MAYBE IT’S JUST TOO EARLY IN THE GAME, BUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING NEW YEAR’S EVE? TREVOR MOGG ROUNDS UP YOUR OPTIONS
MANILA
M Café
At M Café, night time is DJ time and the strength of the glass facade is put to the test with the deep booming bass beats pulsating through the bar.
Despite its clientele of models, artists and musicians, M is an unpretentious spot — and popular with the international set, too. December 31 falls on a Thursday night, which is when the bar hosts its weekly So What? event. From 10pm until 3am, Manila’s most exciting music innovators spin a fusion of first class eclectic music — from Latin to funk to hip-hop to drum and bass. A few Rockstars (vodka, amaretto, lychee) will thrust you goggle-eyed into the start of a new decade, though just make sure those glass doors are open when you go to leave. Ayala Museum, Greenbelt 4, Makati Avenue corner de la Rosa Street, Makati City, tel: +63 (2) 757 3000
OSAKA
Onzieme
You’ll find Onzieme in the heart of Osaka’s main entertainment district, Shinsaibashi — just where you want to be on the last night of the year. The spacious 11th floor club regularly plays host to local DJs as well as big hitters from overseas. Its plush and stylish décor superbly complements the funky atmosphere, creating a venue that attracts clubbers from across Osaka and beyond. For many in Japan, New Year’s Eve is a family affair and many people stay home then visit their local temple at midnight. However, there are still those who want to party hard — and with up to 400 revelers packing into Onzieme, you’re guaranteed a night to remember. Midosuji Building 11F, 1-4-5 Nishi-Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, tel: +81 (0) 6 6243 0089, www.onzi-eme.com/shop/
HO CHI MINH CITY
Velvet Bar
Flabbergastingly fashionable, the clientele of the modern and much-loved Velvet Bar includes local celebrities as well as Ho Chi Minh City’s young wannabes. Stake your place in a private booth with wrap around purple curtains or go jiggy-and-wiggy on the dance floor — the choice is yours. The circular bar, with its enormous chandelier and fancy decorations give the place a gloriously kitschy feel — it’s surely a unique venue for seeing in the New Year. And for those with a wallet on the hefty side, there’s even a VIP area you can reserve for privacy. 26 Ho Huan Nghiep, District 1, tel: +84 (0) 9 38 222 262
SINGAPORE
Movida
If your idea of a party on December 31 involves sipping caipirinhas and getting down on the dancefloor a la Ricky Martin or Shakira, here’s where you ought to be. Movida, that is, street lingo for “party” in Cuba, lives up to its name. La Ranura, a nine-piece band from Paraguay, heats things up, playing their first set at 9.30pm nightly. The music is anything but predictable — from Brazilian hip hop to Carribean samba to mashups of pop dance tracks — which is the perfect soundtrack for New Year’s Eve revelry. Ladies need to be at least 18, and guys 23 to enter. St James Power Station, Harbourfront, 3 Sentosa Gateway, tel: +65 6270 7676, www.stjamespowerstation.com
JAKARTA
Dragonfly
This award-winning establishment draws in Jakarta’s beautiful people, with its exquisite modern Asian design and hip vibe.
The Spanish and Asian tapas menu features tasty bitterballen or breaded chicken and mushroom balls with a spicy blue cheese mayo. There’s also a tantalizing sweet and sour orange stir-fried dory fish that’s yummy. As for cocktails, you can have a Flaming Bikini! Soulful house and vintage disco provide the perfect soundtrack for a smooth transition into the next decade. Graha Bip, JL Gatot Subroto 23, tel: +62 (21) 520 6789, www.ismaya.com/dragonfly
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