The lack of fireworks around the Marina Bay precinct (they’ll be set off at various heartland spots instead) and the need to say goodbye to alcohol at 10.30pm might be a bummer for those of us looking to countdown with celebratory drinks as the clock strikes 12 (and bid 2021 farewell forever).

But even with safety measures in place, there’s no reason you can’t still celebrate with a great dinner and a gorgeous view. Check out some of the places you can head to, from those with sweet city views to lush greenery and harbour vistas.

1. Dusk Restaurant & Bar

Catch the sunset whilst surrounded by lush greenery at the al fresco Dusk Restaurant & Bar. At 100 metres above sea level, it’s the perfect vantage point for sweeping views of HarbourFront and Sentosa Island

Its New Year’s Eve four-course menu ($148++ per pax) starts with an amuse-bouche that offers a little interactive experience with a flambe prawns live station. Then tuck into poached pullet and a choice of soup. Take your pick from Angus beef tenderloin mignon, roasted quail or almond-crusted cod fillet for your main dish, and finish off with blackberry coulis or minced fruit pie, both served with cookies and cream ice cream.

Wine and cocktail pairing, as well as champagne, is available at additional fees.

Ring in the new year by sounding the Bell of Happiness or write your wishes on a bell and hang it at the fence near sister restaurant Arbora Hilltop Garden & Bistro.

Dusk Restaurant & Bar is at 109 Mount Faber Road Faber Peak , Level 2, Faber Peak, Singapore 099203. Visit its website for more reservations and more information.

2. Mr Stork

Nestled at level 39 of Andaz Singapore, Mr Stork has a remarkable view of the cityscape. From 7pm to 10.30pm onwards, it was a free-flow package ($228++ per person) that will have you guzzling champagne, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and juices — think  Andaz Pils, Roku Gin, and Delamotte Champagne Magnum.

Bites-wise, be treated to morsels like Boston lobster tartlet, steak sandwiches, croquettes, and chicken karaage. They’re also available a la carte from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

Available on Dec 31, 2021. Mr Stork is at Andaz Singapore, 5 Fraser Street, Singapore 189354.

3. Zafferano

To soak in views of the cityscape while you tuck into contemporary Italian fare, get Zafferano (nestled level 43 of the Ocean Financial Centre) on your shortlist. On the New Year’s Eve four-course dinner menu ($250++ per person; early bird $198++ per person) that starts from 5.30pm till late. Or if you prefer an earlier time slot, go for the three-course Sunset dinner ($148++ per person) from 5.30pm to 7pm for a mesmerising sunset vista.

On the menu, there are Hokkaido scallops and porcini mushrooms with winter truffles as well as housemade fagottini (parcels of Sicilian prawns) topped with sea urchin sauce and Oscietra caviar and A5 ‘ohmi’ wagyu beef striploin.

Or head to the alfresco Terrace Lounge where you can admire the city view with a two-hour free-flow of champagne, wines, and cocktails, with a selection of five canapes ($168++ per person, any two hours from 5.30pm to 10.30pm).

Zafferano is located at Ocean Financial Centre, Level 43, 10 Collyer Quay, Singapore 049315. Visit its website for more information.

4. Super Loco Customs House

Get ready for a night of revelry at this waterfront venue located at the iconic Customs House. Come New Year’s Eve, the restaurant takes you to the Mexican city of Cancun, with a four-hour bottomless drinks package together with a four-course dinner. Seafood lovers will enjoy the starters of yellowfin tuna tartare with aguachile salsa, and sweet Irish oysters with habanero caviar.

Afterward, sink your teeth into seared Hokkaido scallops with mojo rojo sauce, Iberico pork taquitos with chipotle mole, and cilantro garlic barramundi taquitos. There’s also a sharing platter of fire-grilled black Angus ribeye and achiote-citrus marinated Yucatan black cod.

From $400++ for a table of two and up to $1100++ for a premium bayfront table of five with a complimentary bottle of Lanson Black Label Brut Champagne.

Visit its website for more information.

ALSO READ: New Year's Eve 2020 in Singapore: Where to ring in the new year with dinner and drinks

5. Skai

You’ll get stunning views and refined surroundings at Skai, the contemporary grill restaurant up on the 70th floor of Swissôtel The Stamford.

