New Year's Party Guide

Downtown Fort Myers River District

>>H2 Tapas and Wine Bar on 2214 Bay Street, will ring in the New Year in its prime location in downtown with a live band, champagne, food specials, party favors and, at times, Tom Cruisesque bartending flair. See the blockbuster wine list, tapas, entrees and desserts created by Chef Harold Balink, plus exotic martinis, worldly cheeses, a very cool black granite bar and groovy bathrooms. Call (239) 226-1687.

>>Harold's on Bay next to H2, will serve a four-course, price fix dinner, prepared by Philosopher/Chef Harold Balink. $75 dollars per person. Reservations required. (239) 226-1686.

>>At City Tavern, house favorite band Atomic Tangerine will be playing from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m. The type of music is new rock. "City Tavern will be the place to be on New Years eve," owner Rhonda Keane said. "We have a great crowd that rocks in the New Year." Call (239) 850-1359 for details.

>>The Morgan House at 2207 First Street, inside the actual heart of downtown, is creating a special ala carte New Year's Eve menu. Reservations are required for three seatings, at 6 p.m., 8 and 10. There will be a champagne toast at midnight. Call (239) 337-3377.

>>Envie Lounge in the Patio De Leon will have a DJ inside and outside, and package specials including $100 for couples, comes with a bottle of champagne and seating; or, VIP section seating for parties of up to six, $500 includes a bottle of vodka, and a bottle of champagne. Reservations are highly recommended. Limo transportation to and from the club is available, and any special requests for food will be granted. Call (239) 337-0909.

>>Neo Lounge on 2577 First Street will be open starting at 9 p.m. with ambient lighting, glamour girls, party accoutrements and double thumping bass action. Call (239)337-9220.

>>Level on 1527 Hendry Street will be open starting at 9 p.m. with gorgeous go-go dancers shaking it up all night long. "More than a nightclub more than a show it's a whole new Level." Club line: (239) 337-5383.

>>Downtown House of Pizza on 1520 Hendry Street is a great place to take a break from the festivities and enjoy a hot slice and a beer. Call (239) 337-DHOP.

>>Ichiban Japanese and Chinese Restaurant on 1520 Broadway, will be open regular dinner hours, until 10 p.m. Reservations are recommended. Call (239) 334-6991.

>>Joe's Crab Shack on 2024 W. First Street, on the Caloosahatchee River, will be open regular business hours. But general manager Robert Stinnett said he'll keep the party rocking until the legal time limit if necessary. "If it's still busy, we won't lock the doors," he said. Call (239) 332-1881.

>>The French Connection, one of downtown Fort Myers' most longstanding places to socialize with their full bar, scrumptious food (including a great rendition of the classic Cuban sandwich), and talented staff, is on 2288 First Street, and will be open all night. Call (239) 332-4443.

>>The Cigar Bar, Sal's Longshot Lounge, Fat Cats, and The Cigar Bar Café, offer four unique bars lined up in a row on Hendry Street, between First and Main Streets. Drink specials, live music, a giant walk-in humidor, tasteful eats and rad looking bartenders can be found among them. Call (239) 337-4662.

>>The Indigo Room in the Patio De Leon., which Velvet Underground veteran Moe Tucker once graced, has served downtown's youngish party crowd for over a decade with live music and over 100 varieties of beer. Dancers are invited to boogie on an original porcelain mosaic floor installed in 1928. The balloon drop will take place right outside its doors. $10 cover.

>>Patio 33 will be serving a special New Years Eve menu by Chef Denis, during regular business hours, in an elegant setting looking out on the Patio De Leon. Diners may also enjoy the upstairs, outdoor bar. Look for "Intoxicating flavors and creative cuisine." Call (239) 337-2846 for reservations.

>> At The Bar Association on 1611 Hendry Street, a four course meal with paired wine will be served in the intimate dining room and courtyard as imagined by interior designer and owner Ronald Kopko. The lounge will be open for casual or raucously good-natured partying and New Years hi-jinks. The first seating is at 6:30 p.m., the second at 8:30. There will be a champagne toast at each seating and at midnight. Reservations are required. $110.00 per person, gratuity and tax not included. Call (239) 334-8080.

>>Char Grillhouse on 2431 Cleveland Avenue is one of Fort Myers newest places to get fresh, grilled meats, from classic tenderloin to exotics like Ostrich, all in an edgy, yet laid-back atmosphere. Seating is first come, first serve; arriving early is recommended. Call for reservations for parties of 7 or more. Call (239) 337-2427.

>>Delicious Things on 2262 First Street will be open regular business hours. Call (239)332- 7797 for reservations.

