There was a time when Galle Face reigned supreme over Colombo’s New Year’s Eve soirees. The GFH gained notoriety for the wild verve with which it kissed the year goodbye and tumbled tipsily into the arms of the approaching epoch. Surrounded by titillating tales of ladies dancing on tabletops and international school kids running amok, the GFH revelries were the stuff of scandalous legend back in the day.
But today the NYE landscape’s quite different from what it used to be. The young brightlings of GFH’s heyday have become jaded Colombars, weary of bodycon dresses and DJs with too few vowels in their names. They’ve drifted down the coast, retreating to the idyll of the island’s golden sands and shining shores.
And so, in casual defiance of the Colombo parties, the Down South scene emerged. Batas and shorts came to replace stillettos and pants, and a new way of greeting the year began.
We’ve compiled a list of a few of this year’s NYE options. There are the Colombo parties, still going strong, as well as the newer coastal celebrations. While the Colombo parties cost some serious rupee, the beach side soirees are cheaper, and of course, more chill. If you want to dress up and sip Moet from dusk til dawn, try Cantaloupe or Amuseum. If you’re more into raving by the waves with a smaller group of good friends, South it is.
Executive Summary
| COLOMBO | ||
| Playground Premiere | Hilton | Rs. 10,000 |
| Amuseum | Galle Face | Rs. 10 – 15,000 |
| Sinsation | Water’s Edge | Rs. 5 – 10,000 |
| Simply The Best | Mount Lavinia | Rs. 19,000 |
| DOWN SOUTH | ||
| Good Music Movement | Closenberg Hotel, Galle | Rs. 1,000 – 2,000 |
| Playground Beach | 23 Palms Villa, Talpe | Rs. 5 – 6,000 |
| Bang Bang | Saffron Beach Hotel, Wadduwa | Rs. 5,000 |
COLOMBO
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‘Playground Premiere’ by Cantaloupe Playground Venue: Colombo Hilton Artists: DJ Sassy Pandez, Natalie Conway, DJ Beth Yen Extras: ‘Playground angels’, ie. dancers flown in from London |
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| Rs. 10,000 | Includes breakfast. Tables allocated to groups purchasing a minimum of 12 tickets and will include one bottle of champage and one bottle of vodka. marlon@cantaloupe.lk / fb.com/cantaloupeplayground |
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NYE 2012 by Amuseum Special Events Venue: Galle Face Hotel Artists: DJ Acee, DJ Oliver Schmitz Extras: Fashion TV stuff? |
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| Rs. 10,000 or Rs. 15,000 | Rs. 10000 (table deal includes 1 bottle of champagne,one bottle of vodka and breakfast) and Rs. 15000 (table deal includes dinner buffet, breakfast and bottle deals). Tickets can be purchased at 16/20 Galle Face Court 0777785440 / amuseum.se@gmail.com / www.amuseumse.com / fb.com/AmuseumSpecialEvents |
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Sinsation by Skylu Entertainment Venue: Water’s Edge Artists: DJ Nikki, DJ Janith, DJ Ross, DJ Reshan |
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| Rs. 5,000 – 10,000 | Rs. 10000 (VIP, group tickets of 10 only, includes 1 bottle Belvedere, 1 bottle black label, 1 bottle Moet), Rs. 5000 (group tickets of 10 only, includes 1 bottle of Black Label, 1 bottle sparkling wine), Rs. 5000 (individual tickets) 0773447013 / fb.com/events/295518363809613 |
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Simply The Best New Year’s Eve Venue: Mount Lavinia Hotel Artists: DJ Suneth |
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| Rs. 19,000 | Rs. 19,000 (Open bar, Sea Food Station, Dim Sum bar, Dinner buffet) 0112 711430 / mountl.blogspot.com |
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DOWN SOUTH
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NYE On The Peninsula by Good Music Movement Venue: Closenberg Hotel, Galle Artists: Aathal K., Bhagwan, Bobo Shanti, Miyuru, Krema Diaz |
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| Rs. 1,000 – 2,000 | Rs. 1000 (early bird), Rs. 2000 (general). Tickets are limited to 200, so purchase early. http://www.facebook.com/events/451073641615494/ |
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‘Playground Beach’ by Cantaloupe Playground Venue: 23 Palms Villa Artists: Not sure |
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| Rs. 5,000 – 6,000 | Rs. 5000 (party only), Rs. 6000 (7 day pass – includes access to events hosted on 29th and 31st Dec, and the 2nd and 4th Jan) nadeem@cantaloupe.lk / http://www.facebook.com/events/405861569486747/ |
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Bang Bang New Years Party Venue: Saffron Beach Hotel, Wadduwa Artists: Asvajit, Shiyam, TimTim, Upul, Geve, Twigs, Sunara |
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| Rs. 5,000 | Rs. 5000 (includes dinner and breakfast buffet, drinks and alcohol, pool facilities) 0778486076, 0714518588 or 0772333000 / https://www.facebook.com/events/439121536136604 |
