
What To Do On New Year’s Eve
Take a look at The Tab’s guide to the best 2011 NYE parties.
NYE is approaching. You still don’t know: what you’re doing, what you’re wearing, where you’re going, and what you’re going to be missing. Luckily, this year, you need not miss a thing. The Tab has already taken a look at what the best clubs near you are offering and compiled a handy guide. Perfect.
1) NYE 1933 @ Callooh Callay, Shoreditch, London
London is the hub of NYE celebrations. But, for those of you who don’t want to watch the fireworks in the cold, there are other options. On NYE, the quirky cocktail bar Callooh Callay will be transformed into a 1930s, American candy store. Girls: get out your cigarette holders, guys: put on your pinstripes and dress to impress!
Time: 6pm – late
Price: £10 standing, or £15 seated (including Teapot Punch and G&T jellies)
Dress Code: Molls and Gangsters
Location: 65 Rivington Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3AY (nearest tube station: Shoreditch High Street)
Drinks: Cocktails: £8. Spirit and Mixers: £7. Bottle of house wine: £18.
2) Secousse @ Favela Chic, London
For those of you who fell in love with African culture on your gap yah, this is the place to be. It promises an ‘electro-fied journey through the African continent’ with live music and dancers to transport you from icy England to exotic Africa.
Time: 8pm – 4am
Price: £20
Location: 91-93 Great Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3HZ (nearest tube station: Old Street)
Price: Cocktails from £7. Vodka and Coke: £6.
3) Official Aftershow Hogmanay Party @ HMV Picture House, Edinburgh
Although, sadly, the Hogmanay concert in the gardens and ceilidh have now sold out, there are still tickets left for the official after show party, with live electro-house music from Booka Shade. Tim Green and Gary Beck are also rumoured to be playing.
Time: 10pm – late
Price: £33.50
Location: 31 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH1 2DJ (easiest buses: 22, 30, 10, 11, 15, 15A, 16, 17 or 24)
Drinks: Beer from £3.80 per bottle. Wine from £10.00 per bottle.
4) From Russia with Love @ The Ritz, Manchester
Fellas, if you’re looking for a boy to kiss at midnight, look no further. This is a ‘gay electro-house communist-themed night.’ Of course. Accompanying the electro-house music will be some spectacular performances from: fire-breathers, gymnasts, dancers, and ‘communist style entertainers’ (whatever they might be…)
Time: 10.30pm – 5am
Price: £15 (+ £1.80 booking fee online) or £18 on the door
Dress code: Chic!
Location: Whitworth Street West, Manchester, M1 5NQ (nearest train station: Oxford Road)
Drinks: Double vodka mixers: £2.50. Shots: £1.
5) Butterfly Masked Ball @ Baby Simple, Oxford
If you fancy heading over to the dark side for NYE, try this. Taking its theme from the poem by William Roscoe and the later book by Alan Aldridge, this ball should be magical. There will be entertainment including: glass walking, fakir fire, films, roving insects, and face painting.
Time: 8pm – 5am
Price: £15 + booking fee
Dress code: Creepy crawly couture. There will also be a costume prize for the best dressed costume of an original copy of the books The Butterfly Ball and The Grasshopper’s Feast by Alan Aldridge.
Location: 213 Cowley Rd, Oxford, OX4 1XF (near the Manville Resource Centre)
Drinks: Free glass of champagne on entrance
6) The Great Flood @ Thekla, Bristol
Never again will you get the opportunity to see a rhinoceros try to get it on with a hamster. It’s time to whip out your whiskers and tails for this animal-themed night, situated on an actual boat. Despite being a slightly surreal concept, this has potential to be a fun, or at least funny, night.
Time: 9pm -6am
Price: £8 advance (+ booking fee)
Dress code: Animals
Location: The Grove, Bristol, BS1 4RB
7) Moulin Rouge @ The Place, Cambridge
For those of you who were just that keen to get back to Cambridge to use the library, there’s plenty going on there too. Our very own Place (you know the one: sweaty ceilings, vomming students…) is having a Moulin Rouge themed night.
Time: 9pm – 4am
Price: £12.95 online, or £18.50 on the door
Location: I imagine most of you are already acquainted with The Place, but for those of you that aren’t: it’s on Sidney Street, on the same side of the road as Sidney.
Drinks: Cocktails from £5.95. Pitchers: £15.
Whatever you’re doing, The Tab wishes you a very Happy New Year. And, if you’re planning on going to a great party that we’ve forgotten, spread the word by commenting below.