We’ve spent New Year’s Eves in the back of taxis, queuing to get into clubs and even one time sitting on a train. But this year will be different. We’ve planned our night out with military precision, and suggest you do the same – so here’s our round-the-clock guide to where you should be counting down the last hours of 2011 and seeing in the start of 2012. Make the start of it as you mean to go on – by partying really hard.
7pm-10pm
Start off your evening with a hearty meal
It’s the last meal of 2011, so push the boat out. For starters you’ll need to line your stomach and store away energy for the long night ahead. Plus, since many New Year’s Eves tend to get rather raucous later on, you might as well make sure at least a portion of your evening is civilized!
Frankie’s: For an easy-going, understated start to your evening, Frankie’s Italian Restaurant & Bar is serving a well-priced three course set menu of classic Italian dishes – we guarantee they’ll be good and carb-heavy to see you through till the wee hours of 2012. The à la carte menu will remain available and Frankie’s resident piano player will be tickling the ivories all evening.
New Year’s Eve dinner will take place in two sittings at 7pm or 9.30pm, and is priced at Dhs350 per person (including welcome drink). Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333)
Bord Eau: Got a big appetite? And a big wallet? We’d recommend you book a table at Bord Eau then. The French restaurant is serving a gourmet nine-course set menu with grape pairings. Dishes will include chef’s specialties such as turbot with sabayon and Angus beef tenderloin. Sounds pretty spectacular. Afterwards, the festivities will continue at the Infinity Pool where you can watch a fireworks display over Maqta’a Creek.
7pm-11.30pm, Dhs1,500 including drinks. Shangri-La (02 509 8555)
Yas Viceroy: Yas Viceroy have planned different themed New Year’s Eve dinner events at each of their venues, so you can choose between an international buffet at Origins, an Italian feast at Amici, Middle Eastern cuisine at Atayeb, spicy Indian fare at Angar or a Japanese–themed evening at Kazu. We’re predicting the most indulgent of all, however, will be the Maritime dinner at Nautilus (which incidentally, is our new fave restaurant at Yas Viceroy). Sitting out on the terrace, you’ll be able to enjoy the views of the marina while you work your way through Canadian lobster tail with 22 carat rosé bubbly, before tackling line cod fillet and finishing up with a dessert of hazelnut and cocoa jelly with salted caramel mousse, raspberry sponge and rose and yoghurt ice cream. Now that’s what we call a celebratory menu.
Maritime dinner Dhs550 per person for dinner only. Prices of other menus vary, contact Vas Viceroy for further details (02 656 0000)
Hyatt Capital Gate: Want to stay ahead of the curve? The brand new 18 Degrees at Hyatt Capital Gate (the world’s furthest leaning building, in case you hadn’t noticed) has floor-to-ceiling windows so you’ll be able to check out the festivities and fireworks going on all over town throughout your evening. A five course meal will be served along with reds, whites and bubbly. Contact the hotel for details on their various packages.
8pm onwards, Dhs700 to Dhs2,000. Hyatt Capital Gate (02 596 1709)
Beach Rotana: Essence is teaming up with Benihana to provide a massive selection of Japanese and international grub for you to feast on as you see out the last hours of 2011. Fans of all-you-can-eat deals will love this one, which gives you unlimited access to the spread and to free-flow soft drinks or selected house beverages. For a mere Dhs299 including soft drinks or Dhs399 including free flowing selected party drinks, we’re confident you can get more than get your money’s worth!
7pm-10.30pm, Dhs299 with unlimited soft drinks or Dhs399 with selected house beverages. Beach Rotana (02 697 9011)
THIS IS AN OLD NEW YEAR’S EVE ARTICLE. FIND THINGS TO DO IN 2014 HERE
10pm-Midnight
Ring in the New Year somewhere special
After dinner it’s time to hit somewhere perfect for getting a few rounds in and getting ready to toast 2012! Choose your pub or bar carefully – do you want views of the fireworks? Cheap drinks? Crowds? Whatever your style, make sure you book a table or you might find yourself on the pavement outside when the clock strikes midnight.
