until the last guests leave the venue at 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. The price per person here is Hr 1,300 (around $45). It includes a glass of Ukrainian wine and a variety of snacks and main courses.
As for the New Year’s menu, Like a Local’s caters to both pescatarians and meat-eaters. The pescatarian option includes a salad made of baked vegetables, baked Catfish served with a pure of mashed potatoes and pumpkin, as well as appetizers such as three kinds of cheese, breadsticks and olives. The meat option includes traditional Olivier salad, sous vide duck, and the same appetizers as in the vegetarian menu.
Like a Local’s promises lots of dances and fun for all its guests. Also, the bar will maintain safety measures during the celebration. Their staff will wear masks and gloves during the whole night, they will also clean and disinfect the surfaces more frequently, as well as maintain a safe distance between the tables.
Like a Local’s. 5 Spaska St. 10 p.m. Hr 1,300. Book tables at +38093 682 2626
Bursa
The Bursa hotel is another trendy spot arranging a huge party on the last day of the year. Located in Kyiv’s historic Podil district, Bursa will throw a cabaret-themed party called “Babylon Kyiv.”
And as the name of the party hints, it will be one of the hottest New Year celebrations in the capital.
The party will start at 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 31 and last until 7 a.m. on Jan. 1. Bursa offers two ticket options for its guests: The first option includes entrance to the party and a celebration dinner at the hotel’s cafe Supra for Hr 3,550 ($125). Another option costs Hr 1,850 ($62) and features a ticket to the party and a welcome drink. On the day of the celebration, tickets to the party will be available at the entrance of the hotel until 12 a.m. on Jan. 1 and will cost Hr 2,500 ($88).
Although it is possible to purchase tickets online, Bursa offers a 10% discount to those who will purchase them at the hotel.
The party’s lineup includes local DJs Pavel Plastikk b2b Serge Jazzmate, Yevhenii & Alica, as well as Polje and Hungry Boys. Apart from the live music and DJ sets, the party at Bursa features an erotic dance performance that will take place in the hotel’s gallery.
Bursa asks people to join the celebration only if they feel well and healthy. Moreover, all guests at the Bursa party will undergo temperature checks before entering the venue. Apart from that, the hotel will provide visitors to the party with protective masks. Bursa employees will undergo temperature screenings as well and will take care that the party’s guests maintain social distancing throughout the night.
Bursa. 11 Kostiantynivska St. 8:30 p.m. Ticket with a welcome drink — Hr 1,850. Ticket with food — Hr 3,550. Get tickets at concert.ua/uk/event/babylon-kyiv or at Bursa Hotel with a 10% discount. +38044 537 7007
Vatra
Dmytro Borysov’s restaurant Vatra is a great place to ring in the new year. On the night of Dec. 31, the restaurant will hold a party called “All That Jazz,” featuring a live music shows, DJ sets and an entertaining jazz show.
The celebration here will start at 11 p.m. on Dec. 31 and last until 3 a.m. on Jan. 1. The price is Hr 2,500 ($88) for adults and Hr 1,250 ($44) for children. It includes a great variety of dishes and appetizers, as well as alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Apart from that, the restaurant promises an unlimited amount of sparkling wine for all of its guests.
Vatra’s dinner menu will combine meat and seafood dishes: Appetizers include two types of caviar, oysters, tuna tartare, bruschetta with salmon and tomatoes, meat delights, marinated vegetables, shrimp and Olivier salad, as well as fruits. For the main course, Vatra’s guests will choose between a half of a grilled lobster, a ribeye steak with grilled vegetables or red-wine-braised duck legs served with baked apples. Vatra also offers Basque burnt cheesecake for dessert.
The restaurant has also taken care to make the celebration safe for all its visitors: They allow a maximum of four people at one table. Also, the restaurant’s staff will undergo temperature screening before they start working and will wear protective masks and gloves during the night.
Vatra. 4B Horodetskoho St. 11 p.m. Hr 2,500 for adults, Hr 1,250 for children aged 6-12. Free for children under 6. Book tables at +38097 529 2972
11 Mirrors Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
This rooftop restaurant offers a great chance to celebrate the New Year and enjoy the terrific view of Kyiv.
The celebration here will start at 9 p.m., lasting until 3 a.m. on Jan. 1. Tickets for the New Year celebration at 11 Mirrors are pricier, but definitely worth the money spent. One person will pay Hr 5,900 (almost $208) for a table with a panoramic view of Kyiv. Another option is the restaurant’s lounge zone for Hr 4,900 ($172) per person. The cheapest option is to sit at the bar for Hr 1,500 ($52).
The ticket includes a glass of sparkling wine, two alcoholic cocktails or two glasses of wine, two appetizers, a salad, a main course and a dessert. The New Year’s menu here includes dishes with meat, fish and seafood, such as shrimps in sweet and sour sauce; salad with grilled scallops, mango and cherry tomatoes; duck baked with pear and raspberry sauce and more.
Apart from the savory food and drinks, the celebration at the restaurant will also feature a live music show by a local band and a DJ set.
The restaurant will also make the celebration safe for its guests: Its employees will undergo temperature checks before the celebration, along with the restaurant’s guests. Waiters will wear protective masks and gloves. Also, they will not allow more than four people at tables, which will be located at a safe distance from one another.
11 Mirrors Rooftop Restaurant & Bar. 34A Bohdana Khmelnytskoho St. 9 p.m. Ticket with food and drinks – Hr 1,500 – 5,900. Book tables at +38044 581 0011
Zigzag
Kyiv restaurant Zigzag will also hold a New Year party this year. Here, the celebration will start at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 and last until 4 a.m. on Jan. 1.
The party at Zigzag will feature some electronic music by Kyiv local DJ Nil Tarasov. Unlike other Kyiv restaurants, Zigzag does not offer entrance tickets. Instead, those who wish to celebrate the New Year at the venue will have to pay a deposit of Hr 1,500 ($52) per person and spend the money on the food and drinks on Zigzag’s menu.
Besides music and delicious food, Zigzag also promises to make the celebration as safe as possible for its guests. The eatery’s staff will undergo temperature screenings and will work wearing masks and gloves. Also, Zigzag will not allows more than four people per table and promises to clean bathrooms and disinfect surfaces in the restaurant much more often than usual.
Zigzag. 13 Reytarska St. 9 p.m. Hr 1,500. Book tables at +38068 385 6551
