Where to Party 2011 Away

Champagne, confetti, balloons, resolutions, cheap party favors, "Auld Lang Syne," midnight kisses and 2 a.m. pizza buffets — the familiar trappings of a modern-day New Year's Eve spent out on the town. While we by no means denigrate the equally fine choice of hunkering down inside in front of the boob tube, popcorn and flannel pajamas at the ready, it can't be denied that there is an allure to a New Year's Eve done right. 

Luckily, there's a seemingly endless (OK, it's closer to about 150 by our list) number of those ways to do the town; you just have to find the one that fits your mood. Perhaps saying good riddance with a drunken bacchanalia is in order, a cathartic exorcising of a shitty year before starting 2012 with a clean slate.

Or perhaps the year was filled with personal blessings — a steady job, a new baby, a wedding or a clean bill of health — and the occasion should be marked with appropriate class. A swanky party, some dignified dancing, tearful singing at midnight. 

Or you've finally paired off and want the whole couple-y shebang, complete with fancy meal and deep meaningful stares over bubbly served up in commemorative stemware. Or you're single — happily — and want nothing more than to dance, drink and snog some stranger at midnight. 

Or you're single — miserably — and want nothing more than to drink (a lot) and watch the witching hour come and go without kisses, confetti or noisemakers, in blissful ignorance of everything except your impending New Year's Day hangover.

Or none of the above quite fits you — but that's alright. Because, chances are, there's a New Year's Eve out there that will match your mood. You just have to find it — which is where Metro Times' annual guide to New Year's Eve happenings comes in handy. 

So hunt down the perfect night out, corral a DD if needed and make a memorable start to your best year yet. —Megan O'Neil, listings editor

Elektricity. Channel 955 Live on New Year's Eve. Giving away prizes, including 2 round trip tickets to Las Vegas and 2 round trip tickets to Paris! $10 early bird tickets available at elektricitymusic.com , Ponitac. 9PM 18+

17th Street Bar & Grill NYE 2012. Gourmet hors d'oeuvres and Champagne toast at midnight. Party till 4 a.m. 17th Street Bar & Grill, 3905 17 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, 586-264-8644. $50 advance. 

> Email MT Staff