Best Bets for NYE in Las Vegas

Located deep inside City Center's stunning Aria Hotel lies Haze, a sensorial hideaway perfect for dancing the night away. Los Angeles' own John Lyons (Avalon) designed the state-of-the-art sound system here, which incorporates processing technology. Expect a nearly 75-foot-tall wall of high-resolution video that allows for real-time 3-D animation, a first in Las Vegas, say reps. The world's biggest DJ, Tiesto, breaks in the sound system NYE. $350 individual tickets are sold out, but contact the venue directly to see about table packages that may still be available ($5,000 tables are already sold out, leaving you only with $7,500-and-up bottle service options). http://www.hazenightclub.com or http://www.lightgroup.com/events/2010/nye

The Hard Rock refuses to let City Center steal <i>all</i> the spotlight this NYE. Accordingly, the casino is launching its new nightclub, Vanity, Dec. 31st. Located inside the new HRH tower, Vanity does not disappoint--with multiple design features that make the eclectic space feel like a cool L.A. lounge instead of an imposing Vegas club. Think antique mirrors lining the walls and textured tapestries set against gold, red and purple hues (with gold foil and metallic accents everywhere). And ladies, make sure you check the all-white glam bathroom here, which feels bigger than some bars in Los Angeles and looks straight out of an early 1980s Rolling Stones video. A $200 cover per person includes open bar from 9pm to midnight (with a midnight champagne toast). DJ Vice spins. For more information and/or table reservations, call (702) 693-5555. If you miss NYE here, Diddy flies in for the club's official grand opening Jan. 2nd.

Eva Longoria Parker will host a hot ticket celebration on New Year's Eve at both the 2nd floor nightclub (Eve) and her main floor restaurant (Beso). The actress will be on site to toast the New Year with champagne, hors d'oeuvres from Beso and an open bar from 8pm to 11pm. Beso's Las Vegas incarnation is larger and more striking than its L.A. counterpart--with massive chandeliers that drip from the ceiling like stalactites. Upstairs at Eve, expect an all-black 8,000-square-foot nightclub with a massive disco ball, a Funktion One soundsystem, German glass tiles and a state-of-the-art video set up. Just look for the girls dancing above the booths visible from the valet lot at the Aria Casino. Tickets start at $125 (which includes the open bar) and are still available.

Pure Management Group's massive moneymaker LAX raises the stakes this year for NYE, in what just might be Vegas' hottest ticket Dec. 31st--The Black Eyed Peas live. Expect the 26,000-square-foot venue to be jammed with revelers and even a few celebrities. General admission tickets start at $250 and will likely rise to $300. Table reservations are in the $8,000-$13,000 range, with the top seat in the house going for, we kid you not, $60,000. For more pricing information check http://www.purelv.com/nye2009/.

This tri-level club, once a favorite of Paris Hilton, "gets it in" this NYE with a special performance by rapper 50 Cent. $100 tickets are already sold out, but $200 gets you in the door here, with all the champagne needed to dance with reckless abandon "In Da Club." Again, more up-to-the-minute info regarding pricing is at http://www.purelv.com/nye2009. Tickets are still available at http://www.vegas.com or follow us on Twitter @CitysearchLA for your chance to win a pair of tickets to this event.

Nicole Richie hosts a special engagement at Lavo Dec. 31st with her man Joel Madden manning the decks. $150 tickets include entry to LAVO, open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres from 9pm to 11pm (and, of course, that ubiquitous midnight champagne toast). After midnight, take your ticket stub to TAO Nightclub in the Venetian for complimentary admission. More information and table reservations at (702) 791-1818 or via e-mail at newyears@lavolv.com.

Christina Aguilera hosts NYE inside one of Vegas' top-grossing clubs. $200 tickets include entry into the nightclub, open bar and passed hors d'oeuvres from 9pm to 11pm. More information available at http://www.taolasvegas.com or look into vegas-passport.com for VIP packages that let you skip the lines.

Take in fireworks high above Las Vegas from the sky deck on the 55th floor of the Palms Casino Resort. The best way to go at the Palms this year is to purchase the $475 "VIP Express Admission," which gives you access to all of the N9NE Groups bars at the Palms (Rain, the Playboy Club, Moon Nightclub and Ghostbar). That way, you'll never tire of any one scene and can drink at all four clubs after you get a wristband. More details available at http://www.n9negroup.com/newyears.

Think the Hard Rock doesn't do luxury? Think again. The brand new HRH Tower includes 359 tastefully designed suites, eight spa villas opening directly to pool areas and seven new penthouse suites on the 16th floor with full views of the strip. This is in addition to the recently opened Paradise Tower, a new 17-story guest wing located at the north end of the property. Even with the new additions, the entire hotel is almost sold out, so book ASAP at http://www.hardrockhotel.com.

