Dropped the ball with New Year's Eve plans? It's time to get excited, there's a whole city's worth of open bars and festive party hats just waiting for your RSVP. Check out your options, make your reservations and have a coming of age chat with your liver, because 2013 is coming, whether you're ready or not.
Cirque Banquiste -- Before your well-compensated sitter takes over the night shift, spend some quality time with the kids at the Dallas Children's Theater, 5938 Skillman St., for Cirque Banquiste at 6:30 p.m. They'll be mesmerized by the acrobats, performing multicolored canines and general circus-themed merriment; use the experience to neutralize tomorrow's "too hungover to make breakfast pancakes" guilt. Tickets are $20 to $46.
DFW Soiree Countdown 2013 -- A massive celebration at the Omni Dallas Convention Center, 555 South Lamar St., takes over the entire third floor. Strut your stuff on the red carpet, try your luck in the Las Vegas-style casino lounge, or just lurk by the dinner buffet -- nothin' wrong with that. Count it down at midnight with a glass of Champagne and a coveted paper party hat. Tickets are $99; tables start at $1,500.
The Shape of Things to Come New Year's Eve 2013 at The Texas Theater -- The 81-year-old venue hosts a time machine-themed dance party with music from Tearist and Yesterday's Gold. Dress in garb from whatever era suits ya best and get ready to groove into 2013 with host George Quartz. Champagne toast at midnight, naturally. Tickets are $20 at prekindle.com.
98.7 Rockin' New Year's Eve Party -- The Hilton Anatole, 2201 North Stemmons Freeway, hosts some serious retro radio revelry in the Chantilly Ballroom during this dancefest. Bring back old memories, make some new ones ... and then stumble upstairs to sleep it off in a plush Anatole room. Tickets are $98 per person; hotel packages start at $298. Call 214-761-2987.
Champagne and Caviar at Ku De Ta -- Is it a dream come true? Perhaps. Our favorite nightlife columnist, Deb Doing Dallas and our favorite artistic street gang, the Caviar Club, have joined forced with DJs Blake Ward and Tony Schwa. Hold up, it gets better: They're all throwing a New Year's Eve megabashapalooza at Ku De Ta, our favorite not-quite-secret swimming pool, bar and cabana party space behind Three Sheets. There's no cover with RSVP (hit 'em up on Facebook), and since Grey Goose and Perrier Jouet are sponsors, the drink prices will stay mellow. Get swanky, Dallas. Let's clink a glass.
NYE Bash at the Granada -- Since you've come to rely on the Granada for every other great party of 2012, doesn't it make sense to close the curtain there as well? Of course it does, and everyone else in Dallas agrees, since their NYE Bash is reliably one of the city's most popular tickets. You get music from Jonathon Tyler & the Northern Lights, Somebody's Darling and Quaker City Nighthawks -- all for $24. (There are limited $80 VIP tickets too.)
Big Freedia at Club Dada -- New Orleans bounce queen Big Freedia rolls into the Big D for this booty-droppin' New Year's Eve party at Club Dada, 2720 Elm St. Tickets are $18.
Sarah Jaffe at The Kessler -- The best voice in local music meets the best acoustics in local music at this laid-back affair at The Kessler. Doors open at 8 p.m.; tickets are $22.50 at prekindle.com.
Double-Wide's NYE 2013 with The Gorehounds and Rich Girls -- Start with a Cramps cover band, add in a Hall and Oates tribute and then shake with a healthy helping of Tang and rum. The result? One deliciously refreshing New Year's Eve experience. $10 at prekindle.com.
Zouk's Maxim Masquerade -- We'd expect nothing less of Zouk (703 McKinney Ave.) than a night of eardrum-assailing music, glowsticks and scantily clad Maxim ladies guaranteed to keep you going until 3 a.m. Most important: four bars. Tickets start at $40.
And finally, no matter where you end up this New Year's Eve, keep the number for Tipsy Tow handy. It's 1-800-222-4357, and they'll come get your drunk ass from your designated celebration location -- plus tow your car home. Happy New Year!
