New Year's Eve Options in Winchester

When it comes to New Year's Eve there are plenty of options. Spend a little. Spend a lot. Drive a little (preferred). Drive a lot. But for Winchester residents staying in town is never a bad idea. Here's a look at what some local establishments are doing on New Year's Eve.

First House Pub, 528 Main Street -- It's the third New Year's Eve for the First House Pub and this one includes a champagne toast at midnight. Remember too, nothing says New Year's like a basket of their tater tots. The pub will be open until 12:30 a.m. with '80s and '90s music on tap ... as well as all your favorite drafts.

The Waterfield Kitchen, 14 Thompson St. -- New Year's Eve will include some interesting specials, hardly a surprise for TWK and its creative staff. Whatever your choice, suggest washing it down with a Sinner & Saint. You can decide later which you'd rather be. Dinner is served during the usual Sunday hours, 4-9 p.m.

Swanton Street Diner, 72 Swanton Street -- It's business as usual at the , meaning a 3 p.m. close on Sundays. But plan your day out and a late lunch may be just the thing.

Black Horse Tavern, 32 Waterfield Road -- The original Black Horse Tavern was built in 1724. We're not sure what they did on New Year's back then but this year the tavern will be open from 4 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Since you've broken your 2017 New Year's resolutions long ago, dive into Tavern Nachos and wash'em down with a Black Horse Brew. The diet starts Monday.

China Sky, 27 Converse Place -- The home of authentic Chinese and Japanese cuisine has a special holiday menu and is open from 11:30 a.m. until 10 p.m. You'll never spend more than the House Special Basil Delight ($21.95) and if you want to try something different on the last day of the year, how about Unagi or even Tobiko.

Lucia Ristorante, 5 Mt. Vernon Street -- Nothing against a delicious plate of chips covered in cheese but how something different on New Year's Eve, like Guazzetto di Mare or Ammazzafame. Don't know what that is? Shame on you. Lucia's kitchen is open from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m., with the lounge open until 11 p.m.

Comella's, 529 Main Street -- Winchester's newest restaurant, Comella's sells buckets of Italian food, and we do mean buckets, in what they call Family Messes. They say the recipe is a mystery, sometimes it has lasagna, pasta, eggplant or shells. So if you want something different on New Year's Eve, consider a bucket of Grandpa's Mess or any one of the other 13 messes. Comella's is open between 11:30 a.m. and 9 p.m.

Photos by Bob Holmes