Growing up - I always loved watching movies that featured elegant New Year’s Eve parties, where everyone was dressed to the nines, the champagne was flowing, balloons covered the ceiling, and you had to walk through a sea of ribbons floating in the air to get across the room. MAGIC.

As I got older, I realized there are lots of different ways to celebrate the start of the new year - live concerts, quiet dinners, high end hotel elegance, neighborhood bars, and even just hanging out at home. As long as you have drinks flowing, friends and loved ones around - it’s a party. But if you’re the type to tear up the town or like to indulge in great food…here’s a list of lots of options in ATL where you can ring in 2012!

Cypress Street (Midtown) - 8pm to 2:30am. $10+. Free house beer + well bar 9-10pm. Champagne toast at midnight and breakfast buffet.

The Shed (Glenwood)- 4pm to Midnight. ($65 four-course meal with champagne toast). Amazing food and a great way to ring in the new year! Can’t stay up late? Celebrate with their Pajama Brunch from 11am-4pm on 1/1!

Rosebud: A Celebration of the South (Morningside) - 5:30pm to Midnight. A la carte menu with delish southern favorites. Live music from Christian Clark 9:30pm-2am. Diners receive free admission to The Family Dog ($10 without dinner).

Sweet Georgia’s Juke Joint (Downtown) - Seatings: 6:30-9:30pm ($75 - four-course meal and a bottle of wine).  10pm-2am (four-course meal, bottle of wine & champagne toast at midnight). Live music starting at 4pm.

Peach Drop - Underground ATL (Downtown)- 11am to 3am (1/1/12). FREE! Kansas rings in 2012 after a day filled with live music, family activities, food and more.

Tongue & Groove - Glitz, Glam & Groove (Lindburgh). 9pm open. $25+ . Music, champagne toast at midnight, snacks, balloon drop, more!

Park Tavern - NYE with Yacht Rock Revue (Midtown). 8pm open (first 1k ticket holders). $125. All-inclusive drinks and food, including fresh sushi, gourmet hors d’ouvres and s’mores. Rock into 2012 with smooth grooves of Yacht Rock Revue overlooking the gorgeous ATL skyline!

La Tavola (VaHi) - 5:30-11pm. $55 prix fixe menu. One of my favorite dining spots, featuring a three course meal. Yum!

Tavern 99’s Rockin’ NYE (Buckhead). 9pm open. $75 Open Bar, live and DJ music, food, party favors, confetti drop, more!

A Social Mess presents The World’s Greatest Most Fantastic Super Duper Anti-Hotel NYE Gala in the Universe - The Buckhead Theatre (Buckhead). 8pm open. $115+. Open bar, live and DJ music, ice luges, midget acrobats, drag queens, cabaret-style dancers, handstand contest, fake snow, and more!

Buckhead Saloon (Buckhead). 8:30am open. $55+. Open bar, live entertainment, buffet, champagne toast and more.

Ice Wide Shut - Goldroom (Lindburgh). 9pm open. $20+. Champagne toast, balloon drop, DJ music, ice sculptures, snow machine, Go-Go dancers, and more.

Atlanta Symphony NYE. 8pm. $30+. Big band is back with dancing and classic songs! Ring in 2012 with some old school style!

Spiral’s Kings Ball 2012 - Westin Perimeter North. 9pm-2:30am. $100+. Open bars, gourmet buffets, music, dancing, ball drops, confetti drops, party favors and more!