New York is the city that never sleeps, while Singapore is the city that always eats.
Not surprisingly, the Little Red Dot provides many culinary options, as well as a variety of parties for counting down.
So you have no excuses now. Get out of the house and go somewhere.
Beaching it
New Year’s Eve, the token day where beaching it may be the best option.
For those of you who cannot wait to celebrate with your friends and would-be friends after midnight, make your way to Tanjong Beach Club’s (120 Tanjong Beach Walk, +65 6270 1355; book@tanjongbeachclub.com) countdown party that kicks off at an ambitious 4 p.m.
DJs like Syndicate, Pushin’ On, and Has will keep you up past your bedtime with flashes of light emitted by fire twirlers, LED projections, and lasers. If your flip-flopped heels need a break, entertain yourself with a tarot reader or release a floating lantern.
An ongoing barbecue provides the much needed fuel for your day-to-night extravaganza.
Over on Siloso Beach (www.silosobeachparty.com) from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m., things get messier with a hydro party of water jets, foam pools, and a wet dance zone.
Female DJs Shy and K-Sly will be spinning alongside an epic video mash-up.
Water mess, 12 hours of music and a beach; expect an unforgettable experience for just S$49.
Somewhere with a view
Do it up, high up.
Get gaudy with Ku De Ta’s (SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands; rsvp@kudeta.com.sg) neon-themed New Year’s Eve Party this year -- avoid green or you’ll match the laser show.
Getting off on the idea that our future is as bright as neon love, expect to be enveloped in a psychedelic experience at the top of the Marina Bay Sands.
Promising the best views of the fireworks, secure your place in advance to dance for S$148, inclusive of a glass of celebratory Champagne.
Not too far away, from 7 p.m. onwards, be prepared to forego those factory-made notches on your leather belt.
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Level 33 (8 Marina Boulevard, #33-01 Marina Bay Financial Centre Tower 1, +65 6834 3133) will be serving a variety of crowd-pleasing canapés to whet your appetite for the intimidating yet alluring spread of carnivore-friendly entrées at the Ploughman’s Table, and desserts for that needed sugar rush.
In addition, there will be a generous free flow of signature beers and selected wines and spirits until 1 a.m.
Dance off that drunken feeling till snacks are served at 3 a.m.
With a price tag of S$333, you'd better make the most of the breathtaking city view and the brews.
Clubbin’ and boppin’
When the Bay calls but congregating outdoors with a large cacophonous crowd is too much to consider, opt for a party at Avalon (South Crystal Pavilion, 2 Bayfront Ave., +65 6507 8333).
With headliner act Steve Prior from Avalon Hollywood, show off your best year-ending dance moves to his signature style of Chicago house.
Views of the fireworks at Marina Bay will be democratic at this venue, with its glass prism providing the best window to experience a really fantastical light show.
The club will be transformed into "Avaland" for the occasion, an experience you will be able to share in for S$50, with tables starting at S$600.
The option of having an all-day breakfast might provide some with a good incentive to stay up past midnight.
From 6 p.m. to 4 a.m., celebrate by the waterfront with the surrounding crowd at OverEasy (#01-06 1 Fullerton, +65 6423 0701; overeasy@overseasy.com.sg) without ever having to leave your dinner or post-dinner drinks venue.
The restaurant transforms into club with DJs KFC and Tyler Made spinning from 10 p.m. onwards, ensuring your night ends as well as it began.
If you want to further your R & B New Year’s experience, there is always The Butter Factory (73 Circular Road, +65 6333 8243) next door holding its end of the year Black Ball with Dave Does and Shawn Livewire.
If you would very much like to have dub (as in step) as part of your 2011 to 2012 transition, walk over to Home Club’s (20 Upper Circular Road #B1-01/06, The Riverwalk, +65 6538 2928) Dubpocalypse New Year’s Eve Special.
Playing a mean set of dub-step, Darren Dubwise (Syndicate), Jerls (Home), and Motif (DMC Singapore runner-up 2009) will be a few names keeping you in the mood for just S$22, inclusive of one drink.
Hosting a Mexican New Year's Eve party this year is Señor Taco (#01-19/20, 30 Victoria Street) who'll be handing out a complimentary shot of premium tequila on arrival.
Bring along your latin dance moves as the DJ will be playing a mix of latin dance, meringue and pop music.
Saddled with family members? Head over to Universal Studios Singapore (8 Sentosa Gateway Sentosa Island, +65 6577 8888) The Boogie Countdown event promises fireworks, tribute band performances (Abba, the Bee Gees and The Beatles) and access to all of Universal Studios Singapore’s rides and attractions for S$28 (senior citizens), S$48 (children) and S$68 (adults).
Feast, not famine
Celebrating the New Year by the water may make you crave some seafood.
Thankfully, Boathouse (3 Fullerton Road, +65 6538 9038) can satisfy your craving in the most elegant way, while watching the fireworks, and including a DJ.
A European seafood spread will be served buffet-style in the main dining room, while seating will spillover to Prelude’s al fresco bar area, providing a festive communal context for the meal.
The spread will include fresh oysters from around the world, fragrant salmon, and roasted Angus striploin. Homemade desserts of madeleines and meringues will be served and a French cheese trolley will provide ample sustenance for the ensuing night.
To keep spirits up way past dinner, DJ Sean and Club Anthems will be spinning their beats until 4 a.m. Join the party at S$188, or sneak in after 11 p.m. for S$100, two drinks included.
Enjoying the fireworks from Marina Bay Sands does not require you to check-in for the night.
Have a dinner with a sideshow at Sky on 57 (57F, Marina Bay Sands, 10 Bayfront Ave., +65 6688 8857).
Priced at S$388 for a degustation menu featuring the ultimate east-meets-west foie gras xiao long bao, white truffles, and Kagoshima beef, you could be so involved in the components of your plate that you may forget to look outside.
Thankfully, the complimentary glass of Veuve Cliquot Rosé will be a bubbly reminder that there are many things to celebrate.
Party for free
So you feel that New Year’s Eve is just a commercial tactic, or maybe you want a quiet night with good friends.
Count down with the rest of the city by Marina Bay while watching the fireworks; just bring a blanket to sit on.
The Esplanade (1 Esplanade Drive, www.esplanade.com) will be hosting a film screening of Don Richmond’s Singapore-rooted documentary, “The Journey” from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Singapore Idol alum Syltra Lee will also be performing songs from the ‘60s, contributing to a laid-back, festive atmosphere.
If you happen to be in the Clarke Quay area, Tiger Crystal has installed a clock tower at Clarke Quay’s Central Fountain Square.
Similar to the one situated in New York’s Times Square and comprises LCD lit panels, LED message panels and a countdown clock, it'll display New Year well-wishes received via text messages from revelers at Clarke Quay.
Not cheesy enough for you? Pick up a free Tiger Crystal branded cheer sticks with multi-colored LED lights to get you in a festive mood; frankly, a free beer would be better appreciated.
If none of these suit your fancy, the people over at Holland Village Food Court have made it a point on their facebook page to say they are holding a New Year’s Eve party from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m
