New Year's Eve in Chicago

This year, celebrate with a plethora of options at Mercadito. Choose a $55 five-course sharing menu or a $100 sharing menu with two-hour open bar (includes Champagne toast, specialty cocktails, wines by the glass, beer, premium well and tequila under $11). An additional hour of open bar can be added for $15. Reservations start at 10pm.

Usher out 2011 with live cover, blues and rock tunes from Matt Stedman Band, starting at 9pm in the Oyster Bar. Grab a bite while you're there: It's open until 1am, and food from the regular a la carte menu will be served until 11pm, followed by a party favor-laden Champagne toast and complimentary oysters when the clock strikes 12 midnight. Then, keep the party pumping at Tokio Pub next door, where DJ Bobby Styles will hit the decks until 2am.

The Ale House offers a five-hour meal package from 8pm to 1am on Dec. 31, which includes a buffet of signature dishes, plus a premium bar including wine, beer and cocktails. Additional amenities include a midnight Champagne toast, party favors and a balloon drop. Resident DJs spin from 8pm to 3am.

Celebrate A Night at the World's Palace this New Year's Eve with a live casino gambling event, open bar and hors d'oeuvres benefiting Starlight Children's Foundation for $175 a ticket.

The Big City Gala begins with a cocktail and hors d'oeuvres reception at 6:30pm and continues to 1am with a four-course dinner served with wine, six-hour premium open bar, live music by The UpBeat Band, midnight Champagne toast, party favors, festive balloon drop, lavish brunch the next morning and late check out at 2pm. The Gala Package is priced at $439 per couple.

Enjoy a calm dinner before the new year, or make a reservation for an exclusive night of delicious food, party favors, DJ, and all-you-can-drink for $100 per guest (exclusive of tax and gratuity). Package includes a five-course sharing menu and two-hour open bar. A la carte dinner reservations are also available before 6:30pm.

Chef Todd Stein's acclaimed restaurant for seasonal Italian cuisine, the Florentine, inside the JW Marriott Chicago, will host a memorable New Year's Eve meal and hotel stay package featuring a luxury guestroom. The package includes luxury hotel accommodations, dinner for two at the Florentine, and late check-out at 2 pm. Package rate is $489 for Dec. 31.

Led by urban gardener and sustainability enthusiast executive chef Scott Walton, Markethouse restaurant will be offering a nine-course truffle-infused menu this New Year's Eve utilizing the freshest ingredients from local farmers. The prix fixe menu cost $75, $125 with wine pairings.