Fireworks! Dinner parties! Champagne! These are just a few things synonymous with New Year’s Eve, but with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this New Year’s may look a little different.
With social distancing safety measures in place, guest lists have to be scaled back and masks have to be worn. Luckily, some things won’t change. The ball will still drop at midnight and cocktails will still be shaken and stirred. Many traditions can be enjoyed virtually from the comfort of your own home, while Philadelphia is bursting with festive activities to help ring in the New Year safely.
Whether you opt for virtual cocktails with friends or an intimate dinner party with delicious catering from a local restaurant, your options are only as limited as your imagination. Here are some of our favorite ideas for welcoming 2021 Philly style.
See also: These Luxe Restaurants Are Making Favorite Plates to Eat at Home
Dinner on the Positano Coast
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212 Walnut St 2nd floor / Website
International travel is still tricky, but your taste buds can journey to far away lands via Positano Coast’s Italian cuisine. This holiday, the Aldo Lamberti restaurant offers a deal you won’t want to pass up: 20 percent off all takeout orders placed in house or through delivery apps like UberEats and Caviar. Order from the popular “Dinner for Two” menu for $50 to $75 and enjoy flavors of the Amalfi Coast with sensational dishes like penne pomodoro, zucchini crabcakes and chicken parmigiana. Round out the meal with a classic dessert of tiramisu.
Winc Wine Delivery
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Want to try a new bottle but don’t know which to choose? Winc has got you covered. The wine delivery service carefully handpicks varieties that fit your flavor palette based on a quick and easy online quiz. One of their most popular bottles right now is the 2016 Brethren of the Road Cabernet sauvignon blanc ($45.99) with notes of eucalyptus, blackberry and dark chocolate. Gone are the days of liquor store runs. Let Winc handle the footwork for you!
See also: 6 Wine And CBD Delivery Services For Keeping Stress At Bay
Host an at-home cocktail party
Gather your friends via Zoom and sip on the flavors of the season when you make El Mayor Tequila’s “Cadillac Hot Chocolate.” The holiday concoction offers rich orange-chocolatey goodness with a fluffy topping of whipped cream. It’s oh so delicious! El Mayor Tequila is famous for its caramel flavor and transforms this cocktail into dessert. The recipe is simple and made with easy-to-find ingredients. It's sure to be a fan favorite at your dinner table this year!
Winter in Franklin Square Virtual New Year’s Eve Family Celebration
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Keep cozy in your pajamas and bid farewell (good riddance?!) to 2020. You don’t have to bear the wintry winds and low temps this New Year’s thanks to a festive streaming presented by Citizens. Franklin Square will host a virtual celebration on their Facebook and Instagram pages from 5 to 6 p.m. on New Year’s Eve. Tune in for follow-along crafting and a livestream of their fabulous colorful light show, Electrical Spectacle. The evening stream ends with a virtual square drop at 6 p.m.
Hangover Fix by High Street Philly
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101 S 9th St. / Website
When you've had your fun and wake up the next morning craving something hearty, High Street on Market has your covered. The local favorite offers a breakfast sandwich to cure any leftover 2020 head wobbles. Sink your teeth into a Pastrami Hash or Beet Cured Salmon Pretzel breakfast sandwich to start 2021 off right. The New Year's Day treat can be enjoyed from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside of the new 9th Street location. Take it with you or dig in right there thanks to the newly-expanded and heated outdoor seating area.
Photography by: ED JONES
