Top 10 new year’s eve hang-outs
New Year’s Eve in London is one of those nights so quick-paced and freighted with expectation that it can quickly overwhelm. However, done correctly it can be the best night of the year. Booking one of the following parties is a good place to start.
1. Home House Marylebone
The legendary members’ club is throwing a Decades of Dance house party where guests will be asked to exhume their favourite vintage clothing and dance moves from a bygone era, whether it’s the Charleston, the Macarena or the Gangnam style horse dance. Its fancy dress events are a big hit with both members and those lucky enough to get in, and this event is sure to be on trend.
Visit homehouse.co.uk or call 020 7670 2000
2. Searcys at The Gherkin
This year it seems the City is the place to be, especially if you’d like to treat yourself to amazing views. Searcys will be hosting another of its famous NYE evenings of gastronomic delights with a lavish four course meal, live entertainment and champagne to toast the end of 2012 and the start of 2013.
Visit searcys.co.uk or call 020 7071 5011
3. SushiSamba and Duck & Waffle
The top of the Heron Tower will host an early seating at 5.30pm that is more of a formal affair, entailing a fabulous five-course menu. The celebrations proper begin at 9.30pm, which will be more laid-back, with delicious small eats being served before the tables are cleared away and the dancing begins.
Visit sushisamba.com or 020 3640 7330
or duckandwaffle.com or 020 3640 7310
4. The South Place Hotel
D&D’s latest venture is throwing the ultimate house party to commemorate its first NYE. It has put together a comprehensive package including baths with designer bubbles, fine dining with wine pairings, a bespoke holiday cocktail menu, a pop-up top-floor terrace dance party, hangover palliatives and a bellini brunch.
Visit southplacehotel.com or call 020 3503 0000
5. Morton’s
If you prefer to do your partying in the West End, Mayfair has plenty of options. There aren’t many places that do class better than Morton’s, where members will be able to ring in the New Year with a five-course, fine-dining menu before repairing downstairs to its recently rebooted basement nightclub 2&8, where things will get loose until the early morning with an open bar and unlimited table service.
Visit mortonsclub.com or call 020 7499 0363
6. The Playboy Club
Head to Old Park Lane and dust down your finest Don Draper duds for a New Year’s Eve of retro elegance at The Playboy Club, where there is a Mad Men themed evening hosted by Hugh Hefner’s son Cooper.
Visit playboyclublondon.com or call 020 7491 8586
7. Sanderson
Join indie chanteuse Marina and the Diamonds at Fitzrovia’s Sanderson, where she’ll be singing in the hotel’s stunning Courtyard Garden area. The evening will mark the culmination of the Sanderson Sessions, which have played host to an array of rising musicians, including AlunaGeorge, Citizens! and Karin Park.
Visit sandersonlondon.com or call 020 7300 1400
8. Buddha-Bar
The newly relaunched Buddha-Bar in Knightsbridge will be serving its classic Asian-influence cocktails, rivers of Veuve, and a five-course menu. Ben Hadwen and DJ Omar will be providing the soundtrack to the evening on the saxophone and decks, respectively.
Visit buddhabarlondon.com or call 020 3667 5222
9. Belle Époque Circus Party
Looking for something different this year? Belle Époque Circus new year’s eve party is the perfect place to go. Already being tipped as one of the best parties on the calendar this year, there, it’s all about performance. Get ready to see Village Underground completely transformed and filled with spectacular acrobats, special music acts and eye popping costumes: all of the ingredients to make sure you have a night to remember.
Visit belleepoqueparty.com or call 020 7724 1617
10. Prohibition Party New Year’s Eve Special
Dust off your flapper dress or tuxedo and see in the New Year in full on 1920s style. The renowned Prohibition night at London’s Bloomsbury Ballroom promises to deliver an assortment of entertainment and retro fun to take you on a journey back in time. Expect live bands, DJs using gramophones, a live piano room and gambling tables too. Just make sure you look the part.
Visit prohibitions1920s.com or call 020 7724 1617
Additional reporting Naomi Mdudu