New Year in Los Angeles

Consider the pros and cons of your New Year’s Eve reveling options.

1. Stay home: inexpensive and safe, but potentially dull, with a chance of Ryan Seacrest overload.

2. Go out: somewhat expensive, and safe if someone’s a designated driver, but never dull, especially if you’re into dining, dancing, imbibing and listening to music.

For those who decide to venture out to usher in 2011, here are some local places to find food, champagne and entertainment, or if you’re the silent type, contemplation (at Meditation Mount in Ojai or Place of Peace in Ventura):

Agoura Hills

The Canyon: The 1980s British new wave band A Flock of Seagulls will perform during the club’s New Year’s celebration, which includes dinner and a champagne toast at midnight. Expect to hear a flock of A Flock of Seagulls hits, including “I Ran (So Far Away),” “Space Age Love Song” and “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You).” Doors open at 6 p.m.; party starts at 8 p.m.; A Flock of Seagulls performs at 11 p.m. 28912 Roadside Drive. $49.50 for a guaranteed dinner seat (does not include the cost of the meal), $34.50 for general admission. 818-879-5016; http://www.canyonclub.net.

Calabasas

Sagebrush Cantina: The restaurant will offer two New Year’s celebrations. In the afternoon, a British-style party with pub food, British beers and a DJ will end with a countdown to New Year’s Eve at Greenwich Mean Time (4 p.m. PST). No cover charge. At 9 p.m., the cantina’s tent party will feature a gourmet buffet, music by the band Neighbors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Reservations recommended. $35 singles, $60 couples. 23527 Calabasas Road. 818-222-6062; http://www.sagebrushcantina.com.

Fillmore

Fillmore & Western Railway: Passengers (21 and older only) aboard a vintage passenger train will dine, dance and be entertained by character impersonators and fortune tellers. The ride also will include party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 364 Main St. $110 singles, $201 couples. Reservations: 524-2546; http://www.fwry.com.

Newbury Park

Azar’s Sports Bar & Steakhouse: The restaurant’s New Year’s bash will include a filet mignon dinner, an open bar, live music by Johnny 5, a champagne toast and a free ride home. Dinner served at 7 p.m.; Johnny 5 will perform 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. 2215 Michael Drive. $110. 498-2365; http://www.azarssportsbar.com.

Ojai

Deer Lodge: The New Year’s celebration will include music by Doors tribute group the Cliff Morrison Band and dinner. Call for time and price. 2261 Maricopa Highway. 646-4256; http://www.ojaideerlodge.net.

Ojai Valley Woman’s Club: The Ojai Concert Series will host a family-friendly New Year’s Eve concert at the Woman’s Club featuring SoCal Celtic-bluegrass band Sligo Rags, plus dancing and a potluck party (bring a finger food or dessert). 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. 441 E. Ojai Ave. $20 general admission, $10 kids younger than 15. 665-8852; http://www.ojaiconcertseries.com.

Theater 150: The Dance Club’s New Year’s Eve Bash will feature Freddy and the Toasters with Jimmy Calire, a no-host bar and a late-night buffet. 9 p.m. 316 E. Matilija St. $15. 646-4300; http://www.theater150.org.

Meditation Mount: A New Year’s Eve meditation to set intentions for 2011 will begin at 11:30 p.m. at the center. Sparkling and hot apple cider will be served afterward. 10340 Reeves Road. 646-5508; http://www.meditation.com.

Oxnard

Embassy Suites Mandalay Hotel & Resort: The hotel at Mandalay Beach will hold a celebration featuring live music by House Arrest, a champagne toast at midnight, a balloon drop, party favors and a four-course dinner at Capistrano’s Restaurant, with seatings at 6 p.m. ($90) and 9 p.m. ($130). 2101 Mandalay Beach Road. 984-2500; http://www.mandalaybeach.embassysuites.com.

La Dolce Vita: The restaurant’s celebration will feature a special four-course dinner. Call for time. 740 South B St. $45-$55. 486-6878; http://www.ladolcevitadimare.com.

The Q Club: The Hyacinth Preservation Society, a nonprofit that works to save the endangered hyacinth macaw, will hold a fundraising New Year’s Eve bash featuring comedian Eljaye Montenegro, food, music, door prizes and party favors. 7 p.m. 2362 N. Oxnard Blvd., Suite 107. $35 at the door. 775-297-2906; http://www.hyacinthpreservation.com.

Santa Paula

Call for location: Diamonds, Spies & Private Eyes — a fundraising dinner, auction and party for the Boys & Girls Club of Santa Clara Valley — will take place at a “top secret” location (to be revealed when you call for a reservation). Activities will include cocktails, silent and live auctions, dinner, dancing, a “clandestine casino” and champagne toast. Guests are invited to dress as their favorite spy or private eye. 7:30 p.m.-midnight. $86. Child care for kids 13 and younger ($40 per child) will be available 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. at the Boys & Girls Club in Santa Paula; reservations required. 525-7910; http://www.bgcscv.org.

