Where did that decade go? It feels like it was only yesterday that we were all celebrating the end of the millennium and the birth of the new one, and now here we are thinking about what to do to bring in 2010 already. So what will you be doing this New year’s? Where to go? What’s going to be hot and wild? If you live in a big town or city there’s bound to be loads going on at your favorite gay venue, but what about taking a more global view, what if you are thinking of traveling for a New Year’s party this coming holiday?
Well, after some diligent web searching to see what the world was planning, I found a few places that were already making suggestions. The Gay Party Blog had our top list of five. Having discounted New York and San Francisco, Times Square and Las Vegas (done that, been there, got the T shirt), it came up with London as its number one spot. I can tell you that I’ve celebrated in London on many occasions, having lived there for 12 years, and Trafalgar Square is not what it traditionally was. It was always busy and crowded, but it also became too busy, too crowded, too policed, no alcohol and you weren’t even allowed to dance in the fountains any more. But just up the road is G.A.Y., one of the biggest gay, London clubs started by Jeremy Joseph… more years ago that I care to remember. This New Year the boy band A1 are reuniting for the occasion – so that’s going to be wild; but you’re going to have to buy tickets early.
Meanwhile (accounting for a few hours’ time difference) there’s going to be a lively night in Orlando, Florida over in the USA. Abigail is going on stage before midnight, followed by Inaya Day just after – at the Parliament House. (And Lady Gaga will be in town on the 3rd if you’re staying around.) On the West Coast you can find the 10th anniversary of Masterbeat at the Mayan Theatre. That’s bound to be large, huge, big and packed with perfect people partying into the small house of the next year. (Check the site at newyearsla.com).
But back in Europe you’ve got a whole stack of events lined up depending on what country you are going to be in or travel too. Amsterdam is famous for its gay scene (and other fabby things) and there’s going to be music, dancing and celebrations at Rapido from eight in the evening until five in the morning. Back in London G.A.Y. will have a run for its money with Kinky Trade going full swing in across the river Vauxhall, Popstarz holding it’s well known masked ball, and even smaller venues like the Village in Soho (a popular bar at the end of ‘gay street’) being packed shoulder to shoulder with horny and hot guys ready to get wild.
Other cities, like Rome, Munich and Cologne already have parties listed for the night, in fact anywhere you find a gay bar or club you’re going o find a gay party. Expect to pay of course, I didn’t find any events listed on the web that were for free – though some may well be, they are more likely to be the bars rather than the dance clubs. And expect to stay out late. You might want to get New Year’s Day survival kits in for the morning after: vitamin C, headache tablets, ‘the morning after pill’ and dark glasses. And another tip: if you; are going out for a wild NYE party, make sure you can get home safely. Check if there are night busses and where they go from, book a cab, or have a designated driver in your group who doesn’t drink, or else, if you’re up for some personal NYE fun, expect to start the new year with a stranger and take your condoms. But whatever you do and wherever you go – have fun and be safe; you’ll want to be around to see in the next decade.
Breaking News for NYE-
Update on Tigerheat nightclub in LA we could out that they will not be at Avalon this year because of a New Year’s Eve event held there for that Thursday. TigerHeat is hosting it’s “Best Of 2009 music video countdown” on Thursday, December 31st at Henry Fonda Music Box (6126 Hollywood Blvd.) from 9:30pm to 3am. Special location for this one week only due to New Year’s Eve.
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