New Year’s Eve 2007: Do you know where the party is?

No one I know has definite plans for New Year’s Eve. Everyone I ask answers in the same sort of vague “we’ll see” sort of fashion. I’m not sure why that is, but I can take a few wild guesses. Is it people playing it the proverbial Brighton ‘cool’ or are people just not all that fussed?

This autumn, despite the opening of the too-cool-for-school Digital, has seen a less than stellar turn out in the clubs. Smoking ban has been a bit of a downer for those partial to the legal puff. Money’s tight this year – more so than other years, with redundancies in the air, interest rates on the rocks and the housing market poised on a hypothetical popping point. And then, to cap it off, there has been unannounced IDing, catching many clubbers unaware. I mean, who takes a form of identification out in this day and age? I’d expect to be carded if I was going to the Honeyclub, but not C2 or Riki Tiks!

So maybe you’re in the same boat: you’re skint, but you and your friends want to paint a red streak down Madeira Drive by whatever means necessary. Clubs or house parties? Brighton or London? One set of friends have already bought tickets for Audio, while another set of friends want to skip through the line up of free house parties. What’s a girl (or guy) to do? Keep your options open, or failing that, know what your options are.

Here are the 9 top most interesting NYE options, from your major club to the next-door pub, ranked according by price. Some are sweet FA, while are some a little bit dearer.

If you’re a night owl and plan on hunting an after-party, check out the Fusion after-party page, which we’ll be updating closer to the time.

Have a fun and safe night and keep your ears peeled for the bass!

1 * THE ELECTRIC PLAYBOYS: THE BAD 4 U NEW YEARS FREE PARTY

The bad boys of party tunes are hosting a double-jointed NYE extravaganza: occupying both the Pressure Point bar (downstairs) and Hectors House, with their music-loving DJs having strict orders to “bring it on!”. It’s also your chance to fulfill that life-long fantasy of dressing up as Princess Leah or the Forrest Gump, with their movie character fancy dress theme. Oh yeah – and it’s free. Whoa-ho!

Hectors House: the mighty Y-Inter Soundsystem will grace the premises (you lucky things), while DJs spin breaks, electro, banging house and funky techno. Party runs from 7pm-2am.

Pressure Point: DJs will keep you delighted with an eclectic set of reggae, dub, funk, hip hop, drum ‘n’ bass, retro electro and party tunes. So anything goes. Party runs from 7pm-5am.

HOW MUCH IS IT? Nada – both parties are free.

MUSIC POLICY: Everthing under the sun. See above.

HOW FAR AWAY IS IT? Hectors House and Pressure Point are on the club flight route. Close enough to walk home, depending on where you live.

WILL I GET MY FRIENDS IN?: Depends on how thin your friends are. Electric Playboy free parties are popular and they tend to be packed out, especially in these choice locations. Get there before midnight and find a corner. Good luck!

HOW LATE CAN WE STAY? 7pm – 5am

HOW DO I GET TICKETS?You don’t – just turn up.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Two New Years Eve parties for the price of none!”

2* LUNARCY NYE PARTY

It’s at End of the World pub on London Road, near Preston Circus – more information to follow !

3*MURDERDISCO NEW YEAR’S EVE

I’ve never been to their night so this is a bit of a wildcard, but for those of you who aren’t totally into electronic music, but don’t mind it when it’s peppered in pop music, this night might be a fun, small but personable option. The night takes place downstairs at the Hope Pub, which has resurrected its standing as a live music venue. Expect Hot Chip, Justice, The Cure, Pet Shop Boys, MJ, Klaxons, Chemical Brothers, Blondie, Motown, and more. The Guardian rate them – counts for something, I guess.

HOW MUCH IS IT? £5

MUSIC POLICY: Pop!

HOW FAR AWAY IS IT? Central. Stone’s throw from Brighton train station. The Hope, Queens Road, Brighton

WILL I GET MY FRIENDS IN? I’d say get a good group together and get stuck in. The music promises a silly but good romp.

HOW LATE CAN WE STAY? 8pm – 4am

HOW DO I GET TICKETS From the Hope Pub or email murderdisco@gmail.com to get a ticket reserved, pay on the night.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Plundering pop history until your heart hurts”

4 * FREQUENCY NEW YEARS EVE RAVE UP

The Frequency Festival party crew are teaming up with the Broadcast Loft Party to recreate the summery vibes from their local festival this past July. If you missed out on the mini-Brighton Glade, come down to this small but delectable party. They’re rigging up the “Deadfly HiFi” Sound System, which powered the Phunk Cafe and should do the job. These boys and girls will definitely keep people dancing all night, but you might need to scout around for an after party in advance – it shuts at 4am.

HOW MUCH IS IT? £9 / 8 (on facebook)

MUSIC POLICY: funk/ nu disco, rare groove, dub, house, bleeps, old skool & funky breaks

HOW FAR AWAY IS IT?: Away from the maddening crowds. Upstairs at the Hare & Hounds Pub, Preston Circus, London Road, Brighton – use the private side entrance

WILL I GET MY FRIENDS IN?: 100 lucky lucky people so depends on how many friends you have

HOW LATE CAN WE STAY? 8pm – 4am

HOW DO I GET TICKETS? See the Facebook group for more information. http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=6964552924

WHAT THEY SAY: “Come along, get drunk with us and dance all night long!”

