Downtown Fort Myers, the River District

>>H2 Tapas and Wine Bar aaaaaaaat 2214 Bay Street will ring in the New Year with a live band, champagne, food specials and party favors. See the blockbuster wine list, tapas, entrees and desserts created by Philosopher/Chef Harold Balink, plus exotic martinis and cheeses. Nominal cover charge after 9 p.m. Call (239) 226-1687.

>> City Tavern at 2206 Bay Street will have exclusive packages like The Movin' On Up ($75) ,including admission, appetizer buffet from 7 to 8 p.m., open bar until midnight and free champagne toast. (Or pay $50 and get in at 9 p.m.) The Wishful Thinking package for two also includes accommodations at The Historic Holiday Inn in downtown and shuttle service to and from the hotel. There are also group packages with hotel stays and all the goodies for 4 and 6. Seven Sins will rock from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Call (239) 226- 1133 for reservations.

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

>>EnVie Lounge in the Patio De Leon will have all-encompassing package deals: Silver ($25) is admission to EnVie and open bar; Gold ($50) is admission, VIP with bottle service, and top-shelf open bar; Platinum ($100) is champagne reception, three-course dinner and wine at Delicious Things, admission, VIP with bottle service and top-shelf open bar. Call (239) 337-0909 for reservations.

>>Neo Lounge on Hendry Street will be open starting at 9 p.m. with ambient lighting and double-thumping bass action. The kissing at midnight here and elsewhere promises to be unbelievable this year.

>>Level on Hendry Street, just across from Neo, will be open starting at 9 p.m. with go-go dancers, laser lighting and insanely hot bartenders. "More than a nightclub, more than a show it's a whole new Level."

>>Downtown House of Pizza on 1520 Hendry Street will be serving its famous hand-tossed pizza and drafts all night. "We'll definitely have the cheapest beer downtown that night, and other than that, just the best New York-style pizza in the state of Florida," according to the management. Call (239) 337-DHOP.

>>Ichiban Japanese and Chinese Restaurant at 1520 Broadway will be open regular dinner hours, until 11 p.m. A sake buzz is recommended on New Year's Eve and so are reservations. Call (239) 334-6991.

>>Joe's Crab Shack at 2024 W. First Street, on the Caloosahatchee River, will be open regular business hours and close at 10 p.m. But general manager John Sickles said he'll keep the party rocking until the legal time limit if necessary. Call (239) 332-1881.

>>The French Connection, at 2288 First Street, has been a local mainstay since 1977. They will serve food including a satisfying Cuban sandwich and other salads, sandwiches, appetizers and entrees until midnight and the bar will stay open until 2 a.m. Call (239) 332- 4443.

>>The Cigar Bar in downtown on Hendry Street is the original — dark, woodsy, local yet world famous. There will be drink specials, live music and a giant walk-in humidor. Call (239) 337-4662.

>>Sal's Longshot Lounge is connected to The Cigar Bar by ownership and will have live music on New Year's Eve as well as insanely hot bartenders.

>>The Indigo Room in the Patio De Leon., where Velvet Underground veteran Moe

Tucker stopped on tour in 1996, has been home to live music, over 100 varieties of beer and enormous paper mache amphibians for what seems like forever. Dancers can boogie on an original porcelain mosaic floor installed in 1928. $10 cover.

>> The Bar Association, at 1611 Hendry Street, will have a Masquerade New Year's Party. Guests will be offered masks made in New Orleans and revel in the bar and courtyard before a New Year's Eve toast. Call 334- 8080.

>> Café 2431 in the Historic Holiday Inn in Downtown will serve dinner until 10 p.m. Seafood, steaks, big salads and pasta are offered on the menu. For those who have passed out in one of the rooms and stayed overnight Dec. 31, they'll also be up early serving breakfast and Blood Marys on New Year's Day. Call (239) 337-2427.

>>Delicious Things at 2262 First Street will be open regular business hours or as long as customers continue to arrive. They will have specials and will be stocked up on champagne. Reservations are recommended. Call (239) 332-7797.

>>Spirits of Bacchus at 1406 Hendry Street will be open all night with a dazzling array of martinis, a great wine list and tapas. There will also be champagne specials, a live band right outside the door. Best of all, there's no cover. Call (239) 689- 2675.

>>Hide-A-Way Sports Bar on Dean Street will have a big screen television outside playing the foot ball games, and 770 ESPN Sports Radio will be broadcasting. They'll be open all evening until 2 a.m. They'll also be open for drinks and football games on New Year's Day. Call (239) 337-9966.