With Christmas plans probably locked in, you might want to start focusing on the best way to ring in the New Year.     For some, that might be a quiet night at home with friends and family or maybe a trip to the beach. For those who want to ring in the New Year with a little flair, you don’t have to look too far. Many of Fayetteville’s eateries and night spots are primed to help you celebrate in style.
   {mosimage} If your idea of a wild night stops at dinner time, why not try out one of Fayetteville’s newest dining establishments? At Locks Creek Seafood Grill and Oyster Bar, the staff is offering a few New Year’s specials: prime rib, salmon filet stuffed with crab meat or a pork dish. Seatings for the New Year’s Eve meals are at 6, 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. Seating is by reservation only, with each dinner running $29.99. Call 323-5625 for more information.
    If you are more of a night owl, you may want to check out one of these fabulous events:
    The Holiday Inn Bordeaux is offering the most extensive, and probably most formal affair in the city. According to Ramona Moore, the director of sales, this is the third annual New Year’s Gala at the hotel. “It is a dressy event,” said Moore. “Not formal, but it’s not jeans either. It’s the kind of event where you can dress up and have fun.”
    The party starts at 8 p.m. and runs through 1 a.m. It features heavy hors d’oeuvres, party favors, souvenir champagne glass and a pony bottle of champagne to toast in the New Year.
Perennial favorite Northtower will peform a mix of Top 40, Oldies, Beach and Rock music for dancing. And, if you party a little too hard, you can purchase an overnight ticket that not only guarantees you room at the inn, but also brunch the next day.
    Tickets for the event must be purchased in advance: Couple tickets for the overnight package are $209. Tickets without the overnight option are $159. Single tickets are $159 and $109 respectively. All members of the military receive a 10 percent discount.
“The party keeps growing every year, and we look forward to a great event,” said Moore.
For reservations, call the Holiday Inn at 323-0111.
    Down on Hay Street, things are going to be jumping as well.
    At the Keys Piano Bar three piano players will be on hand to entertain and delight the crowd. Steve Monroe, Frankie Allen and Richard Wojack will be taking requests all night long. Owners of the establishment are quick to point out that the bar and the show are all about audience participation. So, if you head to the Keys, be prepared to sing, clap and dance along.
    The evening’s entertainment will include a countdown at midnight with a champagne toast, heavy hors d’oeuvres and party favors. There will also be drink specials all night long. The bar is currently taking reservations for tables, but they are going fast. The standard reservation fee of $25 is still applicable, but there is an additional $25 admission fee.     For more information, call 483-3854.
    Up the street at Docks, you’re going to want to put on your dancing shoes, as Pete Everett and the Total Package take the stage at 7 p.m. After you are warmed up, Deejay Rayn will take over and will rock the club from 11 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets are $40 for couples and $25 for singles. A $15 upgrade includes a breakfast buffet after the complimentary champagne toast at midnight. For more information, call 423-6257 (DOCKS).
    Just down the road, The Rock Shop is celebrating its second anniversary with New Year’s Evil. Not one, not two, but five bands will help you ring in the New Year. Featured that night are Malicious Intent, Gasoline, All She Wrote, Bound ‘n Gagged and Rot Gut Likker. There will be a mixed-drink toast at midnight, according to Sean Adkins, The Rock Shop’s owner. “It’s going to be big. You might want to get in early before it sells out.”
    The music will start at 8 p.m. and there is a $10 cover. Oh, one thing you might want to know — dressing up evil is strongly suggested. For more info, call 321-7625.
    Across town at the Big Apple, the deejay will spin tunes all night long. The party will start early, with early bird tickets (admission from 9-11 p.m.) costing $15 and tickets purchased after 11 costing $20. Free party favors, a champagne toast and balloon drop with prizes will be the highlight of the evening. For more information, call 868-5559.
    At Legend’s Pub there will be food, party favors and a midnight toast. Deejay Little John will keep the party going with a mix of rock, some dance and a little country. For the real party animal, the pub opens at 1 p.m. in the afternoon, so go early and stay late — of course, the real party won’t start until 8 p.m. For more info, call 867-2364.
    On Owen Drive, The Fifth will ring in the New Year at the Doghouse Bar & Grill. There will be the customary champagne toast at midnight and party favors for the  $10 cover. The kitchen will be open all night long for those who get a little hungry. The party should kick off in the afternoon, but The Fifth won’t come on until 10 p.m. There is no dress code for the event, and you will be able to watch the ball drop on one of the club’s many televisions.
    Over at Huske Hardware, there will be a live deejay, dancing, drink specials and a New Year’s Countdown.
The Blue Moon Cafe will offer a full menu, as well as tappas specials and a wine and champagne toast at midnight.


You can contact Janice Burton at editor@aupandcomingweekly.com