Ring in 2019: London's Best New Year’s Eve parties to book early
Wondering where to go to see out 2018? From glossy parties to underground raves, here are some of the most exciting ways to spend New Year's Eve in London
Ring in 2018: London's Best New Year’s Eve parties to book today
There’s nothing worse than a last-minute panic about what to do on New Year’s Eve in London. If you're yet to make plans but keen to see out 2018 with a bang, read on for our round-up of the city’s best parties and events. From vintage glamour and high-end dining to an eighties disco and a cruise down the Thames, Culture Whisper’s guide to New Year’s Eve 2018–19 events in London will ensure you don’t miss out on the biggest night of the year.
Southbank Centre’s New Year's Eve Spectacular
Best for... A journey through musical history
Southbank Centre's New Year's Spectacular is a mainstay of London New Year’s Eve events. This year, five pop-up clubs spanning music from the era of twenties flapper girls to nineties Spice Girls will take you on a whistlestop tour of bygone decades, right up to 2019. There's an intimate cabaret club, a Tiki bar, a disco playing everything from funk to Motown, and a game of musical bingo – to name but a few highlights from the five floors of immersive entertainment. Don't forget to head to the private terrace overlooking the Thames for prime viewing of the New Year's Eve fireworks.
Tickets from £105
Click here to book tickets
New Year's Eve: Party Animals at the Natural History Museum
Best for... A truly 'wild' night
Don't fall asleep with the fishes on New Year's Eve. Instead, dance under the famous, life-sized blue whale in the Natural History Museum. Expect great dancing music at the silent disco, group singalongs at 'Massaoke' and musical bingo. The more adventurous among you can sample edible insects, and creative types can make animal masks. Don't forget to check out the dinosaur gallery, which will be open to intrepid explorers.
£99 for non-members
Click here to book
The Petersham
Best for… a Victorian fairy-tale
With its green, leafy location and views over the Thames, the Petersham in Richmond feels a world away from normal city life. And the elegant Victorian hotel certainly knows how to throw a New Year’s Eve party: the night will begin with drinks and background music by acclaimed pianist Gareth Giles, followed by a gastronomic five-course dinner, then the dawn of the new year will be toasted with a glass of Champagne. To add to the magical feeling of this opulent venue, organisers have promised a real snowfall at midnight.
Tickets from £165
Click here to book
Party with Bourne and Hollingsworth
Best for... historical hedonism
Seasoned party-throwers Bourne and Hollingsworth have two offerings this year: the Blitz Party and the Prohibition Party. The former promises a night of '40s-style revelry', taking place in a makeshift air-raid shelter plentifully stocked with alcoholic provisions. The Prohibition Party, meanwhile, takes place in a secret location (to avoid prying police officers), filled with flapper girls, DJs on gramophones, and free-flowing, illicit cocktails.
Tickets from £50
Click here to book tickets
The Candlelight Club New Year's Eve Ball
Best for... bootlegged bubbly
Continuing with the 1920s prohibition theme, the Candlelight Club will be seeing in the New Year like they did in the Jazz Age, with music and cabaret all crafted to transport you back in time. You can also book a dining ticket for one of two dinner sittings. Champagne Charlie will oversee proceedings and the Bubbly Boys will pop in to play live jazz – and you can learn to Charleston while they play.
Early bird from £45.
Click here to book ticket
Around the World in 80 Days: London New Year's Eve Ball
Best for...a black-tie blowout
Around the world in 80 days...or, in this case, in one fun-filled night. Head to Battersea for an all-out, internationally-themed do with room for thousands of guests. Explore Japanese temples, have a tipple in an igloo bar lit by the northern lights, try your luck at the casino, and stroll through the hanging gardens of Babylon. Oh, and did we mention there's a four-course dinner and unlimited drinks? To top it all off, there's even a shuttle bus to Victoria after midnight for those needing to head back north of the river post-revelry.
