Into the Night

New Year's Eve again, kiddies. Surely the most overrated night ever to enjoy celebrity. It's the annual call for overindulgence ("amateur night," Jimmy Breslin once dubbed it). Oh, well, no amount of complaining will rid the streets of throngs of club kids and grooving grandmas. So you might as well make the most of it: Check out our "New Year's Eve Guide" (see page 71) for a full range of options. The weekend before the midweek party isn't a slouch, though. On Friday, December 27, Amethyst, a dance-till-you-drop rave/party, takes over mega-club Salvation (1771 West Ave., Miami Beach, 673-6508). Doors open at 8:00 p.m. and tickets are $21 for an evening (and early morning) chock full of the three D's -- drinking, dancing, and debauchery -- with a bevy of DJs, including Andrea Parker, Ursula 1000, Dracula's Daughter, Candyman, and Kraze laying down trance, trip-hop, and ambient rhythms. The next night, Saturday, a little Latin flavor kicks in when homegrown rocker Nil Lara takes the stage at Cheers (2490 SW Seventeenth Ave., 857-0041). Back from an extended tour of the U.S., Europe, Canada, and Japan (playing with artists like Natalie Merchant, Los Lobos, and Rusted Root), Lara and his Cuban-infused sounds return just in time to wish us all a Feliz Ano Nuevo.

Thursday
Squeeze, "Ladies Night." DJ Guy spins the best in progressive and alternative dance songs for everyone from yuppies and clean-cut college kids to the tattooed and pierced fetish fanatics. 2 S. New River Dr., Fort Lauderdale, 954-522-2151.

Chili Pepper, "Bite the Pepper." Funky grooves and acid jazz dispensed all night long, making friction and fuss along the way. 621 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 531-9661.

Friday
Niva, "After Hours." The party starts at 4:00 a.m. with dancemaster DJ Charlie Mercado spinning energetic tunes for the dancing and drinking set until the very, very wee hours. 643 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-0230.

Cameo Theatre. Twisted pleasures, solidly in the tradition of the Cameo's dance-till-we-drop crowd. 1445 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0922.

O'Zone, "Fiesta Friday." The most fun on the mainland, with salsa and merengue -- as well as cool beer specials -- flowing all night for those hot and heavy buff boys in bikinis. 6620 Red Rd., South Miami, 667-2888.

Saturday
Marsbar, "Lakeside Jam." Halfway between Christmas and New Year's, the party is pumped with music by the Honeysticks, Grapefruit Moon, and Cell 63, and free drinks from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. to boot. 8505 Mills Dr., Town & Country Center, Kendall, 271-6909.

Cartoon Saloon, "Ladies Night." This cartoon- and comic-book-theme restaurant goes kooky with classic disco and food and drink creations from the farthest reaches of the universe. 1670 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-563-8666.

Virtua Cafe, "Get Wired." Come join the jam with retro tunes dispensed by DJ Shannon in a high-tech cyber world full of fun and games. 1309 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0234.

Salvation. Revolving party themes keep you guessing as the largest party for men who love men takes over with dancemaster DJ Abel at the wheels of steel. 1771 West Ave., Miami Beach, 673-6508.

Sunday
Society Hill, "Island Girl." Get irie with a Jamaican party so close to real that you'll think you need a passport. 627 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-9993.

Trio Nightclub, "Deca-dance." DJ Tre pumps out retro tunes to take you back in time -- with dangerous disco driving in the side room. Cheap drinks and hearty fun. 2660 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, 954-958-9971.

Amnesia, "Tea Dance." Back by popular demand, with all the usual muscle-boy madness and drag-queen mayhem starting at 5:00 p.m. DJ David Knapp and a different MC and hostess are featured every week at the party full of sun and sin. 136 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 531-5535.

Monday
New World Cafe, "Fond Farewells." Say goodbye to Robbie Gennet after he performs his final local show before going on to bigger and better things. 9661 W. Sample Rd., Coral Springs, 954-340-7108.

Ready Bar, "Mahogany Monday." Come join the women of business for a networker to benefit the Jackson Memorial Hospital Breast Cancer Center; rock and blues guitarist/vocalist Robin Fear performs. 560 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 534-8847.

Tuesday
Bash. Owners Sean Penn and Mick Hucknall are sure to make an appearance for the New Year's Eve party (right ... ), which will feature a special dance performance and lots of other surprises. 655 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 538-2274.

Cheers. Local bands Jack Off Jill, the Crumbs, Denny's Unit, Nation of Fear, Garland's Room, and the Miles rock you into the new year. 2490 SW Seventeenth Ave., 857-0041.

Polly Esther's. Disco down to the platform palace for a groovy induction into the new year. 841 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 535-5633.

Scala Miami. DJ Roly and Landy Castro and his band start your year off right with some salsa sounds; a dinner package is also available. 905 S. Bayshore Dr., 371-5604.

Wednesday
Rose's Bar & Music Lounge, "Phat and Phunky." Now hailing from San Francisco, former Miami band What It Is funks things up with groovy tunes all night. 754 Washington Ave., Miami Beach, 532-0228.

Berlin Bar, "Rat Pack Nite." Bring your attitude and your dancing shoes for a musical tribute to and some serious reminiscing about Frank, Sammy, and Dean. 661 Washington Ave., Miami Beach 674-0864.

Warsaw Ballroom, "Male Erotica Night." Strippers, both amateur and all-too-professional, compete for sleaze and glory. Normally Warsaw's best night. 1450 Collins Ave., Miami Beach, 531-4555.

-- By Liz Martinez

Send information regarding special "one-nighters" to "Into the Night." Fax material to 571-7678 or call 571-7572.