Where to party (and maybe get laid) on New Year’s Eve!

Looking to get your cork popped this New Year’s? Well, if starting 2008 with a bang (literally) is on your to-do list this holiday season, there are plenty of places where you can hook up this Dec 31 as you kiss 2007 goodbye.

If you like picking up at parties, there is no lack of events at which to find that special someone to kiss (or whatever else may be on your mind) when the ball drops.

So, although I can’t guarantee you’ll be screwing anything more than corks this New Year’s, I’m pretty sure attending any one of these events will at least get you a midnight kiss.

Jump to your city:
Montreal | Vancouver | Ottawa | Toronto

Montreal

For boys looking to get their groove on, there’s Tools, located at 1592 Ste. Catherine St East. The club, which features a playroom, will host a New Year’s party Dec 31, starting at 9 p.m. With music by DJ Mario Léonard, admission is $5. Once you’ve downed your bubbly and feel like having some fun, you can check out the playroom, which includes labyrinths, dark rooms, glory holes and places to set off your own New Year’s fireworks. Tools even provides free condoms and lube. For more information, check out www.club-tools.com.

Ladies on the hunt should be able to find what they’re looking for at Le Bal en Rose (The Pink Ball) at Cocktail Cabaret Lounge (1669 Ste. Catherine East). The party takes place Dec 31, starting at 9 p.m. It will include a draw and a surprise (one can only guess at what that might be!). Pre-sale tickets are $20, $30 at the door. For more on this event, call Cocktail at (514) 597-0814.

If getting hot and sweaty is your idea of a good time, Sauna Oasis (1390 Ste. Catherine East), is hosting a New Year’s buffet, starting at midnight on Dec 31. The Oasis features dry and steam saunas, a spa, a XXX cinema, dark rooms, a poolroom and a snack bar. To find out more about this event, call the Oasis at (514) 521-0785 or check out www.saunaoasis.net.

Finally, if dancing the night away while you scout out your New Year’s Eve trick is your cup of tea, check out Future Perfect 2008 at Parking nightclub (1296 Amherst). The Dec 31 blowout, which starts at 8 p.m. and ends at 3 a.m., includes a six-hour DJ set featuring Peter Rauhofer and his tribal electro house music. Pre-sale tickets are $45 and are available at Priape (1311 Ste. Catherine East). For details, visit Parking’s website at www.parkingnightclub.com.

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Vancouver

First Dance 2008
Big Roger Events brings you the biggest, non-stop dance party in two rooms featuring DJ Escape from New York, DJs Rob C, Bertossi, Jesse Creed and special guest Matthew Miller. 9 pm-3 am, Roundhouse Rec Centre (capacity 900!), Roundhouse Mews. Licensed event, tickets $50 for first 200, remainder are $70 at Priape, 1148 Davie St, Body Energy Club, 746 Davie St or www.clubzone.com.

A Majestic First Night
Come and celebrate New Year’s Eve at The Majestic. Guests will enjoy a five course meal, and receive bubbly at midnight. There will be a show hosted by Joan-E, featuring guest Robyn Graves. Tickets $75 for dinner and show, $20 for show and bubbly only. The Majestic, 1138 Davie St, www.majesticvancouver.com.

1181’s First Annual Salacious Slumber Party
Drink specials, Winter Pride getaway prize draw, complimentary champagne, party favours, tapas by Quince, music by DJ Scott G, visuals by Rim Visuals. Dress is slumber party attire. 8 pm at 1181, 1181 Davie St. Tickets $40 in advance at 1181.

Pink Party
Join Numbers as they celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Pink Party! Dress in your best pink and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, party favours and champagne at midnight. Sells out every year so get tickets early. $20 at Numbers, 1042 Davie St, 604.685.4077.

Snowstorm
DJs Zach Shore and Dan James join go-go boys, circus performers and Jaylene to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Ice Palace. Blend in with the snow, wear white, and wait until midnight to see the snowstorm erupt — and have complimentary champagne! 9 pm, Celebrities, 1022 Davie St. First 200 tickets cost $40, remainder are $50 at Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St, or Celebrities.

Naked New Year’s Eve
Save the money you’d spend on that new outfit and have great fun at the same time with the Pacific Canadian Association of Nudists’ (P-CAN) unique way of ringing in the New Year. Clothes check, champagne and appetizers at midnight. 8 pm-2 am, Davie Village Café, 1141 Davie St. Tickets $20 members, $25 guests at Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St.

Midnight at the Oasis
Join Gouda Gabor, the Dorothy Dittrich Trio, some special guest stars and Hollywood look-alikes, and enjoy champagne at midnight, party favours, as DJs Eric Lewis and Jason and the Oasis team bring you a very special New Year’s Eve celebration. Tickets $10 to $75 at Oasis, 1240 Thurlow St. www.oasisvancouver.com

Burlesque Bash
Chaz Royal, the “King of Burlesque,” brings you his third annual New Year’s Eve bash with world class Variety Burlesque and Striptease! Direct from London via Vancouver and beyond. 8 pm-3 am, Lamplighter Pub, 210 Abbott St. Tickets $45 general, $75 VIP at www.clubzone.com/events/event52947.html.

Sin City
Kiss 2007 goodbye at the wildest Fetish New Year’s party in the city. Hosted by Mr Dark, come and get your freak on. Two rooms of dancing with dirty DJs Pandemonium, R-Lex, Pyxis and Noah. 9 pm – 4 am, Club 23 West, 23 West Cordova St. Tickets $19 at Little Sister’s, 1238 Davie St or www.clubvibes.com. Strict fetish dress code in effect. www.sincityfetishnight.com.

