Suggestions for New Year's Eve for college students (pubs or clubs I guess) and what about suggestions for the grownups?

Where is it that you plan to be on New Year's Eve?

Sorry-- London! I'll rephrase the post.

Try Trafalgar Square. It's the biggest free party in the UK. 10's of thousands attend every year. Try searching bbc.co.uk for more information.

Sorry to say, but there is no official New Years Eve celebration in London. Trafalgar Square is a traditional gathering place, sort of like Times Square but without the countdown, the ball, or Dick Clark. Instead, you have crowds of people (many inebriated) and...well you have crowds of people.

Another possible gathering spot is anywhere within earshot of Big Ben--a memorable way to ring in the new year. Again, you have crowds, but less concentrated than at Trafalgar Square, and drinking is common.

Hotels and restaurants offer New Years events, most of which require advance reservations, and there are even companies that operate parties in other venues (again, advanced booking). The tour boat companies have dinner/dance cruises.

Assuming you find a place to celebrate, transportation on the Underground is free from about 11.45 pm until the wee hours of New Years.

Hope this helps.

David White
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Last NYE a friend and I were in London. We went on a London Walks pub tour through Belgravia. It was a fun adult tour, and we ended up staying at the last pub with the guide and some of the tour-goers drinking and talking until around 10:30. We then grabbed a bite to eat and wandered over to Tralfagar to watch the crowd celebrate and watch Big Ben chime on a temporary screen in the square. It was fun--not too rowdy at all.

Is Trafalgar Square back on. In Dec 2002 i was in London for New year's and Mayor 'Red' Ken had cancelled the usual gathering in the square and suggested people stay out of central London. Even crowds at Big Ben were diminuitive.

Actually i suggest they consider going up to Edinburgh where the Hogomany (sp?) New Year's Eve celebration is legendary - one of the biggest street parties in the world. Attracts thousands. Get some ridiculously cheap bus train or plane tickets online in advance.

Trafalgar was on last year, although it wasn't too uproarious.