The night of Dec. 31 tends to suck. The bars are way too crowded, drinks are overpriced and Ryan Seacrest's stupid mug is on TV's across the country. While our standard New Year's advice is to stay home and hibernate until January, this year we found five parties that won't make you want to blow up the world.


Ghosts of the Greenwich Village Pub Crawl
Commitment is hard. That goes for girls, dinner plans and New Year's Eve bars. Luckily, this three-hour bar crawl means you don't have to stick to one place (though you're on your own for the first two). Meet up at McSorley's Old Ale House at 9 p.m. to ignite more than your drinking tolerance. The crawl promises pubs packed with warm bodies and (included) flowing taps. Plus, on your westward route to each bar you'll discover the homes of Village ghosts residing in abandoned buildings, parks and spooky streets. $40-$50.

New Year's Eve at Brooklyn Bowl
The city offers more than bottle service and button-downs. Gather eight to 10 of your closest buds at Brooklyn Bowl for a NYE count down you can watch on 12 HD TVs while wearing bowling shoes and a baseball cap. Not only will there be a full open bar and unlimited food, but live performances by Dam-Funk, Q-Tip, The Pimps of Joytime and DJ Concerned will cloud this night of bowling mayhem. $200-$250.

Carnival New Year's Eve
We know you're wishing you could be in Vegas on the brink of 2010 -- the warm weather, gambling galore, sky-high rooftop bars, etc., etc. Although we can't provide airfare, NYC's hottest/most non-douchey club, Carnival, promises to provide a taste of the Vegas-style nightlife. What you can expect: live burlesque performances, mid-air acrobatics, gourmet buffets and a reason to say, "Whatever happens at Carnival stays at Carnival." $95-$195.

Doghouse Saloon NYC Party
Pick up a mysterious mask and head to Orchard Street's newest addition for a masquerade ball. It won't be as hoity-toity as you're thinking, though -- this spacious sports bar has infinite complimentary hot dogs, unlimited beer pong, a shot wheel, a stocked game room and a 7-foot projection screen sure to keep you entertained well after the ball drops. $75-$125.

New Year's Eve at Pop Burger Downtown
With sliders and cocktails as Pop Burger's claim to fame, it's hard to turn your head from this multi-floor swanky lounge in the trendy meatpacking district. Especially when they're offering a one-hour vodka open bar (yes, we said vodka) and a free midnight champagne toast. And forget about digging deep into your already dwindling pockets -- this bash is a mere 25 bucks. Hell, for that price, maybe you'll even bring your girlfriend along! $25. -- Anna Brand