Forget Christmas for a moment (it’s hard, we know), because we’re currently obsessing about which New Year’s Eve party in London to choose from.
To celebrate the turn of the decade, the capital is hosting some of the most chic and incredible throwback parties of the year, ranging from Great Gatsby and James Bond-inspired dos to barge bashes and karaoke.
Better yet, several of the get-togethers are offering guests six-course meals, bottomless cocktails and champagne at midnight underneath a London skyline lit up by some of the most wonderful firework displays around the world.
To avoid the midnight schlump at home and overpriced nightclubs and taxis, it’s important you book in your New Year’s Eve party, ASAP.
Here are the best New Year’s Eve parties in London that are worth the money:
1) New Year's Eve Spectacular
If you know your sparklers from your Catherine wheels then you’ll need to head to the Southbank Centre, which will be the prime location to see London’s famous New Year’s Eve fireworks. The internationally-known Royal Festival Hall will be transformed this festive season into five floors dedicated to the turning of the year with six bars, live acts and a whopping 15 DJs.
Dances lessons and six pop-up nightclubs playing tunes from the 1920 to 2019 will echo through the hallways of the Centre, while live orchestras and photo studios will entice revellers counting down to midnight.
2) New Year’s Eve at The Ned
Grab your platforms and halterneck sequinned tops because The Ned is hosting a Studio 54-inspired disco in its Grand Bank Hall this December and you’re invited. Live music, an all-you-can-eat feast and free-flowing drinks (think beer, wine, fizz and cocktails) will be on offer, as will a firework show from the rooftop of the legendary location in the capital.
3) Cahoots’ New Year's Eve Knees-Up
If swing is your thing, you best nab a ticket to the 1940s-inspired party of the year at the new Cahoots, Ticket Hall & Control Room. A jolly is expected at this knees-up extravaganza, during which guests will be welcomed with a Grey Goose La Vanille cocktails on entry and delicious rations of food and bottomless (yes, your read that correctly) cocktails.
The party location will be filled with dancers and performers alike, from the Hotsie Tosies to the Roustabouts, until everyone gets kicked out at 3am. Whether you decided to carry on the shindig elsewhere is anyone’s business.
4) Bunga’s New Year’s Eve Gold Venetian Ball
Italian hotspot Bunga Bunga is celebrating its heritage this year, with a Venetian ball in Battersea set to be full of glitz, glamour, dinner and dancing.
On arrival, party people will be greeted with a glass of Moët & Chandon Champagne, before tucking into five-course Italian delight. The night will then kick into overdrive with live entertainment and, for the fearless among you, a chance to show off your vocals at karaoke. Oh, and did we mention there’ll be an after-party that’ll run until 3am? We’ll see you on stage!
5) Zuma
Here at ELLE UK, we love a first. So that’s why we can’t wait to check out modern Japanese restaurant and bar Zuma come December 31, which is hosting its first ever NYE party. Zuma’s Abu Dhabi resident DJ Lucas Moncorge is flying over especially for the occasion to bring a live set from 10pm with a drinks menu that will include Matsunoki Martinis, Rhubarb and Almond Coolers and Yakomizo Manhattans.
The food on offer will be just as impressive, with plates such as marinated black cod wrapped in hoba leaf, spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, red chilli and sweet soy as well as nigiri sushi and the chef’s special maki rolls.
6) London Shell Co.
All aboard The Prince Regent this New Year’s Eve for an unforgettable cruise at twilight. Enjoy a six course menu (£120) of seafood and seasonal produce including Monkfish Ballotine, Lobster Thermidor Croquette and Clementine sorbet as you set sail to Camden and gaze in wonder at the fireworks lining the capital’s skyline.
The Grand Duchess (a permanently moored floating restaurant) will have two seatings throughout the night, which will offer up those with sea legs up a five course set menu (deep fried Monkfish cheek, Cornish cod, chestnut dumplings etc) alongside a menu of sparkling wines (£50). A lucky group of ten people will also have the chance to book out the Captain’s Table - a secluded and intimate dining area at the bow of barge.
BOOK NOW – TICKETS START AT £50
7) Bart’s New Year’s Eve Chicago Speakeasy
Give ‘em the old razzle dazzle at this speakeasy shindig on Sloane Avenue located behind Barts’ famous not-so-secret black door. This year, Barts’ will be celebrating its 10th birthday and 100 years since Prohibition came into force in the US.
Better yet, Moët & Chandon and Belvedere will be providing the booze all night, with guests given the chance to buy a Bar Ticket, which includes a welcome drink and free-flowing Belvedere cocktails, beers, wines and house spirits all evening. However, partygoers in groups larger than four, can also nab Table Tickets which guarantee a spot to leave your coats for the night and include both a bottle of Belvedere Vodka and Moët & Chandon Champagne.
We’ll see you there!
8) Maggie’s New Year’s Eve James Bond: For Your Eyes Only
Always fancied yourself as more of a Bond than a Bond Girl? Well, now is the time to show off your 007 skills ahead of the 25th Bond installation No Time to Die.
This New Year’s Eve, Maggie’s is hosting its annual party, For Your Eyes Only!, welcoming guests with Belvedere cocktails and a selection of 1980s and James Bond-inspired hit songs. Did someone say diamonds are forever?
9) New Year’s Eve at the View from The Shard
When it comes to watching fireworks, the sky is truly the limit, right? So, that’s why you have no excuse but to buy a ticket to The Shard’s famous NYE party. Guests will be treated to cocktails, champagne at midnight, 360 views of London and a DJ set that’ll take partygoers into 2020.
Forget the swankiest party in town because this year, it’s all about walking into the highest.
10) Roar Into The '20s New Year's Eve Extravaganza at Mews
Mews of Mayfair is taking guests back to the future with their aptly-themed '20s New Year's Eve extravaganza. Fill the last night of the noughties with either a three and four-course meal, ring the New Year in at the Flapper Cocktail Party, and dance through your first morning of the 2020s at the Prohibition Lounge.
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Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
