Capitale
130 Bowery, between Broome and Grand Sts., 212-334-5500
Start time: 8 p.m.
Open Bar: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
VIP Access: Private couch, complimentary champagne, vodka, mixers, hors d’oeuvres, and cocktail service.
Why: Celeb quotient. Last year, this was MTV’s after-party. This year’s Halloween bash attracted Naomi Campbell, Diddy and Usher. Expect more of the same.
How Much: $35 (after 2 a.m.), $160, $200, $250; Buy tickets
Cipriani
110 E. 42nd St., between Lexington and Park Aves., 212-557-5088
Start time: 9 p.m.
Open Bar: All night.
VIP Access: Private table, complimentary champagne, vodka, and mixers. ($500 gets you an ultra-VIP table in the celebrity section.)
Why: High-wattage hosts. R&B diva Mariah Carey is your master of ceremonies; Ryan Seacrest assists after his Dick Clark duties are done.
How Much: $150, $200, $250, $300, $400, $500; Buy tickets
Happy Ending
302 Broome St., between Forsythe and Eldridge Sts., 212-334-9676
Start time: 9 p.m.
Open Bar: Free champagne toast at midnight.
VIP Access: None.
Why: Budget friendly. While a special permit to stay open late allows eight DJs to spin pop, rock, garage, and disco into the wee hours, the real selling point is the price tag.
How Much: $10
Joe’s Pub
425 Lafayette St., between 4th St. and Astor Pl., 212-539-8777
Start time: 7:30 p.m.; 1 a.m.
Open Bar: None.
VIP Access: None, but without dinner reservations, seating is first-come, first-served in the bar.
Why: Comic genius. First, Sandra Bernhard rants, raves, and reflects on 2005. The after-party is hosted by John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and drag king Murray Hill.
How Much: $100 show; $25-$30 after-party
LQ
511 Lexington Ave., at 48th St., 212-593-7575
Start time: 8 p.m.
Open Bar: 8 p.m.-2 a.m.
VIP Access: Table service, reserved couch seating, hors d’oeuvres, complimentary champagne, vodka, mixers, and a bucket of Budweiser.
Why: Good eats. The buffet, which last from 9 p.m. until midnight, extends from sushi to pasta to steak then adds a full dessert table after midnight.
How Much: $135, $175, $190, $225; Buy tickets
Marquee
289 Tenth Ave., between 26th and 27th Sts., 646-473-0202
Start time: 9 p.m.
Open Bar: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.
VIP Access: Table service, complimentary champagne, vodka, and mixers.
Why: Staying power. Even though 27th Street was the buzz-worthy block in clubland this year, Marquee has held its own, consistently attracting It celebrities week to week. (Brandon Davis, Scott Speedman, and Chloë Sevigny were all at the club’s second anniversary celebration earlier this month.)
How Much: $55 (after 2 a.m.), $175, $230, $300; Buy tickets
Movida
28 Seventh Ave. So., between Bedford and Leroy Sts., 212-206-9600
Start time: 8 p.m.
Open Bar: 9 p.m.-1 a.m.
VIP Access: Reserved banquettes, two to three bottles of premium vodka and champagne.
Why: Hip factor. From the indie darlings in attendance to the dance rock play list, every GBH-sponsored event has a healthy dose of downtown cool you’ll be hard pressed to find elsewhere.
How Much: $100 general admission; call for VIP admission; Buy tickets
Nest
215 W 28th St, between Seventh and Eighth Aves., 212-201-1317
Start time: 9 p.m.
Open Bar: 9 p.m.-4 a.m.
VIP Access: Table service, complimentary bottles of vodka and champagne, a tray of hors d’oeuvres, and a personal server.
Why: B-list sightings. Socialite-turned-Reality TV star Brittny Gastineau will count down the ball drop, so you’ll most likely catch her knockoff-Paris posse roaming the space’s three floors or feasting on breakfast between 4 and 6 a.m.
How much: $150, $250, $300; Buy tickets
Tribeca Grand Hotel
2 Sixth Ave., at Church and White Sts., 212-519-6677
Start time: 9 p.m.
Open Bar: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. (10 p.m.-1 a.m. for general admission)
VIP Access: Hor d’oeuvres, gourmet buffet, party favors, and a champagne toast.
Why: Historic glam. The Tribeca Grand’s Church Lounge has a replica of the original Times Square ball suspended from the ceiling. The 5,000 plus watt structure will also drop 90 feet from the top of the hotel’s atrium.
How Much: $99 general admission, $199
Taj
48 W. 21st St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves., 212-620-3033
Start time: 9 p.m.
Open Bar: 9 p.m.-3 a.m.
VIP Access: Table service, four bottles of top-shelf liquor, two bottles of champagne, catered hors d’oeuvres, separate entrance to the club.
Why: Female friendly. If you’re looking to steer clear of creepy guys, only couples and single women are allowed in.
How Much: $150 single females, $300 couples, $600 VIP couples; $65 per person for prix-fixe dinner starting at 6:30 p.m.; Buy tickets
Early Start
Avalon
660 Sixth Ave., at 20th St., 212-807-7780
Start time: Fri, Dec. 30, 10 p.m.
Open Bar: 10 p.m.-11 p.m. (Red Bull only)
VIP Access: none.
Why: Just because. Even though this Motherfucker party’s not on New Year’s Eve, these clubs kids are going to party like it’s December 31!
How Much: $15-20; Buy tickets