>>Spirits of Bacchus on 1406 Hendry Street will be open all night with scrumptious martinis, a great wine list, and tapas. Call (239) 689- 2675.

>>The Brick Bar and The Sky Bar are stacked on top of each other above Harold's on Bay. A separate elevator in the alleyway across from H2's French doors leads to each. Enjoy live music and drinks all night at The Brick Bar or check out the panoramic view of Bay Street, the Caloosahatchee River and North Fort Myers during sunset at The Sky Bar.

>>Hide-A-Way Sports Bar is a rip-roaring good time hangout for all and especially locals locals, to party and enjoy College games and NFLaction hosted by 770 ESPN Sports tent.

South Fort Myers

>>Biddles Restaurant and Piano Bar on 20351 Summerlin Rd., will serve a special menu with a choice of package for $30 to $62 per person or ala carte; live music from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. Party favors included in the last seating of the night, at 11 p.m. Call (239) 433-4449.

>>Sunshine Seafood Café & Lounge, at 8750-1 Gladiolus Dr., in Fort Myers (with a Captiva Island location as well), will be open normal hours with live music. Reservations required. Call (239) 489-2233.

>>Toro on 13499 S. Cleveland Ave. in the Bell Tower Shops will be open normal business hours. Call (239)437-8676.

>>Origami on 13300-41 S. Cleveland Ave. will be open regular business hours with their Japanese Korean Sushi and a full bar. Call (239) 482-2126.

>>Blu Sushi will be open normal dinner hours in Fort Myers, Naples and at the Gulf Coast Town Center. "We created a groovy, Americanized version sion of sushi called Blu," owner Courtney Jones said. Call (239) for parties of 6 or more.

>>Bistro 41 at 13499 S. Cleveland Ave. in the Bell Tower shops will have a special New Years Eve ala carte menu and live entertainment. Call (239)466-4141 for reservations.

>>Dwyers is next to Barnes and Noble at 13851 S. Tamiami Trail. Like an old Irish Pub, it will serve a special New Year's Eve menu from 5 p.m. to 10. Reservations suggested. Call (239) 425-0782.

>>Cru in the Bell Tower Shops will be seating for dinner from 6 p.m. to 9 in its lush interior, where diners may order from a special ala carte menu. Live DJ, drink specials, champagne toast at midnight, and a late-night menu from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Reservations highly recommended. Call (239) 466-3663.

>>The Sandy Butler at 17650 San Carlos Blvd. is serving a four course meal, for $85 per person, with unlimited champagne and midnight toast. See sandybuttler.com for details. Or call (239)482-6765.

The Beaches

Sanibel Island

>>Island Cow on 2163 Periwinkle Way will be open normal business hours. Call ahead seating for parties of 8 or more. Call (239) 472-0606 for "udderly great food."

>>Thistle Lodge Beachfront Restaurant at 2255 West Gulf Drive will serve a special menu during normal business hours, 5 p.m. to 10. Reservations required. Call (239) 472-9200. Fort Myers Beach

>>Parrot Key Caribbean Grill on 2500 Main Street will be open normal business hours. Call (239) 463-3257.

Captiva Island

>>The Mucky Duck will serve dinner until 9:30 p.m. First come, first served. "Deep in the heart of downtown Captiva where the sun sets nightly." Call (239) 472-3434.

Cape Coral

>>At Cape Harbour Marina on 5789 Cape Harbour Dr., local favorite band Headcount will play its mix of rock 'n' roll, country rock and blues starting at 8 p.m. A ball will drop at midnight. Rumrunners (239-542-0200), The Joint (23 239-542-0123) and Pignoli an Epicurean marketplace (239-542-0800), will offer dining, drinks and live music.

"The Joint will be first come, first served," said Bob Mulr Mulroy, a managing partner of The Joint. "Rummrunners is taking reservations and so is Pignoli."

Vendors around the promenade will be offering hot dogs, bratwurst and other goodies. A shuttle will run from the Publix lot at the corner of Cape Coral Parkway and Chiquita, to and from the party.

>>Roy's Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine is also in the Cape Harbour Marina, and will have a price fix menu ranging from $55 to $85 per person. Reservations are highly recommended. Call (239) 498-7697.

>>850 Lafayette on 850 Lafayette Street in Cape Coral, "the Capes most tasteful address," will be open normal business hours. Call (239) 541-4898.

Naples

Trilogy

>>Trilogy is on 720 Fifth Avenue South. $225 per person includes a seven course menu with live entertainment, dancing, balloons, party favors and $100 gift certificate to be used on your next visit. Tax and gratuity not included. Reservations required. Call (239) 261-1221.