Simi Valley

Arena Bar & Grill: Ring in the New Year with host Jim “Poorman” Trenton, live music by The Tasty Thieves (featuring Kevin Hogan, lead singer of Fantastic Diamond), DJ Duck E, party favors and a champagne toast at midnight. 7 p.m. 999 Enchanted Way, inside the Grand Vista Hotel. $15; $10 for guests staying at the hotel. 217-8229; http://arenasimi.com.

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library: The library’s second annual celebration in the Air Force One Pavilion will feature dinner, dancing and live music by the Pat Long Orchestra. Reservations required. 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. 40 Presidential Drive. $125. 577-4057; http://www.reaganfoundation.org/events.

Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center: The center’s New Year’s Eve gala will include a ticket to the opening night performance of “Rent,” to be followed by a party with food and music by Kounterfeit Change. 8 p.m. 3050 Los Angeles Ave. $75; $45 for show or party only. 583-7900; http://www.simi-arts.org.

Thousand Oaks

Eric’s Restaurant & Bar: The restaurant, inside the Palm Garden Hotel, will offer a three-course meal, with seatings at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m., plus party favors and a midnight toast. 495 N. Ventu Park Road. $35. 716-4100; http://www.palmgardenhotel.com.

Fiamme Restaurant: The Headliners Comedy Club@Fiamme will host a Laugh in the New Year celebration featuring comedians, a buffet and champagne. 6-9 p.m. for East Coast New Year’s party, 9:30 p.m.-midnight for West Coast party. 3731 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. Call for price. 497-9444; http://www.fiammerestaurant.com.

Goebel Senior Adult Center: The center will hold a daytime celebration featuring lunch, dancing, door prizes and a noontime sparkling cider toast. Call to register. 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1385 E. Janss Road. $15. 381-2744; http://www.goebelsenioradultcenter.org.

Thousand Oaks Teen Center: The center’s annual New Year’s Eve celebration for seventh- and eighth-graders will feature music by DJ Slik, a light and video show, a soda bar, free pizza, giveaways and a balloon drop at midnight. 8 p.m. to 12:15 a.m. 1375 E. Janss Road. $10. 494-5156; http://www.thousandoaksteencenter.com.

Ventura

Billy O’s: The bar will celebrate with live punk music by The F---ing Wrath, Gun of a Son and Char-Man, plus a midnight champagne toast. 9 p.m. 2819 E. Main St. 652-0327; http://billyosventura.com.

Brooks Restaurant: The restaurant will feature a special four-course meal and a champagne toast. 5-10:30 p.m. 545 E. Thompson Blvd. $50-$66; a two-course menu for children 12 and younger will be available for $15. 652-7070; http://www.restaurantbrooks.com.

Cafe Fiore: The restaurant will feature a three-course menu 5-7:30 p.m. ($60) and a four-course menu 8-11 p.m. ($80), plus a ’70s live band, a DJ and party favors. $10 cover charge starting at 9 p.m. for guests who don’t purchase dinner. 66 S. California St. 653-1266; http://www.fiorerestaurant.net.

Crowne Plaza Hotel: The hotel’s New Year’s Eve event will feature a four-course dinner, dancing and a champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 7 p.m.; dinner at 8 p.m. 450 E. Harbor Blvd. $100 for dinner and dance, $25 for dance only (starting at 10:30 p.m.). 648-2100; http://www.cpventura.com.

Jonathan’s at Peirano’s: The restaurant will offer a four-course meal that includes a champagne toast. Call for seating times. 207 E. Main St. $75. 648-4853; http://www.jonathansatpeiranos.com.

My Florist Café & Bar: John Bennett Perry, Tony Perry and The Perry Brothers Band will perform. Complimentary bruschetta served at 6:30 p.m.; dinner at 7:30; concert at 9; champagne toast at midnight. 76 S. Oak St., Ventura. $65 singles, $125 couples. 653-0003.

Pierpont Inn: The hotel will offer dinner seatings at 5:30 and 8 p.m., and a champagne toast. 550 Sanjon Road. $80. 643-6144; http://www.pierpontinn.com.

Place of Peace: After songs, food and activities from 10-11:45 p.m., A Place of Peace will host a New Year’s Eve peace meditation at 11:45 p.m. 2021 Sperry Ave., Suite 22. 794-9878; http://www.aplaceofpeace.org.

SideCar Restaurant: The eatery will offer a three-course dinner menu and champagne. 5-11:30 p.m. 3029 E. Main St. $65. 653-7433; http://www.thesidecarrestaurant.com.

