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. 

50 Amp Fuse. Includes Champagne and party favors. Uptown Grille, 3100 E. West Maple, Commerce Township, 248-960-3344. 

A Jazzy Christmas. Plowshares Theatre Company presents a hot, new cabaret revue featuring some of the coolest holiday songs done in the jazziest way. New Year's Eve packages include dinner, dancing and dessert. $75-$150, call for details. Virgil H. Carr Cultural Arts Center, 311 E. Grand River, Detroit, 313-965-8430. 

A New Year's to Remember. Ring in 2012 with the masters of fondue with a five-course prix fixe menu. Includes a split of Champagne and keepsake stemware. The Melting Pot, 26425 Novi Rd., Novi, 248-347-6358. $130 per couple, $70 per person. 

A Punk Rockin' New Year's Eve. Featuring the Bill Bondsmen, Fires in Japan, Bison Machine and Keego Kid. Includes appetizers, Champagne toast and punk rock karaoke after party. New Dodge Lounge, 8850 Joseph Campau, Hamtramck, 313-874-5963. $10. (9 p.m.-4 a.m.)

Aaron Vaughn. Edison's, 220 Merrill St., Birmingham, 248-645-2150. 

Ain't Misbehavin' New Year's Eve Celebration. The evening begins with a 9 p.m. performance of this famous Fats Waller musical, and ends with a Champagne reception and midnight toast held in the Performance Network lobby. Performance Network, 120 E. Huron St., Ann Arbor, 734-663-0681. $75. (9 p.m.)

Alexander Zonjic. With Lisa McClowry and Nick Colionne. Includes premium open bar, gourmet dinner, dancing and party favors. Andiamo Italia, 7096 E. 14 Mile, Warren, 586-268-3200. $99 & $125. (7 p.m.)

An Intimate New Year's Eve with Roy Davis Jr. Dance in the new year with legendary house music producer Roy Davis Jr. Mars Bar will provide all of the amenities to make the night: Food, Champagne toast and party favors. Starting off the night are DJs Marc Duncan & Tommy Cool. Drink specials all night long. VIP tables available. The Mars Bar, 10001 Joseph Campau , Hamtramck, 313-974-6575. $25. (8 p.m.)

Backstreet NYE 2012. With DJ Josh Karmin. Backstreet, 15606 Joy Rd., Detroit, 313-838-6699. (10 p.m.-4 a.m.)

Bar Louie's New Year's Eve. VIP packages range from $25 to $150. All include party favors and Champagne toast. Call for details. Bar Louie, 44375 12 Mile Rd., Novi, 248-662-1100. (9 p.m.)

Beer Bash New Year's Eve. Beer bash featuring Third Coast Kings with Dirty Devile and a series of special Rat Pads that will be tapped at 8:30, 9:30, 10:30 and 11:30 p.m. The Third Coast Kings are a proper deep funk and soul outfit. In the tradition of '60s and '70s funk groups, the Kings detonate with an explosive sonic force that is guaranteed to make you move. Corner Brewery, 720 Norris St., Ypsilanti, 734-480-2739. Free. (8 p.m.-1 a.m.)

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