If you’re not headed to Times Square or the Las Vegas Strip to celebrate New Year’s Eve, Downtown Phoenix has plenty of ways for you to ring in 2011:
New Year’s Eve at Ghost Lounge
Over at historic Hotel San Carlos, a $20 cover gets you two drink tickets, champagne toast at midnight, and sore feet caused by a night of dancing to Groove Nation, an act that blends Old School classics with contempoary favorites. 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $119 will get you two drinks, midnight toast, a room, and breakfast for two. For reservations and information call Jason at 480.980.0360.
CityScape’s NYE Party
Alt rock icons Live headline CityScape’s first-ever New Year’s Eve Party. In case you don’t remember just how huge 1994’s Throwing Copper was, here’s a video of “I Alone.”  Doors open at 7 p.m. and there will be beer and food booths, plus outdoor skating on the NRG rink. Other bands slated to perform include Snake Burner and Metal Elvis. Tickets are $15 Advance General Admission; $20 Day-Of General Admission* ; $30 VIP.
*Show your Suns/Pistons ticket stub and receive a free general admission ticket
New Year’s Eve at Nobuo
James Beard Award-winning chef Nobuo Fukuda is preparing a special New Year’s Eve menu and dinner will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. For more information call 602.254.0600. Read the Arizona Republic’s five-star review of Nobuo at Teeter House here.
New Year’s Eve Dinner at Compass Arizona Grill and New Year’s Party at Hyatt Regency
Enjoy a four-course meal at one of the Valley’s signature fine dining destinations for just $89 per person before heading downstairs to party with the Groove Merchants, a 10-piece horn band that performs all your favorite rock, pop, R&B and funk jams from yesterday and today. 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Party tickets and single/double occupancy rooms available. Call 602.440.3166.
Sticky Fingers New Year’s Eve Party at BarSmith
Dance your way into 2011 downstairs or up on the roof with DJ William Reed. No cover before 10 p.m. BarSmith is located at 2nd Street and Washington, next to PHX, Sky Lounge and Silver.
Lucky Strike Lanes NYE
Lucky Strike Lanes offers that perfect blend of sports bar, restaurant, dance club, cool kids lounge, and bowling alley and for New Year’s Eve they are offering discounted group packages and bottle service. For more information call 602.732.5496.
New Year’s Caliente at Matador
Ring in 2011 to the sounds of DJs AL3 and Manic Hispanic from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Call 602.254.7563
12-Hour New Year’s at Sky Lounge
Yes, from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. party-goers can send 2010 out to the Latin sounds of DJ Enigma, DJ Waldo and DJ Cesar Tercero. For more information visit the Sky Lounge web site.