Here are some of Northeast Ohio's best bets:Funny Stuff
Aries Spears (The Cleveland Improv Comedy Club & Restaurant) A principal cast member on Fox's Mad TV, Spears excels in parody, impersonations, and edgy humor. Shows at 7:30 p.m. ($30) and 10:30 p.m. ($55); 21 and over. Dinner packages available. For info, visit clevelandimprov.com. The Improv is at 2000 Sycamore Street in Cleveland.
Greg Behrendt (Hilarities) Co- author of He's Just Not That into You, comedian Behrendt brings his routine to East Fourth Street for two shows at 7:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. Various dinner packages available. Tickets start at $25. For more info and tickets, call 216-241-7425 or visit pickwickandfrolic.com. Hilarities is at 2035 East Fourth St. in Cleveland.
Jeff Dunham (The CSU Wolstein Center) The comedian and ventriloquist brings his routine to town as part of his "Identity Crisis" tour. The show begins at 8 p.m. and tickets are $46.50. To order, visit wolsteincenter.com. The Wolstein Center is at 2000 Prospect Ave in Cleveland.
Onstage
Decades of Divas (Chagrin Valley Little Theatre) Enjoy a cabaret-style performance celebrating divas from Billie Holiday to Lady Gaga. The curtain opens at 8 p.m. Adult tickets are $25, and youth tix are $10. To order, visit cvlt.org or call 440-247-8955. The Little Theatre is at 40 River St. in Chagrin Falls.
New Century New Year's Eve Bash (Dobama Theatre) See the play, then enjoy hors d'oeurvres, drinks, and a drag contest. The event starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $65 for singles and $115 for couples with $10 off for subscribers. For info and tickets, visit dobama.org or call 216-932-3396. Dobama Theatre is at 2430 Lee Rd. in Cleveland Heights.
Restaurants, Bars & Clubs
Around the Corner Casino night comes with great prizes, live music from Echo Forte, a DJ dance party, and a champagne toast at midnight. No cover. The fun begins at 8 p.m. Call 216-521-4413 for details or go to atccafe.com. Around the Corner is at 18616 Detroit Rd. in Lakewood.
Bar Cento Choose a three-course dinner for $40 from 6 to 8 p.m.; or a five-course, candlelight dinner for $75 from 9 p.m. to midnight. For information and reservations, call 216-274-1010 or go to barcento.com. The restaurant is at 1948 W. 25th St. in Cleveland.
The Blonde Enjoy a buffet, three drinks, and sparkling wine for $60 per person. For more information, call 216-328-8780. The Blonde is at 6901 Rockside Rd. in Independence.
Chinato In addition to the regular menu, there will be a five-course option with a glass of champagne and an after-dinner drink for $70. Enjoy live music from 7 p.m. to midnight. Call 216-298-9080 for information and reservations or go to chinatocleveland.com. The restaurant is at 2079 East Fourth St. in Cleveland.
Fat Fish Blue Mardi Gras Masquerade Party Join in a Mardi Gras celebration with a five- course dinner and live band. Seating starts at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $54.99 per person. To order, visit fatfishblue.com or call 216-875-6000. Fat Fish Blue is at 21 Prospect Ave. in Cleveland.
Glitz & Glamor's New Year's Eve Ball (The Mediterranean Party Center) Enjoy a formal ball with open bar, party favors, dessert buffet, and live jazz, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m. Tickets are $75 each; to order, call 216-645-1663 or go to glitzandglamourentertainment.com. The Mediterranean Party Center is at 25021 Rockside Road in Bedford Heights.
Greenhouse Tavern Prix fixe dinners are $80 for carnivores and $65 for herbivores; add a wine pairing for $50, plus tax and tip For info and reservations, call 216-443-0551 or go to thegreenhousetavern.com. The restaurant is at 2038 East Fourth St. in Cleveland.
Heck's Café Four-course dinner includes a split of champagne per couple, and costs $49 per person. For reservations, call 216-861-5464 or go to heckscafe.com. The restaurant is at 2927 Bridge St. in Cleveland.
Lux Nightclub Enjoy party favors, champagne, and dancing. Tix are $15 to $20. For info, call 330-253-7777 or visit luxakron.com. Lux Nightclub is at 1 W Exchange St. in Akron.