For dinner from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, there’s the four-course New Year’s Eve Set Dinner ($178++) with lobster, crab and uni atop saffron risotto as well as Westholme wagyu short ribs, and a taro pie dessert with sweet potato ice cream.

If you’d like to linger for a little longer, go for the ‘After 8’ New Year’s Set Dinner. The six-course menu ($398++) is available from 8pm onwards, and will tantalise your tastebuds with the additions of hamachi and tuna in buttermilk, as well as foie gras to the previous menu items. You’ll also end off with a chocolate and earl grey mousse dessert instead.

Both menus include a glass of Laurent Perrier Brut.

Visit its website for more information.

6. LeVeL33

Billed the world’s highest urban microbrewery, it resides on the 33rd storey of Marina Bay Financial Center, as its name suggests, and overlooks iconic landmarks like Marina Bay Sands.

Its NYE specials offer both four and six-course menus. The four-course dinner will win you over with Hokkaido scallops and grass-fed Angus striploin for the earlier 5pm seating ($138++), whilst the 7pm seating ($188++) tempts with Fremantle octopus and kimchi aioli, as well as a wagyu tri-tip steak that’s dry-aged in-house.

Both gets you a complimentary glass of champagne or LeVeL33’s unique Brut Beer. Or forget about the time with the six-course menu (5pm to 10.30pm, $298++ per guest) that stars fresh oysters, house made chawanmushi made with wheat beer dashi, and a 450-days-grain-fed wagyu sirloin steak. All menu options include a glass of champagne or brut beer.

LeVeL33 is at #33-01 Marina Bay Financial Center Tower 1, 8 Marina Boulevard, Singapore 018981. Visit its website for more information.

7. The Cliff at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa

If sea views and lush greenery are more your thing, take your celebratory dinner to The Cliff at Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa.

Treat yourself to authentic Italian flavours with its five-course New Year’s Eve dinner menu ($138++). Indulge in scallop carpaccio, tagliolini with black winter truffle, lobster al forno or porcini-rubbed wagyu striploin for mains, and a roasted fig and honey tart.

Wine pairing is also available at $58++ per diner.

Sofitel Singapore Sentosa Resort & Spa is at 2 Bukit Manis Road Sentosa, Singapore 099891. Visit its website for more information.

8. 1-Atico

Located 56 storeys above Ion Orchard, multi-concept sky-high lifestyle destination 1-Atico has various dining options that each afford remarkable views.

At Argentinian restaurant Fire, dishes are made with fresh produce, you can expect top-shelf cuts of meat that are grilled to juicy perfection. For New Year’s Eve dinner, tuck into a six-course feast that kicks off with hamachi ceviche, followed by smoked and grilled octopus and milk-fed lamb rack with truffle jus. For mains, choose from either dry-aged A4 wagyu or grilled turbot.

It’s neighbour, Nikkei Japanese-Peruvian bar Flnt, serves up dishes heavily inspired by Nikkei cuisine from Peru, as well as a fine selection of world-class sakes, and Nikkei-inspired cocktails. Its six-course menu ($238++ per person) will have you in a celebratory mood with sashimi, a platter of assorted small plates like tuna belly and octopus ceviche, Wagyu A4 sirloin or grilled Iberico pork.

1-Atico is located at Level 55 and 56, 2 Orchard Turn Level, Singapore 238801. Visit its website for more information.

9. Art

The one-Michelin star restaurant at National Gallery affords lovely vistas of the Flyer, Marina Bay Sands, and the Esplanade as well as lush green lawns of the Padang together with contemporary Italian fare.

Line your belly with offerings from its seven-course New Year’s Eve dinner menu ($328++ ), which spotlights Venecian-style liver with sea urchin custard and royal Oscietra caviar, organic egg yolk taglierini with alaskan king crab, dry-aged monkfish, and A5 Miyazaki beef.

Art is located at #06-02 National Gallery, 1 St Andrews Road, Singapore 178957. Visit its website for more information.

This article was first published in The Singapore Women's Weekly.