There’s more to New Year’s Eve than slinky dresses, Champagne and fireworks (although, granted, those are all very important components for some). For others, there are gritty street parties, beachside shenanigans, cool cocktail bars and plenty other ways to ring in 2016. Here are some parties that are looking promising.
CLASSIC COUNTDOWNS
Clarke Quay
A classic spot for NYE celebrations, this year CQ is doing a circus-themed party, with food, drink, Class 95 DJs The Muttons, local band 53A, as well as circus acts at Read Bridge, Tan Tye Place and near the taxi stand from 8:45pm onwards. Free entry.
Marina Bay Countdown
At the city’s biggest public countdown party, expect 20,000 Wishing Spheres—a light display installation where people can write down their wishes for the year ahead. The fireworks will be timed to musc by Julian Wong. Free entry
ROOFTOPS & SKYLINES
1-Altitude
Ce La Vi
Catalunya
Flow 18
Lantern
The $140 entry ticket at Fullerton’s rooftop gem gets you a choice of two drinks, like champagne, wine or beer. For larger groups, try their $1,400 table packages that include a snack platter and four bottles of Champagne. $140-$1400
Lepark
LeVeL33
If you’re feeling ritzy, head over to this Hollywood-themed party at the world’s highest microbrewery. A $398 ticket will get you a welcome drink, canapes, dinner and a free-flow of craft beers and selected wines. $398
National Kitchen
Violet Oon’s National Gallery restaurant may be more or less the same as its Bukit Timah branch, but their verandah overlooking the Padang should be prime NYE property. Scope out a spot just before midnight (though there’s a $238 Peranakan set dinner inside as well). The cover also gets you a glass of Veuve Clicquot. $50
Zafferano
With a 270 degree views of the island, this contemporary Italian restaurant is whipping up a five course dinner followed by a night full of cocktails, wine and beer at their outdoor terrace lounge. $68
SLEEPOVERS
Sleepless Society NYE 2016
Turn up in your slickest slips and satin robes for this upmarket slumber party featuring a stellar line-up of electro-house legends like DJ Afrojack, DJ Apster and house music maestro Miss Nine. $98-$118.
POOLS & BEACHES
Coastes
Siloso Beach Party
Expect foam pools along the five different party zones spanning the stretch of the beach. A $58 entry ticket will get you a standard drink and a night of synth wave tunes by electronica legend DJ Don Diablo and a roster of local DJs. $48-$380
Tanjong Beach Club
DJ Shawn Livewire will spin progressive house sounds at this beachside party stalwart. Table packages start from $700 and they’re throwing in Champagne showers, light bar grub and a car ride home. Free entry.
Woobar
STREET PARTIES
Haji Lane NY Street Party
Kult Kafe Kountdown
Emily Hill’s new arty bar-gallery compound hosts a countdown party with tropical-tinged funk, reggae, afrobeat and house music by Sunday at the Training Shed regulars Bamrah Bros and Pushin’On, along with DJ Ramesh. Wings World will dish out bar grub, along with basic beer, wine, cider and cocktails. Oh, and there’s also free beer at midnight. Free entry
Street Eats and Underground Beats 2016
There’ll be Mediterranean bites, chargrilled meats and a free flow of bubbly, wine and craft beers at this Gemmill Lane street party countdown by the folks behind Maggie Joan’s and Moosehead. $160
COZY CLUBS
Artistry
Blu Jazz
Canvas
Cuba Libre
Gibson
This upmarket speakeasy is serving up a nine course set menu featuring dishes like wagyu, sakura prawns, Ikura roe and snow crab that will be paired by five in-house cocktails. To top it off, they’ll also be auctioning off rare spirits and cocktails off their extensive bar menu. $160
Incognito
Local indie outfit Tyen&Vishaal will be seranading the crowds at Chye Seng Huat’s ultra laidback craft beer bar place while chief bartender Anthony Zhong of Shin Gi Tai fame will be dishing out bespoke cocktails to last you through the night. $20
Kilo
Kilo’s NYE menu includes decadent plates of porcini, foie gras, tenderloin and grilled lobster. Afterwards, head up to the Kilo Lounge for a free flow of drinks till midnight with music by guest DJs Prok & Fitch and Oliver Osborne. Don’t forget, this will probably be the last countdown at their Kampong Bugis space seeing how they’ll be closing shop on Jan 2. The restaurant downstairs will remain open, though. $70-$160
RESTAURANTS
Lime House
The Carinbean restaurant will be playing old school R&B and hip-hop beats dished out by DJ Matteblacc with Champagne going for $90 a bottle. Free
OverEasy Orchard
Shake off 2015 with DJ Tyler Made’s groovy tunes while you battle it out over classic arcade games and beer pong at OverEasy’s new branch on Orchard. Free
HOTEL BARS
Bar on 5
Put on your tightest pair of bell bottoms at this retro themed party where you’ll get to countdown to 2016 as you jive to disco and sip on premium single malt whiskies and bubbly at Bar on 5. $98-$650
Lime
Great views of the city aside, this sleek hotel bar is welcoming in the new year with free-flow champagne from 10pm-1am at their casual chic skygarden roof terrace. If you prefer something more cozy, hook yourself up with one of their private cabanas and let loose for the night. $128-$600
Le Bar
One-Ninety Bar
The swanky Four Seasons bar’s NYE celebrations starts with a five-course dinner followed by after-dinner drinks and cocktails with complimentary canapes at the bar. There’ll be a roster of DJs throughout the night, of course. $268
