ROCKAWAY  GOOD  TIMES

By Kami-Leigh Agard

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Festivus—the Rock is sparkling with holiday cheer all around, and with New Year’s just around the corner, plan your Rockaway Good Times crawl with our guide below.

 

LIVE MUSIC

 

THURSDAY, December 25

5:30 p.m.

 

On Christmas Day, bayside Thai restaurant, Similan On the Bay, serves up jazzy holiday vibes with The Similan Band.

375 Beach 92nd Street

 

FRIDAY, December 26

8 p.m.

Break out your new clothes from Santa, and celebrate Boxing Day at Kennedy’s as The GrassLighters pour out their elixir of rock, folk, bluegrass and R&B. For reservations, call: (718) 945-0202.

406 Bayside, Breezy Point

 

SATURDAY, December 27

5:30 p.m.

Back at Similan On The Bay is acoustic guitarist, Barry Waller, tuning hearts with the soundtrack of a lifetime.

375 Beach 92nd Street

 

SATURDAY, December 27

With New Year’s just a few days away—live it up at Kennedy’s with acoustic mix master, Frank Persico. For showtime and reservations, call: (718) 945-0202.

406 Bayside, Breezy Point

 

SUNDAY, December 28

1 p.m.

Celebrate the last Sunday of 2025 at Adrienne’s with picturesque Jamaica Bay views and Evan Kuriga’s sweet acoustic tunes.

25 Van Brunt Road, Broad Channel

 

SUNDAY, December 28

4 p.m.

As a sweet treat for the holidays from The Sugar Bowl, Archimedes performs music from The Police, 90s grunge and more alternative rock!

15 Bedford Ave., Breezy Point

 

SUNDAY, December 28

5:30 p.m.

The Similan Band simmers your Sunday with jazz at Similan On The Bay.

375 Beach 92nd Street

 

NEW YEAR’S EVE VIBRATIONS

WEDNESDAY, December 31

KENNEDY’S

5 p.m. / 8 p.m.

Celebrate NYE in style at Kennedy’s! First seating: 5 p.m. Admission is $90 (includes three-course dinner). Second seating: 8 p.m. Admission is $150 (includes four-course dinner, champagne toast at midnight, hats, noisemakers and live music. For reservations, call: (718) 945-0202.

406 Bayside, Breezy Point

 

THE BAYHOUSE

5 p.m. / 8:30 p.m.

Spend the last night of 2025 at The BayHouse with food, cocktails and breathtaking waterfront views! First seating: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Admission: $25 (includes three-course meal and happy hour pricing on beverages). Second seating: 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Admission: $125 (includes passed appetizers, salad, pasta station, dessert, open bar, midnight champagne toast, DJ, hats and noisemakers. For reservations, call: (347) 926-4926.

500 Bayside Drive, Breezy Point

 

ROCCO’S OF ROC BEACH

6 p.m. / 9 p.m.

Celebrate NYE in Italian style at Rocco’s! Fuhgeddaboudit! With delizioso food, drinks, music and more— that’s amore! Two seatings: 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Admission: $75. For reservations, call: (718) 799-5050.

115-10 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

BELLE HARBOR YACHT CLUB

6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Commemorate the countdown to 2026 at the BHYC’s NYE Family Party—featuring live DJ, New Year’s countdown and cash bar! Admission for members: Adults $40/ Kids $20. Nonmembers: Adults: $50/ Kids $25. For tickets, contact Fran Brenna at (646) 644-3741.

533 Beach 126th Street

 

THE ROOFTOP

AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL

7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

With stunning NYC skyline views, food and liquid libations—make sure your phone is fully charged as NYE on The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel will be Instagrammable! Enjoy a luxurious three-course tasting menu offering a refined and sophisticated dining experience. Two-hour seatings available from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Admission: $65. Then at 9 p.m., keep the good times rolling with a live DJ, cash bar and televised ball drop. For those who just want to party only, $20 admission required to enter The Rooftop from 9 p.m. onward. (Ticket not required if you have a dining reservation at The Rooftop or are staying at the hotel. Ticket gives access to The Rooftop only and does not include food or beverages). For tickets, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/things-to-do-rockaway-beach/event-calendar

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

 

THE HARBOR ROOM

AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL

8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Forget Times Square! Ring in the new year at The Rockaway Hotel’s NYE Gala in the Harbor Room (second floor event space). Enjoy a divine cocktail hour, plated seated meal, premium open bar, live DJ and dancing all night long. Admission: $225 per person/ $2,000 for a table of 10. Formal attire requested. For tickets, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/things-to-do-rockaway-beach/event-calendar

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

 

TAP THAT

9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

The new year is knocking! Open the door at Tap That as guitar prodigy, Nick Daniel makes the last day of 2025 one to remember with his “fingerstyle” guitar rifts and amazing vocals!

111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

PILOT HOUSE

10 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Party into 2026 at Pilot House! Admission: $80. Includes premium open bar package of domestics and well drinks, champagne toast at midnight, live DJ, plus watch the Times Square ball drop on the big screen!
190 Beach 69th Street

 

NEW YEAR’S DAY BEGINNINGS

THURSDAY, January 1

BUNGALOW BAR

3 p.m. 

Bungalow Bar is back with their annual NYD bash with DJ Teddy! As in years past, the popular bayside spot is also declaring New Year’s Day, “Purple Day,” in remembrance of Emily Burns. For brunch reservations, call: (718) 945-2100

377 Beach 92nd Street

 

THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL

1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Recharge, celebrate and glow into the new year at The Rockaway Hotel’s NYD Party! Lounge in the hotel’s Winter Pool House, outdoor heated pool and saunas. Reset and hydrate with a refreshing lunch buffet and a selection of non-alcoholic cocktails. Plus, live DJ. Admission: $125. For tickets, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/things-to-do-rockaway-beach/event-calendar

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

 

THE SUGAR BOWL

3 p.m.

Last call at The Sugar Bowl until March! So, join in the time-honored tradition of Hell or High Water closing out winter with their signature foot-stompin’ rock feast.

15 Bedford Ave., Breezy Point

 

NYD POLAR PLUNGES

AROUND TOWN

THURSDAY, January 1 

10 a.m.

Stamp the first day of the new year with the New York Dippers Club’s polar plunge at Beach 67th Street.

 

11 a.m.

The Rockaway Hotel gets you pampered for their 5th Annual Polar Plunge at Beach 108th Street. Prior to the plunge, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. — indulge in the Hotel’s breakfast buffet and brunch cocktails served at the Harbor Room. At 12 p.m., head to Beach 108th for the plunge. Post-plunge, return to The Harbor Room for live entertainment, brunch buffet and cash bar. Tickets: $20 for individuals under 21 years/ $50 for 21 and over. For tickets, visit: https://www.therockawayhotel.com/things-to-do-rockaway-beach/event-calendar

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

 

12 p.m.

Join locals for an informal plunge. Groups gather at Beach 91st, 119th, 127th and 145th.

Got info on local live music, arts and more? Email: editor@rockawaytimes.com