We predict 2012 is going to be a corkerIf you haven’t got your New Year’s Eve partying planned, you’d better get a wiggle on – there are only a few days of 2011 left. For those who wish to start the year off the way they mean to go on (cocktails, fun, dressing up, that kind of thing) here are a few places that tick all the boxes, just make sure you book up asap…
30 December
New Year’s Eve Eve Masked Ball
Masks are a must at this pre-New Year’s Eve bash, thoughtfully arranged for those who’d rather leave the extortionate taxi fares to less forward-thinking folk. Featuring naked Golden Slave boys and girls serving oysters, a flurry of DJs, a torture chamber and a midnight feast, it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. “Dress up or stay at home” they say. And to prove they mean business, there will be a £10 fine to those who haven’t entered into the spirit of things. This, 10% of the ticket price and 10% of bar sales will go directly to the charity, Crisis.
10pm-4am; tickets £25, group tickets, five for £80.
St. Matthew’s Church, 5 St. Matthews Road, Brixton, SW2 1ND. Tickets: thelasttuesdaysociety.org
31 December
The Animal Party
Yup, it is an animal party but only humans are allowed. That means plenty of furry suits and animal behaviour served alongside your cocktails together with Mexican troubadors, DJs and all kinds of craziness from the Lost Tuesday Society. No costume, no entry.
10pm-4am; tickets £25.
458 Hackney Road, E2 9EJ. Tickets: thelasttuesdaysociety.org
Beach Hut Surf Shack
Dress for the beach at this urban tropical paradise featuring hot choons from DJs Scratchy and Johnny Fortune. Cool down with cocktails including mojitios, Caiprinhas and rum and Ting.
£20, £35.95 early bird tapas seating 6-9pm; £59.95 after 9pm
Camino, 3 Varnisher’s Yard, The Regent’s Quarter, N1 9FD. Tickets: 020 7841 7331. camino.uk.com
The Blitz Party
The theme is 1940s air raid shelter, the dress code is utility chic – think women with pin curls, pencil skirts, tea dresses and seamed stockings and moustachioed men in army uniforms and spit-spot shiny medals. It’s an authentic affair, with six rooms housing big bands, 1940s cabaret acts, DJs and swing dancers, plus sand bags, black out curtains and original news reels dotted around for good measure. Cocktails are of the gin and ale variety. Get yours in exchange for a ration coupon.
9pm-3am; £50.
26 New Inn Yard, EC2A 3EY. Tickets
New Year’s Eve Vintage Ball
You could probably pitch up in smart jeans but we think you’ll enjoy your cocktails much, much more if you dress up in your finery for this bumper NYE package including dinner, live band, cabaret, magic and a generous serving of burlesque.
6pm-3am. £90 show, three-course dinner and club; £20 club only (from 9.30pm)
Volupte, 9 Norwich Street, EC4A 1EJ. Tickets: 020 7831 1622. volupte-lounge.com
Dapper & Diamonds Party
If you’ve been looking for a reason to pile on the sequins and dust down your sharpest suit, this is it. Dress up and get on down to the disco-tastic sounds and delicious cocktails at the best thing that’s happened to King’s Cross since the Eurostar.
7pm-3am, tickets £10 including a glass of punch.
9 Caledonian Road, N1 9DX. Ticketss: 020 7278 4335. drinkshopdo.com
Gold
Spandau Ballet’s hit ‘Gold’ is the theme at this unashamedly kitsch Eighties bar. Dress in your favourite clobber from the era but just make sure it’s gold as you get ready to dance around handbags to your favourite disco classics. Retro cocktails such as Pina Colada’s, daiquiris and Babycham will be served by the bartenders pretending to be Tom Cruise in, yes, you guessed it – Cocktail. Champagne reception, bacon rolls at 1.30am.
10.30pm-5am, members £30 on the night, £20 in advance; non-members £40 on the night, £30 in advance.