The Odyssey New Year’s Party
Featuring “the full meal deal” with a balloon draw, complementary champagne, countdown and decorations. The Odyssey, 1251 Howe St, 9 pm-closing. Tickets $20.

PumpJack New Year’s Eve Party
A free New Year’s Eve Party for PumpJack folk and those who admire them. The PumpJack Pub, 1168 Davie St, 9 pm-4 am.

Imperial Sovereign Court of Surrey: Your Last Date B4 08.
Presented by Prince and Princess 4 Plastika Von Wrap and Boyd Divin. Fireside Café, 13593 King George Highway (at 108th), Surrey. Doors open at 7 pm, dancing and show at 7:30 pm, followed by more dancing from 11 pm-2 am. Tickets $15 purchased by Dec 25. More for information email icp4surrey@hotmail.com or college@gaysurrey.com.

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Ottawa

Souljazz
See the year out with the potent, intoxicating afro-funk sound of Souljazz Orchestra. Guaranteed to get you dancing into the 2008. Dec 31, 9pm. Babylon, 317 Bank.

White Trash Trailer Bash
Swizzles is gonna rock you like a hurricane this New Year’s. Trailer-park prices all night. A King and Queen of the Park will be selected. Become a lawn chair VIP and enjoy the five Star hot dog, Kraft dinner, cheese (canned) & cracker buffet. Advance $10 advance, $15 at door. Dec 31, 9pm. www.swizzles.ca

Zaphods’ New Year’s Eve Bash
It will be a night of heavy mayhem at Zaphods’ no-stress New Year’s Eve party. Featuring Politique, The Polytones, Mono Hum, Doll and Bush Pilots. Dec. 31, $10 for a limited time, at TicketWeb.com, by phone 1.888.222.6608. Zaphods, 27 York.

Edge New Years Eve
Edge Nightclub and Lounge, Ottawa’s biggest gay dance club will be hosting a New Year’s Eve party with multiple bars and hot beats. Dec 31, 8pm-2am. 212 Sparks.

Royal Red Ball
This Semi Formal event is to ring in the New Year in the best kinky way possible! Wear Red… wear a little, or wear a lot! With mock-tails and hors d’ouevres, noisemakers, party favours and champagne at midnight. Dec 31, 7pm-2am. $20/member until Dec 15 (available at canteen), $30/member after. Breathless, 318 Lisgar. breathlessottawa.com

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Toronto

BARS >>

• Beaver. DJ Colin Berg with Taco Lovers. House and electro.
• Big Mamma’s Boy. DIY New Year’s Eve. Dinner served when you want; reserve a table till 3am. Bring your ipod and they’ll play it
• Black Eagle. No Strings Attached
• Pinocchio. Rock in the New Year with band Blaze and Glory. Buffet, party favours. $10. 8pm doors. Service till 3am
• George’s Play. Latin Fiesta with Chris Edwards, Sasha Montenegro and DJ Kno. Champers $10.
• Slack’s. DJs Marty P and Katey. Champagne, dancers, and show. $15.10pm-3am
• Straight. DJ Deko-ze gets the house dirty. Cover TBA. 9pm-3am
• Voglie. Two dancefloors with DJs Delicious and Litgia. Champers at midnight. $15
• Woody’s. Hoopla with Donnarama, Miss Conception, Georgie Girl, Sofonda and, out of the crypt, hostess Scarlett Fever. No cover. Serving till 3am

DANCING >>

• Alibi. New Year’s Eve Resolution II. DJ Chris Steinbach, buffet, favours and champers. $10
• Barn. DJ and producer Cajjmere Wray. $10 before midnight; $15 after. 9pm doors
• Buddies in Bad Times. DJ K-Tel spins top 40 and more in the Chamber; Shane Macinnon spins retro and more alt tunes in Tallulah’s. Andrew Harwood hosts a NYE Babe Contest. $25 adv. 9:30pm doors.
• El Mocambo. DJ Sumation’s house pah-tay, NYE 08. Top 40, R’n’B, electro and more, plus performances by White Punks on Dope, Donnarama and more. Partial proceeds to Serving Charity, a local meals program for the homeless. $10 before 11pm; $15 after. 10pm-3am
• Fly. Miami DJ and producer Alyson Calagna with DJ Paul Heron from London. House, electro and progressive tribal. $40-$45 adv; $50 door; $20 after 5am. 10pm-8am
• Gladstone (Ballroom). Raunch ‘n’ Roll afterparty with DJ Scottie P. Serving till 3am (See Stage)
• Goodhandy’s. Screww, a retro queer party with DJ Duval and drag comedienne Ivory Goth and singer Jamiesen Eakin. Partial proceeds to Out and Out. $20 adv; $25 door, before 1am; $10 after. 10pm-4am
• Opera House. Steve B’s Onyx Ball, for the big boys. Montreal DJ via NYC Johnny Lepage spins dirty beats backed up by the Beef Dip Dancers. Free shuttle from O’Grady’s. $35 adv. 10pm-6am. 735 Queen St E
• Raq ‘n’ Waq. A special NYE edition of Denise Benson’s women and queer party Cherry Bomb with Cozmic Cat and Nik Red joining Benson on the decks. No bells, no whistles, just hot music, electro and disco to salsa and soul. Five fireplaces and one large dancefloor. $12 adv; $15 door. 10pm-4am. 739 Queen St W. 504-9120. Denisebenson.com
• Sound Academy (formerly the Docks). Gairy Brown’s New Year’s Eve party with superstar DJ Offer Nissim in his Toronto debut. With Mark Falco opening and Cajjmere Wray closing. $50-$75. 9pm-7am. 11 Polson St. 586-9914
• Zipperz. DJ Cory Activate in the back. Greg Beer and Kendall on the piano. Buffet, champers at midnight. Serving till 3am. $20