Recipe for a great New Year’s Eve: Champagne. Confetti. Someone to kiss at midnight. And a guidebook to the best parties Atlantic City’s casinos have to offer. Not sure where to welcome 2009? Here’s how the hottest night spots will ring out the old and celebrate the new.

Bally’s Atlantic City
Blue Martini will have live entertainment and a midnight countdown. 609-340-2709
Other Venues: Mountain Bar.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
The nightclubs mixx and mur.mur will each host a themed New Year’s Eve celebration. DJ Riz will spin discs at mixx. $50. DJ Spider mans the booth at mur.mur. $100. Bottle service is available at both clubs. 609-317-7805
Other Venues: Gypsy Bar, B Bar.

Caesars and the Pier Shops
Game ON and Trinity Pub will host a “Beyond The Velvet Rope” celebration. DJ Jazzy Jeff & DJ Sat One will spin discs at Game ON (VIP tables available), while a live band will perform at Trinity. Party includes access to both bars, open bar 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m., live Times Square feed, champagne toast at midnight with party favors. $99. 609-345-6800
Other Venues: Sonsie, Continental.

Harrah’s Atlantic City
The Pool at Harrah’s will feature DJ Klutch, an open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, complimentary admission to the Waterfront Buffet from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., live video feed from Times Square, and at midnight, a balloon/beach ball drop and champagne toast. Party goes until 4 a.m. Tickets are $99 in advance. 1-800-277-5990.
Other Venues: Eden Lounge and Xhibition Bar.

Resorts Atlantic City
Boogie Nights will hold a groovy New Year’s Eve party with open bar from 9:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. and a midnight countdown. $100.
609-340-7698 • Other Venues: Luna Lounge

Showboat Casino & House of Blues
D’Jais Belmar will host a “Jersey Shore” party at Club Worship with special guests and live performances, open bar from 9 p.m. to midnight, hats, noisemakers, souvenir T-shirts, Times Square broadcast and confetti. $99. 609-343-4000. 

Tropicana Casino & Resort
(The Quarter & Marketplace)
Tropicana will host a free New Year’s Eve event in Fiesta Plaza at the Quarter featuring several DJs. The bars and restaurants will be offering special packages; reservations are suggested. 

Planet Rose will offer karaoke, shot specials and giveaways starting from 7 p.m., with no cover before 11 p.m. Private VIP Room will be available for the entire night or on an hourly basis. Room rentals of three hours or more include a free bottle of champagne and favors. The VIP Room has unlimited karaoke with your own private system and cocktail service.

Cuba Libre will offer a late night dinner package as well as an a la carte menu. DJ Javier will be spinning a tropical mix and the “Late Night Latin 2” floor show will feature a Cuban percussionist, singers and dancers. Tickets are $25 in advance until December 29.
     Upstairs in the Missile Bar DJ Sojo will spin hot vocal house, dance and mash-ups. Party favors and noisemakers will be offered at midnight. 609-348-6700.

A Dam Good Sports Bar will have a $10 cover that includes free buffet at midnight, $5 40 oz. bottled beers, party favors, DJ and drink specials.

Providence Nightclub will have a five-hour open bar 9:30 p.m. to 2:30 a.m., hors d’oeuvres from 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m., live projections from Times Square, champagne toast and confetti drop. $150 (VIP table $250).

32° Luxe Lounge is offering a package which includes party favors, hats and noisemakers, live Times Square broadcast at midnight and a complimentary champagne toast. Music by DJ B Easy. $40 until December 29.

Rí Rá has live music by Eleven Eleven and Red Square features DJ Siberian Nights starting at 11:45 p.m.

Firewaters in the Marketplace has a $10 cover that includes munchies, party favors, DJ and midnight champagne toast. All proceeds will benefit the fight against breast cancer.

Trump Marina Hotel Casino
A free party will take place in the Atrium starting at 9 p.m. DJ Frank Jr. will be on hand along with sexy dancers and videos.

At the Wave the popular band Don’t Call me Francis will play. Open bar from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. will include party favors and champagne toast. Advance tickets are $75 and $100 the night of the event. A reserved table for two with bottle of champagne is available for $300.

Gourmet Dinner Package (Imperial Court, DJ’s Steakhouse, Harbor View) $235 per couple includes a four-course dinner, party favors and a bottle of champagne. A combined Gourmet Dinner and Wave Package is available for $325. www.trumpmarina.com.

Trump Plaza Casino Hotel
Jezebel’s will have live entertainment to ring in the New Year. 800-677-7787.

A New Year’s Eve overnight package includes $200 at Roberto’s Ristorante and brunch for two the next day. www.trumpplaza.com/special-offers • Other Venues: Liquid Bar, EVO.

Trump Taj Mahal
WKTU’s Beatstock dance party takes place in the Xanadu Theatre from 10 p.m. A DJ will spin discs, while special live performances will take place throughout the night. $100.
609-449-5150.

Jerry Blavat brings his dance party to the Tiara Ballroom beginning at 8 p.m. Buffet dinner for two is included for $125, or with overnight stay package for $250. www.trumptaj.com/special-offers. 609-449-5150.

Casbah Nightclub will feature DJ SOJO, open bar from 10 p.m. to midnight, and a midnight celebration. $100. 609-449-5138. www.casbahclub.com.

New Year’s Eve Arena package includes an overnight stay, a dance party in the Mark G. Etess arena with music by Cheers, a sit-down surf-and-turf dinner and open bar. Package also includes brunch for two on New Year’s Day.  Party and Room package starting at $749.  Party tickets $150.

. Other Venues: Hard Rock Café.

By Robert Rossiello

The Art Director for Casino Connection Magazine, Robert Rossiello is an artist, a photographer, and a free-lance writer. His work has been published in several literary magazines and his visual art has been exhibited throughout the Jersey shore. In addition to his designing Casino Connection, he also contributes articles for The Tides, Monthly Mixologist and Multimedia sections.

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