The top places to celebrate New Year’s Eve and where best to brush off your hangover the following day are all included in our top five this week.

NEW YEAR’S EVE

Last Orders at the Crown and Goose

The Crown and Goose pub in Arlington Road has been a much-loved watering hole for Camden Town’s seasoned and social drinkers alike.

But after losing the battle against developers to keep the pub’s doors open, it has been forced to call “last orders” one last time.

Promising to be the party to end all parties, the owners of Madness frontman Suggs’ “favourite pub” have organised a final send-off on New Year’s Eve.

Organisers say party-goers should expect “rock, roll, cheers and tears” and are invited to drink the bar dry and “kill the Goose in style”.

Music will be provided by DJs Bloody Awful Poets with dancing and drinking well into the New Year.

Tickets are just £5. The evening will kick-off at 8pm.

Phone 020 7485 8008 for more information.

The Camden Head

A comedy club is hosting an alternative New Year’s Eve bash with its no-frills night of laughs.

Comedians Otiz Cannelloni, Rick Right and Matthew Osbourne, with Ivor Dembina as compere, will make sure your evening is a funny one at Hampstead Comedy’s No Rip-Off New Year’s Eve at The Camden Head pub in Camden High Street from 8.30pm.

The ticket price (£15) includes free admission to late night dancing.

Music will be provided by DJs Graftman Bros and Hanging Around.

Visit www.camdenhead.com for bookings.

The Sir Richard Steele

Welcome in the New Year with a smile on your face at a Belsize Park pub’s night of comedy and music.

The Sir Richard Steele pub in Haverstock Hill will be hosting an evening of comedy upstairs while blasting out music on the ground floor for everyone to dance to until 2am.

Booking is recommended. Phone 020 3701 8794.

Fireworks on the Hill

Not a rigidly organised event per se, but the pilgrimage to Primrose Hill to watch London’s skyline lit up with fireworks has become a must-do annual event nonetheless.

The Hill has long provided Londoners with an unrivalled vantage point to watch the capital’s displays after its own Bonfire Night affair was scrapped some years ago due to safety concerns.

Those making the trek up there are warned not to bring any Chinese lanterns or their own fireworks.

NEW YEAR’S DAY (WEDNESDAY)

New Year’s Swim

Swimming in the Hampstead Heath Ponds is a time-honoured tradition for all those wanting to clear away their hangovers by braving the chilly waters.

The Ladies’ and Men’s Ponds are unique in the UK in being the only life-guarded open-water swimming facilities open to the public every day of the year.

And with the last recorded water temperature (on December 8) at a daunting eight degrees Celsius, it will take the hardiest of swimmers to endure the near-freezing conditions.

Members from the Kenwood Ladies’ Pond Association will, as always, be risking the bracing weather and meeting at midday.

A great way to welcome the New Year, but don’t stay in too long.