What To Do on New Year's Eve: Laugh, Eat, Dance Your Way Through Roswell

So, New Year’s Eve is rapidly approaching and the only reservation you have is for the left side of your couch, watching Ryan Seacrest and the big crystal ball drop. Again. No worries, it’s not too late to find some fun ways to ring in 2012. And if Atlanta nightlife is not your thing, there are plenty of festivities right here in Roswell. Here are a few to check out:

• - Do you claim to have a wee bit of Irish in you? Well, who doesn’t, really? Then head down to your local pub (or as close as you’ll get in Roswell) to greet 2012. Ireland will be ringing in the New Year five hours ahead of Atlanta, so join your fellow pubgoers with a champagne toast at 7 p.m. You can start – or finish – the evening early. For more information, call 770-645-0118.
• - Maybe your style is a little more French. Forget watching giant fruit sliding to the ground. This year, Pastis will start its own tradition by dropping a disco ball at midnight. Oo la la! After polishing off your beef tartare, dance the night away to the band Atlanta Soul, performing from 9 pm to 1 a.m. A dinner package comes with a meal and music plus party favors, hats and horns. Dinner packages are $49/person for dinner; $55/person with a glass of champagne or house wine. If you just want to spend your evening drinking and dancing in the bar, the charge is $15 at the door. Reservations are not required but are strongly recommended. Call 770-640-3870.
• - Maybe you didn’t make the auditions for American Idol, but you can still impress your friends and neighbors with your fabulous singing voice. Chaplin’s of Roswell, long known for its karaoke, will hold a New Year’s Eve karaoke party, with a free champagne toast, party hats and favors and a countdown on the big screen. Make sure to brush up on the lyrics to Auld Lang Syne. For more information, call 770-552-1147.
• - What goes better with champagne than chocolate-covered strawberries? Or mini cupcakes and coconut creme pies? Party Chic is hosting a dessert buffet at its upstairs location overlooking historic Roswell. The café will be open from 8 p.m to 1 a.m., with live music by Gary Vaughn starting at 8:30 p.m. You can get the dessert buffet (no alcohol) for $12.95/person. Or pay $17.95/person for a package, which includes desserts plus a bottle of house champagne or wine per couple or two glasses for single reservations. Reservations are not required, but are recommended. Call 770-643-0020.
• - Everything tastes better when you dip it in cheese or chocolate. The Melting Pot is offering a four-course menu to ring in 2012, which includes lobster or angus sirloin and – of course – chocolate fondue.  You can pay $65/person for just the four-course meal, or $90 to include wine pairings suggested by a sommelier. Seating is limited. Call 770-518-4100 for reservations.
• Funny Farm Comedy Club - What better way to start a new year than with laughter? Dan Mengini, an actor and stand-up comedian, will keep you howling past midnight. Maybe you’ve seen him on CW’s One Tree Hill or Showtime’s Homeland. Now is your chance to see him up close. He will hold two shows at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m., with separate ticketing. The late show is $45 and includes complimentary champagne and party favors. Get tickets here.
• - If you’ve waited this long, you’ve already missed one of the seatings at this popular restaurant. But no worries. You can still secure a table for 5:30 p.m. or 9:30 p.m. The restaurant is offering its regular menu, or you can get a select three-course menu for $49. And for an additional $20, you can add a wine pairing. A DJ will start playing by 9:30 p.m., and there will be a champagne toast at midnight. There is no cover charge, but you should make reservations, 770-643-8886.