NYE Guide 2006

Sushi Blues Café: Downtown Hollywood's spot for hot blues and jazz served with a side of cold fish will feature the sounds of Iko Iko for New Year's Eve. Reservations are a must. Sat., Dec. 31. Sushi Blues CafRisqué and Blue Monk Lounge, 2009 Harrison St, Hollywood, 954-929-9560.

Taverna Opa: Taverna Opa is having a Greek New Year's Eve party with party music, food and drinks, and dancing on the tables. The cost is $75 per person, and you can use that to buy food and drinks in any combination. Champagne toast at midnight, but the party's not over till you break every plate in the house. Sat., Dec. 31. Taverna Opa, 3051 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 954-567-1630.

The River House: No need for 2006 resolutions. Fort Lauderdale's historic restaurant will ring in yet another year in its long history on the shady banks of the New River doing what it does best. The River House will serve its regular menu at regular prices, offer live music for dancing, and cap the evening off with a champagne toast. Dinner seatings start at 5:30 p.m. Call for reservation. Sat., Dec. 31, The River House, 301 SW 3rd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, 954-525-7661.

Tarpon Bend Fort Lauderdale: Possibly the city's most popular bar and eatery, Tarpon Bend is the place to party if you want to watch the Fort Lauderdale Ball Drop on Second Street. Outside, Atomic Tangerine plays live rock. Inside, Fuse will blow 2005 away. The regular menu will be served, and there is no cover downstairs. Upstairs, the bar will host an open bar party for $100. Sat., Dec. 31, Tarpon Bend, 200 SW 2nd St, Fort Lauderdale, 954-523-3233.

Tarpon Bend Weston: Hooked on 2005? Weston's Tarpon Bend Food and Tackle will ease you into 2006 with a night of partying that includes live music, party favors, and dancing. There's no cover charge, and standard prices apply. Seating is available indoors and out. Sat., Dec. 31, Tarpon Bend, 1630 Bell Tower Cir, Weston, 954-889-9118.

MIAMI/DADE

$25,000 New Year's Eve Baubles and Bubbles Package: Ring in the new year in indulgent style at The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, with an exclusive $25,000 package available to only one couple for only one night, Saturday, December 31, in the opulent Ritz-Carlton Suite. The expensive indulgence includes a chauffeur-driven limousine (stocked with Cristal champagne) to and from home for South Florida residents, or to and from the airport or private jet terminal for out-of-town guests, and one night in The Ritz-Carlton Suite, a luxurious 2540-square-foot oasis with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Biscayne Bay. For him, a Mercedes SLK 500 convertible for the day; for her, a stunning 18-karat gold, ruby, and diamond bracelet from Amici jewelers, made in Italy with 1.14 carats of diamonds and 2.28 carats of rubies. Start off your New Year's Eve with butler service; an opulent, five-course dinner with the finest global ingredients, all customized to your palate; a private sommelier and chef for your special New Year's Eve dinner; and a private pastry chef to design a perfect sweet ending. Then the decadent fun continues with a rose petal Cristal champagne or milk bath, a New Year's Day in-room couples massage to ring in 2006 in relaxed bliss, and, weather permitting, a half-day private luxury yacht cruise, including gourmet lobster lunch and dedicated staff. Sat., Dec. 31, $25,000, www.ritzcarlton.com. Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove, 3300 SW 27th Ave, Coconut Grove, 305-644-4680.

An Affordable NYE: The most affordable spot for a beer on Lincoln Road refuses to up its prices for NYE. There will be no cover charge, and the extensive selection of domestic and imported beers will remain a ridiculously cheap $3. Sat., Dec. 31, Free, 305-672-6290. Zeke's Roadhouse, 625 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, 305-672-3118.

Afterglo: Celebrate New Year's Eve at Afterglo Restaurant, where there is no cover charge or prix-fixe menu for diners. Dinner reservations begin as early as 6 p.m. and as late as 1 a.m. Diners can choose their own seating time and choose both appetizers and entrRisquées á la carte from the full menu created by executive chef Michael Schwartz. Dining, DJs, dancing, and drummers till dawn. Party favors at midnight. Ring in the new year with a Glo! Sat., Dec. 31. Afterglo, 1200 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, 305-695-1717, www.afterglo.com.

Amazing Fiesta: Celebrate the new year right at Señor Frog's Black & White party. There will be a live band, DJs, mariachis, and more. Sat., Dec. 31. Señor Frog's, 616 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, 305-673-5262.

Americana: Indulge, imbibe, dance, and celebrate the year that was as you look forward to the year ahead. There will be two seatings at 6 and 9 p.m. and a four-course menu. Sat., Dec. 31, $85 adult, $55 child for 6 p.m.; $115 adult, $55 child for 9 p.m. Americana, 1 Lincoln Rd (in the Ritz-Carlton Hotel), Miami Beach, 786-276-4000, www.ritzcarlton.com.

Amika NYE Blowout: Voted Best Night Club by New Times in 2005, Amika offers a swanky and relatively intimate alternative to the bulk and bravado of other South Beach "superclubs." For NYE, they'll have hip-hop DJs, toasts, and lots of drunken and (let's hope) cute revelers. Sat., Dec. 31, $50 per person, $125 for a three-hour open bar ticket, and a minimum of $1000 for a VIP table, which holds six people and includes a minimum of three bottles of liquor. Amika, 1532 Washington Ave, Miami Beach, 305-534-1499.