Another December 31st evening spent… Playing Parcheesi with grandma (and she always wins)? Beverly Hills Cop 7 and popcorn fights with the kids? Hitting an over-priced / under-serviced restaurant with the significant other?

For women on the prowl, or those simply wanting to cut loose after a long, hard year, the options for New Year’s Eve can be daunting: Too expensive, too couple-y, too loud, too many ‘posers.’

If you haven’t already made plans, here are a few ideas to whet your whistle, and they won’t break the bank, either. So pull out your spangle-y dress and high heels from the mothballs, grab a couple of girlfriends, and book your tickets right away.

My insiders promise me that the bartenders are hot, the men are friendly and the music and dancing is guaranteed to bring the temperature up significantly. So kick up your ‘happy’ heels!

You can’t go wrong with a visit to any of the Donnelly Group enclaves in town. Publicist Shannon Heth recommends hitting up the Granville Room downtown on New Year’s. They’ll be ringing in the festivities with a champagne cocktail dinner pairing - a three course a la carte dinner, each course paired with a version of a champagne cocktail. Plus: Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. It’s a younger crowd, but with plenty of testosterone (if you catch my drift.) Late-night music is provided by DJ Jolin Ras & DJ Ecos. All this for $60, with dinner service: 7pm-10pm. Donnellygroup.ca for tickets.

Charlotte Sherry is a city gal who always has her finger on the pulse of the hot and the happening. She’s pointing the ladies in town towards Cory Weeds Cellar Jazz Club in Kitsilano. Calling it her favourite place in Vancouver, the Club has an awesome New Year’s Eve night planned, and the gathering is all ages but for over-40’s it’s particularly inviting. Go to Cellarjazz.com for full music line-up and ticket details.

Sherry knows our Vancouver divas love dancing. The Bimini Public House on West 4th is an interesting, and perhaps unusual, choice, but it gets very busy – only approach if you like it cheek to cheek! She says it’s a great place for meeting men – they are pretty proactive there, which is unusual in this city! Donnellygroup.ca.

Everyone’s favourite party planner extraordinaire, Craig Stowe of Jet Set Crew, has a very reasonable offer on tap that’s sure to set your tassles a’twirling next Monday eve. The 2012/13 version of the club’s New Year's Eve Party – Resolution – takes place from 9pm until 2am at two ‘closerthanthis’ venues - New Oxford, 1144 Homer St., + Hooker's Green, 1141 Hamilton St. Stowe promises that the staff are hotter than hot at Oxford and Hookers Green and the guests are the type of people you want to spend your NYE with!

Event details: cocktail dresses for ladies, jackets for gentlemen. It’s going to be an exceptional night of world-class music and celebration featuring Headliner DJ Relly Rels, DJ Johnny Omega and live drummer Zuzu. Stowe says Resolution is a unique flow-through party, with exclusive use of both New Oxford and Hooker's Green, plus Moët champagne, luxury cocktails, dessert bar at Midnight, and all the right people will make this an evening that few insiders will forget! Limited group packages available: buy three, get one free. Go to jetsetcrew.com for ticket details (no tickets at the door.)