Dubai tops list of most expensive cities on New Year’s Eve

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: Dubai tops list of most expensive cities on New Year’s Eve Dubai has been ranked the most expensive place to celebrate New Year in a survey of eight global cities. International exchange firm Travelex measured the cost based on what it would set back a reveller for a set meal for one, a bottle of Champagne, the cost of getting into a nightclub and buying a glass of beer. Dubai was ranked number one in terms of overall cost, at Dhs2,015, and given the title of ‘Big Spender’ by Travelex. Edinburgh was ranked the cheapest of the eight, at Dhs715, and dubbed ‘Cheap and Cheerful’ by the survey’s authors. The remaining six were Sydney, Amsterdam, Berlin, Paris, New York and London. The high cost of alcohol and entry into a nightclub set Dubai at the top. But it was significantly cheaper to dine out, with only Sydney and Paris costing less. And the survey did not include popular brunch-style packages that hotels run over New Year in the emirate, which include all food and drinks. Rishi Panicker, 21, a British university student living in Dubai, said: “You kind of have to spend thousands to have a memorable New Year’s here. “I wouldn’t like to spend Dhs1,000 on New Year’s, but I think it’s what I would have to do this year to have a good time. “I’ll be going to Cirque de Soir or Story Rooftop.” Fellow British expat Chris Stewart, 24, said he spent Dhs3,000 on drinks and food last year, but will be much more frugal next week. He said a house party with friends is much cheaper and that he and many people have had to cut back on spending. He said: “I’m not spending thousands again… don’t have that kind of money. Everyone seems to hike prices during New Year. We don’t need that.” And Hashim Yousef, a 22-year-old account executive, said some of the large, costly events are not worth the cash. He said: “Last year, I went for a concert and the main event of the night started at 3.30am – after a break of nearly three hours. So I’ll be going to Barasti this year for Dhs300.” sarwat@7days.ae Read the original story at: Dubai tops list of most expensive cities on New Year’s Eve