Resolve to have a blast

Official Playboy New Year’s Eve Celebration
Pitbull, who’s had a prominent presence on 2009’s club scene with hits “I Know You Want Me” and “Hotel Room Service,” performs live as part of the Hilton’s 2010 New Year’s bash with support from local electro sensations Jump Smokers and DJs Dante the Don, Rock City, Tony Arzadon and Flipside. For high rollers, VIP tickets include a meet-and-greet with ten Playmates and access to the Playboy casino, hosted by Miss January and Miss February 2010. Hilton Chicago, 720 S Michigan Ave (312-922-4400, globaladrenaline.net). 9pm–2am, $155–$205.—Josh P. Ferguson

Navy Pier New Year’s Eve Bash
Start the party downtown with games, dancing and all-ages interactive shows at Winter Wonderfest from 6–8pm. Then, ring in the new year a wee bit early with a countdown to 2010 followed by an 8:15pm fireworks show. There’s a midnight show, too, if the rugrats can stay awake. 600 E Grand Ave (312-595-7437, navypier.com). Free.—Judy Sutton Taylor

The Poseidon Adventure at the Music Box
For revelry on the campy side, ring in the decade with the doomed passengers of the Poseidon. For the second New Year’s Eve in a row, Camp Midnight is screening The Poseidon Adventure, timed so that you toast along with the revelers in the movie. Fortunately, you won’t have to crawl through the bowels of the Music Box to survive the night. Leave that sort of thing to Shelley Winters and Gene Hackman. 3733 N Southport Ave (773-871-6604, brownpapertickets.com). 11pm, $20.—Hank Sartin

2nd Story New Year’s Eve
Celebrate in narrative style with storytelling outfit 2nd Story. Four writer-performers will regale the crowd with new tales, each paired with a $10 signature cocktail; mixing Champagne, Cointreau and brandy, “the Resolution” might be fatal for your own. In between, enjoy live music and dancing. Red Kiva, 1108 W Randolph St (312-226-5577; 2ndstory.serendipitytheatre.org). 9:30pm; $35, advance $25.—John Beer

A Perennial New Year’s Celebration
Fancy meals are great, but wouldn’t it be nicer to end the year with a steak and candy bar? Perennial chef Ryan Poli offers the best of both worlds with his playful New Year’s dinner, which starts with a Lyonnaise salad, then moves on to a spicy tomato risotto with rock shrimp, a grilled filet and finally, a chocolate-hazelnut “adult candy bar” for dessert. 1800 N Lincoln Ave (312-981-7070). 5:30pm seating $55, 8:30pm seating $75 (second seating includes a glass of Champagne at midnight).—Julia Kramer

New Year’s Eve Cornstravaganza
The yuksters of Corn offer two sets of sketch, improv and stand-up comedy to help you laugh in 2010. If the jokes don’t have you rolling in the aisles, the open bar just might. Admission includes food and a Champagne toast at midnight, followed by dancing. Cornservatory, 4210 N Lincoln Ave (312-409-6435, cornservatory.org). 8pm; $45, couples $80.—JB

Jens Lekman
Lekman’s romantic Swedish pop makes boys and girls weak in the knees. It certainly doesn’t hurt that the baritone croons his lugubrious lines backed by a bunch of blond Scandinavian hotties. Prepare to swoon—particularly if you’re chugging those PBR forties. Empty Bottle, 1035 N Western Ave (773-276-3600, ticketweb.com). 9:30pm, $30.—Brent DiCrescenzo

Too Much Light New Year’s Eve
Make the baby New Year go blind with this special performance of the Neo-Futurists’ signature collection of two-minute plays. Guests can enjoy hors d’oeuvres and nonalcoholic drinks starting at 9:30pm; the one-hour performance begins at 11pm. At midnight, a toast and pizza! Neo-Futurarium, 5153 N Ashland Ave (773-275-5255, neofuturists.org). $40. Reservations required.—JB

Zoo Year 2010
Radio Disney kicks off Brookfield Zoo’s early party at 6pm with music, games and giveaways. Visitors can then stroll the exhibits and holiday light displays until the countdown at 8pm. 3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield (708-688-8000, brookfieldzoo.org). $12, senior and kids 3–11 $8, under 3 free.—JST

