<p><strong>Popular spots</strong></p>.<p>Church Street, Brigade Road and M G Road see lakhs of visitors on NYE. The cafes, restaurants and pubs on the street do thriving business, but getting seats isn’t easy. People heading to the churches in the vicinity also take these streets. The police go all out to ensure you are safe, but the crowds can get out of hand. Plan your NYE with your eyes wide open!</p>.<p><strong>What to expect on Brigade Road</strong></p>.<p>Every year, Brigade’s Shops and Establishments Association (BSEA) offers suggestions to the Bengaluru traffic police to ensure there are no untoward incidents. Entry and exit points, making sure the crowd is moving in the same direction (from Cauvery Emporium towards Samsung Opera House), closing off the basements of all shops and restaurants, and banning vendors are some measures they have recommended in the past.</p>.<p>“Last year, they allowed vendors on Brigade Road. The cops had to lathi charge the crowds after midnight,” says Suhail Yousuf, secretary, BSEA. </p>.<p>Typically, restaurants are ordered to close before 11 pm on December 31. Earlier in the evening, families with children visit the restaurants and shops. “The younger, more energetic crowd comes in after 9 pm,” he says.</p>.<p><strong>Wardens gearing up</strong></p>.<p>Besides the police, 100 traffic wardens will be deployed at spots that draw huge crowds, says C V Muralidhara, chief traffic warden, Bengaluru Police Traffic Warden Organisation. Indiranagar, Koramangala and the Central Business District are some of the locations where the volunteers will be stationed.</p>.<p>“Our goal is to ensure that the celebrations go smoothly,” he explains. He has been working as a traffic warden for 33 years. The wardens talk to unruly revellers and educate them on how to conduct themselves. Female wardens intervene if women are in distress. The organisation is looking for more wardens to join its ranks. </p>.<p><strong>Tips:</strong></p>.<p>Avoid taking out your own vehicles on December 31. As traffic is restricted <br>on major roads, parking can prove a big hassle.</p>.<p>Read cops’ advisory. The traffic police put out a note with details of drop off and pick up points on roads that attract a large number of revellers.</p>.<p>Emergency helplines: Police — 112; Ambulance — 108</p>.<p>Things to do in and around the city</p>.Maha Kumbh: Security increased at temples, key locations ahead of New Year celebrations.<p><strong>Party on</strong></p>.<p>Check out ticketing platforms for live concerts. From Usha Uthup to Nikhil Chinapa, many events are lined up. Most venues offer dinner, drinks and entertainment. DJ performances lead up to the countdown to the New Year. </p>.<p><strong>Trek it out</strong></p>.<p>How does camping under the night sky sound? Night camping events at Ramanagara, about 50 km from Bengaluru, are popular. From adventure activities like trekking to rain dance, the camps have it all. Most of these wind up by 1 am and include high-tea. Some hosts provide dinner, stay, and breakfast the next morning, with checkout at 11 am. Tickets online. </p>.<p><strong>Get away</strong></p>.<p>If you want a quiet end to the year, look for farmhouses and resorts near the city. Some arrange parties on request. Check airbnb or booking.com.</p>.<p><strong>Keep it simple</strong> </p>.<p>If you want none of the noise, stay home. Decorate your balcony or terrace with string lights. Lay down a rug and place some throw pillows. Dish out mocktails or cocktails and serve snacks. You and your friends could pen down your resolutions and reveal them to each other, asking for reminders to stick to the plan. Be ready with your glasses and count down to the New Year and toast away. </p>.<p><strong>Gaming route</strong></p>.<p>Choose a multiplayer game, which your peers and you agree on, such as Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live or even Google Play Games that one can play on their mobile phones. Be it a shooting, racing or strategy game, choose something that everyone will enjoy playing. Plan some light snacks for the night. If your friends live far away, host a virtual game night. </p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="italic"><em>(With inputs from Tini Sara Anien)</em></span></p>
