How's this for cheap: Cover at the 331 on NYE is still free (like every other night). The bar has bluegrass band A Night in the Box and the guitar/washboard/washpan magic of the Brass Kings.

9 p.m. Free. 331 13th Av. NE., Mpls. 612-331-1746. 331club.com

The West Bank bar is also going recession-proof with no cover. Bands include the Invincible Kids, Gospel Gossip and Military Special, plus a meat raffle. Yep, a NYE meat raffle (with tofu!).

8 p.m. Free. 501 Cedar Av. S., Mpls. 612-338-6424. nomadpub.com

Now this is how you kick off a national hip-hop tour: in a classic St. Paul dive on New Year's Eve. Yep, that's how MC/VL does it. If you want goofy, over-the-top throwback hip-hop, these guys will give you a classy fist bump.

9 p.m. $5. 1567 W. University Av., St. Paul. 651-645-8472. myspace.com/bigvs

Three of our favorite indie bands are having an identity crisis. You'll hear Vampire Hands as the Rolling Stones, the Stnnng as Jon Spencer Blues Explosion and Daughters of the Sun as '60s band 13th Floor Elevators. Just don't call them cover bands.

The bondage club has a thrifty-themed party, featuring the tagline: "If the economy ain't painful enough, there's always Mistress Jean." Also: "Po' Folk Bingo" at 9 p.m.

9 p.m. $5/$10 under 21. 15 NE. 4th St., Mpls. 612-378-5115. myspace.com/groundzerompls

Another hip-hop NYE in Dinkytown. Headliner Trama calls his party "Glow in the Dinkytowner," a riff on Kanye West's recent "Glow in the Dark" tour. Hope he doesn't use Auto-Tune, too.

9 p.m. $10. 412 1/2 14th Av. SE., Mpls. 612-362-0437. dinkytowner.com

It's a special Transmission with DJ Jake Rudh, who rules Wednesdays at Jäger. Cover gets you hors d'oeuvres and midnight champagne. It's a good time to check out the bar's new kitchen.

While other downtown clubs charge a big-money cover, this legendary venue says: $10 in advance! DJs include Soviet Panda, Mike the 2600 King, Roy Freedom and DJ Smitty.

8 p.m. $10-$15. 18 & older. 701 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-332-1775. first-avenue.com

This sounds kind of gimmicky, but could be cool. Minneapolis will take part in New Year's Nation's 10-city party, with each club connected via a high-def broadcast. A performance by DJ AM and Travis Barker in Los Angeles will be streamed live to Epic. Live entertainment by Chuck Love, the New Congress, Jevne, Timmay, Vox Medusa, aerialists, fire dancers, b-boys and more.

8:30 p.m. $100 (open bar). 110 N. 5th St., Mpls. 612.332-3742. epicmpls.com

The boutique hotel offers several party rooms, each representing a decade -- '70s Studio 54, '60s London Mod/New York art scene and '40s Hollywood glamour. The party, called Decadence, will have more than 20 DJs, headlined by the Sound in Motion crew.

The St. Paul gay bar will have one long night of dancing. It's free until 2 a.m. but you must buy an all-you-can-drink wristband ($15-$65 depending on drink choice) to keep partying until 6 a.m.

9 p.m. 213 E. 4th St., St. Paul. 651-225-4528. rumours-stpaul.com

The Spirit of '09 party features a DJ set by New York-based Hercules and Love Affair, whose single "Blind" was named No. 1 Song of the Year by tastemaker Pitchfork Media. Other performers include Le Castle Vania, DJ Klever and Solid Gold. It'll also be one of the few 18-plus parties in downtown.

8 p.m. $30-$45. 711 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. 612-333-6100. barflyminneapolis.com

All four levels will be turned into a James Bond-themed soiree called Casino Royale, with body-painted Bond girls, casino tables, fire dancers and DJs galore.

Two longtime NYE parties -- the Crystal Ball and ReSOULution -- join forces for a fashionista's NYE party, featuring a four-segment fashion show and a dozen DJs.

9 p.m. $40-$50. 275 Market St., Mpls. nyempls.com

Surprisingly, there are more of these than ever: Envy ($95), the Lounge ($75), Stella's ($75), Mayslack's ($85), Element ($60-$90), 508 Bar ($80), Annex ($90), Sound Bar ($60-$75), Aqua ($85), Seven ($100), Axis ($65), Bootleggers ($90), Bar Abilene ($75) and Sneaky Pete's ($25-- only Miller High Life).