Happy New Year's Eve! Now where're the freakin' parties?

As it happily turns out this Dec. 31, all over the darn place! And it's about time.

As one of the final cities on Earth to ring in the New Year, we're typically a pretty tame bunch.

First Night celebrations never really took off here. New Year's Eve concerts in our town rarely sell out — N'Sync's 1999 millennium-closing Blaisdell Arena screamfest, notwithstanding. Ballroom dance blowouts are a rarity. And fireworks laws or no fireworks laws, plenty of us still enjoy spending the eve at home with family blowing up stuff. (A nice early a.m. start to any new year? Incinerating that fireworks permit with a pack of loud ones.)

By 9 p.m., we've already seen everyone from Auckland, New Zealand, to Zuma Beach, Calif., ringing in the New Year on TV. So it's no surprise that faster than you can say "anticlimactic," it's three hours till midnight, we're staring down a second six-pack of beer with Uncle Billy, grinding Auntie Alice's special 'ahi-limu poke and chilling cheap Korbel rather than planning an evening out.

What follows are a half-dozen reasons — and a full calendar of N.Y.E. events — that may tempt you to reconsider that particular plan this year.

Or not.

A TOUCH OF RED

Where: Diamond Head Grill @ W Honolulu

When: 9 p.m.-2 a.m.

It'll cost ya: $10 if you're on the guest list; otherwise, cover is at the promoters' discretion.

Reservations required? Only if you want your own reserved VIP table ($150) or bottle service ($300). Go to www.skylinetwo .com.

What do you get? VIP and bottle service patrons receive vanilla Grey Goose vodka-infused chocolate strawberries and a gift bag. The rest of us? Entry.

Why go? Honolulu upscale party gurus Flash Hansen and Matty Boy Hazelgrove are hosting. Celebrity T-shirt butcher Adam Saaks is coming with scissors. Chicago percussionist Ricky Rocks will offer live beats. Burlesque and go-go dancers are promised.

Sounds tailor-made for: The in-crowd and wannabe in-crowd.

Chances of finding your Night Stuff writer there? Good, if the doorman's new year's resolution is to be more charitable.

NYE 2007 WITH DJ KO KIMURA

Where: Lotus Soundbar, 2301 Kuhio Ave.

When: 9 p.m.-4 a.m.

It'll cost ya: $15 before 10:30 p.m., $20 after

Reservations required? No.

What do you get? Entry.

Why go? Kimura is one of Japan's pioneering house DJs — breakbeats, techno, progressive, the works. The sound system at Lotus is warm and sweet. It'll keep you off Kuhio Avenue.

Sounds tailor-made for: That friend who bought you Daft Punk's "Musique Vol. 1: 1993-2005" CD for Christmas.

Chances of finding your Night Stuff writer there? Aces!

SEVEN

Where: NextDoor, 43 N. Hotel St.

When: 9 p.m.-4 a.m.

It'll cost ya: $20 general, $150 for rooftop package, $250 for reserved table for five.

Reservations required? For table reservations. Call 548-6398. For $20 pre-sale tickets, go to www.groovetickets.com.

What do you get? For $20? Entry. For $250? Reserved table for five, champagne, pupu, VIP room access, sparklers, giftbags, flowers for the XX chromosomed. For $150 each? All of the above (except entry for five) plus a five-course meal, rooftop access for fireworks, private acoustic set.

Why go? Hip-hop collective Fort Knox Five, Thievery Corporation percussionist Rex Riddim and Halo are the entertainment. If you've got the cash for rooftop access, the view of Aloha Tower fireworks and the downtown skyline after dark are sweet.

Sounds tailor-made for: Urbane, stylish head-nodders wanting to hang with like-minded souls.

Chances of finding your Night Stuff writer there? Downstairs, maybe. The roof? Perhaps if I skip a car payment next month.

BEAUTIFUL

Where: Pearl, Ho'okipa Terrace, third floor, Ala Moana Center

When: 8 p.m.-4 a.m.

It'll cost ya: $25

Reservations required? No.

What do you get? If you arrive early enough ... entry.

Why go? Celebrity photographer/professional party host Russell Tanoue didn't name his fashion-infused gathering Beautiful for nothing. Models, musicians and local celebs (aka broadcast journalists in any other town) have their own tables. Part of your cover goes to the nonprofit American War Heroes.

Sounds tailor-made for: Folks who regularly make the decision: Do I eat well this week or look good for the weekend?

Chances of finding your Night Stuff writer there? Don't you bring me down today.

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2006 BLACK TIE

Where: thirtyninehotel, 39 N. Hotel St.

When: 8 p.m.-4 a.m.

It'll cost ya: $10 general, $20 VIP

Reservations required? No. But buying entry early — at www.thirtyninehotel.com — is recommended.

What do you get? For $10, entry after 8 p.m. For $20, 7 p.m. entry with garden lanai pupu party and open bar.

Why go? Everyone gets party favors, champagne toast, the experience of a balloon drop and view of Aloha Tower fireworks. A fashion "creativity contest" decides who interpreted "black tie" with the most panache. Ministry of Sound's DJ Harvey spins.

Sounds tailor-made for: Your average not-too-fussy art scenester.

Chances of finding your Night Stuff writer there? Perhaps. Especially if I fall off the private roof party at NextDoor.

NEW YEAR'S BASH!

Where: Ong King Arts Center, 184 N. King St.

When: 8 p.m.-2 a.m.

It'll cost ya: $15 with dinner, $10 without

Reservations required? No. But more information available at www.ongking.com or by calling 306-7823 or 428-3233.

What do you get? Entry. And if you go the $15 route, vegetarian dishes from India Cafe.

Why go? The entertainment's wickedly eclectic. Wisconsin surf-rockers The Ditch Surfers escape the Madeline Island, Lake Superior, cold to share warmth and live sounds. The multi-tasking Kevin Hughs Jazz Trio performs. Honolulu Underground Theatre Collective drops beats, rhymes and dance. Dark Sevier gets visual.

Sounds tailor-made for: Lovers of art and Indian food for whom "eclectic" isn't just a word, but a way of life.

Chances of finding your Night Stuff writer there? I loves me some Indian food.

Reach Derek Paiva at dpaiva@honoluluadvertiser.com.