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New Year’s Eve Guide

The best way to ring in the New Year is with a proper goodbye to the old year. For some, that might mean curling up on the couch with a bucket of ice cream and watching a favorite movie; others might want to hit that party where a lampshade on your head is appropriate attire. But for those who aren’t yet sure how to spend the last day of the year, Listings Editor Rachel Weight has put together a list of happenings to choose from that includes champagne dinners, deejayed dance nights, live music, and even a sacred ritual of release and recreation.

However you decide to welcome 2008, keep in mind this sage advice from founding father Benjamin Franklin: “Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better [hu]man.” Happy New Year!

Where to Go

Arlington Theatre

The Santa Barbara Symphony rings in the New Year with its annual New Year’s Eve Pops concert, celebrating the 100th birthday of Leroy Anderson. Hats, noise makers, and balloons complete the holiday fun. 8:30-10:30pm. 1317 State St. All ages. $35-$65. Call 963-4408.

Chumash Casino

Ring in the New Year by going back in time with ’80s cover band the Spazmatics and ’70s cover band Grooveline. With party favors, dancing, virgin margaritas, and plenty of fun, entrance to the event is free with your Club Chumash card. Hwy. 246, Santa Ynez. 18 and older. Call (800) 585-3737.

Elements

Make a dinner reservation from 5-10pm for Chef Paul Becking’s sumptuous four-course meal and enjoy a special Peppermintini, created especially for this holiday season. 129 E. Anapamu St. $85 per person. Call 884-9218 or visit elementsrestaurantandbar.com to see the entire menu.

Elsie’s

S.B.’s own Coral Sea rocks a hot set, with deejays spinning for the rest of the night. The $10 cover includes a champagne toast at midnight. 117 W. De la Guerra St. 21 and older. Call 963-5403.

The Hungry Cat

The only day of the year this packed place actually takes reservations! Enjoy a special dinner with seating from 6-11:15pm. 1134 Chapala St. $60. Call 884-4701 or visit thehungrycat.com.

Jill’s Place at Shalhoob’s

Annual Pacific Pride Foundation party, with music and party supplies. 9:30pm. 632 Santa Barbara St. Call 963-0378 to reserve a table or just come to the party!

The Maverick

Big Tom’s special early-bird dinner, complimentary appetizers and party favors, and country music by Mesa Creek. 9pm-2am. 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. 21 and older. Call 686-4785.

The Mercury Lounge

Rock out to Los Vikings and the Double D’s, with a champagne toast at midnight, as long as it doesn’t get too crazy. The party starts at 9 p.m. 5871 Hollister Ave. $35. 21 and older. Call 967-0907.

The Palace Grill

Annual New Orleans Masquerade Celebration, with a five-course dinner, costumes, masks, beads, commemorative gifts, and live music by the Flambeau Duo. Two seatings, at 6 and 9pm. 8 E. Cota St. Call 963-5000 to RSVP.

Sandbar

Select from several options of VIP service with three- or four-course meals, starting at $40 per person with gold or platinum bottle service, and enjoy a deejay and dancing all night. 514 State St. Call 252-5409 or visit sandbarsb.com.

SOhO

Celebrate with the explosive Afro-Brazilian funk music and dance of SambaD¡. Complimentary champagne toast at midnight, and limited dinner reservations are available. Live dinner music from 7:30-9:30pm, with the dance floor open from 10pm-1am. 1221 State St. $25. 21 and older. Call 962-7776.

Stateside

Choose from several come-and-go options that include four-course prix fixe menus, complimentary champagne, and music from Joe’s Band and DJ Quasar. 1114 State St. $40-$100. Call 564-1000 or visit statesidesb.com for more info.

Tonic

Sbtherapy deejay showcase, featuring San Francisco’s DJ Pat Swayzak, Calvin Riley, DJ Jhon Hogg, and all the go-go dancing you can handle. 9pm-1:30am. 634 State St. 21 and older. Call 689-7179.

Unity Church

Participate in a nondenominational, sacred ritual of release and re-creation with an evening of music and a Burning Bowl Ceremony. 7pm. 227 E. Arrellaga St. Call 966-2239.

Velvet Jones

Doors will open at 9pm for an all-night party with DJ Junk, Lyricist Ize, and the Velvet dancers. Opening cover starts at $10. 423 State St. 21 and older. Call 965-8676.

Wildcat Lounge

DJ Gavin Royvoted S.B.’s favorite deejay in The Indy’s Best Of issuespins the hottest tunes, with a Champagne Bubble Bar, and a stunning ice sculpture with shots of Premium Drevnyokyivska Vodka served by a lovely bartender straight out of James Bond’s From Russia With Love. 9pm. 15 W. Ortega St. 21 and older. Cover charge is $20, but call 895-5600 to reserve a VIP booth with bottle service for $300. Call 962-7970 for more info.

Wine Cask

An exquisite holiday menu, party favors, live music, and dancing. 813 Anacapa St. Choose the early celebration or the late celebration dinner from $125-$195. Call 966-9463 to make a reservation.

S.B. Athletic Association

If you want to ring in 2008 on an athletic foot, join the S.B. Athletic Association in the 29th Annual Resolution Day Run/Walk. Choose from a 5km run/walk, beginning at 8 a.m., or a 10km run that begins at 8:45 a.m. The race starts at Chase Palm Park (236 E. Cabrillo Blvd.). Entering is $15 without a shirt, $20 with a shirt in advance, and $30 on race day. Visit active.com to register.

What to Sing

So you don’t have to fake the words this year, here are the lyrics to “Auld Lang Syne,” the traditional New Year’s tune written by Scotsman Robert Burns.

“Auld Lang Syne”

Should auld acquaintance be forgot,

and never brought to mind?

Should auld acquaintance be forgot

and days of auld lang syne?

(chorus)For auld lang syne, my dear,

For auld lang syne,

We’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet

For auld lang syne.

And surely ye’ll be your pint-stoup !

And surely I’ll be mine !

And we’ll take a cup o’ kindness yet,