Dubai clubs, restaurants packed for New Year parties

Dubai: Though many residents have tightened their purse strings this New Year, it seems the party animals are in no mood for restraint. They have booked their seats well in advance in the city’s party hotspots for the New Year bash, even if it means digging deep into their pockets.

However, in a gulfnews.com poll, 59 per cent of the respondents said they do not want to spend anything to celebrate the New Year. While only 6 per cent of people are ready to spend more than Dh1, 000 on New Year’s Eve, 5 per cent said they would not mind spending anything between Dh500 to Dh1, 000 for a night out.

Only 30 per cent of the respondents are willing to spend less than Dh500 on partying out.

Clubs and restaurants said they are packed for New Year’s parties and reservations have been full since last week.

Cavalli Club, at the Fairmont Hotel has its tables fully booked for their hippie-themed night. Party revellers were happy to spend Dh950 for men and Dh850 for women to welcome 2010 at the signature nightspot opened by the Italian Fashion designer, Roberto Cavalli.

Asha’s - a premiere Indian restaurant at Wafi Pyramids - is also fully booked for Thursday night.

According to the restaurant, the Dh395 per person Punjabi Night has been completely sold out since last week.

“We can accommodate a maximum of 140 people and we are full for the night,” said the Captain.

The Cellar at the Irish Village, a popular hangout near Garhoud, has closed its doors to new bookings. More than 200 people have grabbed the seats for Dh950 each: a package that includes an international buffet and beverages. The party at Cellar will continue right up to 3am and will end with special Irish breakfast.

Some of the biggest entertainment events organised on New Year’s Eve has also received an overwhelming response from residents eager to start the New Year with a bang.

Organisers of the musical night featuring Pakistani pop-sensation Atif Aslam, Shaan and Vasundhara Das at the Zabeel Hall on Thursday night at the world Trade Centre, said 75 per cent of the tickets are sold out.

“We are expecting that the rest of the tickets will be lapped up before the show,” said Kanish, one of the organisers. Tickets are priced in the range of Dh150 to Dh1, 500.

As the city gears up for night-long festivities, the desert is yet another party hotspot for New Year’s Eve. To welcome in the New Year from under the desert sky, tour operators and safari organisers have lined up special events in the desert.

North Tours, who have organised a special desert safari camp at Al Awir said their tickets are sold out for the night.

Likewise, the Drumming Festival organised by Gulf Ventures has also gone down well with residents with organisers claiming that they have already sold out their 500 tickets. The percussive all-nighter in the desert costs Dh425 for adults and Dh185 for children.