Other cities may do New Year’s Eve bigger and brasher, but Marbella celebrates with its own chic and singular style.
Giles Brown reports
So you have decided to spend New Year’s Eve in Marbella? Congratulations! The memorable locations that Marbella has in abundance, from the finest five-star finale parties, to cosy intimate drinks with your nearest and dearest, means welcoming in 2024 in your own personal style.
One of the most traditional ways of ringing in the New Year, is the counting down to midnight in the Plaza de los Naranjos in the centre of Marbella’s Old Town. Once the countdown has been celebrated, you can duck down into any one of the atmospheric side streets and head out to continue your celebrations.
Puerto Banús is always busy on New Year’s Eve with bars such as Sinatra, Portside, La Habana and News Café perennially popular. Restaurants such as El Gaucho de Banús, with its great steaks and friendly atmosphere or Amore e Fantasia, which celebrates in authentic Italian style, are sure to be busy, whilst Leone Brasserie located on the front line of Puerto Banús, has live music, DJs and even a table magician.
Serious Banús party people should head to TIBU nightclub where the action starts at 12.30am through to 7am. Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses for when you leave at daybreak!
Breathe and La Sala, trend-setting staples just outside of Puerto Banús, are sold out months before NYE, but you might be able to squeeze into a space at the bar to celebrate.
Neighbouring restaurant and nightspot Occo is hosting ‘The Golden Times’ – A throwback to the glitz and glamour of the “Electric 80s” when luxury was a lifestyle, the vibe was cool, the nights were long and every moment was golden. Think Miami Vice chic crossed with Jimmyz of Monaco and you are halfway there.
Nomad, already one of my favourite venues in Marbella, promises excitement and elegance at the ‘Cirque du Nomad’. The last time that I visited for their excellent “Wanderer’s Bottomless Brunch” – describing the free flowing alcohol, not the dress code. I won’t make that mistake again. – Sunday lunch was enlivened with cabaret acts, showgirls, DJs and even a ballerina – and that was in November. So it is safe to assume that NYE will be spectacular!
Burlesque vibes and supper club celebrations can be found at Mamzel, as well as LØV Olivia Valere, which this year is hosting a “La vie en Rose” cabaret, plus “Dreamworld” at the Olivia Valere Club.
Puente Romano Hotel’s La Plaza will be the focal point of its NYE celebrations, at the heart of 20 restaurants and bars. You can choose to see in the New Year in style at a sumptuous gala, party the night away at Supperclub and La Suite or dance under the stars at the beach club.
Nobu Hotel, located within Puente Romano is promising a glamorous escape in unparalleled style at the hottest table in town. The Omakase Menu of Nobu signature dishes, accompanied with live entertainment and DJs, mean that the celebrations are set to go on into the night and, if it all gets too much, you can start 2024 from the luxury of your suite, and a Nobu signature breakfast.
The ultimate Marbella New Year’s Eve party, of course, has to be the Marbella Club Hotel. The legendary playground of movie icons, billionaires, rock stars and more nobility than you can raise a titled tiara to, the “Grande Dame” of Marbella marks 2024 with cocktails at the Beach Club, a gala dinner in the Club House and then a free bar and dancing at Rudi’s Bar.
The estimable Count Rudi, now sailing serenely into his nineties, is bound to put in an appearance at some point. Although certainly not cheap, NYE at the Marbella Club Hotel, where Hepburn, Connery, Bardot and Sinatra partied, is an unforgettable experience.
Raise a glass and celebrate 2024 in whatever Marbella style you wish! Happy New Year!
