Hello, 2011!

With New Year’s Eve falling on a Friday this year, get ready for some industrial-grade partying all weekend long. Here is a sampling of some of the coolest NYE events, parties and celebrations taking place across Southern California:

LOS ANGELES COUNTY

BENCHWARMER’S OFFICIAL 2011 LINGERIE NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Be green this New Year by celebrating at the Ecco Ultra Lounge, renown as an alternative eco-friendly club!
Ecco Ultra Lounge, 1640 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 464-2065; www.eccohollywood.com. 9PM-3AM. $25-$1,500.

C.A.R.E CHIC AND CLASSY NEW YEAR’S EVE BALL
A memorable night sure to be filled with glitz and glam.
Carson Civic Plaza, 2 Civic Plaza Dr., Carson (310) 830-9200. 7PM-1AM. $99.

CLEOPATRA’S 2011 NEW YEAR’S EVE BALL
Go into 2011 with style, elegance and grace by attending this top-rated party.
The Egyptian Theatre, 625 N. Las Palmas Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 466-3456. 9PM-2AM. $25-1950.

KRESS 2011 NEW YEAR’S EVE EXTRAVAGANZA
With a variety of different music on every floor, you’ll be sure to dance to some of your favorites while enjoying a spectacular view of the city.
Kress Hollywood, 6608 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 785-5000; www.thekress.net. 9PM-3AM. $25-2000.

A MIDNIGHT IN PARIS
Have a romantic and sophisticated New Year’s at the Playhouse.
Playhouse Hollywood, 6506 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 656-4800; www.playhousehollywood.com. 8PM-2AM. $125-$500.

MY HOUSE BLACK AND WHITE SOIREE
“Anything goes” at this old Hollywood-themed New Year’s Eve ball.
My House Nightclub, 7080 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 960-3300; www.myhousehollywood.com. 9PM-2AM. $75-7500.

NEW YEAR’S EVE GALA 2011
Enter the New Year enjoying Vegas-style entertainment featuring South Bay’s hottest DJs!
Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach & Marina Hotel, 300 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach, (310) 318-8888. 9PM-2AM. $40-$50.

TOGETHER AS ONE
How better to celebrate the start of a new year than with a choreographed countdown and fireworks?
Los Angeles Sports Arena, 3939 S. Figueroa Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 748-6136; 6PM-2AM. $60-150.

UNIVERSAL CITYWALK
A huge outdoor New Year’s Eve countdown with live music.
Universal CityWalk, Universal Studios Blvd., Los Angeles; www.citywalkhollywood.com. 9PM-12:30AM. $10-22.

VANGUARD NIGHT CLUB
Join the biggest L.A. nightclub for Vanguard’s 4^th annual New Year’s Eve extravaganza.
Vanguard Night Club, 6021 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 463-3331; www.vanguardla.com. 9PM-4AM. $40-1750.

ORANGE COUNTY

HEAT NEW YEAR’S EVE

Celebrity guests, DJs and a dress code are all part of the fun.

Heat Ultra Lounge, 321 W. Katella Ave., Anaheim, (714) 776-4328; www.heatultraloungeoc.com.

NYEOC NEW YEAR’S EVE
Some say this is the No. 1 NYE celebration in Orange County and it’s hosted by television journalist Chris Balish.
Hilton Costa Mesa, 3050 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, www.clubzone.com. 8PM-2AM. $40-350.

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT BRAVO

Dress to impress at this Latin gay club.

Bravo Night Club, 1490 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim; www.myspace.com/saturday_bravo.

OC FAIR’S NEW YEAR’S EVE BLOCK PARTY
Ring in the new year with this brand-new party provided by the OC Fair! Events include a demolition derby, hypnotist Mark Yuzuik and live music.
Orange County Fair Grounds, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa, (714) 708-1500; www.ocfair.com/blockparty. 7PM-2AM. $25 (parking $10).

