Adieu 2011, and hello 2012! Whether 2011 was a good year or one to forget, don’t let it go out on a whimper. After all, there’s so much to do on this tiny island, besides singing Auld Lang Syne or watching New Year’s Eve. Here are some other ways to spend the last day of 2011.
CLUB PARTIES
New Year's Eve with DJ Martin Solveig
Electro-heads in the know should head straight to Zouk for some superb house mixes from French electronica guru Martin Solveig (right). We reckon that bopping along to his irresistibly catchy single Hello, from his fourth studio album SMASH, is a pretty groovy way to usher in 2012.
Date and time: December 31, from 10pm
Venue: Zouk, Jiak Kim Street
Price: $40 per person, includes two drinks. Click here for more.
New Year's Eve Black Ball
It's a ball, folks – so get into your best tuxedos or gowns, find that bejeweled party mask and get into the swing of things at The Butter Factory. A night of glamour, beautiful people and happy hedonism awaits.
Date and time: December 31, from 9.30pm
Venue: The Butter Factory, One Fullerton
Price: Presale tickets at $25 until December 28; $30 at the door. Click here for more.
Avand New Year's Eve Extravaganza
If you're a veteran looking for something other than the usual suspects, then head to new kid on the block, Avalon, to pay your New Year's Eve clubbing dues. Guest DJ Steve Prior from Avalon Hollywood will be there to supply the necessary house music. Plus, you can still catch the fireworks display from the Marina Bay Countdown, away from the crowds.
Date and time: December 31, from 10pm
Venue: Avalon, South Crystal Pavilion, 2 Bayfront Ave
Price: $50 per person, $600 and up for table bookings. Click here for more.
New Year's Eve 2012: Into The Sun Ft. Zirca Residents @ Zirca
Zirca die-hards will be pleased to know that all their favourite resident DJs will be coming together for one night of non-stop music. It's the no-frills, good ol'-fashioned combination of boogie and booze for a raucous last night of 2011.
Date and time: December 31, from 10pm
Venue: Zirca, Clarke Quay, 177A River Valley Road
Price: Before 11pm: $16, inclusive of 2 drinks. After 11pm: $22/$28, inclusive of 2 drinks.
I ♥ DUBSTEP: NYE Dubpocalypse Special
It's all about the dub-dub-dubstep this New Year's Eve at Home Club. Surrender to the bass-heavy sonic assault from Syndicate's Darren Dubwise, Home's Jerls and DMC Singapore 2009 runner-up Motif. Just be sure to come armed with some slick dance moves.
Date and time: December 31, from 9pm
Venue: Home Club, 20 Upper Circular Road
Price: $22, includes one drink.
COUNTDOWN PARTIES
Brand New Day: 2-day Beach Party Extravaganza
The people at Tanjong Beach Club have got it all covered. On New Year's Eve, try everything from getting a tarot card reading to dancing to nu-disco courtesy of Poolside Music, Fred E, Has, Maurice and more hip acts. On New Year's itself, choose to party harder with electro grooves from more DJs, or recover with a seafood brunch, flea market and body massages on-site.
Date and time: Countdown party: December 31, 4pm until late. Recovery party: January 1 2012, 2pm until late.
Venue: Tanjong Beach Club, 120 Tanjong Beach Walk
Price: Free admission. Visit www.tanjongbeachclub.com/index.php/main for more information. RSVP by calling 62701355 or emailing book@tanjongbeachclub.com
Siloso Beach Party
Don’t put away your board shorts and bikins just yet! With one ticket, you can groove to the beats from Coastes, Azzura Beach Club, Café del Mar, Wave House Sentosa and the local and international DJs spinning at the Main Arena of Siloso Beach.
Date and time: December 31, 6pm until late
Venue: Siloso Beach Sentosa, 33 Allanbrooke Road
Price: $49 per ticket. Log on to www.silosobeachparty.com for more information
Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Tiger Crystal at Clarke Quay
Send in a text message and see your well wishes get displayed on Tiger Crystal’s huge clock tower situated at Clarke Quay’s Central Fountain Square. Party gear like cheer sticks and LED lights will be distributed by Tiger ambassadors, so you can get into the mood for some serious partying.
