Bars, restaurants hopping (and popping) come New Year's Eve

No matter what kind of year it's been for you, 2009 is coming to an end. If you want to spend the last night of the year out on the town, it's time to start making plans. Local bars, restaurants and hotels offer plenty of options from decadent dinners to big concerts to low-key bashes for anyone short on dough.

This is far from a comprehensive list, but we've rounded up a sampling of New Year's Eve celebrations below.

• Alumni Club, 871 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, (847) 397-3100: Spring for the bar's $69 VIP package and get a buffet from 8 to 10 p.m. and a premium open bar from 8 p.m. to midnight. If you're watching your wallet, general admission is $20 and includes party favors, a balloon drop, a video countdown and a midnight champagne toast.

• Birch River Grill, 75 W. Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, (847) 427-4242: From noon to 10 p.m. you can get a three-course dinner and a glass of champagne for $39.95. Dishes include lobster bisque, filet mignon and jumbo shrimp.

• Cadillac Ranch, 1175 W. Lake St., Bartlett, (630) 830-7200: Feast on a $19.99 buffet from 7 to 9 p.m. then stick around to party until dawn with country tunes from DJ Hillbilly, party favors and a midnight champagne toast and video countdown. Cover is $15 after 9 p.m. and free after 1 a.m.

• Carlucci, 1801 Butterfield Road, Downers Grove, (630) 512-0990: A $99 party package includes dinner, an open bar, a champagne toast and live music from The Moods from 8:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.

• Docks Bar & Grill, 313 E. Liberty St., Wauconda, (847) 526-3625: Indulge with a five-course dinner featuring lobster bisque and Chilean sea bass at 8 p.m., then party until midnight with an open bar, party favors, a dessert table and a champagne toast for $89.95. Just want to drink? Get the open bar for $50.

• Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, (847) 358-9150: Rock group the Smoking Popes performs with Makeshift Prodigy and Girl in a Coma starting at 9 p.m. Tickets are $55 to $60 and include draft beer, well drinks and party favors. Upgrade to VIP tickets for $80 to $90 and get a champagne toast, a buffet and a premium open bar.

• Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin, (847) 468-8810: Q-Ball performs from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. and the menu features high-end specials such as lobster tails, crab legs and prime rib. Drink specials include $4.50 Absolut, Jim Beam and Captain Morgan cocktails. No cover.

• Grotto, 3011 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook, (630) 571-5700: A $70 filet mignon and lobster tail surf and turf dinner includes party favors and a midnight champagne toast. A DJ spins from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

• Hilton Chicago Indian Lakes Resort, 250 W. Schick Road, Bloomingdale, (630) 671-5023: A fire and ice-themed bash starting at 6:30 p.m. includes a cocktail reception, a five-course dinner, an open bar, live music from The Hat Guys, party favors and a midnight champagne toast and balloon drop. Tickets are $135.

• John Barleycorn, 1100 American Lane, Schaumburg, (847) 619-5540: Toast your way into the New Year with a premium open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, plus appetizers, a buffet, a DJ, a midnight champagne toast and party favors. Cover is $65.

• L'Eiffel Bistrot & Creperie, 100 W. Higgins Road, South Barrington, (847) 428-4783: Jazz band Glazz and a magician perform during a four-course dinner from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets are $79 and include a 20 percent discount on any bottle of champagne.

• Mad Maggies, 51 S. Grove Ave., Elgin, (847) 531-5883: Cover bands FnR and Hyperflo perform starting at 10:30 p.m. Cover is $15 and drink specials include $2 Bud products and $3 well drinks.

• Meson Sabika, 1025 Aurora Ave., Naperville, (630) 983-3000: Catch performances by a guitarist and a flamenco dancer during a $45 four-course dinner starting at 7 p.m. The menu includes empanadas and grilled sea scallops.

• Penny Road Pub, 545 Penny Road, Barrington, (847) 428-0562: Sacred Dawn, Zephaniah, Devil in the White City and The Savatage Experience perform along with a DJ from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. The $10 cover includes party favors and a midnight champagne toast.

• SugarToad, 2139 Citygate Lane, Naperville, (630) 778-8623: Eat early with a five-course dinner at 6 p.m. for $65 or $95 with three wine pairings. You can also come at 8:30 p.m. for a $75 six-course dinner, with five wines available for an additional $45. The second seating includes a champagne toast and party favors.

• The Hotel InterContinental Chicago O'Hare, 5300 N. River Road, Rosemont, (800) 745-3000: The 13th annual Rock 'N' Roll Ball features live music from The Gin Blossoms, Too White Crew and DJs on three stages. The $85 tickets include an open bar from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and party favors.

• Thirsty Fox, 104 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 377-6634: For $19.95 you can gorge on all-you-can-eat crab legs or a crab leg and New York strip steak surf and turf combo. The bar stays open until 3 a.m., with tunes from DJ Jazzy J and a champagne toast and free appetizer buffet at midnight. No cover.

• Timothy O'Toole's Pub, 5572 Grand Ave., Gurnee, (847) 249-0800: Celebrate from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. with a $75 package featuring a dinner buffet, call drinks, domestic drafts and bottles, party favors and a midnight champagne toast. A DJ spins.