Tickets cost £185
Click here to book tickets
Electric Dreams New Year's Eve Party
Best for...low-key disco
Ring in the New Year with a healthy dose of musical nostalgia. Electric dreams will be running a no-frills night of classic eighties and alternative electronica featuring the likes of Depeche Mode, The Human League, Soft Cell, Ultravox, Simple Minds and Duran Duran. For those wanting a good time free from the glitz and glam of fancier events, this is the one to choose.
Tickets from £15.
Click here to book tickets
The Lanesborough's New Year's Eve House Party
Best for… sumptuous celebrations
For most of us, the words ‘house party’ take us back to our teenage years, conjuring up images of raiding a parent’s alcohol supplies then hurriedly hiding the evidence the next day. Well, this New Year's Eve will give you a chance to challenge that preconception. Very few places say luxury in the same way as the Lanesborough Hotel, the best in London according to the Travel + Leisure World's 'Best Awards'. For the first time ever, the hotel is shutting its doors to host a sumptuous private New Year’s Eve house party. The nightclub-style event, hosted in association with Moët & Chandon, will be spread over the entire first floor of the hotel, incorporating live music, DJs and plates of delicious bites. With a dress code of ‘fabulous', guests can expect a night to remember.
Tickets from £250
Reserve tickets here
New Year's Eve Cruise on the Dixie Queen
Best for...sailing into the new year
All aboard for 2019. Hop on the replica paddle steamer the P.S Dixie Queen and cruise down the Thames for this nautical shindig, enjoying a buffet dinner, live band and DJ as you pass under the raised Tower Bridge.
Tickets cost £150
Click here to book tickets
NYE 2018 at The Piano Works
Best for...all-night tunes
Farringdon favourite The Piano Works will be laying on a black-tie affair this NYE. There will be non-stop live music from 5pm until 2am, with a DJ taking over at 2am to keep the party going until the wee hours (6am). The venue is offering flexible ticket options depending on what time you want to arrive and whether or not you want to tuck into the three-course dinner.
Tickets from £10
Click here to book tickets
The NYE Silent Disco
Best for...chart-topping favourites
This NYE, Silent Sounds will be taking over the elegant Art Deco Banking Hall for a not-so-elegant silent disco. Party-goers will be able to switch between three channels provided by DJs mixing live on the night, so whether you prefer ABBA or Ariana Grande, the Beach Boys or Busted, it's likely they'll have you covered. There will also be a food stall serving up burgers, fries and hot dogs for those who need to re-fuel mid-boogie. Remember to take off your headphones now and then to giggle at the crowd's tuneless vocals.
Tickets from £45
Click here to book tickets
Foreverland - NYE Enchanted Forest Rave
For those looking for a full-on New Year's Eve clubbing experience, Foreverland might be your calling. As part of its UK tour, the festival-themed club night is hosting an immersive extravaganza at The Grand in Clapham, headlined by UK Garage legends DJ Luck & MC Neat. They've gone all-out on the decoration and entertainment: guests can expect indoor fireworks, confetti cannons, mythical beast puppeteers and face painters. Resident DJs will keep the night going with electronic, bassline, garage, tech house and disco until 4am.
Tickets from £15
Click here to book tickets
New Year at The Mansion
Best for... sartorial splendour
The Mansion arrange exclusive events in the most impressive of private spaces. This year, their NYE party is in a secret location in NW London with three dance floors, four DJs, two exhibitions, psychedelic red movies, face-painting, cage dancers, fire shows and even a clairvoyant to let you know what to expect in 2019. We're tired just thinking about it. With hip-hop, house and electro on the dancefloor, and great drinks, you might find yourself seeing in the new year in the red.
Early bird tickets from £24
Click here to book tickets
NYE at London Sky Bar
Best for... sky-high views
London Sky Bar offers a champagne-fuelled, 12-hour celebration where guests will see in the new year from the top of the world. Located on the upper floors of the Millbank Tower, the event will give unrivalled Thames-side views of the annual fireworks display. Add in a champagne reception upon arrival, a champagne breakfast in the early hours and entertainment all night, and you have a formidable party.