Maggie’s, 329 Fulham Road, SW10 9QL. Tickets: 020 7352 8512. maggies-club.com
Last Day on Earth
Forget partying like it’s 1999, this post-apocalyptic bash is for those who want to dance like it’s their last night on earth. Dress accordingly to enjoy an evening filled with all kinds of fun including pole dancing robots (!), acrobats and DJs.
7pm-4am; £95 with dinner, £20 club only.
Supperclub, 12 Acklam Road, W10 5QZ. Tickets: 020 8964 6600. supperclub.com
Masquerade Ball
A complimentary cocktail awaits each masked guest at The Lost Angel’s New Year’s Eve celebrations. Get there early to make the most of the £4.50 cocktails served from 7-9pm.
7pm-3am; £25, £45 including two-course meal.
The Lost Angel, 339 Battersea Park Road, SW11 4LS. Bookings: 020 7622 2112. lostangel.co.uk
The Lost Tiger
The Blind Tiger and Lost Society team up to greet 2012 in style, with music, entertainment and cool cocktails. Your finest 1920s-style garb recommended.
7pm-1pm; tickets £10, £25 two course dinner, £30 three-courses
697 Wandsworth Road, SW8 3JF. Bookings 020 7652 6526. blindtigerlondon.co.uk
Motown Live Revue featuring Angie Brown
They don’t state it on the invite but we think it would be rude not to get into the spirit of things by dressing up in a Motown stylee. Fluff up your afros, pull out those stripey tank tops and go full-on Seventies psychedelic at this Music Box jam night featuring Angie Brown and Patrick Alan.
£75 dinner and show, £40 standing only.
Shaka Zulu, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AB. T: 020 3376 9911. shaka-zulu.com
Prohibition
Cigarette holders, boas, trilbies and co-respondent shoes at the ready folks, this 1920s-styled event is just the ticket for anyone who likes dressing up to have fun. Quaff bootlegged booze from teacups, try your luck on the illicit gambling tables, watch flapper girls doing their stuff and enjoy the specially themed floor show (just cross your fingers the joint doesn’t get raided…)
9pm-3am; tickets
54 Holywell Lane, EC2A 3PQ. prohibition1920s.com
Ski Lodge Party
Now that the hideously patterned Chrimble sweater has become a fashion must-have, be sure to show off any hand knits you may have acquired at this ski lodge-style bash with resident DJ and cool cocktails.
7pm-3am; tickets £15
Citizen Smith, 160 Putney High Street, SW15 1RS. Tickets: 020 8780 2235. citizensmithbar.co.uk
Stompin’ at The Savoy
If you’re paying £1,000 for a ticket then it stands to reason that you should dress up for the event. This five-star shindig features live performances from Paloma Faith, Beverley Knight, Tony Christie and Buddy Greco singing along to a 30-piece orchestra and Patrick Kielty providing the chuckles. Expect Champagne, a four-course meal and the best view of the spectacular fireworks display.
From 7pm; tickets £1,000
The Savoy, Strand, WC2R 0EU. Bookings: 0845 177 0181. stompinatthesavoy.co.uk
And if you just want to toast the New Year in with brilliant cocktails try…
The Loft
There are a number options to see the New Year in in style at this south London hotspot – just be sure to factor in Andy Campana’s excellent cocktails, most using homemade syrups, cordials or liqueurs.
7pm-late. Tickets from £20.
67 Clapham High Street, SW4 7TG. T: 020 7627 0792. theloft-clapham.co.uk
Worship Street Whistling Shop
The theme may be Victorian but the mood is decidedly modern at this, one of our favourite new bar openings of 2011. Book for dinner or just turn up for a selection of Victorian-inspired tipples and discounted British bubbly at midnight.
5pm-late. No admission charge.
63 Worship Street, EC2A 2DU. Bookings: 020 7247 0015. whistlingshop.com
The Zetter Townhouse
With all the charm and cosiness of kicking back at home but with world class cocktails from Tony C and his excellent team, this one is a winner in our book.
8.30pm-late. £25 entry fee including house cocktail.
49-50 St. John Square, EC1V 4JU. Bookings: 020 7324 455o. thezettertownhouse.com
