Is the credit crunch making you dread New Years Eve? It's an expensive time of year and it can feel like a gamble. After all, it's suppose to be the biggest party of the year but I've had a few New Year celebrations where I've found myself queueing for my coat and wondering - was that it?
Yes, we've all been there and so maybe you should, like me, decide that despite the tempting array of New Year events at Leeds clubs, you should just enjoy your New Years Eve at Leeds bars.
But don't just think you can head out the door on Wednesday, December 31 with a vague idea of where to go. No, there's a lot going on. Don't believe me?
Well, just one of the parties for New Years at Leeds bars is at Mook. Ah, the lovely Mook. They've got five or six DJs booked for the night, all their usuals, who will be taking it in turns to entertain you through New Year. It'll be a mix of electro and house downstairs, while upstairs oldskool hip-hop, funk and soul should help you bob through to 2009 nicely. It's open until 4am, so you can enjoy the late opening without having a fit of the screaming meemies, something that clubs on New Year can induce. This is another reason why having New Years Eve at Leeds bars is a good idea. Trust me.

North Bar have decided on a similar option and have booked lots of DJs for the night - again, it's a mix of the best DJs through the year. It'll be a varied mix of indie, reggae, dub, jazz and funk so everyone in your group should be on the dancefloor. And your feet will get tired because it's open till 3am so wear comfy shoes.

Skyrack have opted for a theme party for their New Year celebrations and it's a James Bond casino night. They'll be open until 1.30am, but as you'll no doubt be in your dinner-jacket or Bond-girl catsuit you don't want to be wandering the streets too late anyway.
The Box also has a fancy-dress night based around the theme of Chippendales and Bunny Girls. It's free entry but the advice is to get there early. The same goes for The Arc over in Headingley which has a fancy-dress night based around the theme of Beauty And The Geek.

If you're absolutely strapped for cash and want to spend what you've got on booze (and you don't fancy drinking cheap vodka at a house party) then head to Call Lane. Every year all the bars along there get together and refuse to charge entry so they're not in competition with each other. Boutique are operating this wallet-friendly policy and they're open until 2am. They'll also be doing offers on Champagne.
And if you're not familiar with the area, I recommend Milo, Bar Room Bar, Jakes Bar and Oporto for a New Years Eve at Leeds bars. 

Elsewhere,  New Roscoe have Styckleback performing covers, so if you like live rock this should be just the ticket.  The Sports Cafe is holding a brilliant New Year party based around their regular salsa nights. To see in 2009 they're going all Latin, and the entry is just a fiver, which also gets you one of their privilege cards with drinks discounts all year round. But cheap booze isn't the only reason I'm interested in this party. The bar is licensed until 6am and to ensure you're still standing they're planning to serve up bacon butties at around 4am, which is very sweet of them.

But if you're not skint then there are some more elaborate parties for New Years Eve at Leeds bars. These include Kobe where they're offering booths for £100. Sound expensive? Well for that you get a bottle of bubbly and a platter for two and waitress service until 10pm. If nothing else you'll feel like a rock star.
Or you could head to Oracle which is hosting one of its usual club nights - Candy Pants. It's pretty expensive at £30 a ticket, but it's open until 5am, and if you like commercial house, dance and fancy dressing up like a glamour puss it could well be your perfect New Year.  Whatever you do I hope you have a good one.