Party Like It's 2014

With a multitude of possible celebratory events the Bay Area offers for celebrating New Year's Eve, we decided to focus on a variety of events, starting off with one the high-class venues, and its musical proprietor.

Singer, music historian, author, and uber-handsome Michael Feinstein, who has done so much to keep the American popular songbook in the public eye, will be singing for his supper at Feinstein's, his elegant club inside the Nikko Hotel, on New Year's Eve.

Feinstein takes to the stage at 7:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. to perform a wide range of standards. Audiences will bathe in the glittering opulence of music, song, and good drink, all in a setting right out of an old MGM musical.

"The City has always been a special place for entertainment with a rich heritage that I'm proud to be a part of," Feinstein said in a brief interview. "I adore performing in the City and am thrilled with the way our new room at Hotel Nikko has been created. The City is still the most unique and individual place in our country, and that is largely due to the contribution and cultural point of view of the gay community."

The musical icon offers a hint of what attendees can expect. "The show will be a true celebration," he said. "A combination of upbeat Great American Songbook classics that I'll perform with our fine jazz group as well as what I call heart songs. We made it through a rollercoaster year and we're here and ready for the next. The stroke of midnight will be as joyful a celebration as we can muster."

Guests who attend the 7:30 show will see in the New Year simultaneously with the wild revelers in New York's Times Square. There's a $35 minimum food and beverage charge for this performance.

Things will get up close and personal for the 11 p.m. show, which has a food/beverage minimum charge of $45. Those who purchase tickets for the Upfront section of Feinstein's get an autographed copy of Michael's book "The Gershwins and Me," and a chance to meet Michael at a private reception. $100-150 (7:30pm) and $150-395 (11pm). 222 Mason Street. (866) 663-1063. www.ticketweb.com www.hotelnikkosf.com/feinsteins.aspx

Here are a few other upscale alternative options for the New Year. Whatever you do, enjoy the night and be safe.

California Honeydrops

Bay Area R&B meets the streets of New Orleans in this fabulous New Year's Eve show at Yoshi's SF, the City's incomparable jazz club. An opening set by DJ Harry Duncan will be followed by a Sam Cooke/Louis Armstrong/hip hop inspired set. Shows at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m. $46 General admission, $59 VIP, $75 for an all night dance pass gets you into both shows. Tickets are limited, so order now. 1330 Fillmore. 655-5600. www.yoshis.com

Latino New Year

Join DJ Carlitos for some wild and woolly dancing to a Latin and Hip Hop beat at Club 21, Oakland's premiere club for hot Latin gay guys and their friends. In between dances, enjoy a complimentary buffet, a champagne fountain, go go boys, six (count 'em, six) full bars, and a great big dance floor. 8 p.m. until 5 a.m. 221 Franklin Street, Oakland. (510) 268-9425 www.club21oakland.com

Laugh in the New Year

"Not Your Normal New Year's Eve," a night of comedy, music and balloons, features Jill Borque and Brian Copeland, who take to the stage at 8 p.m. at the Marines Memorial Theater to present their fifth annual show, a night of wild, unconventional comedy, live music and a room full of balloons. Mash-up artist DJ Lucio K will provide musical mayhem as a variety of comics take to the stage. Tickets start at $45, 609 Sutter Street, 2nd floor. 392-4400. www.nynnye.com

Masquerade Ball

Enjoy a touch of Mardi Gras with a wonderfully grand New Year's Eve party at Davies Symphony Hall. Enjoy a spectacular concert, followed by a fabulous after-party. Shake your groove thing with Hit Waves on the First Tier, or waltz the night away on the great Davies stage as the Peter Mintun Orchestra plays your 1930s Hit Parade through the stroke of midnight. Spirits will be available. $115-195. 201 Van Ness. 864-6000. www.sfsymphony.org

Movies at the Castro Theater

Not up for a party? Head on over to the beautiful Castro Theater, the City's historic, incomparable movie palace, where you can end 2013, and start 2014, with some great Hollywood classics, on the big screen, as they were meant to be seen.

On December 31, the Castro offers three showings of "Singin' in the Rain," one of MGM's greatest song and dance extravaganzas. Join Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor at 2 p.m., 4:15 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. for this rollicking look at early Hollywood. And you can still party afterward if you want to.

On New Year's Day, the Castro will screen Truman Capote's sophisticated masterpiece "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The always elegant Audrey Hepburn shines as Holly Golightly in this magical fable set in New York City. Holly eating an ice cream cone as she carries her fur wrap while gazing into the window of Tiffany's remains an all time iconic movie image. $8.50-$11. 2 p.m., 4:45 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. 429 Castro Street. 621-6120. www.castrotheatre.com

Napa Valley Wine Train

Feel like leaving town? Hop aboard the Napa Valley Wine Train, departing at 4:45pm from 1275 McKinstry Street, in Napa. The annual Blackjack Ball kicks off with sparkling wine, gourmet food and a twilight ride through Napa Valley. The Napa Valley Wine Train is one of the few active historic railroads in the USA. Echoing the glory days of train travel, you'll enjoy a heart meal and great meal along with some fabulous scenery aboard an exquisitely restored Pullman car from the early 20th Century. Followed by an on board 10 p.m. after party, with a DJ, casino games, photo booth, and dancing through the New Year. Gourmet Express: $240 per person. Vista Dome: $270 per person. After party only: $65 per person. 1275 McKinstry Street, Napa. Reservations: (800) 427-4124. www.winetrain.com/holiday

New Year's Hoedown

Sundance Saloon offers its fifth annual New Year's Eve country western dance in the beautiful ballroom of the elegant, historic Hotel Whitcomb. Hundreds of cowboys and cowgirls will be two-steppn' and line-dancin' right up until midnight and beyond. Party from 8 p.m.-1 a.m. Beginner's dance lessons from 8-9 p.m. Optional dinner from 6-8 p.m. Advance tickets: $25, available at Sundance Saloon, (550 Barneveld) $35 at the door of Hotel Whitcomb. Dinner and dance: $55, in advance only. 1231 Market www.sundancesaloon.org

Starlight Room New Year's Eve

More elegance abounds at the Starlight Room, high above the City inside the Sir Francis Drake Hotel. The dinner party starts at 7 p.m. on December 31 and continues until next year, January 1, 2014 at 2 a.m. $225 gets you a table for the entire evening, with dinner. Just wanna party? $100 gets you in at 10 p.m. for a New Year's Eve dance. Party favors and a midnight glass of champagne will be served. 450 Powell. 395-8595. www.starlightroomsf.com