Happy New Year! 2018 is coming…

What a year 2017 has been – Trump shenanigans, the on-going Brexit negotiations, a wave of harassment allegations in Hollywood, the horror of Grenfell Tower and more. There are many of us who are looking forward to closing the door on this year and greeting 2018 with open arms. Fortunately, there’s a host of celebrations to help you welcome in the new year from clubbing, to meals and fancy dress or fireworks, depending on your taste and budget. With all the listings below, I would highly recommend booking in advance to take advantage of some early bird prices and to avoid disappointment as many will sell out. Many events won’t be taking walk-ups. Whatever you do, have a good one!

Don’t forget, TFL will be providing free public transport from 11.45pm on New Year’s Eve until 4.30am on New Year’s Day.

Central London

• New Year’s Eve firework display over the River Thames

Thousands expected to take to the north and south of the River to watch the fireworks display near the London Eye. Since 2014, City Hall has introduced a fee to cover costs, this year’s being £10. Tickets went on sale in November. There will be a lot of congestion or potential closures of some tube stations around the Embankments so check with TFL before you travel. For more information of where you can and can’t access without a ticket, visit the London.gov.uk website.

• Vintage New Year’s Eve Party @ Royal Festival Hal

Travel back in time with a glamorous extravaganza of live bands and DJs spread across six pop-up vintage nightclubs from the 1920s to the 1990s, with dining, bars, beauty parlours and photo studios also on site. Around midnight, some of the action will move to one of the balconies (weather permitting) for a great vista of the New Year’s Eve fireworks over the Thames. 7pm-2am. Tickets start from £99. Royal Festival Hall, Belvedere Road, South Bank, SE1 8XX. Nearest station: Waterloo. For booking, visit the Southbank Centre website. For more information, read Metro Girl’s blog post on the evening.

• New Year’s Eve Stand Up Show – Comedy Store

See in the new year laughing your socks off with MC Mandy Knight, Felicity Ward, Jeff Innocent, Tom Lucy and The Noise Next Door. There are two shows – an early one if you’ve got plans for midnight or the later one, with a DJ spinning tracks for the after-party. Doors open at 5pm/8pm, two shows at 6pm and 9.30pm. Tickets £27-£65. The Comedy Store, 1a Oxendon Street, SW1Y 4EE. Nearest stations: Piccadilly Circus or Leicester Square. For more information, visit the Comedy Store website.

• Black Cat NYE and Black Cat Ball

London’s dark and daring cabaret show is offering two opportunities to see in the New Year in the Spiegeltent in Leicester Square. The cabaret show at 6.30pm for early starters or the Black Cat Ball from 9.30pm, features a cabaret show, promenade circus spectacle, live music, roving performers and extended DJ set. 6.30/9.30pm-2am. Tickets: 6.30pm cabaret show £24-£29, Black Cat Ball £55 (includes glass of bubbly). Spiegeltent, Leicester Square, WC2H 7NA. Nearest station: Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus. For tickets, visit Black Cat website.

• Great Gatsby New Year’s Eve @ Sky Garden

Celebrate New Year’s Eve at the top of the ‘Walkie Talkie’ in the bars and restaurants of the Sky Garden with views over London. Food, drink, entertainment and DJs. 6pm-2am. Tickets prices start from £95. Sky Garden, 20 Fenchurch Street, City of London, EC3M 3BY. Nearest station: Fenchurch Street or Monument. For booking, visit the Sky Garden website. For Metro Girl’s review of the Sky Garden, click here.

• Life Of A Legend @ Playboy Club

The Playboy Club pays tribute to its late founder Hugh Hefner with a decadent bash. The club will be transformed into the Playboy Mansion, with games area, film zone, photo studio, live music, DJs, American canapés, complimentary midnight fizz and, of course, bunnies. 8pm-3am. Tickets: £49. Playboy Club, 14 Old Park Lane, Mayfair, W1K 1ND. Nearest station: Hyde Park Corner. For more information, visit the Playboy Club website.

• Prohibition 1920s New Year’s Eve party

Welcome the new year, 1920s style at this prohibition-themed party from Bourne & Hollingsworth, featuring live music, gramophone DJs, gambling, dancers and cocktails. Dress code: 1920s. 9pm-3am. Tickets: £55. In a secret London location to be revealed two weeks before. For more information, visit the Prohibition Party website.

