New Years Eve, Schnew Years Eve! The real party’s going to be the upcoming feast at The Commonwealth Club near Trafalgar Square (25 Northumberland Avenue, WC2N 5AP). Founded in 1868 as a gentleman’s club where entrepreneurs and businessmen gathered to discuss issues of colonial interest, The Commonwealth Club is today an accessible and modern members club. Newly refurbed with a contemporary feel while still retaining the right bits of old school charm, it’s a lovely venue in a central location with a tasty modern European menu served in its swish, new restaurant operated by Searcy’s under the guidance of head chef Oliver Tobias.

With drinks and canapés on arrival, a three-course dinner showcasing some fantastic wines and more, the club’s forthcoming Australia Day celebration promises to be something special. But before that …

On the evening of Wednesday the 19th of January, a select crew of Qypers will be invited to preview the dinner menu that the newly-opened Commonwealth Kitchen will be serving. Keen to celebrate the first weeks of January with a fantastic feast? Sign up at the Qypers Love Events forum and we’ll do our best to get you on the list.

There’s no doubting that London Bridge can turn out a good pub. It’s brilliant at pubs. Old fashioned, traditional, and sometimes even slightly behind the times. The London Bridge and Borough area has a decent boozer sorted. But a decent bar? Not as easy to find. But there are a few we’ve got on Qype that are worth your pennies. Here are the best in the area.

The Old School Yard: Yes, it’s a cocktail bar, but it’s not pretentious in the slightest. It’s cool without costing you a fortune. And friendly too! Here’s what we’re saying on Qype – “the cocktails here are really good! And in happy hour (5-8pm) they’re under a fiver. And the bartenders often dance for you when they’re mixing your drink! Amazing.” That’s settled then.

The Roxy: A strange mix of bar, cinema and restaurant, it’s hard to pigeon hole this place. It works best as a bar, but they do some great film events too. You guys say “The Roxy has the down at heal glamour of a film noir, it should be filled with cigarette smoke and aging boxers or private eyes drowning their sorrows. In fact, the cosy dark corners host a crowd of mainly young professional locals.”

Tate Modern Bar: This is a great little bar with excellent views of London. Go on a warm evening and sit outside (you might have to wait a while), or get a window seat. “lovely place, service is good and the price’s aren’t that bad… I’d imagine during sunset it’d be the most romantic place to pop that question” Get your ring boxes ready…

Wine Wharf: A bar that always gets it right. If you like wine, anyway. Always enough space, but always busy. Friendly staff too. You guys say “This is one of those secret treasures that you don’t really want to tell people about in case it gets overrun with them.” It’s true. Don’t ruin it.

More Bar and Brasserie: I’ve never been to more, but the bar and brasserie is getting popular. Great place to meet friends and damn good food according to you guys.

Got a favourite bar in London Bridge or Borough? Tell us in the comments!

Flickr image from Cara StHilaire‘s photostream.

London does love itself a parade. And we’re actually quite good at them. 2011 marks 25 years of the New Year’s Day parade, which means it’s going to be a much bigger extravaganza of… what exactly? Pearly kings and queens, dancing and brass bands, girls in sequins twirling batons (you can’t have a parade with a be-sequinned girl with a baton, it’s the rules). Thousands of performers and musicians and bands just waiting to help you see in the New Year. Hurrah! You’ve not even had to make any resolutions yet, or promise to eat more vegetables.

The parade kicks off at midday (enough time for a lie in). It starts at Piccadilly and goes all the way down to Parliament Street. Even if you’re a little late, you can play catch up with the performers as they go past Westminster Abbey and Trafalgar Square. They get in all the good stuff.

Despite all the goings on of the parade, central London is always very quiet on New Year’s Day, which kinda makes the whole event that little bit more special. Just ten minutes from the parade route and you’ll be in an empty street. Loads of fun.

Happy New Year everyone!

Flickr image from Magnus D‘s photostream.