One of three new hotels at City Center, Vdara is actually the one destination where you can <i>escape</i> the NYE madness. Think sophisticated condo-like rooms awash in calming beige and white. The entire hotel feels more Manhattan than Las Vegas and boasts a fantastic on-site restaurant, Silk Road, by Martin Heierling. Vdara may be quiet, but it is close enough to all the action at the Aria and the Bellagio (attached via a walkway). Save the partying for the clubs...you'll be thankful to have a quiet oasis of calm waiting for you at Vdara. A few rooms are still available from $459 per night for NYE, but they will likely be gone soon, so book early. More information on rates and the new property at http://www.vdara.com.

This Cesar Pelli-designed 4,004-room hotel above City Center's retail mall (Crystals) dazzles from the lobby to the myriad dining choices within (think top-notch restaurants from Michael Mina and Masayoshi Takayama). The Aria is sold out New Year's Eve but a last-minute cancellation is always a possibility at a hotel this large, so it's best to call and check availability. http://www.arialasvegas.com

Is there a better location on the Strip for NYE than Planet Hollywood? We think not. The entire hotel will be party central Dec. 31st, and Starwood is helping you get in on the action with special package rates from $349 per night. The deal includes two tickets to the NYE VIP Gala on Dec. 31st (dancing and 12-piece band and DJ for the countdown, open premium bar, and live action food stations throughout party), as well as two admissions to the New Year's Day VIP Brunch. Details on the package at http://www.planethollywoodresort.com.

Views of the fireworks display are always grand at the Mandalay Bay. This year, consider their "Block Party" package, which includes one drink at five different Mandalay Bay bars. The ticket also gets you into Billboard's "New Year's Eve Live at the Mandalay Bay Beach," an event hosted by Carmen Electra with performances by Sean Kingston and others. Tickets start at just $30. More information at http://www.mandalaybay.com.

Hot Hollywood club H.Wood goes Vegas for NYE with the Lucent Dossier Experience. The collective, who performed at H.Wood several times earlier this year and previously at the Edison downtown, will give guests at the bi-level bar an interactive experience (think oracle readers, contortionists, stilt walkers) to ring in the New Year. A $100 ticket gets you open bar all night and tray-passed appetizers, while tables are available from $1,200. DJ Politik spins. More information at http://hwood-lucentdossier.eventbrite.com.

All four floors of the Kress will be packed NYE with party people, as the mega-club toasts 2010. For those seeking an open bar deal, $100 gets you access to the nightclub, restaurant and 3rd floor. High rollers should consider the $175 package, which allows access to the Kress' stunning rooftop. Bottle service from $500 (that gets you four tickets, one bottle of premium spirits and a bottle of Moet). Richard Vission spins. More info at http://www.thekress.net.

Giant, the massive annual rave-style event, takes over the Westin this year in what is sure to be one of the top tickets for the party set. This year's lineup may not be as stellar as last year's, but rest assured the 5,000-plus attendees will get the most Vegas-style bang for their buck downtown, with three areas of music from top DJs such as English trance titans Above & Beyond. Packages from just $169 a night, which includes a hotel room (always a good idea on NYE!). More info at http://giantclub.com.

Looking to get high Dec. 31st? Elevate, located on the 21st floor of an office building, might be your ticket to an affordable night out that allows you a real Vegas-esque experience in the heart of downtown Los Angeles. Pre-sale tickets are available for just $40 (tickets at the door will be $60). Limited tables can be reserved in advance by emailing reservations@elevatelounge.com, or call (213) 236-9600 for more info and pricing.

Sin City comes to Los Angeles at this party NYE in the heart of Hollywood. Expect a "Seven Deadly Sins Spectacular" dance review featuring 25 dancers whipped into shape by a choreographer who claims to have worked with artists such as Beyonce. $50 general admission or opt for the $25 after-hours (midnight to 3am) package. Tickets available via http://www.clubzone.com.

This Hollywood club may have an NYC-themed NYE party (the New York Nights "Black and White Ball") planned Dec. 31st, but the feel may well be all Vegas, thanks to hot go-go dancers and multiple bottle service options. Get your drink on early here from 9pm to midnight (with a midnight champagne toast) for just $75 admission, or bring out your high-roller friends, who hopefully won't mind paying $5,000 for the "Ultimate VIP" package (20 premium open bar tickets, three magnum bottles of Grey Goose and two bottles of Moet & Chandon Imperial). More information at http://www.playhousehollywood.com.

Who wants to go home at 2 am on the biggest party evening of the year? Late night revelers know that the Avalon is where the party goes all night long. The Hollywood club's headlining DJ for NYE, Holland's Sander Kleinenberg, doesn't even <i>start</i> until 2 am. For just $60, dancers get four rooms of music with the exclusive Bardot and adjacent Terrace opening after 2am. Email vip@avalonhollywood.com for bottle service requests. Tickets available at wantickets.com.