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Business & Tech

Frugal to Fancy Venues for Ringing in 2012

Revelers can choose from four different New Year's Eve parties and stay close to home in Middletown.

If you're still up in the air about where to spend , we've found a few parties to check out in .

Whether you have a beer budget or champagne taste, prefer to party in jeans and sneakers or sequins and heels or suits and ties, there's a party to meet your style and your budget. All of the options offered here are priced under $100.

MJ's Pizza, Bar & Grill, 1005 Highway 35 North, will host its "No Frills New Years Eve" party in its bar area. Patrons will only pay for the food and drinks that they consume and no cover charge applies.

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MJ's offers a varied casual menu featuring appetizers, thin crust pizza, salads, sandwiches, and burgers. A musical trio, Andy Russo, Mark Lembeck and Sandy Storm, known collectively as "Andy, Mark, and Sandy" will play classic rock starting at 9 p.m. Limited parking is located in the side and rear parking lots. For more information, call 732-796-1400.

Some tickets are still available on a first come, first serve basis for the New Year's Eve Party at the , 1 Veterans Lane in the Port Monmouth section.

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For $25 per person, guests will be offered a buffet and beer, wine, sangria, and frozen margaritas from the post's bar.  The price tag also includes entertainment featuring a disc jockey, dancing, party favors and raffles throughout the night.

Doors open at 8 p.m. and the party continues up to a champagne toast at midnight. Coffee and dessert will be served at 12:30 a.m. on New Year's Day before the party wraps up. For information, contact the post at 732-787-0999.

The , 860 Route 36, in the Leonardo section, is also opening its banquet area for a "New Year's Eve Bash" starting at 9 p.m.

The $30 per person cost includes entertainment by DJ Ziggy according to a marquee placed in front of the post. Calls placed to the post contact number had not been returned at press time.

For those who look forward to New Year's Eve as an excuse to dress like a movie star headed to the Oscars, , 500 Palmer Avenue, invites patrons to sport their "party attire/special occasion" style.

However, the $85 per person tickets must be purchased in advance. Taxes and service charges are included in the price, which also includes a five-hour open bar, salad bar, dinner buffet, desserts, entertainment and dancing.

Discounts are available for groups of 10 persons or more according to the center's website, www.jacquescatering.com. To purchase tickets, contact Steve or Patty at (732) 495-2600, Ext. 340.

Whatever your choice, Middletown Patch wishes you a healthy, safe and Happy New Year.

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