Some of the best parties happen on New Year’s Eve. Clubs bring in the best DJs, bars get dolled up, and thousands count down to the New Year excitedly, and are suddenly friends with every stranger within an arm’s vicinity (or more), when the clock strikes 12. For the most happening parties to go to on New Year’s Eve (or an easy way to make friends), check out our list.

Tear Up the Dance Floor

A number of clubs have invited some brilliant DJs to herald in the New Year. The legendary DJ Danny Tenaglia will summon up deck wizardry at Zouk (17 Jiak Kim St., 6738-2988) this year. A cult figure in the ’90s, his anthems like “Music Is The Answer” and “Be Yourself” have got punters, even Carl Cox and Deep Dish, moving like the night will never end. And every cool and avid clubber should know Tenaglia is a master in various genres, from tribal to techno, minimal to electro.

And, if you frequent Zouk’s Mambo Jambo nights and Phuture’s Holla with Nervous nights, don’t miss the countdown party at Singapore Expo Hall 6 (1 Expo Dr., 658-8308). Residents are going to play classic retro hits and hip hop grooves.

Not to be outdone, Ministry of Sound (#01-02 Blk. C Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6235-2292) has an awesome act lined up too. Breaks ambassador Adam Freeland, who has collaborated with BT, has thrown the genre into the spotlight, and is constantly pushing musical boundaries with his fresh sound. Fans are in for a splendid time as he headlines the party.

Hailing from the infamous Ibiza club Amnesia is Les Schmitz. His sound has elements of house and techno. We advise you to watch out for your socks as he rocks Attica (#01-03 Clarke Quay, 3A River Valley Rd., 6333-9973) on New Year’s Eve. And if you can’t wait for New Year’s Eve to make merry, hit Attica as Dimitri from Paris helms the decks on Dec 29. His house music has brought him to Chanel and Gaultier fashion shows and he has remixed for artists such as Björk and New Order.

If a beach party is your thing, go to the Siloso Beach Party (Sentosa, 1800-736-8672), and listen out for an eclectic assortment of tunes, from funk to latin, hip hop to trance. There will be a foam pool, a beat boxing performance, and MTV VJs Denise and Utt are the hosts for the night.

A Gastronimical and Aural Feast

If you don’t want to dance till you drop, and prefer to chill out to live acts while enjoying good nibbles, these spots may gratify. Jonathan Badon joins resident songbird Michelle Montero at the Atrium Lounge (4/F, Marina Mandarin, Marina Sq., 6 Raffles Blvd., 6845-1111). Badon has been touted as the “Prince of Operatic Pop,” and if you’re looking for a voice to melt your heart this New Year’s Eve, this man definitely makes the cut. There will be finger food and party packs and look out for the balloons which will be freed from the ceiling as midnight arrives too.

For a lavish way to while away your New Year’s Eve, go to The Fullerton Hotel Singapore (1 Fullerton Sq., 6733-8388). Award-winning chefs will prepare a six-course meal to be served right under your nose in The Ballroom, while you down premium champagnes and quality wines. Aussie band Savvy will entertain while you indulge in post-dinner cocktails and apéritifs. And for a sumptous buffet, head to Town Restaurant to enjoy finger lickin’ variety such as risotto with white truffle shavings, foie gras and unlimited beverages before dropping by The Courtyward to catch Aussie girl ensemble Shimmer. The group will be pumping out Billboard hits and popular favorites, ensuring a whopping good time. Oh, balloons will (again) run amok at midnight too.
For fresh oysters, tiger prawns and traditional Japanese noodles, go to The Lobby Court at Shangri-La Hotel (22 Orange Grove Rd., 6737-3644). Seven-piece band SYRA, fronted by Beverly Morata, will be dishing out dance, retro and Top 40s while DJ Glenn Ong play host in this countdown party. At the lounge of Intercontinental Singapore (80 Middle Rd., 6825-1008), savories like canapes will be served as jazz singer Wendolina entertains.

If you’re looking for a laidback spot to hang out at, go to The Pump Room (#01-09/10 Blk. B The Foundry, Clarke Quay, River Valley Rd., 6334-2628) where modern Australian cuisine will be doled out as Jive Talkin’ plays rock, jazz and pop. Timbre (45 Armenian St., 6338-8277), where local bands Timmy and The UnXpected will be delivering rock numbers to woo the crowd on New Year’s Eve, is a good choice too. Or head to Muddy Murphy’s Irish Pub @ Orchard (#B1-01/01-06 Orchard Hotel Shopping Arcade, 442 Orchard Rd., 6735-0400) to pamper yourself with Irish stew and pop, rock and Top 40s played by local band Blue Jade.

Whether you’re a clubber, a foodie, or a live music enthusiast, various spots have activities lined up to make your night. Gather your mates and hit these countdown parties. It’s only fitting that 2007 should be welcomed with a blast.

Forgotten Resolutions

New Year resolutions are often made in the spur of the moment, but forgotten (very) soon after. As 2007 nears, we ask various resident DJs to tell us about the resolutions they have made (and failed to keep).

Damian Saint (Ministry of Sound): ALWAYS to quit smoking!!! Every year it’s the same one! This year I’m gonna nail it though and stop!

DJ NDC (Loof): To take part and win Singapore Idol. But I didn’t. Reason? I can’t sing...

Daniel Yeo (Attica): First, finishing my production. Second, doing more charity and the third resolution which I didn’t keep is toning my body!

Aldrin (Zouk): I don’t make New Year resolutions so there’s nothing I’ve failed to keep. Life moves too quickly and things can change overnight, so I rather just go with the flow.

Adrian Wee (Powerhouse): To take a crap in a Mercedes cab!