New Year's 2004 Guide

Mynt Ultralounge: Party the night away at the most exclusive club on South Beach. Tickets will be $150 per person from 9 p.m.-1 a.m. This will include sushi hors d'oeuvres and premium open bar. Live ball drop via satellite from Times Square. And of course, there will be party favors and giveaways. Limited general admission tickets at $100 per from 1 a.m.- 7 a.m. The first seating will be from 9-1:30 a.m. The second seating is from 2 a.m.- 7 a.m. One table for 6 is $1000 and includes a bottle of champagne and a bottle of liquor with mixers. Each extra person added to the table is $100. In the main room, resident DJ K-2, Julian Ingrosso, and Chicco Secci spinning deep house and European house music. In the ultra lounge, DJ A.M. spinning hip-hop, R&B, and funk. Limited table reservations are available. 1921 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, 786-276-6132.

Nerve: If you needed an all-star team of party people to put a fantastic New Year's party together, well here you go: Gerry Kelly, Maxwell Blandford, and the one and only Rudolf Piper. Their New Year's gig at Nerve, called Carnivale, features music by Pierre Zon Zon and Jon Cowan and a whole lot of outrageous shows, costumes, and party favors for only $30 (advance tickets). 247 23rd St, Miami Beach, 305-695-8697.

Nikki Beach Club: Enjoy the night on the sandy white beach under the glistening moonlight and shining stars. Located steps from the water, this open-air complex is perfect for those who want to spend an evening in the great outdoors, with the great indoors right behind you. Help yourself to a buffet-style dinner by an internationally known chef and then relax and kick back on one of the hammocks. Once you've regained your energy, hop on out to the dance floor. Don't forget to grab your party favors and bubbly at midnight for the balloon drop and fireworks display. Doors open at 8 p.m. Admission is $50. 1 Ocean Dr, Miami Beach, 305-538-1111.

Opium Garden: Ring in the New Year while schmoozing with celebrities at Opium and Prive's bash. This indoor/outdoor spacious complex features five DJs and four rooms to choose from, including DJ Mark Ronson in the garden, and Ivano Bellini will spin the best house, so every musical taste will be satisfied. Arrive early for the open bar between 9 and 11 p.m. Cost for general admission for Opium is $100, $200 for all-access VIP to Prive, $1150 for Opium VIP tables, and $1500 for Prive's platinum VIP tables. All tables come with one bottle of premium liquor and one bottle of champagne. 136 Collins Ave, Miami Beach, 305-531-5535.

Oxygen Lounge: The Grove's hottest lounge celebrates with fun and entertainment sure to leave you gasping for oxygen, and so will the packed house. The event includes open premium bar and sushi, Pan-Asian buffet until midnight, party favors (plastic ones), and a champagne toast. Call for information. 2911 Grand Ave, Streets Of Mayfair, Coconut Grove, 305-476-0202.

O'Zone: Make it a Gothic, industrial, electroclash New Year at The Nightmare Before 2004, featuring alternative music and DJs including Dracula's Daughter & Danny Bled. A $10 minimum includes your first drink and a Blood Red Champagne Toast at the Witching Hour. 6620 Red Rd, South Miami, 305-667-2888.

Rumi: Celebrate at this upscale restaurant/lounge. For $200 per person, patrons will dine on a five-course gourmet meal with complimentary champagne, or you can just party the night away for a $50 cover. 330 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, 305-672-4353.

Sandbar Grill: Once again it's the Pimp and Ho Ball at Sandbar, not to be confused with the Pimp and Ho party at another Coconut Grove bar. The Grill will be open for the long run, 11 a.m. December 31 to 3 a.m. January 1, with a free champagne toast at midnight. Featured are the Grill's famous lobster tacos and what it calls "the best food in town," which includes the whole Greater Miami area. 3064 Grand Ave, Coconut Grove, 305-444-5270.

Score: The balls will drop at Score's, and not just the ones on the TV screens broadcasting Times Square's traditional balloon drop throughout the club. Lincoln Road's two-story gay bastion will offer a rocking New Year's Eve. Guys in tight pants and muscle Ts get extra attention. 737 Lincoln Rd, Miami Beach, 305-535-1111.

Space 34: Party until way past the break of dawn at the hottest venue in Miami to the sounds of world-class DJ Oscar G. Call for information. 34 NE 11th St, 305-372-9378.

Studio: What better way to ring in the New Year than to sing along. If you're tired of the same old, same old bash, try a jamming karaoke bar on South Beach. Ronnie will do the honors, and a champagne toast at midnight will set the festive mood. 1801 Collins Ave (Shelborne Hotel), Miami Beach, 305-695-1770.

Tantra: This restaurant/nightclub has lots to offer: Excellent cuisine to satisfy your appetite for food, and a live DJ will be present to satisfy your craving for good music. 1445 Pennsylvania Ave, Miami Beach, 305-672-4765.