New Years Eve in London: Where to Party?
 

5 of us will be in London for New Years Eve. We are staying in Notting Hill near a friend who just moved there. We're willing to go anywhere in London, what are your suggestions? We're 24 years old and want to have a good place to drink and bring in the New Year with a big party. Where should we go?

London doesn't have one big public event for New Years Eve: there's a tradition of the police announcing in advance that people shouldn't congregate in the area between Trafalgar Square and Picadilly Circus, followed by thousands of rain-sodden drunks doing just that. But it really isn't my idea of fun.
Though an excellent insight into how different the mores of London's young people are from the world of Hugh Grant. (tubes, BTW, run all night and are normally free)

You're going to have to go to some commercial event. Of which there are thousands, ranging from 100/200 pound a head things at the major hotels to serious all-nighters at clubs specialising in whatever your kind of music might be: House, Garage, HipHop, Conservatory or whatever your kind of club might be (guess which one I made up).

The Christmas/New Year edition of Time Out contains a categorised listing of most clubby events. Or do what most of us did at 24 and walk round the streets failing to gatecrash other people's parties.

Because the bottom line, I'm afraid, is that New Yea's Eve isn't really a customary English celebration. So one of our other quaint traditions is whining about how little celebration there is of an event few of us really have much of an inclination to celebrate anyway.

Why not host your own party?

Try a site called toptable.co.uk - they have a whole section on Christmas parties. They generally include a sit-down meal then dancing, though I think some might just be bars.

Caroline

Oops, sorry just saw you said New Year. I think there are NY ones on there too.

C

Your friend already living in London would be your best source. All the local pubs, clubs and restaurants will be having parties - but most require advance booking. So have him/her check around locally and make arrangements for your group.