New Year’s Eve: lowbrow, highbrow, or something inbetween?

Every year, a bevvy of venues make their best effort to get you to join them for New Year's Eve. Most offer a steep cover charge, but with the promise of unlimited alcohol once you get in. To my mind, that seems like a sure bet you'll wake up with a mighty hangover and few memories to go along with it - not much of a start to the new year.

So why not make New Year's eve a memorable event?

Here are three options that offer everything from comedy to rock to fine cuisine. The great entertainment comes with the ticket - you'll have to buy the hangover a la carte.

1. The Year in Denial: The Scrimshaw Brothers' New Year's Eve Comedy Extravaganza!

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Presented by The Scrimshaw Brothers at Bryant Lake Bowl

Laugh in the New Year with critically acclaimed comedians The Scrimshaw Brothers and their special guests Eric Webster, Shanan Custer & Tim Uren! An irreverent mix of smart sketch, stand-up and improv comedy! Plus more broken resolutions than you can shake a Scrimshaw at! The late show goes all the way to 2012! (FYI: Josh Scrimshaw really enjoys being on stage in his underwear - that's a warning, but not a promise)

2. Mark Mallman's New Year's Eve in 3D

The hardest working musician in the Twin Cities is back again, with what promises to be a wild evening of piano-driven rock that borders on performance art. (Mallman is the same guy who played for 78 hours non-stop in 2010.)

3. Wow your date with fine music AND fine food:

The Dakota Jazz Club presents the lovely Davina and the Vagabonds, along with a tasty menu that features ahi tuna, duck confit, bay scallops, ribeye and chocolate baked Alaska for dessert. A vegetarian tasting menu is also available.

Whatever you do - have fun, and be safe!

See you in 2012...