12/20/06

The Short List
New Year's Eve Parties

It's that time of the year again—time to ring in the new with your few hundred favoritestrangers.

You might think New Year's parties are all the same, but if you did, you'd be seriouslymistaken. After all, not every party is hosted by the magnificent Ryan Seacrest, or offers a pass to aneighboring gentleman's club, or costs just a lean twenty. As your New Year's party goes, so goes your2007...choose carefully.

A SEACREST-TASTIC '07

TenJune

In one of the most bizarre yet must-see combinations we've come across, Ryan Seacrest hosts and Pras from the Fugees DJs. Nothing more needs to be said about what kind of time this will be...or does it?

411:: 26 Little W. 12th St (at 9th Ave), 646-624-2410, tenjunenyc.com
Hours: 8pm-8am ($175-$300)

A SIZZLING HOT '07

Hawaiian Tropic Zone

A New Year's Eve celebration without a Hawaiian Tropic pageant just feels...empty. Lucky for you, the resto's most comely waitresses will put on a pageant, complete with catwalk, crown and audience voting...right after they serve up a four-course dinner.

411:: 729 7th Ave (at 49th), 212-626-7316
Hours: 8pm-2am ($299)

A BALL-DROPPING '07

Tribeca Grand

To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the ball drop, a giant replica of the Times Square globe will drop eight stories from the atrium of the Church lounge. Duck your head.

411:: 2 6th Ave (between White and Walker), 212-965-3278, for reservations click here
Hours: 9pm-2am ($149-$299)

A SEDATED '07

205 Bar

LES, Andy Warhol factory-ish space, up to 20 different DJs, twenty bucks—it doesn't get any more laid back than this. If you settle in for the night, stay for the 6am continental breakfast.

411:: 205 Chrystie (at Stanton), 212-477-6688
Hours: 10pm-8am ($20)

A SCANDALOUS '07

Room Service

Get down and dirty in a private room or two, hit up those "concierge services" for whatever you need...and enjoy your tickets that do double duty for access to Ten's next door to keep things interesting.

411:: 35 E. 21st St (between Broadway and Park Ave S.), 212-254-5709
Hours: 9pm-4am ($150)

A WILD AND WINDY '07

230 Fifth

There's no feeling like starting the New Year on top of the world—or at least on top of a very tall building in New York. 230's famed party rooftop is open all night for "non-stop dancing," a pleasing hors d'oeuvres menu and most likely some hard-core out-of-town revelers.

411:: 230 5th Ave (at 27th), 20th and 21st floors, 212-246-1000
Hours: 9pm-4am ($110-$250)

A SOUTH BEACH '07

The Setai

Head south for the party of Miami: Jessica Alba and Hilary Duff hosting means potentially lots of their like-minded, fun-loving friends. Grab a bungalow for up to 15 and settle in on the beach to watch the sun rise on '07.