Gaze out over London at View From The Shard

• New Year’s Eve Party @ The Shard

Watch the fireworks from the highest party in London, featuring welcome cocktail, DJs, complimentary champagne toast, goody bag and 360 degree view of the capital. 10pm-2am. Tickets: £199. View From The Shard, Floor 72, Joiner Street, London Bridge, SE1 9QU. Nearest station: London Bridge. For booking, visit View From The Shard.

• Vintage New Year’s Knees Up @ Cahoots

Vintage lovers will enjoy this post-war shenangians in an old underground war shelter, featuring a Moet & Chandon and canape reception, Bottomless Belvedere cocktails, live entertainment by the Hotsie Totsies, New Year’s Eve toast and DJ set by The Roustabouts. Dress code: Post-war chic. 5pm-3.30am. Tickets: Bar £100, Table £150. Cahoots, 13 Kingly Court, Soho, W1B 5PW. Nearest station: Oxford Circus or Piccadilly Circus. For booking, visit the Cahoots website. For Metro Girl’s review of Cahoots, click here.

• New Year’s Eve @ Flight Club

Dancing, drinking and darts at the Bloomsbury branch of Flight Club. Featuring DJs playing party hits, 90 minutes social darts session, fizz on arrival and more. 7pm-2am. Tickets from £15. Flight Club, New Oxford Street, Bloomsbury, WC1A 1BS. Nearest station: Tottenham Court Road. For tickets, visit DesignMyNight.

• New Year’s Eve @ Devonshire Club

The City’s private members club is opening its doors for the New Year. Start your night with welcome drinks and canapes, before a decadent three or five-course dinner in the brasserie. Live entertainment from The Night Lights and DJs until the early hours. From 6.30pm until late. Tickets range from £50 (members)/£75 (non-members) to £255 depending on package. Devonshire Club, 5 Devonshire Square, City of London, EC2M 4YD. Nearest station: Liverpool Street. For more information, visit the Devonshire Club website. 

East London

• Blitz Party NYE

Step back in time to the 1940s for a themed night of patriotic revelry, featuring swing dancing, big band music, cocktails, performers, dance classes and vintage makeovers. Dress code: 1940s glam, home front utility clothing and allied uniform. Tickets: £55 or £65 including a dance class. Village Underground, 54 Holywell Lane, Shoreditch, EC2A 3PQ. Nearest station: Old Street or Shoreditch High Street. For tickets, visit the Blitz Party website.

• NYE with Kansas Smitty’s House Band

Get musical at East London’s underground jazz cave with a Basement Tapes-style concert featuring live music, Prosecco and lots of Juleps. 7pm-3am. Tickets: £50 (includes a welcome Julep, and Prosecco at midnight). Kansas Smitty’s, 63-65 Broadway Market, Dalston, E8 4PH. Nearest station: London Fields or Cambridge Heath. For more information, visit the Kansas Smitty’s website.

• Sink The Pink: Favourite Things @ Troxy
  

  Enjoy a twirl on London’s highest ice rink at Skylight

A unique way to toast the new year as you are invited to dress as your favourite thing. Expect DJs, confetti canons and more at this Art Deco venue. Open 9pm until late. Tickets: £38.50. Troxy, 490 Commercial Road, Limehouse, E1 0HX. Nearest station: Limehouse. For tickets, visit the Troxy website.

• Café Mambo Ibiza NYE @ McQueen

Enjoy a slice of Ibiza in London, featuring Erik Hagleton, Stefan Lane, Jack Akehurst, JR (UK), Max Bloom, Beyond City Limits, Danny Buckley, Mr Kavalicious and Stefan Luke on the decks. Dining options available. Over 21s only. 8pm-6am. Tickets start from £38.75. McQueen, 55-61 Tabernacle Street, Shoreditch, EC2A 4AA. Nearest station: Old Street. For more information, visit the McQueen website.

• NYE @ Skylight London

Watch London’s fireworks and skate on the capital’s highest ice rink. Features alfresco and covered bars, fondue and ice hockey slap shot. Tickets start from £15. Skylight, Tobacco Quay, Pennington Street entrance, Wapping, E1CW 2SF. Nearest station: Shadwell or Wapping. For booking, visit the Skylight London website. For Metro Girl’s review, click here.

West London

• New Year At The Pink Mansion

Flamboyant party in a unusual venue, featuring 3 dancefloors, 1 art room, VIP areas and 2 lounges. Featuring DJs Joffrey Bogart, Fabrizia, Amin Sane and Hatim; musicians, live performers and entertainers. Dress code: Pink! 9pm-4am. Tickets start at £30 (early bird), £36 (standard entrance). A secret north-west London address to be sent to guests 48 hours beforehand. For tickets, visit The Mansion London website.

