A New Year's Eve Events Guide

From fancy cocktails in the Flats and fine dining in the suburbs, to your favorite live performers at venues city wide — and, of course, downtown's Cleveland Rocks New Year's Eve outdoor bash — Northeast Ohio will be ringing in 2015 with style. There's nothing worse than trying to find a dinner reservation or suitable party the day before the New Year (especially when you told your significant other that you'd do it weeks ago), so check out some of our favorite options below and get prepped. Throw on some appropriate clothes (a three-piece suit? an evening gown? mittens?) and forget about your New Year's resolutions for a few more hours as you get down to the only important business of New Year's Eve: celebrating.

Lago: Old Hollywood New Year's Eve Party: Live it up in Old Hollywood splendor with live performances by local R&B phenom Lauren Lanzaretta and DJ Flaco Flash. The ticket price is steep, but for all-inclusive premium drinks (and a chance to stay at the swanky aLoft Hotel at the highest price point) this is the NYE party for those of you who reserve your extravagant partying for one or two nights a year. Great views, great vibes. Doors: 7:30 p.m., open bar until 2 a.m., dinner service 8 p.m.- 11 p.m., late-night snacks service 11:30-1 a.m. Tickets: $175 per person, $300 per couple; $500 per couple includes a room at the aLoft Hotel. 1091 West 10th St., 216-862-8065, lagoeastbank.com.

WXYZ NYE Party: If you love the aLoft Hotel and the new Flats development, but aren't wild about Lago's Old Hollywood party atmosphere, enjoy the heavy hors d'oeuvres and high-end open bar of its next-door neighbor. Again, it's pretty steep, but the live band, midnight champagne toast and dynamite open bar might be worth it for the affluent crowd. Doors: 7:30 p.m., dinner 8-10 p.m. Tickets: $125 per person, $250 per couple. 1111 West 10th St., 216-400-6469, aloftclevelanddowntown.com.

American Legion Post 421: New Year's Eve Gala: Most NYE parties have an open bar, and the American Legion's is no exception. But few NYE parties have a champagne, kielbasa and sauerkraut toast at midnight. After the catered buffet dinner and boppin' live tunes by the Turnaround Band (rock 'n' roll dance classics from the '50s, '60s, and '70s), here's hoping you've got room for some hearty ethnic fare to ring in 2015. Party favors included! Doors: 6:30 p.m. - 12:30 a.m. Tickets: $65 per person. 22001 Brookpark Rd., Fairview Park, 216-509-7444.

The Improv: NYE With Mike Polk: Before (or after) your NYE din din, Uber or Lyft it over to the Improv and check out Cleveland's own Mike Polk Jr. for a very special holiday standup comedy set. Polk's always a hoot to see live, and he'll surely have something special cooked up for the glittering NYE crowds. Best part is, after his set, you can head over to the Flats or the Warehouse District for a champagne toast or late-night dancing. Doors: 7:30 p.m., 10 p.m. Tickets: $25 (21+). 1148 Main Ave., 216-696-4677, clevelandimprov.com.

Liquid: NYE Party: Liquid will be bumpin' all night long, but enjoy the open bar from 7 to 9 p.m., a champagne toast at midnight and a string of DJs on the ones and twos until the wee wee hours in the Warehouse District. The ticket price is cheaper than most — it doesn't include a dinner, notably — but if you're looking for drinks and dancing, you can't do much better. Doors: 7 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. Tickets: $30. 1212 West Sixth St., 216-479-7717, liquidcleveland.com.

Iron City Cafe: NYE Bash: If you want a little bit of everything for your NYE bash, try Iron City Cafe on Jennings Road for a change of pace. For $50, you'll get a steak dinner, five drinks, and a midnight champagne toast. Plus, Iron City will be distributing party favors and will have a DJ spinning hits while you load up on appetizers and libations. Doors: 7 p.m. - 2:30 a.m. Tickets: $50. 4002 Jennings Rd., 216-331-2259, facebook.com/ironcitycafe.

Agora: New Year's Evil 7: Twizted headlines a night of manic metal, with Blaze, Swag Toof, Ajax and Insane Eric rounding out the bill. Paint your face, smash a chair: Do whatever you gotta do to get into the partying mood, 'cause that's what tonight is all about. Doors: 6 p.m. Tickets: $27 in advance; $30 day of show. 5000 Euclid Ave., 216-881-2221, clevelandagora.com.

Ristorante Stella Mia: NYE Dinner: This might not be your only stop of the evening, but it certainly could be. Maybe, for instance, you live in Westlake — it's possible! — and have no interest in driving downtown for drunken dancing. Maybe you'd prefer to enjoy a delicious three-course meal with your spouse or significant other. For only $45, you'll get three Italian courses and a midnight champagne toast, all in the comfort and quiet of this handsome westside suburb. Doors: 5 p.m. Tickets: $45. 28751 Center Ridge Rd., Westlake, 440-250-2143, stellamiawestlake.com.

CLE Rocks NYE: The Big Party Downtown: In its second year, CLE NYE, this year on Mall B, expects to attract upwards of 20,000 guests! (Last year's inaugural bash on Public Square had 15,000 Clevelanders waving glowsticks in the cold and snow and the response was overwhelmingly positive). If you're into the Times Square-type outdoor extravaganza, this is the event for you. Machine Gun Kelly is slated to headline during the 10 o'clock hour, and a beer garden, food trucks and fireworks will all be part of the package. Bring hats and gloves and scarves (and plenty of cash) for this romp which is fast becoming an NEO holiday tradition, thanks to Alonzo Mitchell and his Ohio Homecoming gang. There's already a countdown on the website! Doors: 8 p.m. Tickets: $10, general; $150 VIP, which includes hors d'oeuvres, five drinks, heated indoor space, coat check and complimentary parking. clenye.com.