New Year's Eve party 2020 - celebrate safely and in style

We’ve all been there: spending ages planning the annual New Year’s Eve party – only for the evening not to go quite as you’d imagined. This year, the coronavirus pandemic presents additional challenges: with clubs closed and public gatherings banned, small, intimate get-togethers are making a comeback. Together with the team at Eric:Barbier, we’ve put together some ideas on how to start 2021 in style.

The classic New Year’s Eve party à la Anthony

At Anthony’s, there’s a meal featuring raclette and cheese fondue that the whole family can join in with. Just like with his Christmas menu, he spares no effort and simmers the cheese for the fondue himself with white wine: “This gives it a certain tang,” explains the master barber. Dessert at the Stölting household is also kept classic – sweet doughnuts round off the last meal of the year. The right drinks are a must for Anthony. His personal tip is a mix of two-thirds ginger ale and one-third aquavit. Combined with ice cubes and basil leaves, the “Linie Ginger” takes on a fresh, spicy flavour. As the Hamburg native naturally refrains from the annual setting off of fireworks due to the ban on firecrackers, he lets the evening draw to a peaceful close with this drink.

New Year’s Eve the Greek way

How do other nations celebrate? Eric: Marios, a barber’s apprentice, explains that family plays a major role in his native Greece too. And with good reason: in this devout Mediterranean nation, Christmas presents were traditionally only handed out on 1 January – even today, Marios and his parents keep this tradition alive with small gifts. What’s more, Lent is just coming to an end, which is why they eat really heartily; “there must be plenty of meat,” explains Marios. Sweets also make an appearance on the table: according to tradition, whoever finds the coin baked into their slice of cake is in for a successful year. So why not put your luck to the test straight away? For Marios, the motto is: “No New Year’s Eve party without games!” The Greeks wrap up the past 365 days with a game of poker and hope for better luck. Marios also enjoys playing this stylish card game with his cousins. But it doesn’t always have to be a quest for a Royal Flush: classics such as “17 and 4”, “War and Peace” or “Uno” are popular choices for the family as they see in the New Year.

Ring in the New Year with Jesco

Everything (almost) as usual for barber’s apprentice Jesco: the Münster native is no fan of huge shindigs and lavish New Year’s Eve parties, but has always preferred to raise a glass in a small circle. For the man with Scottish roots, a glass of whisky is an absolute must to bid farewell to the old year and welcome the new one in style. Traditionally, he opts for a 16-year-old Lagavulin, which matures on the island of Islay in bourbon and sherry casks and acquires an unmistakably smoky flavour from the malt being dried over peat fires. The young barber learnt this ritual from his grandfather Garrett, who also taught him to play the bagpipes. Whether he’ll be unpacking it for the little New Year’s Eve party remains a secret, according to Jesco – but it’s a possibility! With that in mind, we wish you a stylish evening and a happy New Year. P.S.: Still looking for the perfect drink to toast the New Year? Here we introduce you to 20457 HafenCity Gin and its creator!