I’m counting down the days until we celebrate the successes of 2015 and look forward to 2016. And I don’t think I’m the only one. After all, Marrakech is a hot spot over New Year’s Eve with glamourous parties followed by fashionable brunches to kick off the upcoming year. So when the sun sets on December 31, where will you be celebrating? With several hotspots organizing New Year’s Eve parties, I’ve selected a few of my favourite venues to help in the decision-making process.
Glamourous
Guests dining at La Table du Riad at Riad 72 will ring in 2016 in style with a menu created by visiting chef Marco Chiacchieretta featuring crispy octopus in bread cream, celery drops and black olives croutons to start, orange glazed duckbreast with seasonal vegetables in salt crust as one of the main dishes, and homemade Panetone with a whisky caramel sauce and chantilly foam in chocolate sphere for dessert. They’ll have refined entertainment throughout the night to keep the energy upbeat yet intimate.
Cost: 1200.00MAD per person including a champagne toast
Trendy
Tribal Chic is the theme of the Buddha Bar’s New Year’s Eve bash. Expect the signature Tribe show and drumming, tribal fashion and an Asian-inspired menu before DJ Sam Popat takes to the decks at this latest hotspot to open in the Red City.
Cost: 2800.00MAD per person including a glass of champagne
Classic
Dine in one of the three restaurants (French, Moroccan or Italian) or in the La Mamounia where Phly Boyz at 7.30pm and Playlisters DJs Dan Lywood and Ben Bridgewater, who, as a preferred choice for many celebrities’ private parties (including Elton John, Madonna and Stella McCartney), will provide the finest of parties with a playlist of party starters, bootlegs and bonafide classics. Then at at 10 p.m., the Bell Air All Stars Group, a 12-person band, will keep guests dancing till dawn!
Cost: 2800.00MAD per person, 4000.00MAD in the Moroccan restaurant
Hip and cool
One of my favourite restaurants for design, decor and fresh menu and fabulous views of the spice square, NOMAD is organizing a New Year’s Eve party at 1500.00MAD per person (including a bottle of champagne to share between two), this is sure to be where the young and trendy set ring in 2016.
Fun and friendly
One of my favourite cafes, Cafe Clock, will be organizing a fun and friendly night as the Houariyat ladies will rock the clock from 9 p.m. No over-priced fixed menu, just loads of fun and banging music can be expected at this popular Kasbah cafe. The popular storytellers will start the festivities at 7 p.m. with tales in English, French and Darija – the perfect dinner entertainment.
Cost: 20 dhs per person for the concert
Must-see
For the ultimate in seasonal decor, head on over to the Royal Mansour for afternoon tea and indulge in the finest desserts and tea in town while admiring this grande palace hotel.
For a glimpse in to Morocco in the 1930s, be sure to visit Carnets de voyage Maroc Années 30s at La Mamounia. The postcards will be on display from 19 December 2015 to 31 January 2016.
While here in Marrakech, be sure to check out the Alain Oggo exhibit New Bled at the Sofitel Lounge and Spa. As one of our favourite local artists, his paintings contain deeper meanings despite being rather comical.
Jemaa el Fna cannot be missed. To join me for a Tasting Marrakech street food and cultural tour, contact me now!
WhyMorocco by MandyinMorocco 