What Are You Doing for New Year’s Eve?

This is a photo of Wilmington fireworks but there are no downtown New Year's Eve fireworks this year

Everyone is asking me that question today. I ran a few ideas around before finally deciding I didn't want to do anything for New Year's Eve but stay in and watch a movie.

Some of those ideas I toyed with were pretty darn tempting, though. I still might change my mind. What do you think?

Laterna is having a party with live music. For $50 a person, you get a four-course meal cooked by the genius in that kitchen. Choose from Filet Mignon, Grilled Salmon, or Mediterranean Chicken. It comes with desert, a wine tasting, party favors, and a champagne toast at midnight. Did you know that Laterna has a piano bar in the back with one of the best beer selection in town? I think that is one of the best kept secrets around. The exterior looks like the Perkins that used to be in that spot at the corner of Wilshire and College but the interior has great food, a cozy bar, and – did I mention terrific Mediterranean food? I'm thinking I'll head over there for breakfast after the New Years though because they serve – bar none – the best breakfast in town.

The Fox and the Hound at Mayfaire is also offering a pretty tempting deal. If I liked that place better, I would probably take them up on it. (Too smoky, too many TVs, and the food is strange.) For $99, you get dinner for two, a bottle of champagne, and midnight munchies, followed by a free ride to your hotel room (included in the package) at the nearby Marriot. You have to contact the hotel first to get this deal. The number there is 910.332.3326.

Level 5 at City Stage is the place I usually hit for New Year's Eve. There is nothing like an evening out with friends that includes a bit of theater put together by the film-industry pros who run this place. I think I have done their New Year's Eve lock-in 5 times and loved it every time. It's usually a package deal that includes (awful) finger food, an open bar, a great play, an evening on the open-to-the-stars-but-plenty-warm rooftop bar, and late-night dancing on the stage after the players wrap up. It's a blast. (Eat dinner first.) This year the play is The Producers by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan. The Web site is scant on details about the New Year's event or ticket availability but I hear tell the play is sold out. I'll update this if/when I learn more.

I just learned about The Brown Coat Pub and Theater on Grace Street and now I'm in a hurry to go there. The place is named for the terrific Joss Whedon TV series Firefly. If you've seen Firefly, you knew that from the pub's name and are probably now in as big a hurry to go there as I am. If you haven't seen it, you should put Firefly in your Netflix.com queue as soon as humanly possible. You are in for a treat. The Brown Coat is a comedy club and guerilla theater and on New Year's Eve, there will be a free performance at 8pm by the improve group Super Kids. At 10, the local band Dragon Seeks Path plays. At midnight, there will be a ball drop and a free champagne toast. There's a $10 cover charge starting at 10. Reservations are strongly recommended here because the place only seats 50. Tempting. Very tempting indeed.

Those were my thoughts. And not that I've jotted them all down, I'm not sure I'm making the right decision staying in.

What are you doing?