New Year S Eve

Last week, a friend of mine finally asked THE QUESTION. The one I dread every year. “What do you want to do for New Year's?” Gulp. New Year's Eve is terrifying. Even six weeks away, the prospect of what is undoubtedly the biggest amateur night in all of bardom makes me queasy. What do I want to do for New Year's? Well, obviously I want to leave my house completely underdressed for the weather and pay $80 cover to go to a bar I'd never step in any other night where I'll stand in line for 30 minutes to get two bottled beers and one vodka cranberry before the open bar closes.

EAT Pajama Party Nana 3267 S. Halsted St. 312-929-2486 Roll out of bed and head to the Bridgeport restaurant's pajama brunch, where chef Ricardo Pineda is serving a menu of foods meant to bring you luck in the New Year, including black-eyed pea soup ($6-$12) and grilled pork and pineapple omelets ($15). The restaurant's staffers will be posting photos of diners in their sleepwear on Facebook, where fans will vote for the best dressed to win a $50 gift card.

0.5 stars (out of four) Perhaps at some point in the future, a great movie will feature the line, “Ladies, may the best va-jay-jay win!” That line, spoken about two pregnant women (Jessica Biel, Sarah Paulson) competing to deliver just after midnight Dec. 31 and win $25,000, probably represents all that needs to be said about “New Year's Eve.” But why would I stop there? In a film whose idea of timely humor means referencing “Girls Gone Wild” and Guantanamo Bay and whose storytelling approach boils down to, “Why tackle one story...

Every year I dread New Year's Eve--the crazy cover charges, the pressure, the indecision, etc. I want this year to be different, and I don't want to end it alone. Isn't this the biggest party night of the year? Aren't people happy the world didn't end on 12.21 and want to get laid? How can I skew the odds in my favor?--Screw Year's Eve New Year's Eve is definitely THE date for hookups, with odds higher than Valentine's Day, Halloween and Arbor Day combined (but not Groundhog Day. Bill Murray's sexual prowess has ruined the standard for everyone!

Looking to celebrate New Year's Eve but worried that your lack of resolve (so to speak) in making advance plans might leave you stuck at home watching TV? Relax - we've got you covered with five fun, last-minute options to ring in 2012 for under $100. And the best part? They all include top-notch stage productions, post-show parties and champagne toasts. 'Too Much Light New Year's Eve' The Neo-Futurists bring more than two decades of tradition forward into 2012 with an 11 p.m. performance of “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind,” a one-hour blitz of short-short plays, Chicago's longest-running...

Whether you're hosting a full-blown party or just in need of some tunes to primp by before heading out for the night, look no further than these song recommendations from RedEye's Sound Board. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" - Taylor Swift Laugh if you want, but you have to admit that this song does nothing if not embody a desire for a new beginning. And as midnight approaches and one drink becomes two becomes five, everyone will be joining in with Taylor. -- Matt Pais "Polish Girl" - Neon Indian Trust me: It just sounds like New Year's Eve...

From sequins to sparkles, ties to tuxedos, New Year's Eve usually unleashes the fancier and glitzier sides of personal styles. It doesn't matter if you're club-hopping until New Year's Day sunrise or laying low at a friend's house party--ringing in the new year means bringing in the big, fashionable guns. In order to establish what's in and what's out when kissing 2012 good- bye, we assembled a panel of local experts to fill you in on all things New Year's fashion. THE EXPERTS JENA GAMBACCINI fashion blogger for Chi City Fashion (chicityfashion.com)

Rampant consumerism? Check. The same 12 Christmas songs performed 4,300 ways on the radio? You betcha. It's holiday time again, people! With all the yuletide (second only to "delish" as the worst word ever created) cheer comes holiday party season. My inbox is bursting with people asking for Wingman tips for seasonal party domination during this, the season of raging, and like your inappropriate gymnastics coach, I've got your back. I took the six questions I hear the most and applied them to your work holiday party, the party you throw with your friends, and...

For reasons I can't figure out, New Year's Eve continues to be a source of frustration for Chicagoans looking to have a great time. It's not that hard, people! Allow me to walk you through, hour by hour, a foolproof plan to optimize your New Year's Eve experience. Think of this as P90X for partying. 7 a.m. Make sure you got a good night of sleep. That is imperative. Before you leave for work, assemble the following by your bed: ibuprofen, a giant cup and a sports drink. Noon Eat something with carbs.

Every year I dread New Year's Eve--the crazy cover charges, the pressure, the indecision, etc. I want this year to be different, and I don't want to end it alone. Isn't this the biggest party night of the year? Aren't people happy the world didn't end on 12.21 and want to get laid? How can I skew the odds in my favor?--Screw Year's Eve New Year's Eve is definitely THE date for hookups, with odds higher than Valentine's Day, Halloween and Arbor Day combined (but not Groundhog Day. Bill Murray's sexual prowess has ruined the...