Tickets from £295
Click here to book tickets
New Year's Eve at Somerset House with Sink the Pink
Best for... skating into 2019
Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason are ringing in the New Year with help from Sink the Pink, a London-based collective who aim to change UK club culture with their LGBTQ+ events. Sink the Pink will be performing a brand new routine of group and solo drag numbers, performed to hit songs. The stage will be raised over the rink, effectively giving skaters a front row seat to the flamboyant performances. If you would rather see in the New Year on solid ground, there will be a range of food and drinks available all night (including alpine-inspired treats from Fortnum's Lodge) on the terraces, as well as a chill out area in the East Wing. From the River Terrace, you will even get an incredible view of the Mayor of London fireworks before festivities recommence. What more could you ask for?
Tickets: £50 General Admission | £70 General Admission + skate ticket
Click here to book tickets
New Year's Eve at Skylight, Tobacco Dock
Best for... starting the New Year with a bang
Wapping's frozen party playground has returned this winter season, swapping its famous croquet lawns and summer Pimms for something decidedly more festive – a rooftop ice rink with views over the city. Over the course of the season, the venue plays host to guest DJs, ice hockey, and new-for-2018 cosy igloos and huts. A special mention, however, must go to Skylight's New Year's Eve party plans. Skylight will be hosting a rooftop party over its three floors, with ice skating, street food, cocktails and DJs. Not only will guests find themselves in prime position to see some of the city's most impressive firework displays, but Skylight will also be broadcasting the official London display across 12 screens located throughout the venue. All tickets include a glass of Moet & Chandon champagne to start the celebrations in style, meanwhile hopeful attendees should note that igloos and huts are available for booking now.
Tickets from £30
Click here to book tickets
Berners Tavern in The London Edition
Best for… foodie festivities
Berners Tavern, the award-winning restaurant located within the London Edition, is serving up a treat this New Year's Eve, with a four-course menu stuffed to the brim with delicious delicacies, from a Norfolk quail Waldorf salad to an After Eight Alaska served with Baileys custard. There will be two sittings available, the first at 7pm and then another at 9pm, allowing you the chance to decide whether to move onto to a party or celebrate the count down in the restaurant.
Menus £100 or £185
To reserve a table click here
The Mondrian
Best for… last-chance cocktails
The Mondrian Hotel serves some of the best cocktails you'll find in all of London (and further afield, too). The prizewinning Dandelyan Bar – headed up by Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr Lyan) – was designed by man-of-the-moment Tom Dixon. What's more, with news about Dandelyan bar closing in the near future (don't worry, Mr Lyan plans to keep hold of the space and transform it into something new), this could be the last New Year's Eve you can spend sipping Mr Lyan's exciting concoctions with your bed just a stumble up the stairs. With the hotel perched on the South Bank, you'll have a second-to-none view of midnight fireworks display over the river, too. Be sure to ask for a room with a view.
Prices vary.
Click here to reserve a table
NYE dinner at St Pancras
Best for… culinary exploration
Hop on the Renaissance Express for a gastronomic voyage across Europe. The itinerary runs from Venice through Vienna and Paris to London, with dedicated menus for each spot. Whether it's Käsespätzle or Tiramisu you desire, your tastebuds are in for a treat. A DJ and live music will keep the party going until the clock strikes midnight.
Food journey from £105
Click to book
Mews' Masquerade
Best for… donning a disguise
A serious contender for the fanciest party in town, the Mews of Mayfair are putting on a masquerade. If NYE isn't reason enough to dress to impress, there'll be a photo booth and prizes for the best mask. Complete with live music and gorgeous décor, the Lounge Bar will welcome the new year in (disguised) style.
Tickets from £20
Click to book
Market Hall Victoria
Best for… musical bingo and eclectic dining
Can't choose between parties? Worry not, this extravaganza packs not one, not two, but three music-themed events into one night. Get the night off to a tuneful start with Musical Bingo, then try your hand at Gospeloke (karaoke with gospel choir backing – you're bound to sound great) before dancing into the new year with the party throwers Tail & Twist. The event and entertainment experts at It's Unknown have a reputation for their innovative club nights and disco yoga, and their New Year's Eve blast is no exception. The location, Market Hall Victoria, has given the capital’s foodie scene a boost – and now it's doing the same to NYE.