Cooper’s: One of the more popular pubs in the city, Cooper’s is bound to be packed this NYE. If you like a smoky, raucous, casual crowd, join the throngs here for drinking and dancing. There will be a live four-piece band playing and DJs throughout the night.
9pm-2.30am. Park Rotana (02 657 3333)
Heroes: Never miss a chance to get into fancy dress? Don your silliest threads, wigs and face-paint and get yourself to Heroes who are throwing a themed Celebrity Night bash where everyone will be dressed as their favourite A-lister. DJ Jono and the International Playboys band will be providing the music.
7pm onwards, Crowne Plaza Abu Dhabi (02 616 6132)
Le Méridien Survivor Party: If you fancy seeing in 2012 under the stars, visit Le Méridien’s Survivor Party which will be held in the outdoor garden area of the hotel. Dhs135 buys you entrance to the Centre Garden, Captain’s Arms and NRG and one free drink. The whole village area is going to be decked out in a marooned-on-a-desert-island theme and there will be live bands and DJs playing all night.
8pm onwards, Le Méridien (02 644 6666)
Chameleon: Chameleon is having a very chic New Year’s Eve party both in the bar lounge and spilling out onto the hotel’s terrace that overlooks Maqta’a Creek – which is the perfect spot to see the fireworks at midnight.
7pm-2am. Complimentary entrance for guests who are dining at the hotel, otherwise Dhs100 per person. Fairmont Bab Al Bahr (02 654 3333)
Y Bar: Possibly the cheesiest NYE party we’ve heard of this year, Y Bar is holding a Back to the ’80s night. So get out that blue eyeliner, fluff up your hair and get ready to dance to everything from Culture Club to Kylie Minogue. The entrance fee is Dhs100 which includes two drinks.
8pm-2am. Yas Island Rotana (02 656 4000)
Midnight- Early Hours
Party through the wee hours of 2012
It’s time to spend the first few hours of the New Year having as much fun as possible. There are plenty of parties going on all around town, but here are just a few options that will be open very late.
Cinnabar: Resident DJ Sam will be playing Arabic and English hits into the early hours of 2012. A ticket at Dhs325 for gents and a bargain Dhs275 for ladies buys you entrance and access to the open bar as well as canapés that will be circulated throughout the night.
10pm-3am. Cinnabar, Hilton Abu Dhabi (02 681 1900)
The Yacht Club: Heaps of entertainment will make the night go with a bang on NYE at the Yacht Club. Regular decksmith DJ Rabih will be playing upbeat tunes for the crowd to party to, while four dancers, a sax player and a team of fire-eaters will be heating things up at the club. Various packages are available that include food, bottles of Russian spirit and bubbly. Non diners pay Dhs100 entrance fee.
10pm-3am. InterContinental (02 666 6888)
Arabic Party at Zenith: Zenith is hosting an Arabic Night this year, with a guest DJ from Lebanon who will be playing the latest Arabic hits all through the night, plus a belly dancer will be doing her thing later on. Tickets are Dhs200 for ladies and Dhs400 for the gents, which includes a free flow of regular house beverages.
9pm-3.30am. Sheraton Abu Dhabi (02 677 3333)
Incognito at Relax@12: Wanna feel like a Gossip Girl extra this NYE? Spend the evening getting up to no good and wearing a mask at Relax@12’s masquerade party. DJs Nathalie Brogan, Chad Funk and Stew Magoo will be spinning up a storm on the decks. The entrance fee is steep at Dhs600 but covers unlimited drinks and Asian tapas.
8pm-3pm. Aloft Abu Dhabi (02 02 654 5013)
Allure: Allure’s offering for NYE is an extravaganza they’re calling The Cosmic Project, featuring eight international DJs, a giant robot, dry ice cannons, laser shows, dancers and plenty more out-there entertainment. Sound fun? This one will be going on very late indeed so dress up and be prepared to dance until dawn.
9pm onwards. Allure (02 657 5400)
THIS IS AN OLD NEW YEAR’S EVE ARTICLE. FIND THINGS TO DO IN 2014 HERE
