Why simply ring in the new year when you can dance it in as well? Get your kicks this New Year's Eve partying at some of the area's hippest venues.

For the young, restless and dance-crazed, we've compiled a list of 25 edgy, funky and downright cool places to celebrate the new year. Unfortunately, not every place with a New Year's Eve party could be listed. But we think we've picked the most jammin' of the lot.

Eclectic's the word here. There's something for every musical taste and dancing preference. Like the sounds and moves of hip-hop? No problem. How about moshing to heavy metal? We've got you covered. Into house or funk music? You'll find a venue here. So whatever your thing, get out there next Tuesday and work it.

Atlantic, the Can Company, 2400 Boston St.

The people at Atlantic swear you'll feel like a VIP at their "Definitive New Year's." Step into the tented water garden for a truly unique surrounding. Enjoy tapas and sushi, and get your fill at the open bar. Hear the sounds of a Brazilian band, a dance band or groovy DJ tunes. Party runs 10 p.m.-3 a.m. $85. Call 410-675-4565.

Attitudes 3000, 11445 Pulaski Highway, White Marsh

Want the excitement of New York's Times Square, but without the wind chill? No worries. You'll find what you crave at Attitudes 3000. There'll be silly hats, noisemakers, 13 televisions showing the action at Times Square and a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight. And all the while, there'll be DJ music for dancing. From 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., there's no cover charge. After 9, there will be a cover charge, but it's yet to be determined. Call 410-335-7111.

Baja Beach Club, 55 Market Place

Bring in the new year at the beach? Of course. Dance the winter chills away at Baja Beach Club's party. Club-goers have access to a top-shelf open bar all evening. Party favors, a champagne toast, a dinner buffet featuring hand-carved turkey and roast beef, and a Continental breakfast are included in the ticket price. Doors open at 9 p.m. $45 per person in advance; $50 at the door. Call 410-752-7188.

The Belvedere, 1 E. Chase St.

Now here's a busy place. Things will be hopping on the 13th floor when reggae band Jah Works plays. Yah, mon! Open bar and huge buffet. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. $100. Things will be a bit ritzier on the 12th floor, where a masquerade ball with local band Lake Trout ushers in the new year. Open bar and fancy buffet. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Each party is $100. Call 410-332-1000.

Bohager's, 701 S. Eden St.

For those who have yet to turn 21, Bohager's "Band & Booz Bash" is the place to be. One of the few venues catering to an 18-and-over crowd, Bohager's will feature live music by No Pets for Noah, along with recorded music by two DJs. Also, casino-style gambling, a light buffet and balloon drop. Doors open at 9 p.m. $65. Call 410-563-7220 or 410-481-SEAT.

Cafe Asia, 614 Water St.

Come for dinner, come for dancing. Dinner seatings are 6 p.m. and 9 p.m.; reservations recommended. $30 cover for those not having dinner. DJ Mike Denoe will be playing music best described as "house leaning toward dance." Champage toast, party favors, appetizers, cash bar. Open till 4 a.m. Call 410-528-1925.

Cancun Cantina, 7501 Old Telegraph Road, Hanover

Into the country-and-western scene? Then mosey on over to this club, offering a down-home New Year's Eve celebration. You'll hear live music by some good old boys - the Dallas Band (at the main bar) and Great Train Robbery (on the deck). Included are party favors, a champagne toast at midnight, a buffet of appetizers, dinner and, hey, if you're still around, breakfast. Doors open at 5 p.m. $30 per person; $40 per couple. Call 410-761-6188.

Coliseum, 594 Cranbrook Road, Cockeysville

Feeling lucky? Then the Coliseum is where you'd want to be. This sports bar will be giving away DVD players, vacations, mountain bikes and electric grills, among other prizes. After attempting to win a prize, get on the dance floor and party to rock and hip-hop music spun by a local DJ. You can roll into the Coliseum whenever it suits you; it's open early in the day and closes at 4 a.m. No cover charge. Call 410-683-2012.