<p><strong>Popular spots</strong></p>.<p>Church Street, Brigade Road and M G Road see lakhs of visitors on NYE. The cafes, restaurants and pubs on the street do thriving business, but getting seats isn’t easy. People heading to the churches in the vicinity also take these streets. The police go all out to ensure you are safe, but the crowds can get out of hand. Plan your NYE with your eyes wide open!</p>.<p><strong>What to expect on Brigade Road</strong></p>.<p>Every year, Brigade’s Shops and Establishments Association (BSEA) offers suggestions to the Bengaluru traffic police to ensure there are no untoward incidents. Entry and exit points, making sure the crowd is moving in the same direction (from Cauvery Emporium towards Samsung Opera House), closing off the basements of all shops and restaurants, and banning vendors are some measures they have recommended in the past.</p>.<p>“Last year, they allowed vendors on Brigade Road. The cops had to lathi charge the crowds after midnight,” says Suhail Yousuf, secretary, BSEA. </p>.<p>Typically, restaurants are ordered to close before 11 pm on December 31. Earlier in the evening, families with children visit the restaurants and shops. “The younger, more energetic crowd comes in after 9 pm,” he says.</p>.<p><strong>Wardens gearing up</strong></p>.<p>Besides the police, 100 traffic wardens will be deployed at spots that draw huge crowds, says C V Muralidhara, chief traffic warden, Bengaluru Police Traffic Warden Organisation. Indiranagar, Koramangala and the Central Business District are some of the locations where the volunteers will be stationed.</p>.<p>“Our goal is to ensure that the celebrations go smoothly,” he explains. He has been working as a traffic warden for 33 years. The wardens talk to unruly revellers and educate them on how to conduct themselves. Female wardens intervene if women are in distress. The organisation is looking for more wardens to join its ranks. </p>.<p><strong>Tips:</strong></p>.<p>Avoid taking out your own vehicles on December 31. As traffic is restricted <br>on major roads, parking can prove a big hassle.</p>.<p>Read cops’ advisory. The traffic police put out a note with details of drop off and pick up points on roads that attract a large number of revellers.</p>.<p>Emergency helplines: Police — 112; Ambulance — 108</p>.<p>Things to do in and around the city</p>.Maha Kumbh: Security increased at temples, key locations ahead of New Year celebrations.<p><strong>Party on</strong></p>.<p>Check out ticketing platforms for live concerts. From Usha Uthup to Nikhil Chinapa, many events are lined up. Most venues offer dinner, drinks and entertainment. DJ performances lead up to the countdown to the New Year. </p>.<p><strong>Trek it out</strong></p>.<p>How does camping under the night sky sound? Night camping events at Ramanagara, about 50 km from Bengaluru, are popular. From adventure activities like trekking to rain dance, the camps have it all. Most of these wind up by 1 am and include high-tea. Some hosts provide dinner, stay, and breakfast the next morning, with checkout at 11 am. Tickets online. </p>.<p><strong>Get away</strong></p>.<p>If you want a quiet end to the year, look for farmhouses and resorts near the city. Some arrange parties on request. Check airbnb or booking.com.</p>.<p><strong>Keep it simple</strong> </p>.<p>If you want none of the noise, stay home. Decorate your balcony or terrace with string lights. Lay down a rug and place some throw pillows. Dish out mocktails or cocktails and serve snacks. You and your friends could pen down your resolutions and reveal them to each other, asking for reminders to stick to the plan. Be ready with your glasses and count down to the New Year and toast away. </p>.<p><strong>Gaming route</strong></p>.<p>Choose a multiplayer game, which your peers and you agree on, such as Steam, PlayStation Network, Xbox Live or even Google Play Games that one can play on their mobile phones. Be it a shooting, racing or strategy game, choose something that everyone will enjoy playing. Plan some light snacks for the night. If your friends live far away, host a virtual game night. </p>.<p class="bodytext"><span class="italic"><em>(With inputs from Tini Sara Anien)</em></span></p>