The Poona Club rung in the New Year with a big bash that saw predominantly families trooping in for the Bollywood styled night. Punctuated with professional dances, prizes for best dancers, a lucky draw for members and pulsating music belted out by the DJ as the lawn of the club was swarming with crowds. Despite the numbers the show turned out to be quite a well-organized affair with the large spread in terms of drinks, snacks and the main course being the icing on the cake. The soiree at the Residency Club was a hit with the crowds. Theme being a mask dance, the club jazzed the night up with DJ Romeo dishing out the music and people dancing their hearts out on the dance floor. Poonam Khandelwal who attended the fete says that the dance floor was lit up beautifully that left the kids awestruck. The ambience was lively with families taking delight in the music and relishing Punjabi food. “I was happy that I didn’t opt to spend the night at any other place. This place was certainly worth the money spent”, says Khandelwal. Kiva had a good crowd, Italian food and drinks and good music to sway to, says Swati Gupta.

Sweety Sakhia had a happening time at Gaia in Kharadi. The atmosphere was high with music. Retro, bollywood and electric music being played at three different places. The drinks were included in the pass. Even though the place was shut down at 1.30 am, Sakhia says she enjoyed her time there. Ankush Mehta who attended The Bala’s party at Venkateshwara farmhouse says, “The party was the most happening thing in Pune that night. Celebrities like Raima Sen and Kelly Dorjee rocked the night away here. The music was retro and other foot tapping Bollywood numbers were played to the audience’s delight. The food was continental and savoury.”

Along with a crowd of around 250 people in Peshwa Banquet Hall, Sun n Sand welcomed 2008 with a big bash. The band ‘Jet Set’ with its DJ set ablaze the floor with its rocking music. Tarot Card reading, Face Art, Numerologist, magicians were the added zing. The wide variety of liquor and the irresistible spread of food made the party happening. A ‘Moon Light’ Buffet that went on till 5 in the morning followed a Welcome 2008 buffet dinner at Carrots and Celery, the coffee shop. The Takatak counter, Kebab Hut, Dawat-e-Khaas, Awadhi Food lured the crowd with their scrumptious food.

Banjara Hills were among the few others who drew a whooping crowd of around 1500, largely the youth, with couples and a few families too. The fire works that decorated the sky complimented the beautiful embellishments of the venue. The welcoming of the New Year at the Banjara Hills lasted till 1 pm.

The Corinthian Club hosted an Egyptian theme, Pharanoic Night. The party also had a fashion show from 9 pm to 11pm where models from Mumbai walked the ramp adorning Egyptian attires. Retro punk outfits from the 60s and 80s and outfits based on the theme Aqua became a great hit amongst all while belly dancers from Spain enchanted the crowds with their scintillating dance moves!

A New Year party coloured in blue and white, was the theme of the party, at the Taj Blue Diamond. With a blend of families, youngsters and foreigners, the party saw the longest Buffet of the city! people amused themselves by watching the international Fire and Wing dancers. Smirnoff sponsored the liquor, giving out wide range of thirst busters. Abiding all the norms, the party was packed up by 12.30, with firecrackers at the midnight stroke providing a treat for the onlookers’ eyes.

When it comes to technically sound New Year Eve’s parties, Pancard’s Tandav appears to be the proud winner. A crowd of around four thousand party animals enjoyed the music at it’s best because of the excellent sound quality. Says Jihaan who was the brain behind the party at Pancard ‘s Tandav, “When it comes to parties we don’t try to cut corners which generally others do. Mostly the parties concentrate more on food and drinks and lighting and sound remains a bit neglected but in our party it was not like that.” Where the party had more than 15 counters for food it also shimmered to its core because of the excellent lighting system.

Apart from the decorations the party also had a myriad of performances to boast of. “We had Santosh’s dance troupe coming down from Mumbai to perform for this event then we also had a fire dance performance” Not to forget DJ Frankie’s unique blend of Indian and western music. From roaring 70s to right on up to today’s hits, the jockey played more than five hundred titles to satiate the unquenched thirst of music lovers. The music was obediently stopped at 1.30 am But the show had to go on and so the party too went on till 4.