A PHASING NEW YEAR’S EVE DINNER
The most anticipated New Year’s event has arrived in Orange County!
Radisson Hotel, 4545 MacArthur Blvd., Newport Beach, (949) 833-0570, www.radisson.com. 7PM.

LONG BEACH

A BOLLYWOOD NEW YEAR
Live performances by Rosalba and the Bollywood Dancers.
Tantalum, 6272 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., (562) 431-1414; www.tantalumrestaurant.com. 2:30PM-2AM.

BOUCHEE’S BISTRO
Live music, large buffet and a full view of Travis Pastrana’s attempt at a world record by driving a car off the pier.
Bouchee’s Bistro, 144 Pine Ave., (562) 951-8222; www.facebook.com/bouchees-bistro. Until 2AM.

THE CELLAR NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Enjoy the romantic atmosphere in this gracious European cuisine restaurant.
The Cellar, 305 N. Harbor Blvd., (714) 525-5682; www.cellardining.com.

COHIBA NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Usher in the new year in atmosphere bursting at the seams with great food and live music.
Cohiba Nighclub and Cigar Lounge, 110 E. Broadway, (562) 491-5220; www.cohibalongbeach.com.

DINNER AT THE RISTORANTE DA VINCI
Relish in the three- to five-course New Year’s Eve dinner and end the evening with an exciting helicopter tour over Long Beach.
Ristorante da Vinci, 2801 E. Spring St., (562) 685-8111; www.davincilb.com. Seatings at 5:30PM and 8:30PM.

DOWNTOWN CELEBRATION
Rock out to music of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s and enjoy food, drinks and fireworks.
Throughout Downtown Long Beach, (562) 436-4259; http://downtownlongbeach.org. 7PM.

EIGHTH ANNUAL NEW YEAR’S EVE YACHT PARTY
Join the best New Year’s Eve party Newport harbor has to offer aboard: The Ambassador, a 130-foot yacht.
Long Beach Harbor, 100 Aquarium Way, (949) 378 9971; www.visitlongbeach.com. 9PM-1AM. $140-165.

EL DORADO RESTAURANT
Live blues and soul with Long Beach’s Boxcar 7.
El Dorado Restaurant, 3014 North Studebaker Rd., (562) 421-2122

FRISCO’S CAR HOP
A family-friendly event with a classic Hollywood theme where guests will be “treated like stars.”

Frisco’s Carhop Restaurant Bar and Grill, 4750 Los Coyotes Diagonal, (562) 498-3663; www.friscos.com.

GALLAGHER’S BIG NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Gallagher’s Pub & Grill, 2751 E. Bdwy., 562-856-8000; www.gallagherslongbeach.com.

GASLAMP NEW YEAR’S CELEBRATION
There’s a four-course meal, live ’80s band Brat Pack and DJs spinning.
The Gaslamp Restaurant, 6251 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., (562) 596-4718; www.thegaslamprestaurant.com. $49.

HOTEL MAYA
1950’s Havana style party featuring the band Venus Infer and DJ Goldfinger. 10 percent of all ticket sales go to the Museum of Latin Art.
Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway Dr., (562) 435-7676; www.hotelmayalongbeach.com. Dinner $55-75. Havana Nights Festival $60-80.

HOUSE OF HAYDEN NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION
Watch the balloon drop at the House of Hayden bar and enjoy the music, pool tables, and drinks.
House of Hayden Bar, 421 E. First St., (562) 435-5699.

IGUANA KELLEY’S NEW YEAR’S TOAST
Iguana Kelley’s, 4306 East Anaheim St., (562) 434-0447; http://www.iguanakelleys.com.

IRISH NEW YEAR’S TOAST
New Year’s Eve toast with Ken O’Malley followed by a party with Jerry O’Phonics.
Auld Dubliner Irish Pub, 71 South Pine Ave., (562) 437-8300; www.aulddubliner.com. 4PM.

