We can’t believe 2017 is coming to an end already! We aren’t quite ready for the festive season to be over, but here’s our excuse for one more extravagant party. So, raise a cup of kindness and dance into a new year with us at one of London’s liveliest soirées.
A vintage New Year’s Eve party at the Southbank Centre
The Southbank Centre is going all-out with an event taking place across the five floors of the Royal Festival Hall and a vintage theme spanning six decades. Whatever your style, there’s something here for you – jive into the early hours, grab your flares and shake it to the sounds of Studio 54, or put on a pair of spats and dance in front of an 18-piece orchestra. They’ve even got beauticians on hand to help you perfect the look. See in the new year by celebrating all the best of those gone by!
Bocconcino’s Venetian Ball
Head to Bocconcino in Mayfair and revel in all-inclusive luxury. An opulent Venetian masquerade ball inspired by the tradition of elaborate dances in renaissance Italy, this event begins with a four-course sit down dinner before the tables are moved to make way for entertainers, dancers and musicians. There will be free-flowing aperitifs, wine, prosecco and canapés. Book quickly for this unique opportunity to party like it’s 1559.
Drink at Dandelyan
If you haven’t been yet, make a visit to Dandelyan your top priority in 2018. This bar is the winner of the World’s Best Cocktail Bar 2017 and Best International Bar Team while the creator, multi award-winning bartender Ryan Chetiyawardana (known as Mr Lyan), is the proud owner of the Personality of the Decade 2017. Inspired by Thameside botanists and bon vivants of the past, team Dandelyan have an innovative menu including tree sap cordial and dock leaf. If that weren’t tempting enough, check out their whisky-based game of Mousetrap…
The Magic of Vienna at Barbican Hall
2017 has had about as many twists and turns as a Viennese waltz. Maybe this means that it is fitting to finish the year celebrating the Strauss dynasty at the Barbican Centre. The Johann Strauss orchestra of Great Britain will be accompanied by dancers waltzing around in resplendent nineteenth century costumes. This promises to be an unmissable spectacle – and what a note to end the year on! Catch the concert at 7.30pm, then head to the nearby restaurants and bars before dancing down to the riverside and catching a glimpse of the midnight fireworks.
Panoramic Views at Rumpus Room
If you weren’t one of the lucky (or just well-organised) few who got a ticket to the Mayor of London’s 2017 fireworks display then you’re going to have to get creative about your vantage point for the famous fireworks and the only bongs Big Ben will be bonging this year. Our pick of the swankiest locations from which to enjoy the display is Rumpus Room, the rooftop bar on the 12th floor of Mondrian London. Shelter from the cold while taking in the skyline and sipping one of their signature champagne cocktails.
Treat the family to Matilda the Musical
The acclaimed musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved book will have the little ones dancing in their seats while parents might surprise themselves with how much they laugh (and maybe even cry) at comedian Tim Minchin’s inspired score. Make it your resolution to take advantage of all the fantastic theatre on your doorstep in London’s West End. With the run of this five-star show extended to 2019, you could even book seats for next year well in advance!
New Year’s Day Concert at St Martin-in-the-Fields
The architecture and acoustics of this candlelit church are some of the best in the capital. On New Year’s Day the Festive Orchestra of London will be performing masterpieces of the Baroque era including favourites by Handel, Mozart, Pachelbel, Bach and Vivaldi. This is a must for any fans of classical music – enjoy a stroll around the nearby National Gallery or admire the unlikely landmark in the world’s smallest police phone box on the south-east corner of Trafalgar square (installed in 1926, now used as a storage room by the cleaners).
