1920s SPEAKEASY Audio
Above Audio’s morphed into a 1920’s speakeasy replete with full decor, glamour and decadent private booths while the terrace houses a live jazz band as well as a cigar and liquor bar to make it the classiest smoking area in Brighton. Downstairs Enzo Siffredi’s tech-house will help the ball properly drop come midnight. (ZC)
DIRTY WATER VS STAY SICK Hector’s House
It’s not all about dance music on NYE and this pairing ought to bring as much hedonism as even the most pilled up rave pit – booze, cheering, loud music, live bands, falling over, more booze. Stay Sick’s Cramps-ed up rock’n’roll is so much fun, Johnny Throttle’s punk can only send it over the edge. (JK)
DOCTOR’S ORDERS Jam
There isn’t much hip hop on this New Year’s Eve, perhaps because the Doctor’s Orders have nicked all the good DJs. DJ Format, DJ Vadim, JFB, Rusty Ryan will be dropping good times party joints all night. (JK)
GO BANG! Globe
Disco has been the sound of the last couple of years – Aeroplane diving into the mainstream in 2010 with his amazing album – but Ali & Affy have been on this shit for years and really know their stuff. Guests Soft Rocks have been a serious underground name for a long time too. (JK)
GUILTY PLEASURES/BORN BAD/SPELLBOUND Komedia
Before you get too excited, these are three separate events, but each is a winner on its own merits. Spellbound is the cool underground 80s stuff from post-goth power couple Simon Price and Cherry Foxxx, Born Bad is rock’n’roll brilliance and all the cool clothes that go with it, and Guilty Pleasures is – really – just good pop music people ought not to be embarrassed about liking. (JK)
HED KANDI/HAT CLUB/I LOVE R&B The Honey
Three clubs in one, and three massive clubs at that, and this time you get all three for your entry price. If most your mates like r’n’b but you want to go to a funky house night and you’ve got another friend who loves wearing hats, it’s you best option by far. (JK)
IT IS STILL THE NEW YEARS EVE OF 1985 Coalition
Girls pull up those fingerless lacy gloves, boys don your sports jackets and both sexes get your perms ready to party at the Coalition’s notorious 80s night. Dance in the New Year to the best in global power pop, spandex clad cock rock and 80s movie soundtracks. (ZC)
LIFE’S TROPICAL Life
At first we thought they weren’t going to turn on the air-con but looking at the poster we now know that the name refers to how damn hot the line up is. Some of the best names in UK garage and dubstep – Wookie, Roska, Untold, Donga – alongside soul from Fish Fry and hip hop from the young Jailbait crew. (JK)
LUNARCY Volks
Tonight sees loads of the old school back to show the kids how it’s done (see also Positive and Stompa Phunk). Jungle crew Lunarcy have put together a huge line-up of DJs including EZ Rollers and invited Freebass, Kings Of Jungle and Zapback along for the ride. (JK)
POSITIVE SOUNDS Prince Albert
Brighton’s longest running night, Positive have been putting on legal and illegal parties for the people since 1992. They’ve run more New Year’s bashes than you’ve had hot dinners. If you’ve had under 20 hot dinners. Expect great house music, a touch of breaks and a really good atmosphere. (JK)
SCRATCH PERVERTS Digital
Seeing in your New Year is Stonelove – the finest indie rock and roll guaranteed to be all thriller and no filler till 3am, at which point the turntable molesting Scratch Perverts will make the first morning of your 2011 go with a bang, beat and bassline, Blah Blah Blah in tow. (ZC)
STICK IT ON King & Queen
Every time Stick It On get their civilian DJs onto the decks it’s instant party time, so with the atmosphere of NYE this should be a blast. Concentrated big tunes, even if someone plays off piste their excitement of hearing their faves will pull you in. (JK)
STOMPA PHUNK Funky Buddha
What a lovely surprise – after the second room reunion of the Laurent Garnier show it looks like everyone’s favourite classic house crew are edging their way bag in the game. This night will bring together as many of their talented residents as they can fit in the DJ booth. (JK)
TRU THOUGHTS Fortune Of War
The Fortune is a great little pub for raving in – if you get hammered enough you can convince yourself you’re partying in an upturned boat at the bottom of the sea. Hint and Flevan’s will be dropping the deep, jazzed out beats. (JK)
WHAT ABOUT THE BEATS? Riki Tik
WATB has DJs playing everything from party classics to garage, drum and bass and UK funky, accompanied by Welsh hip-hop producers Darkhouse Family. Expect drinks promotions, a party atmosphere and a glowing sense of pride when you check your bank balance on Monday and realise you didn’t pay to get in. (JMM)
WORDS BY ZAC COLBERT, JAMES KENDALL, JESSICA MARSHALL MCHATTIE
