One of the side-effects of having such a mix of races and religions living in Malaysia, is that every few weeks seems to herald some major festival or other. This is particularly true of New Year, which is celebrated by Muslims, Chinese, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs, as well as indigenous peoples, at different times. As a throwback to the colonial era though, the official start of the year is January 1, the eve of which has become Kuala Lumpur’s biggest annual excuse for a party.

Start 2012 with a bang not a whimper.

Probably the most visible sign of the celebrations to mark the start of 2012 will be the various firework displays lighting up the city. The most convenient displays to watch will be at KLCC Park and Merdeka Square, but stand anywhere in the city with a reasonably clear view of the sky, and you are unlikely to miss out on the fun.

Merdeka Square will shine even brighter at New Year.

For those revellers who want to dance the night away, KL has a number of special parties, the pick of the bunch being Ecape: NYE at the Life Centre. The event is divided into two areas, one for R&B, which is very popular among young urban Malaysians, and the other for purer dance music. The organisers are flying in several big name DJs, some of whom even an old fogey like me has heard of [ed: me too!].

Get funky!

Tickets (which include one drink) are cheaper the earlier you buy them, ranging from 78 ringgit to 128 ringgit in advance, with the door price still to be announced.

Bali high comes to KL.

Other recommended New Year’s parties will take place at Bedroom KL (50 ringgit cover charge), in the heart of Bukit Bintang, and rather further afield, at Laundry, in The Curve (30-50 ringgit). With all these events, it pays to book ahead.

Remember not to wash your dirty linen in public.

KL also has umpteen places where you can party the night away without paying to get in. The area around Changkat Bukit Bintang, and to a lesser extent Bangsar Baru, will be thronged with revellers on New Year’s Eve. So rest assured, if you want to begin 2012 in time honoured fashion, with a hangover, worrying blanks in your memory and dirty fingernails, KL will not disappoint.

Escape: NYE
First Floor, Life Centre, 20 Jalan Sultan Ismail, KLCC
T: (03) 2162 2570
www.livescape.asia

Bedroom KL
Lot 01.03-04, Level 6, Pavilion KL Shopping Mall, 168 Jalan Bukit Bintang,
T: (03) 2141 9620
http://bedroomkl.my

Laundry
Lot 75-76, Ground Floor, Western Courtyard, The Curve,6 PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara, Petaling Jaya
T: (03) 7728 1715
www.laundrybar.net

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Tags: Bedroom KL, Escape: NYE, Laundry, New Year's Eve, parties