1. Watch the Ball Drop

Have a ball – bowling style that is – to welcome 2011 at Centennial Lanes, 16050 Centennial Circle, Tinley Park. 

Doors open at 7:30 p.m. as does the open bar.

Open bowl, Candlelight style, begins at 8 p.m.

Chatting at the bar along with trying for that 300 score will keep revelers busy before and after an 8:30-ish buffet dinner catered by Papa Joe's.

Tickets are $50 a person and must be purchased in advance so the managers know how much food to order.

More information about the food and fun is at 708-633-0500.

2. New Years With The King

They want you, maybe need you and might love you if you rock in 2011 at Durbin's of Tinley Park, 17265 S. Oak Park Ave.

Joe "Elvis" Tirrito brings Graceland to Tinley Park as he performs live throughout the gala evening.

Talk about gala, guests who live within a three-mile radius and who request transportation, will travel to and from the party in a luxury limousine.

Durbin's New Year's Eve party is an everything-you-could-want event with open bar, appetizers, prime rib dinner, and of course, glittery party favors, a champagne toast at midnight and continental breakfast before you leave.

All the excitement begins at 8 p.m. and continues until 1:30 a.m. By then, Elvis will have left the building.

Admission is $70 a person and a deposit is required in advance. Durbin's can be contacted at 708-429-1000. More details are at www.durbinspub.com.

3. Party in the Pub

For those who prefer a less structured evening, Durbin's has that too at Party in the Pub in Tinley Park and Durbin's four other South suburban locations: Burbank, 5406 W. 79th St., 708-423-1523; Evergreen Park, 10240 S Kedzie Ave., 708-499-0022; Midlothian, 14753 S. Cicero Ave., 708-687-1700; and Palos Hills, 10154 Roberts Road, 708-598-8881.

An appetizer buffet, party favors and champagne to toast.

DJ dance music will heat up the celebration, and of course, the pub will be open late; closing time TBA.

Durbin's suggests reservations at location of choice.

4. Pizza and Blues

Ed & Joe's Restaurant and Pizzeria, 17332 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park, with its award-winning pizza as well as a full menu of Italian dishes and sandwiches, gears up for the last week of the year, casual style.

Chicagoland's Kingsnakes blues band, with bandleader Jim "Ang" Anderson on vocals and lead guitar, will take the stage at 9 p.m. for a night of great music.

The New Year's Eve cover charge? Zip. Special package deals? Zero.

Of course, everyone will welcome in 2011 with party favors, champagne toast at midnight and chef's specials and a toast.

That is, Ed & Joe's, customers can come in, dine and drink as usual and listen to music until the end of the evening.

There's no age minimum, no drink minimum. Same menu, same prices. More information is at 708-532-3051.

Reservations are suggested.

5. Test Your Metal at Hollstein

Guests can go for gold or platinum at J.W. Hollstein Saloon, 17358 Oak Park Ave., Tinley Park.

With the $60 per person platinum package, starting at 8 p.m., guests will dine on filet mignon, stuffed chicken breast and enough salad and hot side dishes for a royal dinner.

The price includes a five-hour open bar, champagne toast at midnight, loads of party favors and coffee and dessert.

To round out the celebration, The Walk-Ins will keep the party at a New Year's pitch with the hit sounds of the '60s, '70s and on. Reservations are suggested.

The shiny Gold Package gala at $40 per person begins at 9 p.m. with an open bar and "heavy premium hors d'oeuvres – no wings or cheese sticks tonight," a hostess said.

A champagne toast at midnight and dancing to the Walk-Ins will round out the package.

Again, reservations are encouraged. Call 708-429-7000. 

6. Shaken, Not Stirred

Martinis and more will flow on New Year's Eve at Intimo Martini Lounge, one of Tinley Park's newer venues. Based on its Facebook page, the venue has evolved into one hot spot.

New Year's Eve kicks in at 8 p.m., and an evening price of $75 includes open bar, heavy hors d'oeuvres, party favors and champagne toast at midnight.

Reservations are suggested. Call 708-444-4470 or e-mail intimolounge@yahoo.com.

The lounge is located at 7068 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park, one block east of Harlem.

7. Clownfish

Surprise! Outriggers Fish House not only features seafood, but also one of Tinley Park's most well kept secrets, Lobster & Laffs Lounge.

Lil Rel, Kellye Howard and Esau McGraw headline the 9:30 p.m. comedy show on New Year's Eve. Tickets to the lounge are $25 and there is a two-drink minimum.

Reservations are encouraged.

In the main dining area, the cool jazz sounds of Surge will keep the New Year's Eve momentum heading toward 2011. The band goes on at 8 p.m.

Check out the restaurant and comedy club and hear sounds of waves crashing onto the beach and seagulls chirping (seriously). Outriggers is located at 15917 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park, 708-342-2200.

8. Tiny Tinley

Wondrous treasures often come in small packages and the current Dollhouse and Miniature Show at Vogt Visual Arts Center demonstrates the grandeur of tiny objects through Dec. 31.

Alas, after 3 p.m. New Year's Eve, the tiny treasures, many crafted by local artists, will go back to their owners.

"There's a miniature drive-in theater with itty bitty cars, individual little rooms including Santa's workshop and a log cabin where Santa's helpers sleep," Vogt volunteer guide Patrick Murphy said.

"Another miniature looks like a Florida Room."

The many minis in the exhibit will delight the young and not-quite-so young, Murphy said.

A number of Tinley Park's historic paintings and photos are also on view. One picture features the 1907 Tinley Park baseball team. Vogt itself is an artistic treasure from the past, the home of Henry Vogt (1853-1932), Tinley Park's first mayor.

The Vogt Visual Arts Center is at 17420 S. 67th Street, 708-614-6503 and 708-309-4371.

9. Party Animals

A Zoo Year's Eve Celebration for everyone kicks off at 6 p.m. at Chicagoland's famous Brookfield Zoo. The fun-filled family party during the zoo's magnificent Holiday Magic display, boasting a million brilliant lights, will include festive music, games and prizes and an early countdown at 8 p.m. (Animals go to sleep early.)

Visitors might see animals snacking on edible holiday ornaments, just like Whirl, the 3-year-old Amur tiger in the photo. Of course, Brookfield's residents will be in their own habitats.

Brookfield Zoo is located at 2200 Golf Road, Brookfield, off First Avenue between Interstates 55 and 290. More information is at www.CZS.org (Chicago Zoological Society) and at 708-688-8000.

10. Irish You a Happy New Year

Chicago Gaelic Park celebrates New Year's Eve with a gala night, beginning with cocktails and hors d'oeuvres at 7:30. An elegant five-course dinner begins at 8:30 p.m. as Sean O'Donnell performs Irish melodies, traditional songs and many other numbers.

After dinner, guests will dance to their favorite tunes provided by Tone Productions, billed as the "premier DJ of the Southside."

Tickets for the entire evening, including a four-hour open bar, are $60 per person. Gaelic Park is at 6119 W.  147th St., Oak Lawn. Reservations and further information are at 708-687-9323 and at www.chicagogaelicpark.org.

11. Serenity in the New Year

Sunshine Yoga and Spa in Orland Park celebrates with a New Year's Eve Candlelight Class from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

"Come and practice yoga in the serenity of a candlelit room, and then effortlessly move into the New Year," Spa owners say. "Close 2010 with serenity … and begin 2011 with yoga openness for the changes to come."

Tempting?

The fee is $15 for students, $25 for drop-ins. Sunshine Yoga and Spa is at 9031 W. 151st St., Orland Park. More information is at 708-873-6030 and at www.sunshineyogaandspa.com.