New Year's at Capitale   (Photo: Courtesy JoonBug Productions)

Where to Go If You're...

(Photo: Courtesy of Mattias Elgemark)

...a Rock-and-Roll Geek
Clap Your Hands Say Yeah
Hammerstein Ballroom, 311 W. 34th St., nr. Eighth Ave.; 212-485-1534
The self-made Brooklyn quintet wrap up a stellar year with a performance of contagiously popular rock ditties.
• Time: 9:30 p.m.
• Price: $35–$42

...a Velvet-Rope Vaulter
Capitale's Fourth Annual New Year's Eve Gala
130 Bowery, nr. Grand St.; 212-334-5500
A busy, boozy bacchanal with drop-ins (if you're lucky) from celebrities du jour.
• Time: 7 p.m.–6 a.m.
• Price: $150; $200 VIP access; $275 VIP Table

(Photo: Courtesy of Piper Ferguson)

...a WNYC Subscriber
Radio 4
Mercury Lounge, 217 E. Houston St., nr. Essex St.; 212-260-4700
You'll probably be hungover during Brian Lehrer's January 1 broadcast, so catch this NYC raggae-punk band for an edifying dose of politics.
• Time: 8 p.m.
• Price: $25

(Photo: Courtesy of Chrissy Piper)

...a Graying Grup
Ida, With Mates of State
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., nr. Church St.; 212-219-3132
If you shop at Brooklyn Industries but you like to get to bed before midnight, catch Ida at 7:30 p.m. The openers' lovely, textured avant-garde rock might just upstage the headlining Mates of State.
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Price: $20

(Photo: Tribeca Grand)

...a $20 Martini Quaffer
Tribeca Grand 2007 Party
2 Ave. of the Americas, at White St.; 212-519-6600
There's a ball-dropping at midnight, but Times Square seems a million miles away at this glam hotel affair.
• Time: 9 p.m.–1 a.m.
• Price: $149–$249

(Photo: Courtesy of Kevin Yatarola)

...a Bernhard Diehard
Sandra Bernhard: New Year's Weekend
Joe's Pub, 425 Lafayette St., nr. Astor Pl.; 212-539-8777
The foul-mouthed comedienne disses the year that was with inimitable style.
• Time: 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
• Price: $45–$150

(Photo: Sara Cardace)

...a CBGB Refugee
Patti Smith
Bowery Ballroom, 6 Delancey St., nr. Bowery; 212-533-2111
Another year. Another concert. And a punk poetess who's like no other.
• Time: 9 p.m.
• Price: $40–$55

...a Sucker for the Old TRL
The Official Carson Daly New Year's Eve Party
Roseland Ballroom; 239 W. 52nd St., nr. Broadway; 212-247-0200
The biggest and most affordable of the city's big-box celebrations, pre-hosted by 50 Cent and joined by the invincible Carson Daly after midnight.
• Time: 9 p.m.–4 a.m.
• Price: $35 general admission; $85 seated VIP

(Photo: Courtesy of Andrew Francke)

...a Union Square Bongo Banger
New Years Eve Late-Night U-Melt
Knitting Factory, 74 Leonard St., nr. Church St.; 212-219-3132
These prog-rock groovers' last album was stonerifically titled The I's Mind. Plus they jam for, like, seven hours, which will transport you deep into the New Year.
• Time: 2 a.m.
• Price: $20 advanced; $25 day of show

(Photo: Courtesy of Foreign Islands)

...a Bushwick Blogger
Return of the 12 Hour Party People
Williamsburg White Room, S. 3rd St. at Roebling St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
With Filter Magazine sponsoring and disco-punkers Foreign Islands playing, this sun-down-to-sun-up blowout promises to be the ultimate year end destination for indie rock scenesters.
• Time: 6 p.m.
• Price: $15

Additional reporting by Amos Barshad.