Our pick of the best places to be this New Year’s Eve
Bedford Lodge
Welcome in 2019 in style at Newmarket’s Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa. Choose between a black tie Gala Dinner (£135 per person) in the award-winning Squires Restaurant, which offers a luxury five-course dinner and a piper to see in the New Year, or alternatively, spend your evening at the New Year’s Eve Classics Ball (£115 per person) with a black tie Dinner Dance. The four-course dinner starts at 7pm, then comes disco tunes, a traditional piper, plus haggis, neeps and tatties for both NYE packages.
Thirsty Wintergarten
The final night of this year’s Wintergarten – in its new home in the garden at the Gonville Hotel next to Parker’s Piece – is on New Year’s Eve for a double send off to 2018 and the popular al fresco drinks and street food spot. Get a fab selection of craft beer from the Thirstybus bar, together with great choonz inside giant tipis, and warm up next to fire pits and heaters. There will also be a choice of street food from the best vans in town.
De Luca
A sumptuous five-course menu and exclusive access to the top floor piano bar takes place at this ticket-only celebration.
After dinner, Robin P-iano will lead the requests and sing-along as midnight approaches. Early booking is highly recommended as the restaurant and piano bar will not be open to the public on New Year’s Eve.
The Willow Tree
Embrace the Parisian spirit at The Willow Tree on New Year’s Eve, with a dinner and show from 8pm. Featuring a Midnight in Paris theme, choose gourmet delights from a fabulous five-course taster menu, including fizz on arrival. This themed dining party and show is a collaboration with the Neon Moon Club and will feature enchanting French décor, close-up performers and live music until the early hours, bringing a glamorous vintage vibe from the capital of style. Tickets are £90 per person.
feastandfrolic.co.uk/the-willow-tree
Browns
Feast on a whopping five courses at Browns with its treat of a New Year’s Eve menu. There’s the aforementioned five courses for £44.95, which includes a classic Bellini, a blend of prosecco and peach that’s always a delight. After canapés on arrival, try beetroot, porcini and red wine crumble for starters, followed by 28-day aged sirloin steak or slow-cooked salted pork belly for your main, with apple, cranberry and prosecco crumble for dessert.
Novi
Sometimes it’s good to be left in the dark, but just a little bit! At Novi, see in the New Year at a Glow in the Dark bash, complete with local DJs and bespoke drinks packages.
Go dressed to glow with tickets costing £10 in advance and £15 on the door. The winter terrace will be a fully covered and heated winter wonderland, complete with festoon lighting, blankets and an array of cocktail specials.
Pint Shop
See in the New Year with DJ tunes, free drink on arrival and free whisky at midnight included with a five-course dinner for £50 per person. Choose from seared scallop, sticky braised ox cheek, aerated celeriac and saffron cream, or stuffed saddle of lamb for your main, with warm dark chocolate and stout pudding, or buttermilk ice cream afterwards. Book tickets in advance.
La Raza
La Raza are keeping it simple this year, with no theme but plenty of choons thanks to DJs Crump and Pete de Vit. Free canapés will be served until 9.30pm, with a mix of classic and in-house cocktails too. Tickets are £10 in advance, or £13 on the door.
Vinyl
Vintage beats will be pounding out of the speakers at Vinyl, with radio and TV legend Pat Sharp on the decks. He’s been a DJ at Radio 1, Capital and Heart, and had two Top 20 hits as part of Pat and Mick in the late 80s. Tickets are £8 before 11pm and £10 before midnight.
Hotel Felix
Hotel Felix serves up a four-course meal, arrival drink, Amuse Bouche and live jazz in the Orangery for a fabulous way to see in the New Year. We like the sound of loin of venison with Cavolo Nero and pearl barley. Tickets are £80 per person.