Nautica Queen Dinner Cruise The onboard celebration includes a buffet dinner, champagne, entertainment, and party favors. Boarding begins at 8 p.m. Cost is $75 per person. For reservations, call 216-696-8888 or go to nauticaqueen.com. The Nautica Queen boards at 1153 Main Ave. on the west bank of the Flats.
New Year's Eve: Paladar Style Celebrate the New Year with a Latin menu and DJ. The party goes from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. For reservations, visit paladarlatinkitchen.com or call 216-896-9020. Paladar Latin Kitchen & Rum Bar is at 28601 Chagrin Blvd. in Woodmere.
Now That's Class Enjoy live entertainment from a lineup of local bands, along with Mexican food, and an open bar. The party starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are $30. Call 216-221-8576 for more info or visit nowthatsclass.net. Now That's Class is at 11213 Detroit Ave. in Lakewood.
Velvet Dog Tonight's VIP package includes an open bar, catered sushi buffet, and exclusive access to the VIP lounge and heated rooftop patio for $125 per person. General admission includes hats, party favors, DJs, and a champagne toast at midnight for $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Tickets are available online at velvetdogcleveland.com or call 216-664-1116. The Velvet Dog is at 1280 West Sixth St. in Cleveland.
Zdara Mediterranean Grille A four-course dinner includes a split of champagne per couple. Reservations are $49 per person; book by calling 216-535-0001. Zdara is at 1382 West Ninth St. in Cleveland's Warehouse District.
Music
Cleveland Pops New Year's Eve Concert & Dance (Severance Hall) Ring in the New Year with a concert featuring Wicked stars Erin Mackay and Stephanie J. Block, followed by dancing. The concert begins at 9 p.m. For info and tickets, call 216-231-1111 or go to clevelandpops.com. Severance Hall is at 11001 Euclid Ave. in Cleveland.
Dominick Farinacci Trumpeter Dominick Farinacci returns to his hometown with two Nighttown performances at 8 and 10 p.m. Tickets are $20. For reservations and information, call 216-795-0550 or visit nighttowncleveland.com. Dinner packages are available. Nighttown is at 12387 Cedar Rd. in Cleveland Heights.
Hotel Happenings
Cappelli's@Comfort Inn & Suites Dinner includes surf & turf, open bar, party favors, dancing, and a DJ for $80 per person. Or stay overnight with dinner and a continental breakfast for $230 per couple. For information and reservations, call 440-585-8815. Find them at 7701 Reynolds Rd. in Mentor.
Cleveland Pops Orchestra/InterContinental Enjoy a deluxe guest room, complimentary parking, transportation to and from Severance Hall, and breakfast for two the next day, beginning at $125 per couple. Price does not include concert tickets. Call 216-707-4100 for information and reservations. The InterContinental is at 9801 Carnegie Ave. in Cleveland.
Hard Rock Cafe/Renaissance Hotel Party at the Hard Rock from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with music by The Curve, an appetizer buffet, open bar, champagne toast, and deluxe accommodations at the Renaissance Hotel. Shuttle service is provided to and from the hotel. Price is $349 per couple. The Renaissance is at 24 Public Square; call 216-696-5600 or visit marriott.com/clebr for more information.
House of Blues/Hyatt Regency Enjoy dinner, a 9 p.m. concert with Journey tribute band Frontiers, and overnight accommodations at the Hyatt Regency Hotel, beginning at $287 per couple. For more information and tickets, call 216-523-2583 or visit houseofblues/cleveland.com.
Ritz-Carlton Hotel Dance to live music in the Lobby Lounge from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., while enjoying a menu of light fair and a vast selection of spirits. Cost is à la carte; reservations not required. The Ritz-Carlton is at 1515 East Third St. Call 216-623-1900 for details.
Sans Souci/Renaissance Hotel Your evening includes a three-course meal for two, live entertainment in the Lobby Court Lounge, deluxe accommodations at the Renaissance Hotel, in-room champagne, and a breakfast buffet for two, starting at $329 per couple. The Renaissance is at 24 Public Square; call 216-696-5600 or visit marriott.com/clebr for more information.
