I distinctly remember last new years ever being possibly the most tormenting, most frustrating event I've ever experienced, for the simple fact being I couldn't do anything or go anywhere. That's the price of being a barman, but I recall the number of simply staggering parties so lavish and attractive that I think I even considered it as some kind of conspiracy against me at one point. The one that stands out most has to have been at the o2 Arena, where Justice, deadmau5 and Plump DJs among others made for what looked like a ridiculous night.

This time I've avoided working at all costs in a desperate attempt to make up for last year. I can't say I'm as blown away by the choice this time around, but there is one party that does stand out head and shoulders above the rest, and we are going. Well we had to end this incredible year on a high, didn't we? It may have set us back over £40, but Eastern Electric's NYE boasts a line-up to rival any on the planet this year, the obvious reason for their unprecedented sale speeds. The pick of the bunch spinning is arguably 2010's most exciting pair, Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler, while one of the year's most active labels, Crosstown Rebels, sees it's charismatic leader, Damian Lazarus line up alongside them. Also billed is Instra:mental, Drum and Bass's metaphorical breath of fresh air, the genre-spanning American, Matthew Dear, dubstep producer and DJ, Joker, and various other exciting acts.

Unfortunately, all tickets are now sold out but people are selling them if you look in the right places. This feature is to give you the heads up on a few of the parties we've seen and liked the look of. With the 31st just round the corner, many tickets are now on their final release so you probably won't find a bargain for the best nights, but that shouldn't put you off. The January sales can make up what you've lost out!

London

Warm/Phonica NYE with Mathew Jonson (live), Âme (live), Move D, Mark E, Gerd Janson & Tim Goldsworthy- The City Arts & Music Project, 70-74 City Road, Shoreditch. 3rd Release Tickets: £25.
Rivaling Eastern Electrics as London's top night, Warm/Phonica, one of the Europe's most respected promoters, presents 10 hours of what promises to be an exceptionally good night. The experimental techno/house Canadian producer, Mathew Jonson will be one of two very exciting live performances on the night, German deep house duo, Âme being the other. While tickets are still available this could very easily be one of 2010's memorable events.

Trouble Vision & Deadly Rhythm present Four Tet & James Holden- Corsica Studios, 5 Elephant Road, SE1 7 1LB - Tickets available on door
Although advance tickets are sold out, of you're going to chance it in the capital this year then this may be the one you should go for. Any party with Four Tet and James Holden will be something a bit special, but add to that Jamie XX, Nathan Fake and a host of other top spinners and it may all be going down at Corsica Studios...

fabric NYE with Steve Bug, Jay Haze (live), Paco Osuna, Cassy, Heartthrob (live), Carsten Klemann, Alex Delano, Matt Tolfrey, Craig Richards, Terry Francis, Jozif +- fabric, 77a Charterhouse Street, Ec1M 3HN - £35.
The expectations for any fabric NYE are always going to be monumental, so don't listen to the cynics who expected a festival line-up. It may be a dear one but there's no doubt that fabric will deliver a stunning show. The line-up in any other club in the country would make your average raver weak at the knees, and with fabric's soundsystem you can expect Steve Bug, Cassy, Paco Osuna and the rest to be on top form, while a precious live performance from Jay Haze will most likely be the night's highlight. Oh, and I can't fail to mention Craig Richards' contribution. Just because he's there every week doesn't make him any less than one of the very best attractions down at EC1 this NYE.

Southwest

Bristol In:Motion NYE with Jamie Jones, Joker, Friendly Fires (DJ Set), Tayo.... - Motion Skate Park, Bristol, 74-78 Avon Street, BS2 OPX - £30
Inevitably, the pick of the bunch in the southwest takes place in Bristol, and in the city's hub of underground music, Motion Skate Park. In a similar vein to last year when Simian Mobile Disco among others rampaged the warehouse hanger in what was one of last NYE's finest shows, In:Motion welcomes back the Friendly Fires for another one of their highly exciting DJ sets before they shoot off east to London's XOYO for Bugged Out! NYE. Jamie Jones, the night's main attraction also will most likely be heading to the capital after his appearance, as will Joker. Both DJs of course will be playing at the Eastern Electrics NYE where me and Chris will be. If you're staying southern this NYE but want to avoid London, as always In:Motion is your best bet for a proper rave, how they should be.

Midlands

Q-Fest Presents Global Underground NYE - Nic Fanciulli, James Zabiela, Derrick Carter, Audio Bully's (live)... - Q Club, Birmingham, B4 6QB - £25
Nic Fanciulli and James Zabiela undoubtedly make Q Club the hottest place to be in Birmingham this NYE. Fabric 56 man, Derrick Carter, should also add some Chicago house soul to the party, while the Audio Bully's live will surely provide for many a welcome break from relentless house beats otherwise on the bill.

North

Sankeys NYE - Reboot, The Martinez Brothers, Lee Foss... - Sankeys, Manchester, M4 6JG - £29
With a mission to become the worlds greatest nightclub, Sankeys would have to stand out above the rest on NYE, at least up north if not the entire country. Luckily for Mancunians they haven't disappointed, building an event fit for the grandest of occasions thanks to sets from minimal techno heavyweight Reboot, energetic duo of the moment, The Martinez Brothers, and Lee Foss who not only broke into RA's top 100 DJ poll this year, but astonishingly landed in at number 38. Tickets are still available for the princely sum of £29 (+booking fees), so if you're in the country's northern region this Friday we definitely advise hitting Sankeys.

This Is Filth! NYE with Hugo & Pleasurekraft - Mint, Leeds, 8a Harrison Street, LS1 - £13
This could be one the surprise hits of NYE, and definitely worth having a look at if you're still unsure where to go or on a budget. At only £13 and at one of the North's best clubs, it's a snippet of the majority of NYE's events at the country's top clubs and are fortunate enough to host UK Tech House duo Pleasurekraft for the first time here. One of 2010's most exciting acts, there is something both appropriate and modest about Mint's booking of Pleasurekraft, and with various other exciting sets lined up over the ten-and-a-half hour rave, Mint could well be where it's all happening.