ROCKAWAY  GOOD  TIMES

By Kami-Leigh Agard

It’s the countdown to 2026 and the U.S.A.’s 250th birthday! So, plan your New Year’s Good Times crawl with our roundup below. Happy New Year!

 

LIVE MUSIC

NEW YEAR’S EVE

WEDNESDAY, December 31

KENNEDY’S

5 p.m. / 8 p.m.

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

406 Bayside, Breezy Point

 

THE BAYHOUSE

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

Spend the last night of 2025 at The BayHouse with 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 (passed appetizers, salad, pasta station, dessert, open bar, midnight champagne toast, DJ, hats and noisemakers).

500 Bayside Drive, Breezy Point

 

ROCCO’S OF ROC BEACH

6 p.m. / 9 p.m.

Celebrate l’anno nuovo Italian style at Rocco’s! Two seatings: 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Admission: $75.

115-10 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

THE ROOFTOP

AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL

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

With stunning NYC skyline views, luxurious three-course tasting menu and liquid libations—fire up your Instagram on The Rooftop at the Hotel! Admission: $65. At 9 p.m., live DJ, cash bar and televised ball drop. For those who want to party only, $20 admission from 9 p.m. onward.

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

 

THE HARBOR ROOM

AT THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL

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

Step out in style at The Rockaway Hotel’s NYE Gala with cocktail hour, plated seated meal, premium open bar and live DJ. Admission: $225 per person/ $2,000 for a table of 10. Formal attire.

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

 

ADRIENNE’S

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

With a four-course prix-fixe dinner, premium open bar, music by DJ Chris Cashen and midnight champagne toast—Adrienne’s is the place to be on NYE. Admission: $150.

25 Van Brunt Road, Broad Channel

 

TAP THAT

9 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Guitar prodigy, Nick Daniel, makes the last day of 2025 one to remember at Tap That!

111-04 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

ROCKAWAY TIKI BAR

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

With drink specials and DJ Tony’s beats flowing—ring in 2026 Rockaway Tiki style!

67-20 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

BATESY’S

9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Batesey’s transforms into a dance hall with DJ Peter Vibe spinnin’ bumpin’ beats. Admission: $20 (includes midnight champagne toast and party favors).

68-20F Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

PILOT HOUSE

9 p.m.

Experience the magic of NYE without breaking the bank with DJ Shane at Pilot House. No cover. Open bar packages available.

190 Beach 69th Street

 

SAYRA’S WINE BAR

9 p.m.

Dine, drink and dance at Sayra’s NYE Party. Free admission. Two drink minimum.

91-11 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

HARBOR LIGHT 

11 p.m.

Get your groove on with DJ Sean O’Hara at Harbor Light’s NYE shindig.

129-18 Newport Ave.

 

NEW YEAR’S DAY

THURSDAY, January 1

ROCKAWAY BEACH

PICKLEBALL

All Day

Ring in the New Year with pickleball! Wear green and get 20% off courts, food and drinks served by guest bartender Tommy Martin.

97-25 Beach Channel Dr.

 

PILOT HOUSE

11 a.m.

It’s the NCAA college bowl playoff quarterfinals! Pilot House hosts watch parties with all-day bucket specials.

190 Beach 69th Street

 

ADRIENNE’S

12 p.m.

Launch 2026 with positive vibrations from acoustic rock/reggae man, Jah Stix at Adrienne’s.

25 Van Brunt Road, Broad Channel

SAL Y LIMA

12 p.m.

Sal Y Lima hosts an año nuevo taco celebration with tacos, frozens, margaritas and picante beats by DJ Ulez.

88-22 Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

THE ROCKAWAY HOTEL

1 p.m.

Recalibrate and glow in the new year at the Hotel’s NYD Pool Party! Outdoor heated pool and saunas. Refuel with refreshing lunch buffet and non-alcoholic cocktails. Live DJ. Admission: $125.

108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive

 

PICO

1 p.m.

Party like it’s 2026 with DJ SeaNY at Pico.

419 Beach 129th Street

 

THE WHARF

2 p.m.

Celebrate NYD at The Wharf’s Annual Red Day with music by Camp Tunes, followed by DJ Sean O’Hara.

416 Beach 116th Street

 

BATESY’S

2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

With NYE come and gone, wine down with jazz man, Simon Chardiet, at Batesy’s.

68-20F Rockaway Beach Blvd.

 

HARBOR LIGHT

2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Poppa Lou, Poppa Wade and Bob Miley light up NYD at Harbor Light.

129-18 Newport Ave.

 

BUNGALOW BAR

3 p.m. 

Back at Bungie is DJ Teddy’s NYD Day Bash! Also, as in years past, the bayside spot observes, “Purple Day,” in remembrance of Emily Burns.

377 Beach 92nd Street

 

THE SUGAR BOWL

3 p.m.

Hell or High Water ushers in a foot-stompin’ rock feast at The Sugar Bowl.

15 Bedford Ave., Breezy Point

 

JAMESONS

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Bobby Butler and Pete Brady rip two sets at Jamo’s. Plus, college bowl watch party.

421 Beach 129th Street

 

SIMILAN ON THE BAY

5:30 p.m.

Similan On the Bay dips into 2026 on a tranquil vibe with The Similan Band.

375 Beach 92nd Street

 

MORE LIVE MUSIC

HAPPENINGS

FRIDAY, January 2

5 p.m.

Poppa Lou & the Baba Lou’s throw down your fave rock classics at Pico.

419 Beach 129th Street

 

FRIDAY, January 2

5:30 p.m.

Back at Similan On The Bay is acoustic guitarist, Barry Waller.

375 Beach 92nd Street

 

FRIDAY, January 2

7 p.m.

Rock cover band, Cherry & The Gunnz fires up Pilot House.

190 Beach 69th Street

 

SATURDAY, January 3

4 p.m.

Last call at The Sugar Bowl until March! Music with The GrassLighters.

15 Bedford Ave., Breezy Point

 

SATURDAY, January 3

5:30 p.m.

The Similan Band jazzifies your Sunday at Similan On The Bay.

375 Beach 92nd Street

 

SUNDAY, January 4

1 p.m.

Bask in the first Sunday of 2026 at Adrienne’s with Evan Kuriga.

25 Van Brunt Road, Broad Channel

 

SUNDAY, January 4

5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Uncle Bob Miley jams his solo acoustic show at Rogers.

203 Beach 116th Street

 

NYD POLAR PLUNGES AROUND TOWN

THURSDAY, January 1 

10 a.m.

Recalibrate the first day of the new year with NY Dippers Club’s polar plunge at Beach 67th Street.

 

11 a.m.

Get pampered at The Rockaway Hotel’s 5th Annual Polar Plunge with breakfast buffet, brunch cocktails, live entertainment and cash bar. Plunge: 12 p.m. at Beach 108th. Tickets: $20 (21 and under)/ $50 (21 and over). 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