New Year's Eve is the most important date night of the year. It's more than just the lead-in to scratching out "2006" on your checks for the next few weeks; it measures your success as a social animal. If you only go out once this year, New Year's Eve is a must.

Don't spend another New Year's Eve watching tape-delayed coverage of Ryan Seacrest describing a bunch of shivering New Yorkers crowded into Times Square as some gaudy trinket slides down a pole. Let's try to start 2007 with something that won't have us mumbling into our sleeves when friends ask how we spent this most important of date nights.

Whether you want to impress a new love interest or need to rekindle a little post-offspring romance, we've got a plan for you. No matter what your situation, there's something just right for your inner party animal this New Year's. After countless hours of exhaustive research sampling drinks, tasting gourmet food, and generally testing the SCV party waters, your selfless Inside SCV staff can now provide this analysis of the many varied options our valley presents to you.

PARTY ANIMAL: Lobster
Wolf Creek Restaurant & Brewing Company
27746 N. McBean Parkway, Valencia, 263-9653
www.wolfcreekbrewingco.com
Who knew a suburban shopping plaza could hide a world-renowned brewhaus? At Wolf Creek you can sample fine artisan-style beers while enjoying a special three-course dinner. Lobster, rack of lamb or filet mignon will await your taste buds for what promises to be a meal to remember.

PARTY ANIMAL: Labrador Retriever
Salt Creek Grille
24415 Town Center Drive #115, Valencia, 222-9999
www.saltcreekgrille.com
Like a friendly Lab, Salt Creek Grille serves up a reliable experience that never disappoints. This is the perfect spot for devoted, compatible couples. If you've connected so perfectly with your date that even the old guy from eHarmony gets the dry heaves, you don't need a lot of distractions. Proprietor Greg Amsler says he wants to create a relaxed atmosphere in which couples can unwind while enjoying good food in a comfortable, easygoing environment. He'll offer the always excellent Salt Creek Grille menu, plus a few specials created by executive chef Ignacio Munoz for this evening. To spice things up just a touch, the Jay Bolan band will belt out their signature acoustic rock for just the right beat. If you stay until the clock strikes midnight, Greg will pour complimentary champagne and provide party favors for your noisemaking pleasure.

PARTY ANIMAL: Eagle
TPC at Valencia
26550 Heritage View Lane, Valencia, 288-1995
www.tpcatvalencia.com
Looking for something a little more involved? Want to get the blood flowing? Make plans for an evening at the TPC. With the SCV's best view, this facility pegs the romance meter for the most jaded couple. For the last meal of 2006, the staff will lay out a multiple course prix fixe dinner with complimentary champagne. Hillbilly Idol, a band with much more musical talent than naming skill (at least you know they don't take themselves seriously), will fill the TPC aerie with music for dancing, drinking, or just admiring the city lights.

PARTY ANIMAL: Kitten
Mountasia Family Fun Center
21516 Golden Triangle Road, Santa Clarita, 253-4386
www.mountasiafuncenter.com
Maybe you can't stand to be away from your kids for an evening. Perhaps your baby sitter's oil-company pricing is too steep for even a few hours of blessed freedom. Either way, you need to include the children in this holiday. A trip to Mountasia might do the trick with all the kid-pleasing attractions you can think of. Arcade games, laser tag, go-carts, miniature golf and a climbing wall should wear out the rugrats before the park closes at 9 p.m. That will leave you plenty of time to catch Seacrest's high-wattage smile.

PARTY ANIMAL: Bull Terrier
Roast House
26532 Bouquet Canyon Road, Saugus, 296-3866
www.roasthousescv.com
Now we're getting to the party with a capital P. Real party animals need a jolt of jam to get their blood flowing and the Roast House will supply the goods. The evening will revolve around the full Roast House menu of familiar comfort foods with new twists. Live entertainment and dancing will keep the place hopping until midnight when the party favors come out. A pastry buffet will cap off this high-octane evening.

PARTY ANIMAL: Bat
All Corked Up
26340 Diamond Place, Santa Clarita, 799-7979
www.allcorkedup.com
Wine lovers get beat up as a bunch of pretentious snobs misusing words to describe fancy grape juice. Real drinkers would never describe a beverage as "...an audacious, youthful striver with a soupcon of humility." Well, neither would the folks at ACU. Pass through the doors of this unassuming industrial building to find an inviting cave of oenophilic delight. Join this fun and friendly group over a glass of your favorite wine while sampling the best tapas menu in the valley. To cap off the evening, enjoy a fine cigar on the intimate patio.

PARTY ANIMAL: Peacock
Repertory East Playhouse
24266 San Fernando Road, Newhall 288-0000
OK, anyone can do dinner and champagne. But only the Rep can put on a celebration that will make you feel as if you're living in a movie. Join them for "Carnival di Venezia," a formal masquerade ball. Dress to impress: formalwear for men, gowns for women, and don't forget the mask for that dashing "phantom of the opera" look (my wife says I look better in a mask). There will be dancing, drinks and light appetizers. The theatre plans to have safe rides ready to whisk you home if the atmosphere goes to your head.

You've been warned. Another New Year's wasted in front of the TV can mean only one thing: You've turned into your parents. Don't let this happen to you. This valley offers so many choices; if you ignore them you might as well shred your winning lottery tickets. Get out there and make us proud, but please, choose a designated driver. We want you back next year.