The Final Countdown

Big Name Bash
Count down to the New Year at the White Hot NYE Party with DJ James Lavella at The Mira. The master of progressive house from the UK flies in for one night only to ring in 2011 with the ultimate dance event. Tickets purchased between now and December 30 cost $1,100, which include an open bar with standard drinks from 11pm to 4am, and late night snacks at 3am to keep your energy levels up. If you’re a flake, you can buy at the door for $1,400. Secure a little privacy with a VIP table, which are available for $2,011 on top of your ticket price. Tables include seating for six guests and a bottle of Bollinger champagne.
9pm-late—or very, very early. The Ballroom, 18/F, The Mira Hong Kong, 118 Nathan Rd., Tsim Tsa Tsui, 2315-5885

Party under the Stars
The Cafe Deco Group has prepared a number of parties at all their outlets around Hong Kong to welcome the new year. The family favorite restaurant on the Peak, Cafe Deco, will be serving up a six-course tasting menu by Martin Kniss, priced at $1,288 per person from 6pm onwards. Throughout the evening, DJ Romi will be bringing in some party music to spice up the atmosphere. Some of the delectable dishes include slow-baked Alaskan black cod as well as black Angus fillet. Top off the dishes with a selection of fine French cheeses and some delicious French macarons. If you’d rather party the night away under the stars, head to Top Deck, which is offering a five-course set dinner from 6:30pm to 10:30pm for $688 per person. Courses include oysters, seared Hokkaido scallops and oven-baked Chilean sea bass. Right after dinner, the venue will be transformed into a disco space where DJ Bottin & Friends will keep you on your toes right up until midnight. Prices are $690 for ladies and $890 for gents, including an open bar on all standard drinks, gifts and free shooters all night long.
Top Deck: Jumbo Kingdom, Shum Wan Pier, Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen, 2552-3331

Hold Onto Your Hats
BLT Steak will be holding a vast “Madhatter’s Party” on their waterfront terrace in Ocean Terminal. Don your wildest headgear and compete for great prizes as you dance the night away under an outdoor marquee, where you’ll find tasty eats to help you last through the night. The sky will be lit up with a laser light display, and, it hardly needs to be said, the harbor views are second-to-none. The gala buffet costs $788 per person, or go for the buffet plus open bar for $1,188. Got dinner plans? The steakhouse is also offering a special countdown, fireworks and open bar from 11pm onwards for $388.
Shop G62, G/F, Ocean Terminal, Harbor City, Tsim Tsa Tsui, call 2730-2508 for reservations and visit www.diningconcepts.com.hk for details

Sizzling Samba
Transport yourself to Rio Sambadrome as Hullet House throws a New Year Brazilian carnival-themed party. Celebrate the start of 2011 amid a stunning palm-tree setting in the Hullet House courtyard at the most hip-swivelling, samba-infused party of the year. A live Latin band will be turning up the heat from 10 pm onwards and there’ll be a sizzling samba show performed by Brazilian dancers as midnight draws near. The rhythms of Rio will also include bongo players, a saxophonist and smooth and sultry DJ beats until the early morning. In addition to the party, each of Hullet House’s restaurants will be offering special NYE menus that include free admission to the party. For example, Chinese restaurant Loong Toh Yuen will serve a nine-course feast, with dishes including pan-fried scallop stuffed with wild mushroom and wooden fungus and wok fried sugar pea shoots with crabmeat ($888). The party starts at 10pm, tickets are priced at $350 in advance and $380 at the door, both including a welcome glass of champagne.
1881 Heritage, 2A Canton Rd., Tsim Tsa Tsui, 3988-0208

Aussie New Year
The Wooloomooloo Group is holding New Year’s parties galore this year. Each restaurant (except the one in Elements) is offering a special set dinner as well as a countdown party, which all dinner guests can attend for free. Prices vary from $150 to $300 depending on the venue, but the countdown party at Wooloomooloo Prime starts at $600 and includes two drinks There’s also entertainment courtesy of a four-piece live band.
Wooloomooloo Prime: Level 21, The One, 100 Nathan Rd., Tsim Tsa Tsui, 2870-0087. Entrance fee

Hollywood Heroes
Michelin-starred guest chef Bonelli Gianlugi will lead the holiday countdown at The Luxe Manor with a stunning showcase of savory dishes. The hotel is taking on a “Golden Age of Hollywood” theme for the night. Meet and greet movie legends, including Indiana Jones and The Queen of Hearts in the hotel lobby, before tucking into a sumptuous feast at FINDS or the famous Heaven and Hell dining rooms, which have been transformed to match the occasion. Finish off the year with a raucous party hosted by the hilarious music showman, Danny Diaz, at Dada. The best dressed male and female of the night will also have a chance to win an “Oscar.” The dinner at FINDS alone costs $698 and the party costs $498, but if you are planning on going to both, the cost is $988. If you want a truly unique dining experience, try out one of the dining rooms for $1,098, which includes entry to the countdown party.
The Luxe Manor, 39 Kimberley Rd., Tsim Sha Tsui, 3763-8888

Shanghai, Baby
Transport yourself to a bygone era on New Year’s Eve as Italian-Indian restaurant Duetto (formerly the Viceroy, which was famous for its New Year’s parties) transforms into the “Paris of the East.” The Swinging Shanghai New Year’s Ball will be taking revelers back to 1920s Shanghai, so think burlesque dancers for entertainment, cheongsams and slicked hair for the gents. There’s a free-flow of cocktails from 8pm to 9:30pm, and bubbly on tap all night long. Dressing up is a must, with prizes galore for the best “Made-in-China” outfits of the night. Perhaps not quite in keeping with the theme, DJs will be playing the top club hits of 2010, plus special requests. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s tons of good grub to stave off those hunger pangs. $788 per person, or $688 per person for groups of 10 or more that book before Dec 15. $638 per person after 11pm.
2/F, Sun Hung Kai Center, 30 Harbor Rd., Wan Chai, 2598-1222