New Year’s Eve is as busy as it gets for hospitality precincts but one Fremantle bar owner is taking a different approach to his midnight countdown — and closing up shop for the night.
Ronnie Night’s co-owner Darcy Travers will be turning up the heat on December 30 instead with plans to transform his port city mainstay for a New Year’s Eve Eve party.
“I assume that everybody’s going to be doing something on New Year’s Eve, so rather than competing with that, we’re going to party on Saturday instead,” he said.
“It’s a marathon, not a sprint.”
The small bar will have a DJ spinning tunes until the early hours of the morning.
Mr Travers said the deliberate choice to give New Year’s Eve a miss was also an opportunity for staff to enjoy themselves.
“This year, it (the day before New Year’s Eve) fell on a Saturday which is kind of fortunate as it makes for a really long weekend,” he said.
“Instead of pushing for that Sunday when everyone’s going out and a lot of people are going to festivals these days, it gives our staff a moment to go and enjoy their New Year’s Day, which is rare in hospitality.”
A few hundred metres down the road, revellers will be able to celebrate the night away on December 31 at Mr Traver’s second co-owned venue, Strange Company.
That, he said, would be an all-day non-exclusive affair.
“It’s not all about celebrating everything at the pinnacle of midnight,” he said.
“We aim to cater for all-day New Year’s Eve which kind of catches a broader demographic.
“The formula we now see is a lot of our regulars come through again and again and it’s an opportunity to say thanks to them and celebrate their patronage with us over the years.”
Strange Company will be throwing a “botanic garden party” alongside DJs, a specialised cocktail menu and street kitchen.
Further down Fremantle’s main cappuccino strip, popular venues are also changing the way they tackle the countdown to 2024.
Nokturnl director Ross Drennan — who manages communications for The Old Synagogue — said the venue would be moving its traditionally large New Year’s Eve celebrations to Fremantle Oval this year.
Women’s AFL has restricted the oval’s use for entertainment in previous years and the Gog Block party was last year held at Fremantle Esplanade.
“In the past we weren’t able to use the actual Fremantle Oval and this wasn’t enough space to host the massive event it has grown into,” he said.
“Fortunately, the City of Fremantle has been able to allow us to encroach onto the oval this year and we’ve jumped on the chance to bring it back alongside the venue.”
The Gog Block party remains one of the locality’s biggest end-of-year celebrations and Mr Drennan said this year was heading for a sellout crowd of up to 5000 people.
Mr Drennan said the event had increasingly attracted thousands of ticketholders.
“We’ve been very fortunate to have one of the most popular venues in Fremantle and off this success this event has grown and grown,” he said.
“It’s a great alternative to major festivals and especially unique when it incorporates a multi-venue hospitality precinct.”
While the 5000-reveller capacity is “slightly lower” than the Gog’s party last year, Mr Drennan said he would look at increasing numbers next year.
This year the Gog Block Party will also have a “Euro Rave Cave” for the first time and a pianist in the venue’s cocktail bar, L’Chaim.
Mayor Hannah Fitzhardinge also reminded revellers to avoid anti-social behaviour.
“It’s a special night but remember, drinking in public is still an offence and subject to the normal rules,” she said.
“Why not head to one of the many licensed venues in Freo instead.”
What’s on
The City of Fremantle has also approved three events to be held at council-owned venues, including the Gog Block Party.
Clancy’s Fish Pub is hosting a “family friendly” party that spills out into the new nature playground at Princess May Park, with an early countdown for families at 8pm.
COAST will throw a three-stage festival of DJs on Port beach.
Sailing for Oranges will host a Carnivale Party, with a four-piece band, DJ and Latin dancers from 7pm.
South Fremantle radio station Freocast will join forces with pub The Local Hotel on December 31, throwing a “house party” style New Year’s celebration.
The Raffles Hotel in Applecross will toast in 2024 with a New Year’s celebration from 7pm.
Rottnest Island will host a fireworks display from 8pm, which can be seen from Thomson’s Bay.
The Left Bank will host a 90’s to 200’s themed party from 6:30pm at its riverfront venue.
Jetty Bar and Eats is set to party from 6:30pm until 1am for New Year’s Eve.