New Year’s Eve: lowbrow, highbrow, or something inbetween?

Every year, a bevvy of venues make their best effort to get you to join them for New Year's Eve. Most offer a steep cover charge, but with the promise of unlimited alcohol once you get in. To my mind, that seems like a sure bet you'll wake up with a mighty hangover and few memories to go along with it - not much of a start to the new year.

So why not make New Year's eve a memorable event?

Here are three options that offer everything from comedy to rock to fine cuisine. The great entertainment comes with the ticket - you'll have to buy the hangover a la carte.

1. The Year in Denial: The Scrimshaw Brothers' New Year's Eve Comedy Extravaganza!

Presented by The Scrimshaw Brothers at Bryant Lake Bowl

Laugh in the New Year with critically acclaimed comedians The Scrimshaw Brothers and their special guests Eric Webster, Shanan Custer & Tim Uren! An irreverent mix of smart sketch, stand-up and improv comedy! Plus more broken resolutions than you can shake a Scrimshaw at! The late show goes all the way to 2012! (FYI: Josh Scrimshaw really enjoys being on stage in his underwear - that's a warning, but not a promise)

2. Mark Mallman's New Year's Eve in 3D

The hardest working musician in the Twin Cities is back again, with what promises to be a wild evening of piano-driven rock that borders on performance art. (Mallman is the same guy who played for 78 hours non-stop in 2010.)

3. Wow your date with fine music AND fine food:

The Dakota Jazz Club presents the lovely Davina and the Vagabonds, along with a tasty menu that features ahi tuna, duck confit, bay scallops, ribeye and chocolate baked Alaska for dessert. A vegetarian tasting menu is also available.

Whatever you do - have fun, and be safe!

See you in 2012...

• After five years, State of the Arts comes to a close
• Park Square’s second stage to open Friday
• Most critics find ‘Romeo and Juliet’ a dreamy delight
• Michael Kareken fills two galleries with ‘Parts’