Date: December 27 - December 31
Venue: Central Fountain Square, 3 River Valley Road
Price: Free admission. Visit www.tigerbeer.com.sg & www.facebook.com/TigerBeerSG for more.
New Year Countdown 2012 @ The Esplanade
Bring along a picnic mat, some sustenance and a bunch of friends for a relaxing way to close the year. Singapore Idol alumni Syltra Lee will serenade you with songs from the 60s, while Don Richmond’s Singapore-centric documentary, The Journey, will be screened for one and all.
Date and time: December 31, 7pm until late
Venue: Various locations around The Esplanade, 1 Esplanade Drive
Price: Free admission. Click here for more information.
NYE Countdown Party @ Marina Barrage
Everyone's favourite picnic place turns into a hubbub of performances, food and flea stalls on the last day of 2011. Catch reggae veterans Bushmen, indie rockers Tiramisu, bands Novo Bloco and Instigator Afro Orchestra while camping out on the greens with the family.
Date and time: December 31, from 8.30pm
Venue: Marina Barrage
Price: Free admission
2012 Countdown Party @ Crowne Plaza Changi Airport
Whether you're leaving on a jet plane or simply hanging out at the East side, Crown Plaza Changi Airport's New Year's Eve bash ensures that you won't miss out on all the fun happening in central Singapore. There'll be plenty of drinks, games, adrenaline-pumping music and the occasional rumble of a plane as you welcome 2012.
Date and time: December 31, from 9pm to January 1 2012, 1am
Venue: Lobby Lounge at Crowne Plaza Changi Airport, 75 Airport Boulevard
Price: $22+++ for free flow of soft drinks and juices for 4 hours; $48+++ for free flow of soft drinks, juices, beer and wine for 4 hours. To make a reservation, please call 68235367 or email crowneplazadining@cpchangiairport.com
EVENTS & PERFORMANCES
Capella Under the Stars
This is quite possibly one of the grandest New Year's parties set to take place in Singapore. Grammy-winning R&B singer Macy Gray will hit the stage, alongside Australian Broadway stars Michael Falzon and Dale Burridge. There'll also be a four-course gourmet dinner and a free flow of premium bubbly and wines.
Date and time: December 31, from 6.30pm
Venue: Capella Singapore, 1 The Knolls Sentosa
Price: $1,288+++ per person. To book, call 65915000 or email reservations.singapore@capellahotels.com
Celebrate 2012
There's something for everyone at this countdown concert. Wave those lightsticks for Malaysian pop queen Siti Nurhaliza, pump your fists to Canadian pop-rock outfit These Kids Wear Crowns, get krumping with rapper Sheik Haikel or swoon to Inch Chua's breathy vocals. The show will be hosted by Michelle Chia and Gurmit Singh.
Date and time: December 31, 8pm to 3am
Venue: The Float @ Marina Bay
Price: $25 from SISTIC, excluding booking fee. Call 63485555 or go to www.sistic.com.sg to book.
Asian Civilisations Museum Countdown Bash
Yes, museums can live it up too. Go off the beaten track at the Asian Civilisation Museum's New Year's Eve bash. It's like a funky open house: Indian grooves, high-energy dance performances, an in-house DJ spinning the year's biggest hits and free admission to all the galleries.
Date and time: December 31, 7pm to 1am
Venue: Asian Civilisations Museum, 1 Empress Place
Price: Free admission
The Philharmonic Orchestra: New Year's Eve Gala Concert
If pumping music and sweaty bodies aren’t your thing, then you might want to head to the School of the Arts (SOTA) for a night of fine classical music. Count down to 2012 with the Philharmonic Orchestra and Maestro Lim Yau as they play the classics from Johann Strauss, Respighi, Offenbach and Rossini.
