Head to the mangroves
Ingredients restaurant will feature a special festive buffet, featuring foie gras, duck and salmon rilette stations, a pastry kitchen and raw seafood station along with other favourites. Starting at 9pm, guests can sample caviar, oysters and sushi with free flowing bubbly, blends, grape-based beverages and juices. Visit the hotel’s stunning pool deck before the stroke of midnight to witness the countdown laser show and bubbly towers.
Eastern Mangroves Resort and Spa by Anantara, Salam St (02 656 1044).
Watch fireworks
The beachside restaurant at The St. Regis on Saadiyat Island, Turquoiz, will be welcoming in the new year with a DJ set from Alex Seda (he’s supported Carl Cox and Eric Morillo) and a fireworks display to end the night.
From Dhs490 including unlimited beverages. The St. Regis Saadiyat Island & Resort (02 498 8888).
Hide behind a mask
Ornina Restaurant & Lounge are holding a masquerade party. There are great dinner and beverage packages to choose from such as Dhs850 per person inclusive of food and selected bottle service or Dhs500 for late party only. Dress code is smart and glamourous, and masks will be courtesy of Ornina.
8pm-3am, choose from dinner upstairs (three courses, with beverage package) or dinner in the lounge (six tapas between two guests with beverage package). Pacifico Building, Al Bandar, Raha Beach (02 556 6090).
Attend a suave soirée
Feel like getting your Great Gatsby on? Take a trip back to the 1920s at Pearls & Caviar at the black and white-themed party, with a sumptuous five-course dinner, music from a jazz band and fireworks display over the canal. Dhs1,050 per person including a complimentary bottle of bubbly per table.
Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8555).
Party in a winter wonderland
Want to get dressed to the nines? Enter the New Year in style with a five-course set menu at Hyatt Capital Gate from 7pm-11pm with a variety of packages available. The classical package for Dhs700 includes a selection of homemade ice teas, fresh juices, water and carbonated beverages and the premium package for Dhs1,000 includes a welcome glass of bubbly, premium grape pairing and midnight bubbly. Following the gala dinner, guests can enjoy an after-party on the outdoor pool deck of Rayana Spa. There’ll be unlimited bubbly and canapés and a DJ spinning the hits while guests dance the night away and take in the city view 80 metres above the ground! Winter wonderland after-party Dhs800, classic package plus winter wonderland Dhs1,200, premium package plus winter wonderland Dhs1,500.
Hyatt Capital Gate, Al Safraat (02 596 1234).
Set the scene
Ring in the New Year with an extensive international-themed buffet highlighted by unlimited pourings of quintessential French bubbly at CuiScene. They’ll be serving grilled seafood, foie gras, paella, sushi and sashimi and a dedicated charcuterie station, with music from their resident DJ. Guests enjoying the international gala buffet will be entitled to receive complimentary access to the New Year’s Eve Party Under the Stars and will also receive a complimentary one day access pass to the hotel’s pool and beach facilities, valid for one month.
7pm-11.30pm, Dhs599 (French bubbly) and Dhs399 (soft drinks). Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Qaryat Al Beri (02 654 3333).
Go back in time
Stars ’N’ Bars on Yas Island will be hosting an ’80s disco and a quiz to welcome in the new year. The entry fee includes finger food and an open bar.
Dhs499, Yas Island (02 565 0101).
Drink some bubbles
Celebrate the start of 2013 at The Westin Abu Dhabi New Year’s party in Fairways restaurant with welcome blends and bubbles before tucking into appetisers, carved meats, fresh seafood and desserts all served buffet style including free flowing house beverages. House band Groovestone are also playing. Dhs350 per adult, Dhs300 per child with soft beverage package. Dhs490 per adult with free flow house beverage package, Dhs750 per adult with free flow house beverage package and French bubbles.
Fairways, The Westin Abu Dhabi Resort & Spa (02 616 9999).
Glow crazy!
Club SO-HI by Relax@12 will be offering free flowing house beverages and Asian tapas this December 31 at their Glow Crazy party. There’s just one rule: you’ve got to wear white.
Dhs450 for free flowing beverages, Dhs1,250 to include an overnight stay, Relax@12, Aloft Hotel (02 654 5000).
Head to BiCE
Dine with a perfect blend of authentic Italian charm and delectable cuisine at BiCE. The three-course set menu at one of Abu Dhabi’s newest kids on the block features a mixture of modern and traditional tastes. Head there from 7pm-8pm for some blends and then a dinner menu will be available from 8pm-11pm. Dhs1,299 per person, including two glasses of bubbly and access to the New Year’s Eve party at the spectacular venue on Podium Level 4 with an international band playing all your favourites as the countdown to 2013 begins. Start the evening with any of Jumeirah at Etihad Towers’ dining choices before continuing to the New Year’s Eve Party.
Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Corniche Road West (02 811 5555).
Dine at Time Out’s Restaurant of the Year
Love fine food? Welcome in the new year with an exquisite seven-course set menu at Bord Eau with grape pairing. Indulge in specialties from Chef Alexandre’s stunning menu. The seven-course set menu is priced at Dhs1,500 including grape pairing.
Shangri-La, Qaryat Al Beri (02 509 8555).
Party, party, party
If you want to party and dance all night in the lead up to midnight and beyond, head to Ray’s Bar and join in the countdown as resident DJ Paul Hamilton plays some of the best tunes of 2012 to see in 2013.
Dhs350 per person, 7pm-3am. Jumeirah at Etihad Towers, Corniche Road West (02 811 5555).
Enjoy fizz and food
The decade that fashion forgot is proving to be very popular this New Year’s Eve in the nation’s capital. Y-Bar at the Yas Rotana will be spinning hits from the ’80s and serving a selection of dishes and there’ll be live music as well. An entry fee of Dhs150 includes three house beverages.
Yas Island Rotana, Yas Island, (02 656 4000).
