News Summary

A variety of events and activities scheduled around the county offer something for everyone wishing to celebrate the incoming New Year. From a family night at the drive-in to dinners and champagne toasts, a list of offerings is below and at Journal-News.com/holidays.

Ryan's Tavern

Ryan's, located at 241 High St. in Hamilton, will offer a special menu with three seatings — 5, 7 & 9 p.m. $100 a couple/$55 single. This includes dinner, dancing, a champagne toast and party favors. Music by Eric Layton from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Reservations required. Call (513) 737-2200.

Manchester Inn

A New Year's Eve gala in the Great Miami Ballroom in the Manchester Inn in Middletown includes dinner, dancing and champagne toast. Doors and the bar open at 6:30 p.m; the dinner buffet is from 7:30 to 8:30. DJ Ricky "D" will provide music from all decades. For information, call (513) 422-5481 or (800) 523-9126 or www.manchesterinn.com.

Holiday Drive-in

The Holiday Auto Drive-in is scheduled to show a triple feature New Year's Eve — "Bedtime Stories," "Bolt" and "Twilight" with a pause between movies to ring in 2009. Located at 1816 Old Oxford Road, the box office opens at 6:30 p.m.; show begins at 7:15 p.m. For information, call (513) 868-3456 or holidayautotheatre.com.

Back Porch Saloon

DJ plays music from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Dec. 31, champagne toast at midnight, breakfast available at 1 a.m. No cover. 9626 Princeton Glendale Road, West Chester Twp; (513) 874-2432, www.backporchsaloon.com.

Symmes Tavern

8 p.m.; $35; Symmes Tavern on the Green, 500 Wessel Drive, Fairfield; (513) 829-8440.

Metropolis

Three parties at Matrix, Chill and Rodeo. Presale tickets, $10 for 21 and older, $20 for 20 and younger; Cost at door is $15 and $25. Food, champagne toast; chance to win $1,071 in cash as Jordan and DJ SAB from Kiss 107 FM will be on hand. (513) 671-2881, www.cincymetropolis.com.

The Shadowbox Shindig

9 p.m. Dec. 31, $60, Shadowbox Cabaret, 1 Levee Way #4101, Newport, (859) 581-7625, www.shadowbox.com.

NYE Speakeasy

8 p.m. Dec. 31, $12 in advance, $20 at the door, Know Theatre, 1120 Jackson St., Cincinnati, (513) 621-ARTS (2787), www.know theatre.com.

Party Crashers

The Loft Theater, Dayton, (888) 228-3630, www.humanrace theatre.org.

Festival Of Lights

Open nightly 5 to 9 p.m., through Jan. 4, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, 3400 Vine St., Cincinnati, (513) 281-4700; www.cincinnatizoo.org.

The Melting Pot

3 p.m. Dec. 31, $62-99 per person, The Melting Pot, 11023 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, (513) 530-5501, www.meltingpot.com.

Cincinnati Shakespeare Company

Cincinnati Theatre group will add a special New Year's Eve performance of the hit play "Every Christmas Story Ever Told." The New Year's Eve show is at 7 p.m. at the theater on 719 Race St. Tickets, priced at $20 for adults, $15 for students, include dessert bites and a complimentary champagne toast. Call (513) 381-BARD (2273).