Chicago Scene New Year’s Eve
The clubby party brings out about 2,300 revelers—mostly twenty- and thirtysomething singles—to indulge in an open bar, decadent apps and four ballrooms, plus a cozy room for canoodling. Best part: No need to elbow your way to the booze—a whopping 45 bars eliminate wait time. Drake Hotel, main floor, 140 E Walton Pl (312-587-3474, chicagoscene.com). 9pm–2am, $155–$185, VIP $225–250.—Madeline Nusser

Marc Ronson (DJ set) + Airborne Toxic Event + the Virgins + the Drums
Ronson’s soul revue is a goofy blast, so it’s a bit of a bummer that he’s just spinning records. But, hey, at least he’s not his sister. The trio of buzzed-about newcomers is the real draw: L.A.’s Toxic Event lifts a little from ’00s hip indie acts, while the Virgins and the Drums bring plastic, boy-model pop-rock thrills from New York. River East Arts Center, 435 E Illinois St (312-321-1001, ticketmaster.com). 8pm, $50.—BD

A Blue New Year’s Bash
If you’re looking for a five-course dinner without the stuffy atmosphere, Blue 13’s rock & roll aesthetic might be your ticket. Chef Chris Curren’s menu includes pan-seared scallops, speck-wrapped tuna, pork belly with brioche toast, herb-crusted lamb and more. If it’s the vibe—not the food—you’re after, a postdinner party including passed apps and a Champagne toast starts at 10pm. 416 W Ontario St (312-787-1400). Dinner 7–10pm $100; postdinner party $30, plus cash bar.—JK

Crystal Castles
Over glitchy arcade-game electro, Crystal Castles frontwoman Alice Glass screams and leaps like a cheerleader for debauchery. The crowd will be an insane swirl of flesh. Perfect, if you want to ring in the new year drenched in sweat—especially someone else’s. Logan Square Auditorium, 2539 N Kedzie Blvd (773-252-6179, ticketweb.com). 9:30pm; $50, advance $30.—BD

Lumen’s Roaring ’20s New Year’s Gala
The ultramodern LED-lit confines of Fulton Market’s top lounge turns the clocks back to the roaring ’20s for a Prohibition-themed party. With candles, roses and vintage artwork in place, Lumen invites revelers to don their best flapper dresses and fedoras, gamble at the makeshift casino, dance to DJ Lil Mikey’s club-friendly cuts and sample hors d’oeuvres. 839 W Fulton Mkt (312-733-2222, lumennye.com). 8pm–2am, $55.—JPF

Chucklebowl Spectacular
If you like your NYE thrills low-tech and low-cost with a dash of Midwestern goodness, this fourth-annual event offers all-you-can bowl antics and the return of ballyhooed live game show Don’t Spit the Water, plus free pizza and a value-price bar that includes $3 domestics and $4 shots. Lincoln Square Lanes, 4874 N Lincoln Ave (for tickets 773-251-1539, chucklebowl.com). 9pm; $30, advance $25. Tickets available at Lincoln Square Lanes and at Uncle Fun, 1338 W Belmont Ave (773-477-8223).—Jason A. Heidemann

New Year’s Eve at the Irish American Heritage Center
The Irish are known for good craic, or fun times. The IAHC perpetuates that rollicky stereotype with its fete of live music, dancing and a Champagne toast in the elegant new Erin ballroom. 4626 N Knox Ave (773-282-7035, ext 10). 8pm, $25.—Martina Sheehan

Frathouse New Year’s Eve
Gay guilty pleasure alert! Scarlet Bar’s weekly frat party keeps rolling with a budget-friendly blast-off into 2010, featuring collegiate shenanigans like $5 32-ounce beer pitchers, a free Little Caesar’s pizza buffet, drinking games, instant Polaroids, a $5 Champagne split and lots of dancing. 3320 N Halsted St (773-348-1053). 9pm; $5, free before 9pm. Tickets available at the door.—JAH

Roy Hargrove
The Grammy-winning trumpeter’s comfortable blowing hard over full-throttle swing or whispering tastefully muted tones over simmering quiet-storm grooves. For this local run, the horn heavy slims down to a nimble quintet. Let your aughties regrets melt away in a smooth-jazz haze. Jazz Showcase, 806 S Plymouth Ct (call 312-360-0234 for reservations, jazzshowcase.com). 11pm, $50.—Areif Sless-Kitain

Kendall’s New Year’s Eve Soiree
College kids appreciate a good value, and Kendall students are passing that value along with an hors d’oeuvres-and-wine reception, a four-course meal with wine, DJ sets and a midnight Champagne toast—all for just $100. 900 N Branch St (312-752-2196). 7pm–1am.—David Tamarkin