2011 Dec 24 Party Like It's Almost 2012: New Year Parties!
If you're reading this, I expect you, like me, are in Beijing for the holiday period. I'm not going to pretend that Christmas is magical here - though plan it well and you can at least enjoy yourself with your mates (and family, if you have any out here) - but Beijing does New Year's Eve pretty well. You can head to the big parties like Yen's Countdown, Acupuncture's Genesis and newcomer Nova, enjoy the high life at places like Xiu, or neck cheap drinks at the likes of Luga's Villa. Of course, almost every bar you go into will be celebrating, but we're here with a roundup of everything we've confirmed so far.
Eddie’s Weekend
Johnny Lee and LYDNB ring in the New Year with house tunes and drink specials from 9.30-11.30pm. RMB 50 (includes free bottle of Asahi or Sol). 10pm. Mo Lounge (6413 1019)
Fubar
Rumors abound that the year-end party will feature a rare set from two of Beijing's most under-rated DJing personalities. Genres will be crossed. Free. 10pm. Fubar (6593 8227)
Genesis 2012 New Year’s Eve Countdown
One of the biggies. Acupuncture Records are past masters of the big New Year's party, and this year they're back at Lantern to take you into 2012. Expect techno and more from Weng Weng, ELVIS.T and friends. See the video below for an idea of what to expect. RMB 150, RMB 100 (advance). 10pm. Lantern (135 0134 8785)
Haze New Year’s Countdown
Dance into 2012 with Donald Summer, Patrick Yu, Yang Bing, Pancake Lee, Kaize, Zhi Qi and Max Feelgood. RMB 100. 10pm. Haze (5900 6128)
Kid Fresh New Year’s Eve Party
Get your Sunday best on as Kid Fresh rings in 2012 down in Beijing's most stylish basement. RMB 100 (after 11pm). 10pm. Punk (6410 5222)
New Year at Aria
Swing into 2012 with Valeria Proano and her jazz trio. Enjoy the countdown with great cocktails and a fantastic selection of wines, spirits and champagnes. Free. 9pm-2am. Aria, China World Hotel (6505 2266 ext 6644)
New Year's Eve at Luga's Villa
Celebrate New Year with the Last King of Sanlitun Houjie. Drinks deals include RMB 10 for draft Tiger and Carlsberg, RMB 15 for house mixed drinks, RMB 25 for cocktails and RMB 88 for bottles of house wine. Buy five tickets, get one free. RMB 98, RMB 88 (advance). 8pm. Luga's Villa (6416 2575)
New Year's Eve at Migas
Chances are we've all spent at least one or two happy summer nights up on the roof at Migas, so why not say farewell to 2011 with a visit to one of the best venues of 2011. FakeLoveMusic bring electronic disco courtesy of Bottin, while Funk Fever bring the funk. If you're lucky, the new bar might even be ready to open up for the last night of the year. RMB 150, RMB 120 (advance). 10pm. Migas (5208 6061)
New Year’s Eve Countdown Party
Raise a glass to 2012 at the Hilton. Packages from RMB 288+15%. 9pm. Zeta Bar (5865 5050)
New Year’s Party
Live music from Greg Carroll and a DJ rock you into the New Year, with prizes to be won and drinks specials all night. Free. 8pm. Eudora Station (6437 8331/8334)
Nova New Year’s Eve
See our blog on Nova for full details and ticket contest, but Underworld’s Darren Emerson headlines, with support from X.L.F., Terry Tu, Huang Weiwei and Dave K. Expect “Born Slippy” at midnight. Maybe. The party takes place in a huge, disused gas tank - essential for anyone with a fetish for industrial wastelands. RMB 200, RMB 150 (advance). 9pm. 751 Green Zone, 798 Art District
Suzie Wong’s New Year’s Party
See off 2011 with champagne and cigars. Reservations at 138 1112 3770. RMB 200. 9pm. Suzie Wong’s (6500 3377)
XIU 2012 Countdown
Bubbly and live music eases you through to the New Year. RMB 400 (includes one glass of Moet & Chandon). 9pm. Xiu (8567 1108)
Yen Countdown
