Cocktail hour at Goldman Sachs would go from 9:00pm until midnight with an after-hour party at AIG.

FORBES: Party At Goldman Sachs

The event switched to "party" mode around midnight, giving way to loud chatter about space exploration among science enthusiasts and researchers.

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Held each June on the closest weekend to the longest day of the year (this year from 22 to 24 June), midsummer is Finland's most enthusiastic party -- an excuse for lakeshore bonfires, midnight airshows, drinking games, skinny dipping, saunas and all-you-can-eat banquets of grillimakkara (grilled sausages) served with mustard and the season's first new potatoes.

BBC: Finland's summer feast

Tickets are already on sale for Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party, featuring live music stages, giant screens and the famous midnight fireworks.

BBC: Biffy Clyro to headline Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Another popular newcomer is Poke, run by Californian chef Mychael Henry at the bar and restaurant Magdalena's Party in the Palermo Soho neighbourhood every Wednesday from 8:30 pm until midnight.

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