Independence Day: Top Picks for New Year's Eve
Long queues, exorbitant tickets and sickly sweet wine in a plastic cup. We've all had nights out on New Year's Eve that quickly render Jools Holland's Hootenanny an attractive alternative.
The good news is that it doesn't have to be that way. This year in Sheffield, an array of independent venues are offering a better option, whether you're looking for mosh pits, Mozart or a masquerade ball. We've picked out six options that prove that New Year's Eve doesn't have to be an anticlimax.
CORPORATION
"New Year's Eve at Corporation is a mash-up of all the best bits of each of your favourite Corp nights and DJs all rolled into one," promotions manager Keith Winson told Now Then. "One massive night with two floors, four rooms, five bars and a huge firework display on the roof at midnight." Bring your best self, but not your best shoes. Tickets £11.25YELLOW ARCH
As they so often do, Yellow Arch are focusing on all things low-end. Their NYE knees-up is headlined by Digital Mystikz don Coki, going deep with dubstep and UK bass. He's joined by Taiko and the crew from Denham Audio in the main warehouse, with the Junglist Alliance taking care of room two. In the Rave Cave is Wölfe, plus a live set from Off Me Nut's AYU Acid. Even DJ David Attenborough makes an appearance - spinning hardcore, of course. Tickets £15.54THE LEADMILL
This New Year's Eve The Leadmill is putting on a massive Masquerade Ball," club promoter Freya Gill-Stevens told us. "Our DJs will be spinning the best indie anthems, plus eighties guilty pleasure pop in room two. Complete with free masquerade masks, free bubbly for ticket holders in before 11pm, a massive midnight countdown, confetti cannons, balloon drops, pyrotechnics and more." You certainly get bang for your buck. Tickets £11THE SHOWROOM
See in 2019 the cerebral way with a live broadcast from the Berlin Philharmonic. Lead by superstar conductor Daniel Barenboim, the world-renowned orchestra will play Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 26 in high definition, direct from Deutschland. There's also music from French impressionist Maurice Ravel, including his suitably climactic 'Boléro' (you'll know it). Tickets £16THE NIGHT KITCHEN
If you fancy something a touch heavier, five of the biggest crews in bass music are congregating round Shalesmoor way for a four-room blowout at The Night Kitchen. Displace, Off Me Nut and Chip Butty Records are teaming up with Tekkers and Allout Records to deliver a frankly daft line-up. Calyx & TeeBee, Kanji Kinetic and Cause N Affect play alongside familiar faces such as Phatworld and Thorpey, and dozens more. Madness. Tickets £16.65THE BAR STEWARDS
Why not start as you mean to go on by sampling some delicious new beers at one of Sheffield's best micropubs? For one night only, The Bar Stewards in Kelham Island is hosting a tap takeover by the celebrated Magic Rock brewery from Huddersfield. They'll be offering a selection of limited-edition ales, with a couple of exclusive one-offs just for the night. It's £5 entry, but that includes a free drink, and there'll be DJs and street food to sweeten the deal. Tickets £5.83Sam Gregory