• Club de Fromage’s NYE Party

Enjoy a trip through the musical decades, featuring more pop than you can shake a stick at as well as pyro display, giant balloon drops, confetti cannons, cake and more surprises. Fancy dress encouraged. 9pm-4am. Tickets start at £23.90. Aventim Apollo, Queen Caroline Street, Hammersmith, W6 9QH. Nearest station: Hammersmith. For tickets, visit the Club de Fromage website.

• New Year’s Eve Chicago Speakeasy @ Barts

Quirky ‘speakeasy’ style bar is hosting a party 1920s-style featuring Veuve Clicquot Champagne reception, unlimited beer, wine, house spirits and cocktails by Belvedere and entertainment by soul singer Kyrah and bacon butties at midnight. 9pm-4am. Tickets from £80. Barts, Chelsea Cloisters, 87 Sloane Avenue, Chelsea, SW3 3DW. Nearest station: South Kensington or Sloane Square. For more information, visit the Barts website. For Metro Girl’s review of Barts, click here.

South London

• Venetian New Year’s Ball @ Bunga Bunga

The after-party is spread over three floor with drinks, live acts and DJs until late. 6pm-4am, After-party arrivals from 9pm. Banquet Ticket: £85, After Party Ticket: £20. Bunga Bunga, 37 Battersea Bridge Road, SW11 3BA. Nearest station: Clapham Junction, Queenstown Road Battersea or Battersea Park. For tickets, visit the Bunga Bunga website.

Rock ‘n’ rollin at the Rivoli Ballroom

• New Year’s Eve Gala Ball @ The Rivoli

Enjoy a rockin’ New Year’s Eve at London’s oldest surviving ballroom. DJs will be playing Rivoli specials, jive, ballroom, pop and party classics. 8pm-1am. Tickets: Adults £25, Children 6-12 yrs £12. Rivoli Ballroom, 350 Brockley Road, Crofton Park, SE4 2BY. Nearest station: Crofton Park. For more information, visit the Rivoli Ballroom website. For Metro Girl’s review of a night at the Rivoli, click here.

• The Wolf Of Wall Street NYE

Unleash your inner Wall Street trader at this flamboyant bash at The O2, featuring DJs and competition to win a trip to New York City. Dress code: 1980s trader chic. Doors open at 9pm. Tickets from £20.20 – £54.95. Building Six, The O2, Greenwich Street, North Greenwich, SE10 ODX. Nearest station: North Greenwich. For more information, visit The O2 website.

• Kisstory London NYE

Kiss FM are bringing their throwback party Kisstory to The O2 to welcome in the new year. DJ line-up TBC. 9pm-4am. Tickets from £42.50. Indigo, The O2, Greenwich Street, North Greenwich, SE10 ODX. Nearest station: North Greenwich. For more information, visit The O2 website.

North London

• NYE Tarantino Special

A Tarantino -themed event, featuring resident band The Beekays playing classic soundtracks from the films, DJs and a twist contest a la Pulp Fiction! 7pm-3.30am. Tickets from £25. Blues Kitchen Camden, 111-113 Camden High Street, Camden, NW1 7JN. Nearest station: Camden Town. For booking, visit the Blues Kitchen website.

• Ultimate Power NYE

Enjoy a night of classic rock and power ballads. 9pm-4am. Tickets: £25. The Dome, 2A Dartmouth Park Hill, Tufnell Park, NW5 1HL. Nearest station: Tufnell Park. For booking, visit the Ultimate Power website.

• NYE Circus with Artful Dodger @ Proud Camden

Artful Dodger headlines as the circus rolls into Camden Town, featuring acrobats, jugglers, aerial performances, big top décor, face paints, live music and DJs playing house, garage, hip-hop and R&B. 8pm-4am. Tickets start at £15. Proud, Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, NW1 8AH. Nearest station: Chalk Farm or Camden Town. For more information and tickets, visit the Proud Camden website.

• New Year’s Eve @ Bobby Fitzpatrick

Go back to the 1970s for a groovy house party to celebrate the New Year. Guests are encouraged to dress the part and show off their moves. Expect pizza, Snow Ho Ho slushies, punch and DJs until the early hours. Bobby Fitzpatrick, 273 West End Lane, West Hampstead, NW6 1QS. Nearest station: West Hampstead Thameslink, West Hampstead or Finchley Road & Frognal. For more information, visit the Bobby Fitzpatrick website.

For a guide to what else is on in London in December, click here.

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