Tickets from £35
Click to book
Southbank Centre’s New Year's Eve Spectacular
Best for... A journey through musical history
Southbank Centre's New Year's Spectacular is a mainstay of London New Year’s Eve events. This year, five pop-up clubs spanning music from the era of twenties flapper girls to nineties Spice Girls will take you on a whistlestop tour of bygone decades, right up to 2019. There's an intimate cabaret club, a Tiki bar, a disco playing everything from funk to Motown, and a game of musical bingo – to name but a few highlights from the five floors of immersive entertainment. Don't forget to head to the private terrace overlooking the Thames for prime viewing of the New Year's Eve fireworks.
Tickets from £105
Click here to book tickets
New Year's Eve: Party Animals at the Natural History Museum
Best for... A truly 'wild' night
Don't fall asleep with the fishes on New Year's Eve. Instead, dance under the famous, life-sized blue whale in the Natural History Museum. Expect great dancing music at the silent disco, group singalongs at 'Massaoke' and musical bingo. The more adventurous among you can sample edible insects, and creative types can make animal masks. Don't forget to check out the dinosaur gallery, which will be open to intrepid explorers.
£99 for non-members
Click here to book
The Petersham
Best for… a Victorian fairy-tale
With its green, leafy location and views over the Thames, the Petersham in Richmond feels a world away from normal city life. And the elegant Victorian hotel certainly knows how to throw a New Year’s Eve party: the night will begin with drinks and background music by acclaimed pianist Gareth Giles, followed by a gastronomic five-course dinner, then the dawn of the new year will be toasted with a glass of Champagne. To add to the magical feeling of this opulent venue, organisers have promised a real snowfall at midnight.
Tickets from £165
Click here to book
Party with Bourne and Hollingsworth
Best for... historical hedonism
Seasoned party-throwers Bourne and Hollingsworth have two offerings this year: the Blitz Party and the Prohibition Party. The former promises a night of '40s-style revelry', taking place in a makeshift air-raid shelter plentifully stocked with alcoholic provisions. The Prohibition Party, meanwhile, takes place in a secret location (to avoid prying police officers), filled with flapper girls, DJs on gramophones, and free-flowing, illicit cocktails.
Tickets from £50
Click here to book tickets
The Candlelight Club New Year's Eve Ball
Best for... bootlegged bubbly
Continuing with the 1920s prohibition theme, the Candlelight Club will be seeing in the New Year like they did in the Jazz Age, with music and cabaret all crafted to transport you back in time. You can also book a dining ticket for one of two dinner sittings. Champagne Charlie will oversee proceedings and the Bubbly Boys will pop in to play live jazz – and you can learn to Charleston while they play.
Early bird from £45.
Click here to book ticket
Around the World in 80 Days: London New Year's Eve Ball
Best for...a black-tie blowout
Around the world in 80 days...or, in this case, in one fun-filled night. Head to Battersea for an all-out, internationally-themed do with room for thousands of guests. Explore Japanese temples, have a tipple in an igloo bar lit by the northern lights, try your luck at the casino, and stroll through the hanging gardens of Babylon. Oh, and did we mention there's a four-course dinner and unlimited drinks? To top it all off, there's even a shuttle bus to Victoria after midnight for those needing to head back north of the river post-revelry.
Tickets cost £185
Click here to book tickets
Electric Dreams New Year's Eve Party
Best for...low-key disco
Ring in the New Year with a healthy dose of musical nostalgia. Electric dreams will be running a no-frills night of classic eighties and alternative electronica featuring the likes of Depeche Mode, The Human League, Soft Cell, Ultravox, Simple Minds and Duran Duran. For those wanting a good time free from the glitz and glam of fancier events, this is the one to choose.
Tickets from £15.
