Sure, you could stay home and watch the ball drop at Times Square on New Year's Eve, but you want to stay up until midnight, right? "New Year's Rockin' Eve" is a snoozer compared to the many local soirees scheduled for the last night of 2012. Several area restaurants will offer extra-festive NYE menus, while other venues will host live bands, dances and other assorted revelry. The region is so hoppin' on Monday, we can't possibly run all of the local NYE events here, so we selected some standouts as suggestions listed here.

So, dust off your dancing shoes and enjoy the holiday spirit just a little while longer at one of these year-ending shindigs around the region.

-Marisa Nadolny

NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY: Old Lyme Inn, 85 Lyme St., Old Lyme. The inn presents its inaugural New Year's Eve party. Prix-fixe dinner will be followed by a cocktail party and live music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.; party is $25 per person with cash bar; free for dinner guests. Party guests will be served appetizers and desserts and a midnight toast. Music by Jim Stewart's Jump Swing Fever Orchestra. Info and reservations: (860) 434-2600 or marketing@oldlymeinn.com.

NEW YEAR'S EVE THE WAY IT SHOULD BE: Bee & Thistle Inn, 100 Lyme St., Old Lyme. Event includes a six-course dinner, music by the 16-piece String of Pearls, dancing and champagne toast at midnight. Seatings: 5:30 and 6 p.m.: $95 per person plus beverage, tax and service charge added.; 8:30 and 9 p.m.: $150 per person plus beverage, tax and service charge. Info: (860) 434-1667.

NEW YEAR'S EVE GALA: 7:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., Ocean House, Westerly. Dance away the remaining hours of the passing year in black tie. An assortment of gourmet preparations will be offered throughout the resort; music by The Johnny Rogers Band and Steve Marvin and the Tom Pasquarelli Quartet. Price: $175 per person (includes food, open bar, tax and gratuity); 21 years of age and older only. Info: (401) 584-7000.

Guests at the Weekapaug Inn may purchase a package that includes dinner at 6 p.m. and tickets and transportation to the Ocean House gala. See weekapauginn.com.

THE SHOPS CONCOURSE NEW YEAR'S EVE COUNTDOWN: 7 p.m. Mohegan Sun Shops concourse. Music by DJae Mêlée; party hats and noisemakers will be distributed throughout the property. Info: mohegansun.com/entertainment/new-years-eve.html

PARTY AT MIST: 9 p.m., Casino of the Wind, Mohegan Sun. Club debut will include music by DJ K-Otic and champagne toast at midnight. (866) 760-5901.

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2012 AT BALLO: 10 p.m., BALLO Social Club, Mohegan Sun. Featuring the electro house beats of DJ Louie Faiolo Jr. and the BALLO dancers; $25 cover charge. For tickets and VIP table reservations, call (860) 862-1100.

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2013 AT THE HARD ROCK: Hard Rock Café At Foxwoods; last restaurant seating at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 9:30 p.m. Live music by Red Light at 10:30 p.m., and DJ Anthony Puzzo at 12:30 a.m.; $25 general admission, standing room only; $30 GA tickets available at the door based on availability. Tickets at www.ticketalternative.com.

SHRINE NEW YEAR'S EVE 2013 PARTY: 9 p.m. to 3 a.m., Shrine, MGM Grand at Foxwoods. Music by DJ JD; tickets are $75; www.shrinemgmfoxwoods.com.

HIGH ROLLERS NEW YEAR'S EVE 2013: High Rollers Luxury Lanes & Lounge, Foxwoods Resort Casino, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Music by DJ John Cardona; $20 cover at the door.

BRIGHT NIGHT PROVIDENCE 2013: noon to midnight. Rhode Island Convention Center, Providence. Featuring Rhode Island comedians, actors, singers, dancers, musicians, magicians, acrobats, storytellers, puppeteers and clowns, performing in more than 10 venues throughout the downtown area. Full schedule at www.brightnight.org/schedule. Tickets are $20 for adults; $10 for children.

NYE ON THE MYSTIC RIVER: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., Mystic Yachting Center, 100 Essex St., Mystic. Food by Ocean Blue Catering and music by Sugar. Price of $100 per person includes food, premium open bar the entire evening and a champagne toast at midnight. Dress to impress, and guests must be 21 or older. Reservations required; call (860) 572-5955, ext. 520.

NEW YEAR'S EVE 2012: Dinner from 4 to 9 p.m.; party from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m., Bulkeley House Saloon, 111 Bank St., New London. Dinner package ($25) includes four-course dinner and champagne toast; party package ($15) includes buffet, drink specials and champagne toast. Live music by No Shame. Reservations: (860) 444-7753 or reservations@bhsaloon.com.

PARTY WITH TRANSPORTATION: Ryan's Pub, 112 Fort Path Rd., Groton. Choose from three packages that all include transportation within the region to and from the bar. Package 1 at $199 per couple includes four-hour open bar, free entertainment and buffet, and a Queen Room at the Quality Inn; Package 2 at $50 per person ($95 per couple) includes four-hour open bar, free entertainment and buffet; Package 3 offers transportation only for free. Info: 860-445-RYAN.

ANNUAL NYE BENEFIT: 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Oakwood Bar & Grille at Groton Inn & Suites, Rte. 184, Groton. Proceeds benefit New London Community Meal Center. Tickets are $120 per couple and include hors d'oeuvres, music by DJ Turk, champagne toast, grand buffet and more. Stay overnight for $150. Reservations: (860) 445-9784, ext. 356; grotoninn.com.

NYE AT SNEEKERS CAFE: 568 Poquonnock Road, Groton. Live music with Left of Center and dinner for two special for $75 per couple.

NYE WITH SHINY LAPEL TRIO: 8:30 p.m., Gelston House, 8 Main St., East Haddam. Dinner package at $55 per person includes full dinner, champagne at midnight and music by the Shiny Lapel Trio. Price to see the band and visit bar without dinner is $25. Info and reservations: (860) 873-1411.

GALA DINNER: Copper Beech Inn, 46 Main St., Ivoryton. This black-tie optional event features a six-course meal, dancing to the live Bales-Gitlin Band, and champagne at midnight; $138 per person. Info and reservations: (860) 767-0330 or www.copperbeechinn.com.

GALA NEW YEAR'S EVE DINNER AND DANCE PARTY: 7 p.m. to 1:30 a.m., Water's Edge Resort & Spa, 1525 Boston Post Road, Westbrook. Price of $132 per person (plus service charge and taxes) includes hot and cold hors d'oeuvres, premium open bar until 1 a.m., dance party until 1:30 a.m., gourmet dinner service, live entertainment with three bands and champagne toast and balloon drop at midnight. Reservations: (800) 222-5901.

NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION: 8 p.m. to midnight, Madison Beach Hotel, 94 West Wharf Road, Madison. Includes cocktails, dinner, live music by Chris Geith Band and Nadina Perry (jazz, disco, R&B and pop), and a champagne toast at midnight; $149 per person (includes tax, gratuity, and champagne). Call (203) 245-2404 for reservations.