With the holidays approaching, the world celebrates with loads and loads of parties! And Singapore is no exception. So let’s shake off the prevailing gloom and end the year with a blast. We give you the lowdown on the most happening Christmas and New Year’s Eve parties, clubs and general mayhem so that you’ll know what to expect when the clock strikes 12—start planning already.
Yule Love This
Don’t miss these parties if you want to club hop this Christmas Eve.
St James Power Station (3 Sentosa Gateway, 6270-7676) is reinventing “club hop” this year end and gives us one good reason to make merry in all of their outlets: The all-access hand-stamp. For just $35 per person on both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, revellers can visit all nine outlets within the complex and also sister outlets The Bellini Grande (#01-01 Blk. A Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6336-7676)), Bar None (B/1 Singapore Marriott Hotel, 320 Orchard Rd., 6831-4659) and The Living Room (Lobby, Singapore Marriott Hotel, 6831-4656). OK, make that 12 reasons.
Many Christmas parties have special themes (mainly white), but The Arena (#01-08 Blk. B Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6338-3158) is going interstellar this year with the Space Out Party. Be prepared to be transported to another realm at this live music club with their stellar line up that includes international acts and its resident jock DJ Freaky Freddy.
Christmas carollers and resident hip hop spin-master DJ Raw entertain at The Forbidden City (#01-02 Blk. A Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6557-6268). IndoChine’s monthly theme party, Plush, will throw a special White Christmas party to bring on the festivities. DJ Barry Ashworth will make your money’s worth at Attica Too (#01-12/13/14, Blk. A Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6333-9973) while MC Sir Real of the Freestylers will wow you with his lyrical gymnastics. Illuminate your S-mas at supperclub (2/F Odeon towers, 331 North Bridge Rd., 6334-4080) with a celebration that will surely intensify the spirit of Christmas. Expect a heady experience complete with uber cool décor, supper, music and surreal performances.
If you have turned mellow and prefer some soothing sounds instead, drop by Heat Ultralounge (2/F Royal Plaza on Scotts, 25 Scotts Rd., 6589-7722). D’Light, a four-piece acoustic group from Manila, Philippines, will bring you jazz classics and popular tunes.
Ring in the New
Say goodbye to 2008 and usher in 2009 with these fabulous countdown parties.
Clarke Quay and its surrounding area can never go too wrong with their year end festivities. Over at the Forbidden City, get a head start to the New Year with a special dinner at Restaurant Madame Butterfly. Thereafter, proceed to “The Forbidden Party” downstairs in Bar CoCoon as local house music maestro DJ Paul T delivers some wicked beats and sounds for the countdown party of the night.
Usher in 2009 at The Pump Room (#01-09/10 Blk. B Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6334-2628) with award-winning microbrewery beer and great live music. Resident band Jive Talkin’s partying experience will be an unforgettable one. The band, well-known for its versatile repertoire, will put all in the mood for festive cheer and more.
Catch top local band Tabula as they dish out their unique blend of chill-out Top 40s guitar hits at China One (#02-01/02/03 Blk. E Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6339-0280). House music lovers are not left out too as resident DJ Tony will spin your favorite house tunes well into the night.
For some hard partying action, go to eM Studio (#02-05, Gallery Hotel, 1 Nanson Rd., 6836-9691) where DJs Yukun and P@T will be churning out trance and progressive house tunes at its NYE Daze Out countdown party.
It’s The Final Countdown over at The Butter Factory (#01-03 Riverside 48, 48 Robertson Quay, 6333-8243) as the club celebrates its final New Year’s Eve at the Robertson Quay location. It will be a madcap affair as usual here as hip hop impresarios DJs Drem, Mylk and beatboxer Dharni bust their beats while electro-vangelist Dave Does tears it up in the main room. So remember to don your wackiest best when you drop by.
Usually big name international DJs will ring in the New Year at Zouk (17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988) but it will be a different Eve this year as Zouk celebrates it with Mambo Jambo (since it falls on a Wednesday) for the very first time, so expect happening ‘80s anthems to go with all your “slick” dance moves.
Not to be outdone, the Asian Civilisations Museum (1 Empress Place, 6332-2982) will be holding a celebration of their own—91.3 Countdown Party @ ACM 2009. Catch top DJs from 91.3FM as they spin the latest tunes and catchy beats! Watch out for popular DJ Jeremy Ratnam as he counts down to the New Year with the top radio hits of 2008. To top it all off, it’s complimentary entry to the museum from 5pm-1am and the kind folks at ACM will be dishing out free beer, soft drinks and ice-cream while stocks last—essential during trying times like these.
Things are going to get swinging at House (8D Dempsey Rd., 6475-7787) as they throw a house party of a different kind this year. The cool crew has lined up a list of hilarious activities and programs like a Most Disastrous Contest, Fashion Disaster Catwalk and even the Fashion Police will be making their rounds at this Fashion Disaster countdown party. You can drink yourself silly with a free flow of house wines, beer, vodka, whisky and delicious servings of truffle fries at $125 per person.
If a beach party is more your thing, head on down to the Siloso Beach Party (Siloso Beach, Sentosa) and check out the eclectic assortment of tunes and choons, from hip hop, funk, reggae, house and even trance music from the likes of Starz Angels, DJs Jensen, Shy and KoFlow, and bands like EIC and Tribal Tide. There will be a foam pool and a slew of fringe activities like beat-boxing performances, stilt walkers, capoeira and not forgetting, good eye candy all around.
New Year’s Eve at the symbolic Marina Bay has become more than just a celebration—it’s a national tradition. The celebration features star-studded musical performances, balloons, confetti and about a quarter million of your closest friends (we kid you not). But unlike other countdown parties, the Marina Bay Countdown is more of a contemplative event where people are encouraged to think about the year that has passed and wish for what they hope to see in the year ahead. Also, keep your eyes peeled for fireworks action starting in the final minute leading into 2009.
With so many rip-roaring parties to bring on the festive cheer, there is just no reason to stay in this December.