Click here to book tickets
The Lanesborough's New Year's Eve House Party
Best for… sumptuous celebrations
For most of us, the words ‘house party’ take us back to our teenage years, conjuring up images of raiding a parent’s alcohol supplies then hurriedly hiding the evidence the next day. Well, this New Year's Eve will give you a chance to challenge that preconception. Very few places say luxury in the same way as the Lanesborough Hotel, the best in London according to the Travel + Leisure World's 'Best Awards'. For the first time ever, the hotel is shutting its doors to host a sumptuous private New Year’s Eve house party. The nightclub-style event, hosted in association with Moët & Chandon, will be spread over the entire first floor of the hotel, incorporating live music, DJs and plates of delicious bites. With a dress code of ‘fabulous', guests can expect a night to remember.
Tickets from £250
Reserve tickets here
New Year's Eve Cruise on the Dixie Queen
Best for...sailing into the new year
All aboard for 2019. Hop on the replica paddle steamer the P.S Dixie Queen and cruise down the Thames for this nautical shindig, enjoying a buffet dinner, live band and DJ as you pass under the raised Tower Bridge.
Tickets cost £150
Click here to book tickets
NYE 2018 at The Piano Works
Best for...all-night tunes
Farringdon favourite The Piano Works will be laying on a black-tie affair this NYE. There will be non-stop live music from 5pm until 2am, with a DJ taking over at 2am to keep the party going until the wee hours (6am). The venue is offering flexible ticket options depending on what time you want to arrive and whether or not you want to tuck into the three-course dinner.
Tickets from £10
Click here to book tickets
The NYE Silent Disco
Best for...chart-topping favourites
This NYE, Silent Sounds will be taking over the elegant Art Deco Banking Hall for a not-so-elegant silent disco. Party-goers will be able to switch between three channels provided by DJs mixing live on the night, so whether you prefer ABBA or Ariana Grande, the Beach Boys or Busted, it's likely they'll have you covered. There will also be a food stall serving up burgers, fries and hot dogs for those who need to re-fuel mid-boogie. Remember to take off your headphones now and then to giggle at the crowd's tuneless vocals.
Tickets from £45
Click here to book tickets
Foreverland - NYE Enchanted Forest Rave
For those looking for a full-on New Year's Eve clubbing experience, Foreverland might be your calling. As part of its UK tour, the festival-themed club night is hosting an immersive extravaganza at The Grand in Clapham, headlined by UK Garage legends DJ Luck & MC Neat. They've gone all-out on the decoration and entertainment: guests can expect indoor fireworks, confetti cannons, mythical beast puppeteers and face painters. Resident DJs will keep the night going with electronic, bassline, garage, tech house and disco until 4am.
Tickets from £15
Click here to book tickets
New Year at The Mansion
Best for... sartorial splendour
The Mansion arrange exclusive events in the most impressive of private spaces. This year, their NYE party is in a secret location in NW London with three dance floors, four DJs, two exhibitions, psychedelic red movies, face-painting, cage dancers, fire shows and even a clairvoyant to let you know what to expect in 2019. We're tired just thinking about it. With hip-hop, house and electro on the dancefloor, and great drinks, you might find yourself seeing in the new year in the red.
Early bird tickets from £24
Click here to book tickets
NYE at London Sky Bar
Best for... sky-high views
London Sky Bar offers a champagne-fuelled, 12-hour celebration where guests will see in the new year from the top of the world. Located on the upper floors of the Millbank Tower, the event will give unrivalled Thames-side views of the annual fireworks display. Add in a champagne reception upon arrival, a champagne breakfast in the early hours and entertainment all night, and you have a formidable party.
Tickets from £295
Click here to book tickets
New Year's Eve at Somerset House with Sink the Pink
Best for... skating into 2019
Skate at Somerset House with Fortnum & Mason are ringing in the New Year with help from Sink the Pink, a London-based collective who aim to change UK club culture with their LGBTQ+ events. Sink the Pink will be performing a brand new routine of group and solo drag numbers, performed to hit songs. The stage will be raised over the rink, effectively giving skaters a front row seat to the flamboyant performances. If you would rather see in the New Year on solid ground, there will be a range of food and drinks available all night (including alpine-inspired treats from Fortnum's Lodge) on the terraces, as well as a chill out area in the East Wing. From the River Terrace, you will even get an incredible view of the Mayor of London fireworks before festivities recommence. What more could you ask for?
