The Essential New Year's Eve Party Guide

Tired of watching the ball drop with Dick Clark, ho-humming it at home? Ready to put on those dancing shoes and rock the night away? If hitting the town is on your party agenda this New Year's Eve, check out this round-up of festive count-down celebrations. But be sure to make a reservation so you don't get caught without a champagne toast and that special someone for a New Year's kiss!

Springfield

Mclynn's is offering a special menu for the evening along with acoustic rock cover group the Sixteen String Band. Reservations are required, so call ahead.

Scotty's Comedy Cove has a killer lineup of standup comedy headlined by Opie and Anthony regular Jeff Norris. Check out our earlier coverage for more information.

Westfield

The Office is serving their regular bar and dinner menu, but will feature DJ music and a free midnight champagne toast.

Chez Catherine is offering a gala dinner at two seatings, 6 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., priced at $125 per person plus an optional $45 wine pairing per person.

Jeffrey's of Westfield's bar will be open to past midnight to ring in 2010.

16 Prospect will be serving dinner from 5-9:30 p.m., and the bar will be open until 1:30 a.m..

If music is your thing, but you want to still make it home by midnight, the Westfield Symphony Orchestra performs "The Great American Songbook," a cabaret-style concert tribute to musical theater. The performance begins at 7 p.m. at Westfield High School. Tickets cost $35 and $65 in advance, or $40 and $70 at the door.

Scotch Plains

Stage House Restaurant & Wine Bar is offering DJ music and three different NYE options in their tavern, restaurant, and bar.

1. Tavern: a 3-course meal in a causal setting at two different seatings, 5-6:30 p.m. for $55 per person and 8:30-10:30 p.m. for $75 per person.
2. Restaurant: a 3-course meal in a formal dining setting at two different seatings, 5-6:30 p.m. for $65 per person and 8:30-10:30 p.m. for $85 per person.
3. Bar: $20 per person from 9 p.m. 'til closing, includes a grazing station, a midnight champagne toast, music, and dancing.

Mezzogiorno Ristorante is offering a 5-course dinner, live music, noise makers, and a complimentary beverage.

Vienna 60's bar will be open from 4 p.m.-2 a.m..

Cranford

A Toute Heure is offering a 5-course tasting menu at 6 p.m. for $80 per person and a 7-course chef's grand tasting menu at 9 p.m. for $115 per person.

Garwood

Rosie's Wine Bar is featuring a live band, a free champagne midnight toast, late night party games, and a 3-course menu featuring their most popular dishes priced at $60 per person, with an optional $20 upgrade for wine pairings. Rosie's is located a stone's throw from the Westfield town line.

Clark

Lana's Restaurant is offering a live band and three different NYE packages. Lana's is located in the Hyatt Hills Golf Course on the Clark/Cranford border, near the Westfield town line.

• First seating dinner: served from 4-6:30 p.m., includes a 4-course menu plus a glass of wine, priced at $49.99 (adults) and $19.99 (children).
• Second seating dinner: served from 8 p.m. until closing, priced at $99.99 (adults) and $39.99 (children), includes open bar, cocktail hour appetizers, a sit-down dinner, dessert table, and late night munchies-finger foods at 1 a.m.
• Late night party: starting at 10:30 p.m., priced at $50 per person, includes open bar, dessert table, and late night munchies-finger foods at 1 am.