What To Do On New Year’s Eve In London
Watch The Fireworks
Think of New Year’s Eve in London and what do you picture? For many of us it’s the capital’s world-famous fireworks display, and the sight of its bright lights and shimmering pops of colour bursting into life over the London skyline. With an energising soundtrack and lengthy display of the very best illuminations, this event never disappoints. Tickets will let you stand in some of the best viewing spots and, while the first set has sold out, a second batch will be released on November 28 at midday. If you don’t manage to bag one, there are still plenty of good spots to watch the spectacle for free – Primrose Hill or Hampstead Heath are two of the best.
Various locations in London.
Tickets £10, London.gov.uk
Head To The Highest Bar In The Shard
If you want to ring in the new year in style, Gong – located on level 52 of The Shard – is the place to do it. This year the popular bar is offering party-goers the chance to be transported back to the 1970s as it transforms into the famous Studio 54 nightclub for one night only. Go for an outfit with a serious dose of glamour and enjoy disco tunes galore while looking out at the dramatic backdrop of the city. Standing tickets (priced at £180) include a glass of champagne and canapes, while tables (priced from £700) include a bottle of champagne and canapes.
At The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU
Tickets from £180, Gong-Shangri-La.com
Take Part In A Proper Prohibition Party
Presented by Bourne & Hollingsworth and set to take place in a secret East London location, this prohibition party will offer an evening of illicit drinking, footloose flappers and a speakeasy atmosphere straight from the 1920s. Obscured from the prying eyes of patrol officers, you’ll be able to enjoy live bands, dancing troops and the chance to try your luck on the roulette table. There’ll even be the opportunity to learn the steps of the Charleston with the help of professional dancers. Don’t forget to dress the part!
Secret East London location.
Tickets from £55, ProhibitionPartyLondon.com
Drink Champagne Under The Largest Animal On Earth
Looking to celebrate New Year's Eve somewhere unusual this year? We have just the location – The Natural History Museum. Let your inner party animal loose and dance alongside some pretty spectacular creatures. Hosted in collaboration with experiential events company, It's Unknown, the night will include musical bingo, a silent disco, ‘massaoke’ band and DJ. You'll also have the chance to look around the galleries, make nocturnal animal masks and decorate your body with UV paint. There's a complimentary drink included in the price too.
Cromwell Road, Kensington, SW7 5BD
Tickets from £89, NHM.ac.uk
Celebrate At The Southbank Centre
Welcome the new year in with a bang at this decade-themed extravaganza. On December 31, the Royal Festival Hall will be transformed into a set-dressed spectacular with six themed pop-up nightclubs to take you right through the decades – from the 20s to the present day. With six bars, 15 DJs, numerous live acts, dance lessons and photo studios galore, you'll be kept busy all night. Plus, you'll be able to enjoy stunning views of the fireworks from the terrace.
Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX
Tickets from £115, SouthbankCentre.co.uk
Spend The Night In An Igloo By The River
If you fancy doing something a little different this year, why not hire one of the popular igloos by the river and enjoy a dining experience like no other? Set along the Queen’s Walk on Southbank, the igloos offer panoramic views of the riverside and are suitable for parties of six to 10 people. If you’re part of a bigger group, you can also enjoy the alpine offerings at the Refuge Restaurant, also run by Jimmy’s Lodge. On the menu you’ll find the likes of home-cured salmon with pickled beets, French mountain onion soup with garlic and gruyere croutons, a traditional alpine fondue and the ultimate winter feast (with steak, wild boar and apple sausages, and mixed charcuterie). Dessert is a spiced poached pear with hot chocolate sauce and shortbread.
Waterloo Bridge, SE1 9PX
Tickets from £250, JimmysPopup.com
Go For The Glitter
The Shard is certainly serving up some fantastic NYE options this year, and the party at Oblix East sounds right up our street. As part of the All That Glitters theme, guests are encouraged to dress in a Great Gatsby-style, and revel in the stunning views of the city. Indulge in a few celebratory drinks and enjoy tasty canapes while listening to a live soundtrack offered up by the Hot Gold Jazz Orchestra. From 12.30am, a DJ will take to the stage and keep the party going with soulful, funk-filled beats until 3am.