Tickets: £50 General Admission | £70 General Admission + skate ticket
Click here to book tickets
New Year's Eve at Skylight, Tobacco Dock
Best for... starting the New Year with a bang
Wapping's frozen party playground has returned this winter season, swapping its famous croquet lawns and summer Pimms for something decidedly more festive – a rooftop ice rink with views over the city. Over the course of the season, the venue plays host to guest DJs, ice hockey, and new-for-2018 cosy igloos and huts. A special mention, however, must go to Skylight's New Year's Eve party plans. Skylight will be hosting a rooftop party over its three floors, with ice skating, street food, cocktails and DJs. Not only will guests find themselves in prime position to see some of the city's most impressive firework displays, but Skylight will also be broadcasting the official London display across 12 screens located throughout the venue. All tickets include a glass of Moet & Chandon champagne to start the celebrations in style, meanwhile hopeful attendees should note that igloos and huts are available for booking now.
Tickets from £30
Click here to book tickets
Berners Tavern in The London Edition
Best for… foodie festivities
Berners Tavern, the award-winning restaurant located within the London Edition, is serving up a treat this New Year's Eve, with a four-course menu stuffed to the brim with delicious delicacies, from a Norfolk quail Waldorf salad to an After Eight Alaska served with Baileys custard. There will be two sittings available, the first at 7pm and then another at 9pm, allowing you the chance to decide whether to move onto to a party or celebrate the count down in the restaurant.
Menus £100 or £185
To reserve a table click here
The Mondrian
Best for… last-chance cocktails
The Mondrian Hotel serves some of the best cocktails you'll find in all of London (and further afield, too). The prizewinning Dandelyan Bar – headed up by Ryan Chetiyawardana (aka Mr Lyan) – was designed by man-of-the-moment Tom Dixon. What's more, with news about Dandelyan bar closing in the near future (don't worry, Mr Lyan plans to keep hold of the space and transform it into something new), this could be the last New Year's Eve you can spend sipping Mr Lyan's exciting concoctions with your bed just a stumble up the stairs. With the hotel perched on the South Bank, you'll have a second-to-none view of midnight fireworks display over the river, too. Be sure to ask for a room with a view.
Prices vary.
Click here to reserve a table
NYE dinner at St Pancras
Best for… culinary exploration
Hop on the Renaissance Express for a gastronomic voyage across Europe. The itinerary runs from Venice through Vienna and Paris to London, with dedicated menus for each spot. Whether it's Käsespätzle or Tiramisu you desire, your tastebuds are in for a treat. A DJ and live music will keep the party going until the clock strikes midnight.
Food journey from £105
Click to book
Mews' Masquerade
Best for… donning a disguise
A serious contender for the fanciest party in town, the Mews of Mayfair are putting on a masquerade. If NYE isn't reason enough to dress to impress, there'll be a photo booth and prizes for the best mask. Complete with live music and gorgeous décor, the Lounge Bar will welcome the new year in (disguised) style.
Tickets from £20
Click to book
Market Hall Victoria
Best for… musical bingo and eclectic dining
Can't choose between parties? Worry not, this extravaganza packs not one, not two, but three music-themed events into one night. Get the night off to a tuneful start with Musical Bingo, then try your hand at Gospeloke (karaoke with gospel choir backing – you're bound to sound great) before dancing into the new year with the party throwers Tail & Twist. The event and entertainment experts at It's Unknown have a reputation for their innovative club nights and disco yoga, and their New Year's Eve blast is no exception. The location, Market Hall Victoria, has given the capital’s foodie scene a boost – and now it's doing the same to NYE.
Tickets from £35
Click to book
