Blasting into 2017

WHILE NEW YEAR celebrations have been toned down this year in deference to the mourning period following the death of His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in October, parties are being held all over town to bid farewell to 2016. Here’s our selection.

• Warm up to New Year’s Eve weekend tonight at Whiteline on Silom Soi 8’s“Dope as Funk” party. Groove to old school hip-hop, R&B, ’80s funk, pop, rock and more with DJs Arin, Luck-E, Rory Breaker-Morant and your host UNDA. The party starts from 10pm. Entry is Bt300. Call (087) 061 1117.
• Over on Sukumvit Soi 23 meanwhile, Sunju Hargun is all set to destroy the dance floor at Glow tonight. Warm up to the New Year with shades of techno spun by Thailand’s very own and internationally acclaimed DJ, known for his contagious techno drive rooted in solid bass lines and minimal-flavoured melodies. Kova O' Sarin will be warming up, playing a combo of minimal house and techno, enriched with emotional melodies. Entry with a drink is Bt250. Call (086) 614 3355.

DJ Sunju Hargun

• Welcome 2017 tomorrow night at Oskar on Sukhumvit Soi 11. Celebrate the good, the bad, the sad, and the happy with homey holiday season specials from Chef Julien, Chandon Bar and oysters plus DJs on both floors to keep you dancing into the new year. A bottle of small Moet Chandon is Bt790. An extra Bt200 gets you three Fines de Claire number 3 oysters. DJs Alex Fischer, Fred Canal, Mikus and ZivAvriel man the decks. Call (02) 255 3377.
• The Australian Pub & BBQ across the street from Oskar is all geared up for New Year’s Eve with live music from 10pm onwards and a drinks promotion all night, including Bt99 beers. The kitchen will be open till late. On Sunday, stick around for New Year's Recovery Session Party starting from noon. Get a Bloody Mary and bacon roll at Bt199 until 5pm and free BBQ while supplies last. Seventh Sense Band performs until early evening. Call (02) 651 0800.
• Just up on the soi at Havana Social, take a trip to Cuba circa 1942 and celebrate the New Year with nostalgic flair. Resident band Carribesound takes the lead into the night, followed by resident DJ Pepe and the Havana Social dancers. Expect a night filled with entertainment, countdown specials, fireworks and much more. Call (061) 450 3750.

Havana Social

• The Drunken Leprechaun Irish Pub on Sukhumvit Soi 15 welcomes the festive season with a four-hour beer buffet that includes Singha and Asahi at Bt1,000 from 9pm-1am. The bar also serves up free roasted piglet and live entertainment from 8pm until well into the New Year. Call (02) 309 3255.
• Indus on Sukhumvit Soi 26 is hosting a countdown party in its newly landscaped garden with DJ Ash on the deck. Enjoy the all-new Indian menu as well as Indus signature dishes prepared at live cooking stations plus an open bar throughout the evening. Bt2,500 entry gets you free food and drinks all night from 8pm. Or come a little later for the free bar and party from 11.30pm for Bt1,200. Groups of 10 or more can ask for special deals. Call (082) 342 1765.
• Cigar and whisky bar Whisgars on Sukhumvit Soi 23 puts on an extravagant New Year event with “The Bangkok Blues Countdown featuring Yamin”. Start the night with soulful blues and R&B from Vonn & the Vintagers at 8pm, followed by Thai recording sensation Yamin from 10:45pm until late. The bar also serves cocktails and a bottle of French Celine Brut sparkling wine is going for Bt1,159. Call (02) 664 4252.
• A few BTS stops down the line, Jubei Modern Japanese Tavern in Mahatun Plaza Building, next to Ploenchit station is celebrating the New Year in style with a “Nocturnal Extravaganza”. Enjoy 15 special dishes, a selection of fine cava and champagne as well as spirits, sake, sochu and more. Call (02) 651 5020.
• Back over on Silom Road, Maggie Choo’s New Year countdown party starts from 7pm with Sunny Trio Band featuring Dony Wasant’s eclectic selection of soul, funky songs and refreshing original compositions. DJ Jonathan Ulysses from the UK then takes the deck with percussionist Dave Davini till late. Bt800 entry gets you a flute of Chandon Brut. Entry is free before 8pm and after 1am. Group packages are also available. Call (091) 772 2144 or (083) 024 1530.
• The Stranger Bar on Silom Soi 4 promises Bangkok’s “gayest” New Year bash ever. The party runs from 9pm until 2am with DJ Steven G on the deck, plus surprise acts, performances, appearances and games all night. Call (02) 632 9425.

The Stranger Bar

• Ce La Vi near Chong Nonsi BTS stop is hosting “Crystal Castle White Party” to ring in the New Year starting from 9pm and going until very late. DJs Master D, Knatz and SG will push the frantic energy all night with party anthems from early evening. Bt800 entry gets you one standard drink. The first 200 paying guests receive a free glass of champagne, and ladies get in free before 10pm. Dress nicely, preferably in white. Call (02) 1082000.
• Chow Cafe & Bar at Metropole Hotel near the Phetchaburi Road-end of Thonglor has a live band, DJ and live MC plus a boozy lucky draw with prizes including bottles of whisky and wine between 9 and 11.30pm. There are special deals on food and drinks all night too. Call Adrien at (092) 865 4608.
• The newly opened food, drink and party destination 72 Courtyard between Thonglor Sois 16 and 18 has various choices for your New Year’s Eve night out. Dance till you drop at Beam (@BeamClubBKK), the only club in the complex, with resident DJs and special guest Joyce Muniz, a Vienna-based Brazilian DJ who is one of the leaders of a new style which fuses European club sounds with rhythmic influences from South America and the Caribbean. Entry is Bt800.
• Cocktail bar Evil Man Blues serves up special cocktails all night. The festive recipes include The Red Rudolph with rum and Indian pomegranates, as well as The Snowman with gin and egg white, at Bt300 a glass. Call (02) 392 7740.

"Snowman"

• At Beer Belly, experience another level of drinking, playing and partying. The venue offers more than 20 taps of craft beer, a wide range selection of delicious foods, live bands, DJ and fun games including Beer Pong, Jenga, Battleship, Ping Pong, Pool and more. Call (02) 392 7770.