5 * BUST THE BOX NYE SPECIAL

The original munter maniacs are taking their legendary Sunday parties to another all-nighter. I haven’t had word if they’re organising an after-party, but that should be a laugh and a half; it was last year.

HOW MUCH IS IT? £10 in advance

MUSIC POLICY: Musical anarchy.

HOW FAR AWAY IS IT? A stiff sea breeze awaits. Volks, Madeira Drive, Brighton

WILL I GET MY FRIENDS IN? Probably.

HOW LATE CAN WE STAY? 9pm – 6am

HOW DO I GET TICKETS? Contact Volks or check out Bust the Box facebook group.

WHAT THEY SAY: “Be there or be square.”

6 * BORN BAD NYE PARTY

Tried-and-tested Brighton retro music night hosts this NYE party in the downstairs of Komedia. Great venue, good music. Get the gloves, handbags and combed back hair and shake some tailfeathers.

HOW MUCH IS IT? £15 advance

MUSIC POLICY: 1950s & 1960s garage, rockabilly

HOW FAR AWAY IS IT? Deep in the heart of the North Laine. Komedia, Gardner Street, Brighton.

WILL I GET MY FRIENDS IN? Book in advance to avoid disappointment.

HOW LATE CAN WE STAY? 10pm – 5am

HOW DO I GET TICKETS? Komedia box office (01273 647100)

WHAT THEY SAY: “Exotic gyrations to red hot rockabilly”

7 * AUDIO NEW YEAR’S EVE: SCHTUMM! & ALL TIME TOP 100

I love it when Audio open both floors. They don’t normally do it unless they’re sure the punters will be packed in, which is a sure bet for events such as their annual summer birthday party – New Years Eve. So what a treat to have two floors, with upstairs hosted by SCHTUMM! and downstairs kitted out by ALL TIME TOP 100. Schtumm! have only been running for one year, unbelievable I know: I went to their first night ever, in the basement of a Middle Eastern restaurant in Kemptown last March, and I was surprisingly impressed by the DJ’s choice mix of breaks and electro house tunes. Heaven or hell? Hopefully a bit of both.

Audio: Schtumm! present Serge Santiago, Deepgroove, Sam Watts / Neal Lewis / Senor Mick

Above Audio: All Time Top 100 feat. Johnny Rocks, Eric Kleptone, James Kendall, Pete B, Dave Richards, Gogglez, Steve Chaos, Christ Almighty, Toby Amies, Nick Coin-Op

HOW MUCH IS IT? £20+bf tickets available before December 20th, £25 after.

MUSIC POLICY: Moveable feast

HOW FAR AWAY IS IT? On the seafront. Audio, 10 Marine Parade, Brighton

WILL I GET MY FRIENDS IN? Last I heard it was near to being sold out so act quick!

HOW LATE CAN WE STAY? 10pm-6am

HOW DO I GET TICKETS? Resident Records, Rounder Records, Dome box office (01273 709709), Above Audio, Ticket Web

WHAT THEY SAY: Their friends over at the Source reckon it’s “a perfect night out”

8 * RED HOT EVENTS NYE NIGHT @ CONCORDE 2 Drum n bass rules the roost this year at Concorde 2, one of Brighton’s bigger capacity venues. Local event promoter Red Hot Events sates never-ceasing taste for Brighton bass-heads. Line up includes , Chase & Status (dnb/hiphop/breaks), (dubstep), Ctrl Z (Nu Skool Breakz), Qemists & ID. Local live funk and beats promoters BeatCircus help support the night.

If the Devotion nights that run here are anything to go by, expect this to be sweaty and rammed. Oh, and bring your glow stick. You might need it to find your way through the main room.

HOW MUCH IS IT? £20 advance early bird tickets

MUSIC POLICY: Edgy. Drum n bass / breaks / dub step / hiphop. No messing.

HOW FAR AWAY IS IT? Ooh, it’s a bit of a hike but hey, that’s why God invented taxis! Concorde 2.

WILL I GET MY FRIENDS IN?If you’ve got a ticket.It’s a massive venue but if it’s sold out, it’s sold out.

HOW LATE CAN WE STAY? Mmm…pretty late.

HOW DO I GET TICKETS? Rounder Records, Resident Records, Ticket Web

WHAT THEY SAY: Drum n bass.

9 * OCEAN ROOMS NEW YEAR’S EVE

Hot Chip (dj set), Jonny Jilted, Disco Boy, Billy M, Enzo, Ben Cherrill, Vinyl Richie, Mick Mula. I think the line up says it all. A bumper crop of local favorites, but it’s electro-pop, flavour-of-the-month Hot Chip that melts in the mouth. I caught their live set during the summer, and it’s a real shame that they’re only doing a dj set. Where’s the love?

HOW MUCH IS IT? £22 advance.

MUSIC POLICY: Electronic stuff. You know the deal.

HOW FAR AWAY IS IT? Ocean Rooms, Morley Street, Brighton

WILL I GET MY FRIENDS IN? There’s 3 floors – hell yes!!

HOW LATE CAN WE STAY? 9.30pm – 4am (followed by an after party, but you might have to pay)

HOW DO I GET TICKETS? Contact Ocean Rooms (01273 699069)

WHAT THEY SAY: Hot Chip

Words: Amy the Film Maker