1. Skip the CBD

Bangkok’s answer to Time Square is the CentralWorld square. Except it’s not Time Square: way too many people, underwhelming fireworks. The nice fireworks are on the river, where all the five-star hotels are competing with each other to put on the most amazing show.

2. Which means you need to be by the riverside

And that’s a bit of a problem, given that most riverside prices tend to be super pricey and booked out for special gala events. Here are some places with free entry and great river views: The Deck at Arun Residence, where the rooftop bar has a prime view of Wat Arun; and Sala Rattanakosin, which has just as great views, a more modern atmosphere, and some wonderfully well-poured cocktails.

3. Alternatively, check out the best rooftop bars

Give the tourist traps above five-star hotels a miss. Here are three places we know are putting on some of the best parties in town: Gramercy Park, where DJs Deloin, Delorean and Luck-E start at 10pm for an entrance fee of B2,000 (includes two drinks); Vogue Lounge, where the White Ball New Year’s Eve Party crowd will be air-kissing the arrival of 2016 to DJs Maarten, Karl Andy and MC Unda (9pm onwards, B900 includes one drink); and Nest, where the entracnce fee of B800 including two free drinks makes for one of the best-priced rooftops in town. 

4. Or if you’re looking for something more alternative...

OK, so glitzy rooftops and fireworks aren't you're thing? Then check out Ekkamai's alt-scene favorite, Dark Bar, where the Kontraband collective will be playing low-tempo dub, future R 'n' B and drum 'n' bass. Alternatively, swing by Maggie Choo's to catch Bangkok's indie queen, Gene Kasidit, whose sultry platinum blond diva act will rock the faux colonial basement bar. 

5. Don’t Drink and Drive

Obviously, we highly recommend you install Uber or GrabTaxi. And we highly recommend you do it in sober, Wi-Fi comfort. Drunk, in a club, on an end-of-the-month EDGE connection is not the best time to install apps with fiddly login processes where you have to type in your credit card details. So get the app set up now if you haven’t already.

On that note, there’s an even cooler trick to getting home without driving. The U Drink, I Drive program offers vouchers for every bottle of Chivas Regal purchased at select bar across town. You can use the vouchers to get a free ride home. Here are the participating bars: Maldives Maodeep, Waterside Restaurant Bangkok, Per Pub and Restaurant, 66 Station, LIZM, NOXS, Bangkok, MUSEbkk, 7th Street and Sky Moon Bar & Bistro. 
 

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