At The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9QU
Tickets £250, OblixRestaurant.com
Join The Circus
See out 2019 in style and enjoy the sights of the circus at Trapeze. Inspired by one of the UK’s oldest circus schools (based very close in Hoxton Square), this bar hopes to create a show of its own – and New Year’s Eve will see a display like no other. Be amazed as the contortionist flexes, stretches and twists her limbs, dodge out of the way of the fire breather, and watch in awe at the sword eater. There will be a balloon drop above the dance floor in the main bar, and a great selection of music for you to dance to.
Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HX
Tickets from £10, TrapezeBar.co.uk
Enjoy One Of Your All-Time Favourite Films
Prefer to steer clear of the crowds? The Prince Charles Cinema is showing rom-com classic When Harry Met Sally this New Year's Eve. Sit back and relax as you watch the two iconic characters battle with the age-old question: can men and woman ever 'just' be friends? Every ticket comes with a glass of sparkling wine and a party popper too – so you'll still get to celebrate the end of 2019. Best of all – the screening will finish at 8.30pm, leaving you plenty of time to grab a NYE drink somewhere else, or just curl up in your PJs on the sofa.
7 Leicester place, WC2H 7BY
Tickets from £11, PrinceCharlesCinema.com
Laurent Liotardol
Visit The Ultimate House Party
If you’re a fan of Bourne & Hollingsworth’s beautiful bars, you’ll want to book tickets for the bottomless NYE house party being hosted at its venue in Fitzrovia. With delicious cocktails, a brilliant DJ and an intimate location, you’re sure to be dancing on the tables by the end of the night. The £50 ticket includes bottomless drinks from a special NYE menu featuring cocktails, spirit mixers, beer and wine. Don’t miss the other great events being hosted elsewhere by B&H too – we love the sound of the three-course banquet at Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings in Clerkenwell.
Rathbone Place, W1T 1JF
£50, BourneAndHollingsworth.com
Sip Cocktails On A Rooftop
Enjoy spectacular views of the fireworks this New Year’s Eve from Radio Rooftop. Set on the 10th floor of ME London, this bar has a striking outlook across London’s impressive skyline, stretching from The Shard and St Paul’s to the London Eye and Big Ben. On the 31st December, it will host the ultimate celebratory evening with an open bar, delicious canapes and a live DJ set.
Strand, WC2R 1HA
Tickets from £300 RadioRooftop.com
Be Entranced By The Ballet
If you enjoy the ballet, a trip to see the enchanting Nutcracker performed by the English National Ballet has to be on your list of things to do this NYE. More than 100 dancers and musicians will bring the well-known story to life, with beautiful dancing, stunning sets and Tchaikovsky’s score played live. Shown at the London Coliseum at 2pm, the performance is sure to provide an unforgettable afternoon.
London Coliseum, St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES
Tickets from £40, LondonColiseum.org
Have Your Masks At The Ready
Dress in your finest attire, find a mask of your choosing and take a place at the masquerade ball at Mr Fogg’s Residence. There’ll be a champagne reception and delicious canapes as well as a live band at this Victorian-themed bar, and bottomless Moet & Chandon Champagne and Hendrick’s gin cocktails. A magician will keep you entertained throughout the night and a DJ will keep the party going until the early hours.
Bruton Lane, Mayfair, W1J 6JD
Tickets from £90, Mr-Foggs.com
Laugh Along With The Comedy Carnival
Not sure you want to head to a cocktail bar this New Year’s Eve? The Comedy Carnival might offer just what you’re looking for. With locations in both Leicester Square and Clapham, these shows have the very best stand-up comedians on hand to give you a side-splittingly good giggle. Those appearing this year include the likes of Mock The Week star Ian Stone and Live At The Apollo star Tom Stade. Plus, both locations offer guests the option of staying in the nightclub afterwards, so you can still party the night away after you’ve laughed all evening.
Bar Rumba, Shaftesbury Avenue, W1D 7EP and Infernos, Clapham High Street, SW4 7UH
Tickets from £5, ComedyCarnival.co.uk
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