Watcha gonna do?

If by now you haven’t etched in stone some kind of New Year’s plan, well … uh, I dunno what that means. Maybe you’re lazy, or like most righteous people in the world, just an imperiled procrastinator. Perhaps this is a sore spot for you, something for which the prospect of 2006 affords the luxury of anticipated relief.

Regardless of the psychological, philosophical or utterly personal aspects of a thing like the New Year, there are thousands of others who are ready to drink, rock and dry hump on dancefloors all the way into January. Chances are, someone will pressure you into just such a thing, in which case you may consider consulting the following, a relatively rotund collection of New Year’s Eve happenings.

Alternative: Boomchik performs. There are about 300 tickets available, so get on it. $10; 9:30 p.m.; 21+.
Bearno’s by the Bridge: Open bar, champagne toast at midnight, all-you-can-eat buffet, party favors, DJ Larry, Strumbeat, Butch Rice, and so on. $65 individual, group rates available; 8 p.m.
Bluegrass Brewing Co.: Emily’s Garden performs, with a champagne toast at midnight. $5; 10 p.m.; 21+.
Connection: DJ Seth Gold, who’s garnered considerable praise on the gay college DJ circuit, spends arguably the biggest party night of the year in Louisville. Word. $20; 11 p.m.-6 a.m.; 21+.
Gerstle’s: Digby, The Trust (nee Herbie Hinkle Ensemble). There will be a champagne toast, a toaster oven giveaway and free admission if you know the secret handshake (ask the bands about that …). $5; 10 p.m.; 21+.
Hard Rock Café: Two sets by Eclectic, bisected by a midnight toast. $5; 10:30 p.m.; 21+.
Jazz Factory at Glassworks: First annual “New Year’s Eve Jazz Dance Extravaganza,” with music by the Jerry Tolson Quartet and high-stakes grub from Jarfi’s. $100 advance tickets; seatings are at 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.
Jim Porter’s: Four bands on four stages in this order — The Lunatics, Boogie Men Blues, Sigmund Fudd, Leigha Johnson & Tone Control. At midnight there will be a champagne toast and giant balloon “ball drop.” Also, big-screen TVs will broadcast the live feed from Times Square. $25 advance; 6 p.m.; 21+.
Phoenix Hill: This year’s “The Last Blast” will feature bands 99MPH, Jefferson Tarc Bus, King Sonic, Blowfly, and Robby Cox. Champagne toast at midnight; big screens will broadcast the live feed from Times Square, so you can watch the ball fall, if that’s your thing. $25 advance; 7 p.m.; 21+.
Red Lounge: “New Year’s Eve Lock In” features tons of good food, drink, and music (“To the Modern Age”) with DJs Brett and Nathan. Midnight champagne toast, live telecast of Times Square, and so forth. $50; 9 p.m.; 21+.
Rudyard Kipling: “Ken Pyle’s Rockin’ New Year’s Eve” features Bad Blood, Venus Trap, Lucky Pineapple and Ultra Pulverize, with special guest the Midnite Grrrlie Revue. $5; 10 p.m.; 21+
Seidenfaden’s: Johnny Berry & the Outliers. Late. Cheap. 21+. ‘Nuff said.
Union Station: A metal New Year’s Eve, with Black Empire and Real Time. $5; 8 p.m.; 21+.

This article appears in December 28, 2005.