Nocturnal has done it again, brining in the new year the best way N.M.I knows how too…Party hard! With four accessible fully stocked bars, serving premium liquors and mixes, two of the hottest DJ’s in Antigua, electrified dancers, gourmet finger foods, grand giveaways, guest performances and a scenic location, how could you possibly want to end the old year and bring in the new any differently.

The Antigua Chronicle team was there and here is our account…

I’m sexy and I know it!

Even before entering the party, the fashion of the incoming patrons most certainly set the tone for what was to be expected. The ladies turned out some of the latest fashion trends, from wedge heels to some of the most unique pumps fusing both contemporary styles with vintage looks. The males on the other hand, turned the volume up a tad more with their full out three-piece suits, vans and their confidence to go along with it. The casual, not-too-dressy-but-still-outstanding composition of clothes was also evident since, it is the tropics. All the patrons went all out to express their personal styles, injecting great flavor to the event.
 

Bars, Bars, Bars… and more Bars!

As you entered the party you felt like a VIP, walking down a brightly lit, highly decorated make-shift hall, it was as if you were strutting the red carpet.

If the celebrity treatment wasn't enough, immediately on entrance there was a fully stocked and rather unique bar that boasted Absolutely Vodka bar as its title pronounced. It served martinis throughout the evening: apple and pomegranate martinis to be precise. Though the mixes were interesting it was the plastic martini glasses that caught our attention. The varying colours of the glasses coupled with the neon lights that were placed either in the glass or in the drink itself, spoke volumes for what the evening had in store for us. All this before officially entering the party.

The second bar had the Chivas Rum title and served Parlare wines, and Parlare mixes along with a wide variety of other mix liquor. Its suffice to say that this was the most packed bar, but that could be attributed to its close proximity to the food stalls and seating arrangements. An area that quite rightly had its notable complement of people throughout the night.

The third bar also had a bit of twist to it as it featured projection images of the title sponsors and commercials, which played throughout the night. However this bar was dedicated to premium liquor and mixes. Being centralized just off the dance floor this too was notably packed.

And the fourth bar, (yes a fourth bar!) tucked away on the outskirts of the dance floor was a bit more intimate serving fine wines and other mixes. Couples were often found patronizing this bar for a bit of a breather from the high-energy partying taking place.

The bartenders at all the bars where very professional and knew exactly what they were doing, having adequate knowledge of what they were serving and creating both common, and the not-so-common mixes. It appeared that the ladies favourites throughout the night were Malibu and vodka mixes.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1…. Happy New Year!

At exactly 12 o’clock, with well over a hundred champagne glasses in hand raised to the sky, DJ Private Ryan along with promoters from N.M.I. ignited the crowd as they ushered in the new year with a modestly respectable fireworks in the back drop. The energy of crowd and the electrified stage dancers drowned away that fact... and of course, this moment was welcomed with the customary New Year kiss by attending couples.
 

Food. Food. Food.

Nocturnal was definitely an all-inclusive party! Besides the premium liquor and champagne, the gourmet finger food was quite impressive.

So here was the menu: Roast Pork Strips, Palari and Channa, Vegetable Ackra, Salt Fish Cakes, Seafood Chowder, Shrimp, Sandwiches, Meat Balls, Delectable Cup Cakes and A Fruit Chocolate Fountain unlike any other.

It’s hard to imagine with a wide selection of food and drinks on floor, what a VIP section would entail. But there indeed was one that was unfortunately off limits to the Antigua Chronicle team. Maybe next year we will be able to bring you an inside scoop of the happenings in that rather limited section.
 

Who said Nocturnal was just a Party?

Yes DJ Private Ryan and DJ Jime played off of the hottest hits both old and new. But it was the special guest performance that took the party to yet another level.

And who better to energize a crowd than the energy performer herself, Tizzy and her high-powered dancers. And performed she did undeniably. Singing all her soca hits, Tizzy and her animated chorographers made Nocturnal a party with a difference. Fusing what seemed to be a night at the soca monarch with a classy party. At one point most ladies neglected the fact that they were in heels and the gents in three-piece suits negated their adornments as the crowd jumped, wine, waved and parlance as if it was last lap carnival.

On the heels of that high-energy performance DJ Private Ryan and DJ Jime maintained the electrified atmosphere as they played as if the New Year was the only day to be had in 2012. DJ Private Ryan “Turn it up Loud” with his Latin hits one after the other. Can anyone say Samba?

And if the dancing wasn't enough, at approximately 1:40am, there was yet another fireworks display, adding to an already super-hyped atmosphere. A brilliant touch.

DJ Private Ryan's old school hip hop selection had the crowd in a chorus, and a one drop of Rihanna’s “Cheers” saw every glass, bottle and cup in hand raised to the sky in symphony. An aerial image of the crowd may have rivaled that of a New Years party in Time's Square New York City, if not in energy.

DJ Jime was of course, a crowd rocker. Taking the swarm way back to some old school reggae and bringing them through to the hottest dance hall tracks today. His versatility was shown when he dropped the lasted house and rock music, which had the crowd in a trance as there was non-stop dancing.

Although packed to capacity there was no time to complain. From the moment you entered Sand Piper Hotel it was continued partying. Though one major complaint would be that of the lack or sufficient bathroom facilitiers. With just about two bathroom stalls for the ladies, and the random rumors of another that could never be found, going to the restroom was a tedious task for most. No doubt it is on N.M.I.'s fix-it list for next year. With all the action, a premium drink in one hand and gourmet food in the other, there was hardly time to complain.
 

Mr. Officer

At approximately 4:15am, in the height of the party the police (party poopers) came to inform the DJ, Selecta J, that it was time to turn off the music. The obviously disappointed crowd displayed their opposition but after a few minutes, an additional 15 minutes of party time was approved. And it was used wisely.

As with every packed party, leaving the parking area would be quite a task, and Nocturnal was no different. Traffic was backed up for near 30 minutes, but the atmosphere and mode was already set from inside so the backup went almost unnoticed as the party continued even within the parking area and along the road.

It is quite fitting to say that Nocturnal was a great party; one to be rivaled with... and has definitely set the tone for partying events in 2012.

If you were at Nocturnal congrats, if you weren’t, plan for next year. There is never more than 365 days to the next one!

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Here are the photos, beginning with this set as part one.