A new year is here, and Rochester is welcoming 2011 in a big way on Friday, December 31. Many area restaurants are offering special menus in honor of New Year's Eve, and just about every bar will have drink specials and champagne toasts at midnight. Listed below are some of the stand-out events; if your favorite venue isn't on the list, call ahead to find out its NYE offerings.

Theater & Film

Blackfriars Theatre debuts its new show, the musical "Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris"; tickets include an elaborate dessert buffet after the show. 795 E Main St. 8 p.m. $50. 454-1260, bftix.com.

The Comedy Club New Year's Eve show features comedian Jamie Lissow (Comedy Central special, regular on the Brother Wease show), as well as a chef's buffet. 2235 Empire Blvd. 9 p.m. $39.95. 671-9080, thecomedyclub.us.

Downstairs Cabaret Theatre holds three showings of its hit holiday musical, "Christmas With the Calamari Sisters: Mangia Italiano, Too!" The 5:30 p.m. show feature snacks and hors d'oeuvres, the 9:30 p.m. show includes a dessert buffet and champagne toast. Downstairs Cabaret Theatre, 3450 Winton Place. Shows at 1 p.m. ($34-$37), 5:30 p.m. ($50-$75) & 9:30 p.m. ($50-$75). 325-4370, downstairscabaret.com.

Dryden Theatre screens the cult 80's classics "The Dark Crystal" (2 p.m.) and "Labyrinth" (3:45 p.m.), and brings in an Alfred Hitchcock/Cary Grant double feature with "Suspicion" (7 p.m.) and "Notorious" (8:45 p.m.). George Eastman House, 900 East Ave. $5-$7/double feature. 271-3361, dryden.eastmanhouse.org.

Geva Comedy Improv puts on its "3D Mainstage Spectacular." The 10:30 p.m. performance will be followed by an after-show dance party featuring music by DJ R-Kive. Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Blvd. Shows at 7:30 & 10:30 p.m. $20. 232-4382, gevatheatre.org.

"The Last MuCCCing Show of the Year" brings together local improv-comedy troupes Unleashed!, The ManShee Chronicles, and Broken Crouch. Many different improv styles, and plenty of audience participation. MuCCC, 142 Atlantic Ave. Shows at 6 & 9 p.m. $17-$20. Muccc.org, unleashedimprov@gmail.com.

Nazareth College Arts Center holds its annual New Year's Eve celebration with political-comedy troupe The Capitol Steps, this year featuring the theme "Liberal Shop of Horrors." Non-partisan political satire, live music, noisemakers, and festive food and drink. 4245 East Ave. Shows at 6:30 & 10 p.m. $45-$75. 389-2170, naz.edu/artscenter.

Village Idiots Comedy Improv presents its "All-Star Improv New Year's Eve Explosion." Three improv shows, exploding Diet Coke bottles at midnight, plus an after-party dance off. Village Gate, 274 N Goodman St., Suite D312. Shows at 6:30, 8:30 & 10:30 p.m. $13.90. 797-9086, improvvip.com.

Special Events

Artisan Works' New Year's bash includes dinner, live music, midnight champagne toast, and more. 565 Blossom Road. 8:30 p.m.-1 a.m. $194.40/couple. 288-7170, artisanworks.net.

Bristol Mountain Ski Resort hosts a New Year's celebration with music, kids' activities, a torchlight parade, and fireworks. 5562 Route 64, Canandaigua. 4-10 p.m. Included with lift ticket, $31-$36. 374-6000, bristolmountain.com.

The City of Rochester puts on a whole evening of activities, starting with a free family skate at Manhattan Square Park Ice Rink (6-8 p.m.), followed by a free adult skate 9-11 p.m. (limited skate rentals for $3). The party moves to the Rochester Riverside Convention Center (123 E. Main St.) for a family dance party and kids activities 7-10:15 p.m., followed by fireworks outside on the Main Street Bridge at 10 p.m. Free. cityofrochester.gov.

The Diplomat hosts a party with live music by Ruby Shooz, a buffet dinner, four-hour open bar, midnight toast, and more. 1 Diplomat Way, Gates. Starts at 8 p.m. $49.95. 647-1566.

Fair and Expo Center holds a family New Year's Eve bash with kid activities, karaoke, carnival games, science tricks, roller skating, fireworks, and more. 2695 E Henrietta Road. 6-10 p.m. $4. fairandexpocenter.org.

Radisson Rochester Hotel New Year's event features an open bar and midnight champagne toast, live entertainment by Smalltown and DJs Bronson Fuentes and Sam DeLorenzo, elaborate dinner, overnight accommodations, and more. 120 E Main St. $220.11/per couple. 546-6400, rochesternewyearseve.com.

Rochester Main Street Armory is host to the Official Playboy New Year's Eve Celebration, an erotica ball and casino night presided over by Miss September Olivia Paige with music by DJ Turbulance. 900 E Main St. 9 p.m. $14.85. rochestermainstreetarmory.com.

Rochester Public Library kicks off its 100th anniversary in 2011 with a New Year's Eve party featuring live jazz by Matt Valerio, dancing, a two-hour open bar, dinner catered by Mario's, dessert, and a champagne toast. Rundel Building, Central Library, 115 South Ave. 7:30-11 p.m. $75. 428-8324, ww3.libraryweb.org.