Let's talk about why you haven't made plans for New Year's Eve yet. Maybe your friends are so hard to wrangle that you couldn't agree on plans until all the big bashes sell out. Or you're scarred from last year's experience shelling out for an open bar and spending most of the night waiting in line instead of drinking? Perhaps you just want a low-stress and low-cost way to ring in 2013. Luckily, plenty of hangouts are nixing the standard prix-fixe dinners and all-inclusive packages in favor of low-key, no-reservations-required gatherings.

For reasons I can't figure out, New Year's Eve continues to be a source of frustration for Chicagoans looking to have a great time. It's not that hard, people! Allow me to walk you through, hour by hour, a foolproof plan to optimize your New Year's Eve experience. Think of this as P90X for partying. 7 a.m. Make sure you got a good night of sleep. That is imperative. Before you leave for work, assemble the following by your bed: ibuprofen, a giant cup and a sports drink. Noon Eat something with carbs.

New Year's resolutions can wait. Right now, all you should resolve is to ring in 2013 in style. Whether you're looking to splurge on a splashy hotel soiree, gourmet dinner or clubby dance bash, there are celebrations out there to suit all kinds of party people. HOTEL BASH New Year's Eve at The Drake There will reportedly be 45 bar stations at this swank soiree, which means you won't spend half your night in line waiting for a drink with the other 2,500 expected partygoers.

Whether you're hosting a full-blown party or just in need of some tunes to primp by before heading out for the night, look no further than these song recommendations from RedEye's Sound Board. "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" - Taylor Swift Laugh if you want, but you have to admit that this song does nothing if not embody a desire for a new beginning. And as midnight approaches and one drink becomes two becomes five, everyone will be joining in with Taylor. -- Matt Pais "Polish Girl" - Neon Indian Trust me: It just...

From sequins to sparkles, ties to tuxedos, New Year's Eve usually unleashes the fancier and glitzier sides of personal styles. It doesn't matter if you're club-hopping until New Year's Day sunrise or laying low at a friend's house party--ringing in the new year means bringing in the big, fashionable guns. In order to establish what's in and what's out when kissing 2012 good- bye, we assembled a panel of local experts to fill you in on all things New Year's fashion. THE EXPERTS JENA GAMBACCINI fashion blogger for Chi City Fashion (chicityfashion.com)

Rampant consumerism? Check. The same 12 Christmas songs performed 4,300 ways on the radio? You betcha. It's holiday time again, people! With all the yuletide (second only to "delish" as the worst word ever created) cheer comes holiday party season. My inbox is bursting with people asking for Wingman tips for seasonal party domination during this, the season of raging, and like your inappropriate gymnastics coach, I've got your back. I took the six questions I hear the most and applied them to your work holiday party, the party you throw with your friends, and...

Let's talk about why you haven't made plans for New Year's Eve yet. Maybe your friends are so hard to wrangle that you couldn't agree on plans until all the big bashes sell out. Or you're scarred from last year's experience shelling out for an open bar and spending most of the night waiting in line instead of drinking? Perhaps you just want a low-stress and low-cost way to ring in 2013. Luckily, plenty of hangouts are nixing the standard prix-fixe dinners and all-inclusive packages in favor of low-key, no-reservations-required gatherings.

EAT Pajama Party Nana 3267 S. Halsted St. 312-929-2486 Roll out of bed and head to the Bridgeport restaurant's pajama brunch, where chef Ricardo Pineda is serving a menu of foods meant to bring you luck in the New Year, including black-eyed pea soup ($6-$12) and grilled pork and pineapple omelets ($15). The restaurant's staffers will be posting photos of diners in their sleepwear on Facebook, where fans will vote for the best dressed to win a $50 gift card.

Looking to celebrate New Year's Eve but worried that your lack of resolve (so to speak) in making advance plans might leave you stuck at home watching TV? Relax - we've got you covered with five fun, last-minute options to ring in 2012 for under $100. And the best part? They all include top-notch stage productions, post-show parties and champagne toasts. 'Too Much Light New Year's Eve' The Neo-Futurists bring more than two decades of tradition forward into 2012 with an 11 p.m. performance of “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind,” a one-hour blitz of short-short plays, Chicago's longest-running...

0.5 stars (out of four) Perhaps at some point in the future, a great movie will feature the line, “Ladies, may the best va-jay-jay win!” That line, spoken about two pregnant women (Jessica Biel, Sarah Paulson) competing to deliver just after midnight Dec. 31 and win $25,000, probably represents all that needs to be said about “New Year's Eve.” But why would I stop there? In a film whose idea of timely humor means referencing “Girls Gone Wild” and Guantanamo Bay and whose storytelling approach boils down to,...