Looking forward to the 44th NYE Gala.

We’re closing in on December and on our 44th consecutive New Year’s Eve party. Some things change every year. Most things — the things that matter — don’t.

The first NYE Gala at Maravela’s was in 1981, the year my grandfather decided that opening the hall on the last night of the year was worth the late evening for the staff. He was right. We’ve done it every year since.

What has changed

• The room. The hall has been renovated three times since 1981. The current layout — three private rooms, one connecting central bar — has been in place since 2008.
• The music. The DJ has changed twice. The current one (her name is Reina) has been with us since 2019 and runs the dance floor better than anyone we’ve had.
• The toast. Champagne is still champagne, but we used to do the toast at 11:50 PM and the countdown at midnight. Several years ago a guest pointed out the obvious — that pouring 300 glasses takes more than ten minutes — and we moved the pour to 11:30 PM. The countdown still happens at midnight, with full glasses in hand.

What hasn’t

The food comes out of the same kitchen. The same family runs the floor. The dinner still has a plated and a buffet option, and the open bar still runs from 7 PM through 1 AM. The ball drop is still on the projector. The photo booth is still in the back-right corner of the main room.

And the families who come every year still come. We have couples who came in their twenties in the 80s and bring their grandchildren now. We have a table that’s been reserved by the same group of friends for nineteen years running. That kind of continuity isn’t something a venue can market for. It just happens — or it doesn’t — and we feel lucky that it has.

Forty-four years. Forty-five if you ask my grandfather.

Reserving a table for the 44th

Reservations for December 31, 2026 are open now. The night runs 7 PM to 1 AM. Pricing is $110 per person, with a $100-off discount for tables of ten booked together. Black-tie. Tables of 8 and 10 fill up first; tables of 4 and 6 are usually available later into December.

Details on the night, the menu, and how to reserve are on the NYE Gala page. Or call 847·587·6100 and we’ll hold your table on the phone.

See you on the 31st.