The Down Under Niteclub, 4 W. Main St., Westminster

For those in Carroll County not looking to make the trek into Baltimore, this aptly named underground club presents a great alternative. Spend your New Year's Eve dancing to DJ music, beginning at 9 p.m. Club-goers can also enjoy an appetizer buffet throughout the evening. $5 cover charge. Doors open at 8 p.m. Call 410-876-0101.

Fletcher's, 701 S. Bond St.

If you're craving an aggressive dancing style, check out heavy-metal band Margret Heater, the headliner for Fletcher's New Year's Eve concert. Throw opening acts Pornomint and Cylix into the mix, and moshing is bound to ensue. No gimmicks here, just a good old-fashioned hard-core metal show. Doors open at 9 p.m. $15. Call 410-558-1889.

Hammerjacks, 316 Guilford Ave.

Come hear the latest sounds in hip-hop and pop as DJs from radio station X-105.7 play tunes from Eminem to Jennifer Lopez. A Continental breakfast and champagne toast are included in the ticket price. A cash bar will be open all evening. Doors open at 9 p.m. $30 per person; $50 per couple. Call 410-234-0044.

Hard Rock Cafe, 601 E. Pratt St.

Party alongside Madonna this New Year's. Well, sort of. Madonna's brassiere and shorts complement the rock 'n' roll vibe at the Hard Rock celebration. Guests will be given tiara-and top-hat party favors to wear while they dance to the music of cover band Dick Was a Fish and crowd favorites spun by a DJ. Hors d'oeuvres and a champagne toast included. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. $75 per person in advance; $85 at the door. Call 410-347-ROCK.

Have a Nice Day Cafe, 2 Market Place

You love the nightlife? You got to boogie? On the disco round? Oh, yeah. Well, shake your booty all night long on the lighted dance floor at Have a Nice Day Cafe. Its "New Year's Eve Ball" runs from 9 p.m. until at least 2 a.m., and offers a premium open bar, light buffet, party favors and, of course, a champagne toast at midnight. A DJ will provide disco tunes from the '70s, '80s and '90s for a groovy night. $75 per person; $140 per couple. Call 410-385-8669.

The Hippo, 1 W. Eager St.

Strike a pose at the Hippo's New Year's Eve party. Dance all night, get your free party favors for the big midnight celebration, enjoy champagne and nosh on a breakfast buffet in the wee hours at the club, which caters to the gay and lesbian community. Bar opens at 9 p.m. $20. Call 410-547-0069.

Howl at the Moon, 22 Market Place

This is the home of Baltimore's only dueling piano rock 'n' roll show. Guests can choose either advanced reserved seating for $60 a person or advanced reserved standing-room-only tickets for $25. Both tickets include party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and late-night munchies. Call 410-783-5111.

Judge's Bench, 8385 Main St., Ellicott City

So you've had it with the DJ scene. You want some live music on this night of all nights. Well, come get it: live and loud rock 'n' roll music from the band Kelly's Secret. Dance all night, if you like. Well, at least from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. But be sure to take a break and join in the champagne toast at midnight. No cover. Call 410-465-3497.

Kiss Cafe, the Can Company, 2400 Boston St.

Get funky! And we're talkin' seriously funky. The Kiss Cafe will play host to "A Super Funky New Year's Eve Party" with New Orleans funk band Papa Grows Funk and guest MOFOFUNKA from Baltimore. Dance on 10,000 square feet of party space, do some casino-style gambling, enjoy a full dinner buffet and hear DJ music. Party runs 9 p.m.-3 a.m. $75; $125 VIP ticket includes exclusive party space with pool and fireplace, coat check and valet parking. Call 410-481-SEAT.

Little Havana, 1325A Key Highway

For one of the best views of Baltimore's fireworks, check out Little Havana's New Year's Eve party. And while you're there, dance to the tunes of Hula Monsters, a self-proclaimed "honky-tonk surf rock" band. Festivities last from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Top-shelf open bar, dinner buffet, party favors and champagne toast included in the $85 ticket price. Call 410-837-9903.

