THEMED PARTIES
NEW YEAR'S EVE: THE WORLD IS YOURS
Aria is going Miami gangster with its NYE affair. The North Loop event space is adopting a "Scarface" motif and encouraging guests to dress accordingly. Tickets to the cash bar event include hors d'oeuvres, coffee and music from local hip-hop duo Villa Rosa. (9 p.m. Mon. $50-$75. 105 N. 1st St., Mpls. 612-460-1051 or www.ariampls.com.)
THE CRYSTAL BALL PRESENTS 'IMAGINE'
International Market Square is being taken over by the Crystal Ball's Imagine gala, with an opening champagne reception from 8 to 9 p.m. and DJs Fresko, CXR and Chris Castle spinning everything from hip-hop to house and top 40. VIP options abound. (8 p.m. Mon. $35-$70. 275 Market St., Mpls. 612-703-7682 or www.nyeminneapolis.com.)
MIDNIGHT IN MOROCCO
Spend "Midnight in Morocco" (well, really just Epic) with fiery performances from the Dragon Fire Theater, Ignite's live mannequin models and two rooms of music at the Warehouse District nightclub. (8 p.m. Mon. $30-$50, 110 N. 5th St., Mpls. www. epicmpls.com.)
FEAST OF FOOLS MASQUERADE BALL
The whimsical minds behind the BareBones Halloween show present a masquerade with burlesque, music from Black Audience and others, a Best Mask competition, food and drink and, of course, oversized puppets. (8 p.m. Mon. $12-$15. In the Heart of the Beast Theatre, 1500 E. Lake St., Mpls. www.smokedtroutproductions.com.)
FLAPPERS AND GANGSTERS ROARING '20S PARTY
Prohibition-themed party in a four-story Victorian mansion, with live jazz, dancing, period drinks and apps, retro dance instruction, a murder mystery, champagne toast and gambling for charity. (7 p.m.-1 a.m. Mon. $50. The 3rd Floor at Dr. Chocolate's Chocolate Chateau, 579 Selby Av., St. Paul. www.drchocolate.com.)
DANCE PARTIES
FIRST AVENUE'S NEW YEAR'S EVE DANCETERIA
First Ave's bash pairs the turnt-up rap bangers of the Get Cryphy crew with Too Much Love party-starter Sovietpanda's dance-music mélange. Ian Rans of "Drinking With Ian" plays incorrigible host and DJ Verb X and others take over the Record Room for the End of the Year Smoke Out. (8 p.m. Mon. $5-$20. 701 1st Av. N., Mpls. www.first-avenue.com.)
INFRASOUND 3D
Twin Cities Dubstep is throwing its two-night blowout at the Skyway Theater on Sunday as well as Monday, with more than 60 acts gracing the four-stage fetes. British dubsteppers Feed Me and Zomboy headline on NYE proper. (7 p.m. Sun. and Mon. $25-$60. 711 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. www.skywaytheater.com.)
HIPSHAKER
Hipshaker has been the place to boogie down to the best rare soul and funk vinyl cuts for 10 years. Its New Year's Eve edition co-stars DJs from fellow soul night Hotpants. (9 p.m. Mon. $10. Kitty Cat Klub, 315 14th Av. SE., Mpls. 612-331-9800.)
WANTS VS. NEEDS
The whole Wants Vs. Needs crew will be together again for their New Year's Eve throwdown. Expect tracks sure to please hip-hop heads and club partiers alike. (9 p.m. Mon. $10. 21-plus. Clubhouse Jäger, 923 Washington Av. N., Mpls. clubjager.com.)
1 BLINK = DANCE
David Anderson suffers from Lou Gehrig's disease, but he uses vision-activated software to create electronic soundscapes -- the centerpiece of this multimedia party with aerialists, body painters, live painting, body balancers and interactive photography and projections by Playatta. (9 p.m.-3 a.m. Mon. Old Arizona, 2821 Nicollet Av. S., Mpls. 612-871-9099 or www.brownpapertickets.com.)
ALL-YOU-CAN-DRINK
INSERT COIN(S)' GLO-BALL NYE
New Year's Eve always brings out open-bar arrangements that look alluring or overpriced, depending on your tolerance. Two of 2012's newest party spots are offering unlimited bar trips (pending your intoxication level) for flat fees. Hips and joysticks are sure to swivel at arcade/nightclub Insert Coin(s) Glo-Ball NYE party (9 p.m. Mon. $40-$80. 315 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-564-4016 or www. insertcoinsmpls.com).
THE POURHOUSE
Raucous revelry always seems to be on the agenda at Prohibition-themed party bar the Pourhouse, with a balloon drop and big-screen countdown planned at midnight. (10 p.m. Mon. $85-$100. 10 S. 5th St., Mpls. 612-843-2555 or www.thepourhousempls.com.)
GLBT
THE BOYS PRESENT MASQUERADE NYE
The producers behind the Big Gay Party are transforming Lush into a spectacle of lights, fire, smoke and male go-go dancers. Hosted by drag queens Lucy Furr and Sara Tonin, the night also includes DJ Multidimensional Fortitude, a champagne toast and a mask-making station. (9 p.m. Mon. $15-$20. Lush, 990 Central Av. NE., Mpls. www.brownpapertickets.com.)