Ventura Harbor Comedy Club: Stand-up comics Mark Eddie and Ron Morey will headline the club’s New Year’s Eve bash, which includes dinner, party favors and a champagne toast. 5:30-9 p.m. for East Coast New Year’s, 8:30 p.m.-midnight for West Coast. $65; $35 for show only. 644-1500; http://www.venturaharborcomedyclub.com.

Ventura Improv Company: The theater’s annual New Year’s comedy improv show, a family-friendly event that ends early, will also feature hors d’oeuvres, a dessert buffet, a champagne toast (with soft drinks for kids) and a silent auction. 7-10:30 p.m. 34 N. Palm St. $30 general admission, $15 ages 16 and younger. 643-5701; http://www.venturaimprov.com.

Zoey’s Cafe: The venue will offer a three-course dinner, music by gospel rocker Brother Sal and his band and singer-songwriter Brian Wright, a champagne toast and a midnight snack. Dinner seatings at 7, 7:30, 8 and 8:30 p.m.; concert starts at 9 p.m. 185 E. Santa Clara St. $50 singles, $100 couples. 652-1137; http://www.zoeyscafe.com. (To read an interview with Brother Sal, see page 12.)

Westlake Village

Bogies Lounge: The bar’s New Year’s Eve Venetian Masquerade Ball will feature live music, a DJ, gaming tables, dancing and a champagne toast. Formal ball attire is encouraged. 8 p.m. 32001 Agoura Road, on the grounds of the Westlake Village Inn. $60. 818-889-2394; http://www.bogies-bar.com.

Up north

Chumash Casino: A New Year’s Eve dance party will feature disco tribute band Boogie Knights and ’80s band The Spazmatics. 9 p.m. 3400 E. Highway 246, Santa Ynez. Free. 800-248-6274; http://www.chumashcasino.com.

The Granada: The Santa Barbara Symphony presents its New Year’s Eve pops concert featuring songs from such films as “E.T.,” “Pocahontas,” “Dr. Zhivago” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.” 8:30 p.m. 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. $35-$150. 899-2222; http://www.thesymphony.org.

SOhO: The club’s New Year’s Eve event, for ages 21 and older only, will feature an Oceans of Light theme, music by the Animal Liberation Orchestra, a champagne toast and an optional four-course dinner. Dinner reservations start at 7 p.m.; doors open for concert-only ticket holders at 9 p.m. 1221 State St., Santa Barbara. $100 for dinner and concert, $45 for concert only. 962-7776; http://www.sohosb.com.

Down south

Egyptian Theatre: Cleopatra’s New Year’s Eve Ball 2011 at the famed Hollywood theater will feature Egyptian-themed rooms, a heated outdoor courtyard, six DJs, a giant LED wall show, two dance floors, five full bars, go-go dancers, a balloon drop and more. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. 6712 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. $150-$2,000. http://www.clubzone.com.

El Portal Theatre: Comedian Adam Carolla, with “special guests,” will do two live stand-up shows at the theater for New Year’s Eve. 7:30 and 10 p.m. 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. $75. 866-811-4111; http://www.elportaltheatre.com.

Hollywood Palladium: Giant Club presents a New Year’s Eve party with ATB and the reunion of DJs Gabriel & Dresden, plus Dresden & Johnston, Kristina Sky and Francis Preve. 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. 6215 W. Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles. $75-$135. http://giantclub.com/nye.

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel: The sixth annual NYE Ball will feature music by Shiny Toy Guns, the EC Twins, Cece Sheffield, DJ Mei-Lwun, Zack Hill, Omar Cash and others, plus balloon drops, a champagne toast and appetizers. 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. 7000 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. $110-$200. http://fla.vor.us (enter “Hollywood Roosevelt” in the keyword search box).

Los Angeles Sports Arena: Go Ventures and Insomniac present Together as One, an electronic music festival and New Year’s Eve celebration. The music lineup will feature Laidback Luke, Markus Schulz, Wolfgang Gartner, Dada Life, Richard Vission, Major Lazer, Jack Beats, DJ Reza, Rusko and many more. 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. 3939 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles. $60-$150. http://www.newyearsevela.com.

Viceroy Santa Monica Hotel: Public radio station KCRW and Om Records will host Twenty Eleven, a celebration with music spun by DJs Mayer Hawthorn, Classixx, Jason Bentley and Raul Campos. The event will include an open bar and hors d’oeuvres, dancing and a midnight toast. 9 p.m. 1819 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. $200-$250. 310-260-7507; http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/santamonica/newyearseve.

Walt Disney Concert Hall: Tony- and Emmy-winning vocalist Kristin Chenoweth will perform two New Year’s Eve concerts with backup singers, a band and dancers, featuring music from “Glee,” “Promises, Promises,” “Wicked” and more. 7 and 10:30 p.m. 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. $60-$176. 323-850-2000; http://www.laphil.com.

Source:vcstar.com)