Thousands of people last night ventured to house parties, pubs, bars, dinners and quiet movie nights to turn the page of 2013. Seymours owner Chris Sargent managed to sneak in a beverage with mates Tim Miller and Mitch Perryman before he took the reins of the pub for the night.

He said patrons could expect “business as usual”.

“The places that have events usually are busy, but for Seymours it generally gets a few diners,” he said.

Mr Sargent said New Year’s Eve celebrations in Ballarat were generally low key, with many party-goers heading to the beach or Melbourne.

“I think if you look through the New Years’ Eve guide in The Courier ... there’s a few different things going on,” he said.

Mr Sargent’s new year resolution is shared by thousands of Australian’s in an attempt to try to quit smoking.

Tim Miller said he had spent the past few New Year’s Eve celebrations at Seymours. 

“I try not to make New Year’s Eve a big night because it never meets expectations,” he said.

Mr Miller – who works at the Ballarat West Labor branch – said his new year resolution was to beat the Liberals in the 2014 state election.

He said the Christmas and New Year’s Eve holiday break had given him a chance to refresh, eat seafood and spend time with family.

Mr Perryman owns a bar on the Greek island of Ios, which he manages during the year and returns home during the summer. 

“It’s the off season, so I come back for work at the Lake View and it gives me a chance to see mates and family,” the 28-year-old said.

“I have to work tomorrow, so I won’t have a big one, but I’m not a big New Years’ Eve lover anyway.”

He said 2014 would see him return to Greece to manage the bar, make more money and party hard.

david.jeans@fairfaxmedia.com.au