All dressed up with nowhere to go on New Year's Eve? There's no need to pay a cabbie a fortune to take you to the West End and back: SARAH MILLS finds out how Barnet will be seeing in 2002:

HOTELS

Hendon Hall Hote, Ashley Lane,

off Parson Street, Hendon

A special gala dinner of fine food and wine with a band will cost you £85. It is a black tie event starting with a champagne reception then a five-course meal. The evening starts at 7.30pm and aims to finish in the early hours of the morning. Call the Christmas desk on 0870 333 9109

Brookmans Park Hotel, Bradmore Green,

Brookmans Park, Potters Bar

A dinner dance and live band will entertain you until 1am. The evening begins with drinks and canapes at 7pm and costs £40. Call 01707 653577

The Railway Hotel,

38 Station Road, Edgware

Music ranging from the 70s to current chart tracks from 8pm until 1am. It's free to get in and drinks will be charged at normal pub prices. Call 020 8952 1560 for more information

PUBS

The Hendon Pub, 373 Hendon Way, Hendon

The latest house, garage and chart music courtesy of the pub's resident DJ will help you move and groove in style until 2.30am. Tickets cost £6 in advance but it will cost more on the door. Call 020 8202 6691

The Three Hammers, Hammers Lane, Mill Hill

It is free to get in and drinks are at normal pub prices on the night. The pub aims to shut between 1am and 2am and there will be background music so you can have a conversation. Call 020 8959 2173 for details

The Black Bull, 1446 High Road, Whetstone

Join in the fun of a Seventies themed night. Last orders will be at 12.30am. It is free to get in with drinks at pub prices. The bar staff are dressing up in Seventies gear and invite you to join them. For drivers, Pepsi and lemonade will be free all night. Call 020 8445 3578

BARS

Bar 101, 101 The Broadway, Mill Hill

This bar will stay open until 2am and it costs £5 to get in either in advance or on the door. Drinks prices remain the same and there will be background music to entertain you. Call 020 8201 0911 for more information

Taylors, Ballards Lane, Finchley

It is free to get in and drink prices are the same. There will be music on the night although they have not decided whether to have a DJ yet. The bar stays open until 1am or 2am and Pepsi and lemonade will be free all night for teetotallers and drivers. Call 020 8349 1453

CLUBS

The Worlds End, 6 York Parade,

West Hendon Broadway

Mid:X, which has just been signed to EMI, are the live band guaranteed to entertain you at this club, which is not only free but open until 3am. Entrance is free and drinks are at pub prices. Call 020 8202 8887

Eros, Dearsley Road, Enfield

Party the night away with a mixture of commercial sounds from the 70s right up to present-day tunes to get you moving. It costs £27 for members while stocks last and £32 for non-members and opens from 8pm to 3am. Call 020 8363 3111

RESTAURANTS

Alfresco, 1327 High Road,

Whetstone

This authentic Italian restaurant offers a New Year's Eve set menu comprising of a four-course dinner for £40. The owner promises you can take part in dancing and singing on the night with the restaurant staying open until 2am or 3am. To book a table call 020 8445 8880

88 Restaurant, 88 The Broadway, Mill Hill

Oriental cuisine at the 88 restaurant will tickle your tastebuds this New Year's Eve. The special set menu costs £28.80 and includes a starter, crispy duck, five main courses and a dessert but you can choose from the usual menu if you prefer. To book call 020 8959 8118

Misto, Ballards Lane,

Tally Ho Corner, North Finchley

A European and Mediterranean restaurant offering a five-course meal for £39. There will be loud music where customers can either relax at their table or join in dancing until 1am or 2am. To make a booking call 020 8446 8622

OTHERS

Apollo Suite, 127-129 Cockfosters Road, Barnet

A dinner dance and champagne reception starting at 7.15pm will help you celebrate New Year's Eve in style. At £55 a head you can enjoy a five-course meal and disco. Dress is smart/casual and you can dance the night away until 1.15am

New Year's Day

Copthall Stadium, Mill Hill

After you've had most of New Year's Day to nurse your hangover, celebrate 2002 in style with the whole family at the borough's fireworks extravaganza. Two displays will brighten up the night sky from 6pm. Entertainments begin at 4.15pm and entrance is free to borough residents although you must obtain a pass beforehand at Copthall Pools complex. Call 020 8457 9900 for details

December 21, 2001 17:13

SARAH MILLS