KEEP IT LOCAL
LYNDALE TAP HOUSE
If the downtown Minneapolis melee sounds overwhelming, save yourself the stress (and some cash) with Lyndale Tap House's New Year's Eve festivities. Say sayonara to 2012 with various drink specials, including $3 Summit firkin pints while they last, and a complimentary champagne toast at midnight at the Lyn-Lake hangout. (5 p.m. Mon. 2937 Lyndale Av. S., Mpls, 612-825-6150, www.thelyndale.com.)
PSYCHO SUZI'S SHANGRI-LA PARTY
Northeast tiki pub Psycho Suzi's hosts its second annual Shangri-La Party. "Polynesian Passports" to the escapism-centered shindig include a dinner buffet, four drinks of your choosing and unlimited photo-booth buffoonery. We recommend enjoying them in that order. (5:30 p.m. Mon. $49. 1900 NE. Marshall St., Mpls. www.psychosuzis.com.)
TOBY KEITH'S I LOVE THIS BAR & GRILL
Skirt the city limits with a suburban honky tonk at Toby Keith's, featuring live music and a "VIP barn," which includes an open bar from 7 to 9 p.m. (7 p.m., Mon. $35-$65. 1623 Park Place Blvd. www.countrybarmn.com.)
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MORE THEME PARTIES
Naughty New Year's Eve: Burlesque from Foxy Tann and Tomahawk Tassels, comedians, belly dancing and champagne toast. (9 p.m. Mon. $20-30. Two Stooges Sports Bar & Grill, 7178 University Av. NE., Fridley. www.vitalculture.com/twostooges.) Eagle Street Grill: 1920s speakeasy theme, red carpet entrance, casino lounge, hors d'oeuvres and SP Style DJs. (8 p.m. Mon. $20-$25. 174 W. 7th St., St. Paul. www.spstyle.com.) Elixir: Ice bar, fire show, champagne and $5 drinks. (9 p.m. Mon. $13-20. 322 N. 1st Av., Mpls. www.vitalculture.com/elixirmpls.) Myth: Balloon drop, champagne toast, three floors and multiple rooms of DJs. (9 p.m. Mon. $15. 18-plus. 3090 Southlawn Dr., Maplewood. 651-779-6984.) Marquee: Passed hors d'oeuvres, DJ Strangelove. VIP upgrades available. (9 p.m. Mon. $50. Union Rooftop at Marquee, 731 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. marqueempls.com) Seven Sushi: Four rooms of entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, DJs, party favors, champagne toast, live countdown and balloon drop. (9 p.m. Mon. Free. 700 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-238-7777.) Deseo: Complimentary apps and champagne before 11 p.m. DJs spinning R&B and hip-hop. (9 p.m. Mon. $10. Deseo, 408 3rd Av. N., Mpls. www.deseompls.com.)
MORE DANCE PARTIES
Ground Zero: Hard EDM and techno with DJs Darksiderz and Robert Armani plus 15 other DJs in two rooms. (7 p.m. Mon. $15-$30. 18-plus. 15 NE. 4th St., Mpls. www.harddanceminnesota.com.) Bar Fly: Two rooms with eight DJs spinning electronic, hip-hop and party mixes plus champagne toast and party favors; VIP upgrades available. (8 p.m. Mon. $13-18. 18-plus. 711 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. www.skywaytheatre.com.) The Lounge: DJs Jack Trash, Tommy Page, Justin Styles and Areeb playing house, Top 40 and international, plus fire performers, tarot readers and sideshow acts. (8 p.m. Mon. $20 or $70 open bar. 411 2nd Av. N., Mpls. www.theloungempls.com.)
MORE DANCE PARTIES
Aqua: Surprise performance by a "popular artist," balloon drop and champagne toast. (10 p.m. Mon. $25-$40 or $75 for open bar. 400 1st Av. N., Mpls. www.aquampls.com) Republic: Entry includes open bar and dinner and live entertainment from three DJs. (8 p.m. Mon. $75. 221 Cedar Av. S., Mpls. diamondnye.eventbrite.com.) Ginger Hop: DJs Dan Speak of KMOJ and King Otto spin soul, funk and R&B, plus open bar and dinner menu until midnight. (10 p.m. Mon. Free or $40 for open bar. 201 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-746-0304.) Stella's Fish Cafe: Open bar, balloon drop, heated rooftop patio, food buffets and DJs. (10 p.m. Mon. $49.95. 1400 W. Lake St., Mpls. 612-824-8862. www.stellasfishcafe.com.) Moose on Monroe: Champagne toast, complimentary apps until 9 p.m. (8 p.m. Mon. $10, or $60 for open bar. 356 NE. Monroe St., Mpls. www.vitalculture.com.) The Loop: Open bar, champagne toast, hors d'oeuvres, balloon drop and DJ Dan Funk. (9 p.m. Mon. $80. 606 Washington Av. N., Mpls. www.vitalculture.com.)
MORE ALL-YOU-CAN-DRINK
The Saloon: Drag queens Mercedes, Camille Collins and Kiera Cole, the Go-Go Boyz and DJ David B. (9 p.m.-3 a.m. Mon. $10-$15. 830 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. www.saloonmn.com.) The Gay 90s: Ladies of LaFemme drag show, three dance floors, six bars, free champagne toasts and party favors. (9 p.m.-3 a.m. $10. 18-plus. 408 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. www.gay90s.com.) Jetset: DJs J.R. and Punchy countdown their top 10 songs of 2012 with a champagne toast at midnight. (10 p.m. Mon. Free. 115 1st St. N., Mpls. 612-339-3933.)