(Look out for a chance to win Yen tickets on TheBeijinger.com on Monday, December 26) If you want the biggest of big New Year parties in a gigantic warehouse, Yen remains the most reliable bet, but buy your tickets early or risk trekking out to 798 only to meet a one-in, one-out situation. Presale tickets are currently still available for RMB 100 - a bargain when you look at the prices some bars are charging just to get in. Familair Yen faces like Dio, Yang Bing, Ou Yang, Slide and others are back once again to move bodies late into the early hours. Tickets are available at Aperitivo, Jazz-Ya, Fish Nation and Willow Willow in Sanlitun, Lush in Wudaokou, Dongjin Yishu Gongcheng in 798, Pass By Bar, Bed, Luce, Yugong Yishan, Plastered and Cafe Zarah in the Gulou area, Souk at Chaoyang Park West Gate, and at Tim's Texas Bar-B-Q in the CBD. See the video below for clues as to what will be going on. RMB 150, RMB 100 (advance). 10pm. 798 Art Space, 798 Art District
You might also be interested in :
Countdown to Armageddon? Win Yen New Year Tickets!
It’s only five days till 2012, but you’ve still got one big decision to make: Where are you going to be at midnight on New Year’s Eve? We’ve already highlighted the Nova party at 751 D-Park, and given you an in-depth roundup of parties taking place around town, but would winning a pair of tickets to the Yen Countdown party at 798 help you make your choice?
Happy Nova Year: Win Tickets For New Year's Eve!
Got your New Year's Eve plans sorted out yet? Pretty much every bar and club in Beijing will have some sort of celebration, but if you're looking for something huge, head up to 798. In one corner of the Dashanzi art district, the ever-reliable Yen Countdown party is back again, but over in the 751 D-Park area of 798, the Nova New Year's Party makes its debut with a headline set from one of the most significant figures of the past two decades in British dance music, Darren Emerson, and Chinese DJs including Huang Weiwei, Terry Tu, X.L.F. and Dave K. We've got all the information on the party and a ticket contest right here!
Come Out for Jing Pride: Grace Su Dishes on Closing Party
We already got a taste of the growing Pride movement back in May, when Beijing celebrated International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) for the third year in a row. Now we're nearing the end of the biggest Jing Pride we've had to date. We spoke to one of the organizers, Grace Su, about Beijing's LGBT community, sex toys and what to expect from tomorrow's closing party.
What's your story? Where are you from and how'd you get involved?
I was born in Beijing and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area until now. I've always loved the vibe of Pride – people are just crazy and happy to be themselves. The Jing has some of the craziest people, so let's get that crazy out of them.Clubhouse: Josh Wink To Play INTRO 2011
UPDATE: In a change to the original plan, organizers Acupuncture Records have announced that May 21-22's INTRO 2011 electronic music festival has been moved to 751 D-Park in 798 Art District - the event will not take place at Tongzhou Canal Park as previously advertised.Philadelphia’s Josh Wink was at the forefront of the early ’90s rave scene in the US, melting dance floors and scoring hits with tracks like “Higher State of Consciousness.” Two decades on, Wink brings his record bag for a headline set at the biggest weekend on Beijing’s electronic music calendar, INTRO 2011, which takes place May 21-22 at 751 D-Park in 798 Art District (moved from originally planned Tongzhou Canal Park). We warmed Wink up for Beijing by asking him about Star Wars, Radiohead and his shifting perception of the humble banana.
Your Guide to New Year’s Eve (and Day) Dinners
Earlier this week we offered up a list of all the parties and clubs to hit on New Years. For those seeking a different tune here is a line up of all the delicious dinners to sustain yourself over New Years Eve. Celebrate in style and ring in 2011 with a decadent multi-course meal complete with Champagne, wine or shots.
