Cynics and service industry folks might call it “amateur night.” And one can hardly blame them as New Year’s Eve can turn even the most unassuming guest into a rowdy reveler for a night.

But to a more champagne flute half-full crowd, New Year’s Eve rings in the greatest holiday of the year. It’s a time to dress up and hit the town. No presents to buy. No turkey to cook. And no judgments on staying up past your bedtime.

Best of all, it’s a time to reflect on the past year, set some intentions, perhaps, and then start the year anew.

In recent years, Nashville as a city has upped its New Year’s game.

The “Jack Daniels Bash on Broadway: New Year’s Eve in Music City” is expected to draw 100,000 people this year, growing from 85,000 last year and 15,000 in 2009, the first year of the event.

Lady Antebellum will headline the free street party, and will be joined by Gavin DeGraw, Chip Esten from the TV show “Nashville,” The Apache Relay and more. The party will be televised as part of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2015,” airing Wednesday, Dec. 31 beginning at 7 p.m. CST on ABC.

“New Year’s Eve week is now one of the strongest in the year for Nashville with about 21,000 room nights being sold on New Year’s Eve,” says Deana Ivey, Chief Marketing Officer for the Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

“The buzz around the event this year with Lady Antebellum as headliner and being a part of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve on ABC should make for another great year.”

In addition to the downtown party, Nashville restaurants and live music venues will be chock full of New Year celebrations. From The Sutler to the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, here are a few picks for where to dance, drink or reflect when the clock strikes midnight.

The Sutler

2600 Franklin Pike
840-6124
www.thesutler.com

Reopened since September, this historic saloon and live music venue will host a Jingle Boot Rock, and owner Austin Ray says a special boot drop surprise will happen at midnight.

Wooly Bully and Zippy’s Clutch will play cover tunes and tables will be cleared near the stage for dancing while chef Nick Seabergh will serve a buffet dinner.

The Sutler, re-opened in September, will host the Jingle Boot Rock, complete with midnight boot drop.

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The Sutler originally opened in 1976 under the helm of country radio personality Johnny Potts and became a social hub for locals and musicians hosting acts from Townes Van Zandt, Steve Earle, Emmylou Harris to Johnny Cash.

General admission tickets to the Jingle Boot Rock are $60, which includes the music, dinner buffet, and a champagne toast. VIP tickets are available, and include reserved table seating and a bottle of champagne just before midnight. For VIP tickets and large party reservations, call 840-6124.

Acme Feed & Seed

101 Broadway
915-0888
theacmenashville.com

Another newcomer to the restaurant and live music scene this year, Acme Feed & Seed offers three levels of parties near the downtown bash on New Year’s Eve.

On the first floor, music begins at 7 p.m. and includes Trapped Above Ground with Guthrie Trapp, The Mule Kickers and specials guests followed by Orkesta Mondo Pingus (Afro Cuban and Salsa) at 12:30 a.m.

The second floor will host a champagne lounge with worldwide countdown broadcasts and New Year’s specialty cocktails. Action on the third floor kicks off at 9 p.m. with DJ Spice-J. Midnight balloon drops will happen on the first and third floors while the rooftop will be reserved for VIP and partial viewing of the Jack Daniel’s Bash on Broadway: New Year’s Eve and fireworks display.

General Admission tickets cost $50 and include all three floors (no rooftop). VIP tickets cost $150 and include all three floors, rooftop and an hour of complimentary champagne on the rooftop from 11:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Becky Dryden, public relations manager for TomKats hospitality noted tickets to the Acme party have already sold out once, though a limited number of tickets will be released the week before the event. Alternatively, The Southern Steak & Oyster, a sister property to Acme, also will host a special New Year’s Eve prix-fixe menu with three seatings.

To purchase Acme tickets, visit https://acmenye2014.eventbrite.com.

For reservations, which are required, to The Southern dinner, call 724-1762 or visit www.thesouthernnashville.com/reservations

Electric Western’s New Year! Dance Party

The 5 Spot
1006 Forrest Ave.
www.electricwesternrecords.com

This marks the fifth year for the Electric Western New Year party at East Nashville’s 5 Spot, and co-founder Jacob Jones says it sells out every year as well.

An offshoot of the weekly and wildly popular “Keep on Movin’” dance party, which GQ called the most stylish party in America in 2012, this 1960s-themed event includes DJ sets by Reno Bo spinning 50’s and 60’s rock and roll, soul, doo wop, swing and jump blues as well as live dance music by Chubby and the Dots.

Pre-sale tickets cost $23, and on the day of the event, tickets cost $25. To purchase, visit www.electricwesternrecords.com.

The Ivy House

6385 Ivy Street
964-7955
theivyhouse.org

For those who prefer a more reflective time at the end of the year, The Ivy House, a modern-day ashram that hosts yoga, meditation and cooking classes, will hold a New Year’s Yoga and Meditation Retreat from Dec. 28 to Jan. 1, including an open-to-the public New Year’s Eve celebration. The Kirtan (call-and-response chanting to music) on Dec. 31 will include the concert, dancing, letting go rituals and meditation.

For more information on the retreat and kirtan, visit http://theivyhouse.org/event/annual-ny-yoga-meditation-retreat

Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center

2800 Opryland Drive
888 677-9872
www.gaylordopryland.com

Fewer places in town offer a better setting for playing tourist in your own town than pathways winding among the greenery and lights at the Gaylord Opryland. The resort will host several packages for New Year’s Eve including hotel room or tickets only to a dance party and buffet dinner.

Ticket costs begin at $62.62 for the dance party only and go to $281.50 for a VIP overnight package including room, party, dinner and VIP seating.

For reservations and tickets call 888-677-9872888-677-9872 or book online at www.gaylordopryland.com.

Bethel World Outreach Church

5670 Granny White Blvd.
371-1000
Bethelworld.org

This multi-ethnic and multi-generational church hosts services every Sunday morning, followed by Latino and Burmese services in the afternoon. But on Dec. 31, the church will hold a special New Year’s Eve service with doors opening at 9:30 p.m. and the program beginning at 10 p.m.

Nashville Symphony at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center

One Symphony Place
687-6400
www.nashvillesymphony.org

The Nashville Symphony will celebrate the “most joyful night of the year” with favorites by Gershwin (“I Got Rhythm,” “Embraceable You,” and “Rhapsody in Blue”) as well as traditional Viennese waltzes by Strauss and more (“Die Fledermaus,” “On the Beautiful Blue Danube).

The show beings at 6 p.m. and runs for about two hours including a 20-minute intermission.

Tickets begin at $22. Packages for two also are available including tickets, two glasses of wine or champagne, a rose and chocolate treat from Nashville Chocolate & Nut Company.

To purchase tickets, visit www.nashvillesymphony.org.