Where to switch on 2015

IT’S BEEN a great year – no arguments, please – so you ought to be giving 2014 a hearty send-off come New Year’s Eve on Wednesday. Here’s a list of grand celebrations already arranged for your laughing, dancing, singing, cork-popping pleasure. You can argue about the merits of 2014 when you get there.

MAGGIE CHOO’S
Maggie Choo’s below the Hotel Novotel Bangkok Fenix on Silom Road has massive fun in mind in its decadent-chic “opium den” setting. In fact it’s planning “the epic New Year party to end all New Year parties”, says the press kit, though the specifics remain hush-hush. Presumably there’ll be no opium on offer, but the bar there does make sensational drinks, and DJs Louis Brunissen and Fred Canal have been known to perform sheer magic on the decks. Reserve a noisemaker at (02) 635 6055.

SMALLS
If a gentler, cosier party appeals to you, Smalls on Suan Plu Soi 1 lives up to its name with calm boozing, warm ambience, quality music courtesy of guest DJ Monsieur Markus and a cheer-filled yet modest greeting for 2015 at the appointed hour. Whisper RSVP at (095) 585 1398.

FOODLAND
Yes, that’s right, you can boot out the old and drag in the new at the Foodland on Sukhumvit Soi 16 – not in the actual supermarket but in a “secret spot” 10 floors up. That’s where Dudesweet, purveyors of parties year round, is flipping the calendar. Details remain scant, but it’s safe to say you’ll get the “party thrill with no frills”, Dudesweet-style, and, even better, the proceeds go to people living with HIV. Seek out the secrets on Facebook.

ABOVE ELEVEN
Peruvian restaurant-bar Above Eleven on Sukhumvit Soi 11 is promising a bash to remember with one of the city’s best high-altitude vistas as a backdrop. A special menu and plenty of entertainment are arranged. Get there early for dinner or arrive after 10.30 for the real noise. Admission is Bt1,800 with two standard drinks. Check it out at www.Facebook.com/AboveEleven.

HEMINGWAY’S
The quasi-literary crowd at Hemingway’s Bangkok on Sukhumvit Soi 14, opposite Terminal 21, rises early-ish to greet the year, with brunch set for 11.30am and food continuing to arrive all day long, or at least until 10 minutes before midnight. Riaz Latina hits the garden stage at sundown with danceable Cuban tunes and a magician will be meandering among the festively decorated tables, all of them adorned with party poppers. Lucky draws are also planned, and sparkling Fleur de France Blanc de Blanc Brut goes for Bt950. Set it up at (02) 653 3900.

INDUS
The splendid Indian food at Indus on Sukhumvit Soi 26 is a big part of the allure for an extravagant New Year Celebration Party starting at 8pm. Along with the sumptuous buffet and live cooking stations, there’ll be dazzling fireworks and music by DJ Ash until late. The buffet with free-flowing drinks costs Bt2,500, or you can arrive at 11.30 for just the drinks and the countdown party and pay Bt1,000. Reservations, please, at (082) 342 1765 or [email protected].

CONTINENT
The Continent Hotel near the Asoke BTS stop is hosting the “Skyfall New Year’s Eve Party” with drinks and dancing all night. A five-course feast at the Medinii Italian restaurant and romantic candlelit dinners by the pool at H2O open the proceedings at 7pm. Then head upstairs to the Axis & Spin Sky Bar and Lounge for more festivities and DJ tracks. Set dinners with bubbly start at Bt2,999 and the countdown bash itself is Bt1,000 with a pair of drinks. Make arrangements at (02) 686 7000 or www.TheContinentHotel.com.

GRAND MILLENNIUM
The Grand Millennium Sukhumvit, also near the Asoke BTS, brings in 2015 with a “Color of Life Countdown Party”. At Tapas Y Vino, chef Joan Tanya Dot is readying a five-course banquet and the partying begins in earnest at 7pm. Admission is Bt2,450. Then it’s off to inBlu to usher in the New Year with a DJ amid chances to win lucky-draw prizes. Call the festive desk at (02) 204 4123 for more details.

HOUSE OF WALKER
Johnnie Walker’s knows how to party, and the liquor firm’s House of Walker at Parc Paragon will have Top Jaron’s “Smoke Art Performance” followed by alternative-folk-rock group 25 Hours and Burin. Premium whiskies, specially created cocktails and nibbles from the Roof Hideaway will be served all night. Reservations are a must at www.HouseOfWalker.th.com.