MICHAEL’S ON NAPLES
Revel in an enticing multi-course dinner or savor in the delicious open buffet.
Michael’s on Naples, 5620 E. 2nd St., (562) 439-7080; Dinner 7PM. Buffet 8:30PM. Dinner $110. Buffet $75.

MY BIG FAT GREEK NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY
Enjoy a delicious four-course meal with champagne.
George’s Greek Café, 5316 East 2nd. St., (562) 433-1755; www.georgesgreekcafe.com. Seatings for 5PM-9PM and 9PM-2AM.

NEW YEAR’S AT ALEX’S BAR
Celebrate with karaoke and live ’80s music.
Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., (562) 434-8292; www.alexsbar.com. $10.

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT THE QUEEN MARY
Enjoy the five parties hosted by The Queen Mary, all with a different music theme including big band, Latin salsa, swing, jazz, and DJs.
The Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Hwy., (562) 435-3511; www.queenmary.com. 4PM. $89.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH

Delta Nove and OO Soul will be performing live to ring in the new year.

The Rhythm Lounge, 245 Pine Ave., (562) 435-4288. www.rhythm-lounge.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BLOCK PARTY
Return of the Pine Avenue’s epic New Year’s Eve party with performances by Delta Nove, Dusty Rhodes and the River Band, and DJ Abel.
Pine Street between First Street and Broadway.

THE NEW YEAR’S EVE MYSTERY CLUB III
Downtown Long Beach’s most interactive New Year’s Eve celebration! Guests will enjoy a four-course gourmet meal while watching a murder mystery performance.
The Red Violin Café and Cabaret, 245 W. Broadway, (562) 439-8104; www.murdermysteryinc.com. 7:30PM. $100.

NEW YEAR AT THE PETROLEUM CLUB
Dance the night away with live music provided by the MP Triple J Band.
Petroleum Club, 3636 Linden Ave., (562) 577-9043; www.mptriplej.com. $20.

NYE PARTY AT SHORE ULTRA LOUNGE
Have a unique New Year’s at a nightclub that “thinks outside of the box”.
Shore Ultra Lounge, 6200 E 2nd St., (562) 277-4829; ?http://shoreultralounge.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOW
New Year’s Eve show with Shake and the Shantoozies.
DiPiazza’s Restaurant and Lounge, 5205 E Pacific Coast Hwy., (562) 498-2461; www.dipiazzas.com.

SIP RESTAURANT
Sip’s New Year’s Eve party at the Renaissance Hotel.
Sip at The Renaissance Hotel, 111 E. Ocean Blvd., (562) 437-5900; www.siplongbeach.com.

INLAND EMPIRE

BOWLING OR BINGO AT FANTASY SPRINGS

You can try your luck at bingo (and $50,000 in cash prizes) or just bowl the night away.

Fantasy Springs Casino and Resort, 84245 Indio Springs Pkwy., Indio, (760) 342-5000; www.fantasyspringsresort.com.

MIRANDA LAMBERT IN CONCERT

Country music sensation Miranda Lambert is headlining this special show.

Pechanga Resort & Casino, 45000 Pechanga Pkwy., Temecula, (951) 770-7455; www.pechanga.com.

THE PRESS RESTAURANT

A special menu from Chef Oscar, live entertainment from The Claremont Voodoo Society and complimentary champagne toast.

The Press Restaurant, 129 Harvard Ave., Claremont, (909) 625-4808; www.thepressrestaurant.com. Dinner served 5PM.

NYE PARTY AT MARIO’S PLACE

Expect a special dinner and music from not one, but two DJs.

Mario’s Place, 3646 Mission Inn Ave., Riverside, (951) 684-7755; www.mariosplace.com.

NEW YEAR’S EVE BASH

Line dancing and live tunes by Ashley Runner & The Midnite Runners.

The Maverick, 3841 Old Hamner Rd., Norco, (951) 734-6640; www.mavericksaloonnorco.com.