McFadden's, 10 Market Place

Can't make it to the Big Apple for New Year's Eve? No need to fret. McFadden's has you covered. Sip Manhattans while enjoying a "New York, New York" theme party. Dance like the Rockettes as a DJ plays contemporary dance tunes. Included: an open bar, a champagne toast, a "premium" buffet and a Chesapeake raw bar from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. $85 per person; $150 per couple. Call 410-779-7101.

The Ottobar, 2549 N. Howard St.

Six is your lucky number at the Ottobar this New Year's Eve. You can dance to the music of six bands for only $6. Iron Boss, the Animatronics, High School Hellcats, the Hidden Hand, Chaser, and the Rockbottom Stylings of Honky Slim will supply rock and punk music for your listening and dancing pleasure. Doors open at 9 p.m., and the celebration continues until 4 a.m. Call 410-662-0069.

Paloma's, 15 W. Eager St.

Make sure to bundle up in your flannel PJs, bathrobes and slippers before heading off to Paloma's second annual "New Year's Eve Pajama Party." Six bands - including headliners Swath and Sustained in Jade - will aim to keep the dance floor crowded. Doors open at 8 p.m. In keeping with the pajama theme, guests are encouraged to spend the night. $25 ticket price includes champagne, open bar and buffet. Call 410-783-9004.

Paradox, 1310 Russell St.

Located across the street from Ravens Stadium is Paradox, an urban club serving a diverse crowd. It'll be ringing in the new year with a jamming celebration. Several DJs will supply hip-hop and house music for dancers from 9 p.m. to 9 a.m. Open buffet and champagne toast at midnight. $15. Call 410-837-9110.

Ravens Stadium, 1101 Russell St.

This may be the granddaddy of all the celebrations in the area. "Big Night Baltimore" at Ravens Stadium offers 10 party areas with six dance floors and 10 bands. Performers include Jimmie's Chicken Shack, the Kelly Bell Band and glam rockers the All Mighty Senators. You also can catch tunes from four DJs, get free party favors and watch a huge balloon drop. There'll be open bars all night, all over the place, and a heavy hors d'oeuvres buffet. Event runs 8:30 p.m.-2 a.m. $109; $159 for VIP ticket, which includes upgraded liquor, food and party favors. Call 800-955-5566.

Recher Theatre, 512 York Road, Towson

Can't Hang, regular and popular performers at the Recher Theatre, will play their blend of ska and punk music for New Year's Eve. Tenderloin will open the show. The theater will offer both a hot and cold buffet along with a champagne toast at midnight. Doors open at 9 p.m.; the party ends at 2 a.m. $15 per person ($25 if under 21). Call 410-337-7178.

Sonar, 407 E. Saratoga St.

When the folks at Sonar decide to throw a party, they go all out: 23 DJs, three dance floors and 13 hours of nonstop dancing. Sonar, dedicated to preserving underground dance culture, will feature international, national and regional DJ talent. The party runs from 8 p.m.-9 a.m. Open bar and breakfast included in the $25 ticket charge. Call 410-327-8333.

Wyndham Inner Harbor, 101 W. Fayette St.

The bigger the shindig, the better, you say? Then stop by "Comcast SportsNet National Millennium 2003," which is offering party areas in three different ballrooms at the Wyndham hotel. Step into a live-music zone featuring tunes by the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, the Original P-Funk and Young MC. Stroll into "Club '02" and hear hot DJ music spun by Jon Boesche. And for the budding singers, there's " 'Baltimore Idol' Karaoke Lounge." Sing the new year in! Guests can also enjoy multiple dinner buffets and a premium open bar, and all receive party favors and watch the balloon drop at midnight. Event runs 8 p.m.-2 a.m. $115; $165 for VIP ticket, which includes top-shelf liquor, private balcony and access to a sing-along piano bar. Call 410-481-SEAT.