Date and time: December 31, 10pm until midnight
Venue: School of the Arts Concert Hall, 1 Zubir Said Drive
Price: $35 for a standard ticket and $20 for a concession ticket, from Gatecrash. Visit tpo.org.sg/event-detail.php?id=15 for more information.
Singapore Flyer 2012 Countdown Flight
For 30 minutes, you can leave the crowds behind and take a step closer to the heavens on board the Singapore Flyer. Sip on premium Moet & Chandon champagne while taking in the fireworks and stunning views of the Singapore skyline. Afterwards, adjourn to the Flyer Lounge for an exclusive private party.
Date and time: December 31 at various timings: 10pm, 10.30pm, 11.00pm, 11.30pm, 11.59pm. January 1, 2012 at 12.30am
Venue: Singapore Flyer, 31 Raffles Avenue
Price: $69 per person. Call 63333311 or email sfsales@adval.com.sg. Visit www.singaporeflyer.com for more information.
Universal Studios Boogie Countdown
Daredevils can attack the various rides to their heart’s content, but don't miss the grand 14-float parade making its way through the park. The soundtrack to all this will be provided by the Beatles, ABBA and Bee Gees tribute bands that will play all night, culminating in a fireworks display when 2012 arrives.
Date and time: December 31, 6pm to 1am
Venue: Resorts World Sentosa, 8 Sentosa Gateway
Price: All-day passes at $74 and event passes (admission after 6pm) at $68. Click here for more information.
FOOD
Da Paolo Bistro Bar The White Countdown
Kill two birds with one stone at Da Paolo Bistro's Bar very hip, very hearty buffet-cum-countdown party. In the fabulous setting of a colonial bungalow, you can partake in their sinful buffet spread which includes Fine De Claire Oysters, Rock Lobsters, Iberico Pork Ribs and many more choice morsels. Funk act The Mighty Mighty, DJ JNR and PushinOn's DJ Dave Code will also be spinning, so don't feel shy about doing a little dancing on the side.
Date and time: December 31, from 8pm until midnight
Venue: Da Paolo Bistro Bar, 3 Rochester Park
Price: $201.20+++ per person
Dress code: White
Seki Japanese Restaurant New Year’s Eve Menu
Japanese restaurant Seki is set to open on New Year’s Eve with an exciting menu created by Chef Takuma Seki. With contemporary Japanese dishes like Yuzu-flavoured foie gras and Shirako tempura cooked in pink salt, your last meal of 2011 will surely be one to remember.
Date and time: December 31, 6pm
Venue: Rendezvous Hotel, 9 Bras Basah Road
Price: $50 and above per person. Email your reservations to reservation@seki.com.sg.
The Terrace New Year’s Dinner Extravaganza
It’s the last time you can stuff yourself in 2011, so make it count by dropping by The Terrace for its sumptuous New Year’s Eve buffet. Their international barbecue buffet dinner includes a welcome drink, party favours, kids’ activities and complimentary access to the Roaring 70s New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at The Pavilion.
Date: December 31
Venue: The Sentosa Resort & Spa, 2 Bukit Manis Road
Price: $198+++ per adult , $99+++ per child. Prices subject to 10 per cent service charge and prevailing government taxes. Call 63711414 or email theterrace@thesentosa.com to make your reservations.
Sky on 57 Countdown Degustation Dinner
Justin Quek’s countdown degustation menu is a melting pot of east-meets-west: Think foie gras xiao long bao, abalones with black truffles, and Kagoshima beef with autumn vegetables. The stellar food comes with a spectacular view as well; raise your complimentary glass of Veuve Cliquot Rosé and toast to a rosy 2012 ahead.
Date and time: December 31, 8pm - 10.30pm (last seating)
Venue: 57F, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave
Price: $388+++, prices subject to 10 per cent service charge and prevailing government taxes. Visit www.marinabaysands.com/Singapore-Restaurants/Fine-Dining/Sky-on-57 for more information or call 66888857 to make your reservation.