Farewell 2009: Where To Go On New Year's Eve

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EVEN WE CAN'T be curmudgeonly about New Year's Eve. You are not staying home; there's too much fun to be had. Go out, find an open bar and some new friends, come home full of new ideas. Next year will be different! You'll take up the violin! You'll write that novel! You'll quit your job!

Hold up, tiger. Let's start by getting you to the right party. You have to take it from there.

THE FATBACK DJS oversee this enormous hipster party, which will include laser tag and an open bar. The Brightest Young Things understand that this is the most sublime combination since peanut butter and bananas. Cover is $45, or $30 for those under 21 who won't be using the open bar. A buffet is $10 extra.
» Capitol Skyline Hotel, 10 I St. SW; Thu., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., $30-$45; 202-488-7500. (Navy Yard)

JOIN THE FREAKS at Palace of Wonders for a burlesque New Year's Eve. Sword swallowing and champagne might not seem like a good idea, but they probably won't allow you near any swords. This is as close as D.C. gets to a crazy rave, plus if you get bored you can roam H Street for other options.
» Palace of Wonders, 1210 H St. NW; Thu., Dec. 31, 10 p.m., $20; 202-398-7469.

SURE, YOU CAN always make the choice not to drink on New Year's. But if you want an actual alcohol-free event, try the swing dancing party at the Spanish Ballroom, with music by Lady Luck and the Suicide Kings. It's a bit of a trek, but you can get a one-hour dance lesson before the jamming starts so you don't embarrass yourself.

» Glen Echo Park Spanish Ballroom, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Glen Echo, Md.; Thu., Dec. 31, 8 p.m., $20; 301-492-6229.

COSTUME PARTIES aren't always a New Year's thing, but Commonwealth taps into a British tradition with its Tarts and Vicars party. Dress as a lady of questionable virtue or a member of the clergy. There's no cover and the best costume gets a prize. You can get a three-course prix fixe dinner for $45 between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m., but it's not mandatory.
» Commonwealth, 1400 Irving St. NW; Thu., Dec. 31, 9 p.m., free; 202-265-1400. (Columbia Heights)

Photo by Dennis Drenner/The Washington Post