Woodcliff Hotel and Spa offers midnight champagne toast, live entertainment, fireworks, dinner, and a deluxe room for two. 199 Woodcliff Drive. $239-$350/per couple. 248-4852, woodcliffhotelandspa.com.

Bars & Clubs

Abilene hosts a NYE bash with live music from the Ruckus Juice Jug Band, Phil Close on the washboard, and guitarist Alan Vitberg, plus party favors and dancing. 153 Liberty Pole Way. 9 p.m. Free. Abilenebarandlounge.com.

Blue Room will feature tunes by DJ Storm and DJ Mirage, with special guest The Solution. Drink specials and more. 293 Alexander St. 8 p.m.-4 a.m. 730-5985, blueroomrochester.com.

Bug Jar hosts the ACT LIVE New Year's party with Werd Play, a freestyle hip-hop series open to all MCs and producers (registration required at info@actlivemusic.com), plus a performance by Husky and Nugz from the Goonies Crew, 8-11 p.m. (21+, $7, includes snacks and a champagne toast). Followed the RIPROC party 11 p.m. to close. 219 Monroe Ave. 454-2966, bugjar.com.

Dicky's offers two drink packages: $60 gets you well drinks and a buffet, while $100 gets you top-shelf liquor. Call for details. 791 Meigs St. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. 730-8310.

Heat Nightclub is throwing the 2010 Rewind, featuring a refresher of the hottest songs from 2010, tunes by world-famous DJ Hollywood, a balloon drop at midnight, drink specials, and more. 336 East Ave. Party starts at 10 p.m. $5-$10+. 18+, dress code enforced. 317-3135.

Jeremiah's offers a $45 bar pack that covers you 10 p.m.-2 a.m. 1104 Monroe Ave. 461-1313, jeremiahstavern.com.

Johnny's Irish Pub features live music from the Smooth Talkers. 1382 Culver Road. 9 p.m. Free. 224-0990, johnnysirishpub.com.

The Jukebox features a farewell performance by 7th Heaven, plus party favors, midnight champagne toast, and a breakfast buffet at 1:30 a.m. 5435 W Ridge Road. $15. 352-4505, facebook.com/thejukeboxbar.

The Landing Bar and Grille rocks out with Tommy Brunett starting at 10 p.m., preceded by a dinner special 4:30-9:30 p.m. 30 Village Landing, Fairport. $38.95/couple. 425-7490.

Lemoncello Caf� & Lounge offers dinner specials, live music, an open bar 11:30 p.m.-midnight, and more. 137 W Commercial St., East Rochester. 385-8565, lemoncello137.com.

Lovin' Cup hosts its third annual New Year's Bash with music by AudioInflux and The Brothers Shamus, preceded by a special dinner and music by the Moho Collective 7-9 p.m. 300 Park Point Drive. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. 292-9940, lovincup.com.

NOLA's BBQ holds a New Year's Eve Party with Johnny Smoke, DJs, and a buffet 9 p.m.-midnight. 4775 Lake Ave. 7 p.m.-4 a.m. $10. 663-3375, nolasweb.com.

One will feature music by DJs Richie Salvaggio and Papi Chulo, the East Coast and West Coast ball drops broadcast on the video wall, free champagne splits and party favors, dinner packages, and more. 1 Ryan Alley. Bar open until 4 a.m., breakfast served at 4:30 a.m. 546-1010, oneryan.com.

R.O.A.R. offers music by DJ Wizz and DJ Fight, a free champagne toast, free hors d'oeuvres starting at 10 p.m., and more. 233 Mill St. Free 10-11 p.m., after $10; $25 VIP special includes access to Cherry Lounge and additional eats. Open until 3 a.m. 413-1167.

Shamrock Jack's hosts a New Year's bash with live music by Ebb Tide. 4554 Culver Road. Starts at 9 p.m. Free. 323-9310.

Tap and Mallet puts on a New Year's Eve beer social, followed by live surf rock with Duke Galaxy and the Pipeliners. 381 Gregory St. 9 p.m. $18 (social; entertainment free). 473-0503, tapandmallet.com.

Tapas 177 Lounge will serve three seatings of a four-course dinner menu (at 6, 7:30, and 9:30 p.m.; $65, reservations required), and then a Latin dance party with DJ Julio takes over midnight-4 a.m. 177 St. Paul St. No cover, 21+. 262-2090, tapas177.com.

Taylors Disco Nightclub gala NYE party includes favors and a toast at midnight, plus DJs all night long. 3300 Monroe Ave. $10. 381-3000, taylorsdisco.com.

TC Hooligans Bar & Grill features a New Year's Eve bash hosted by the band Taran. Greece Ridge Center Mall. 225-7180, tchooligans.com.

Tilt Nightclub throws the Black & Gold Masquerade Ball, with drink specials, two drag shows, free champagne toast, $1500 confetti prize blast, contest for best outfits, a continental breakfast at 2:30 a.m., and more. 444 Central Ave. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. $10-$20. 232-8440, tiltrochester.com.

Venu Resto-Lounge hosts the Countdown to 2011 party hosted by JB Brown and Blakk Entertainment. 151 St. Paul St. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. $20. 202-4804, venurochester.com.

Vertex will feature tunes from DJ Cedric, plus a champagne toast following the countdown to midnight. 169 N Chestnut St. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. $3-$8. 18+. 232-5498.

Water Street Music Hall holds a NYE bash with music by Big Reg. 204 N Water St. 10 p.m. $26. 800-745-3000, waterstreetmusic.com.