I'm skint, I'm disorganised and it's nearly New Year. I don't think I'm alone in having a small panic about what to do for the big night. And I am not, repeat not, spending it at some shabby house party drinking cheap booze from a plastic glass, listening to someone else's iPod selection and wondering if the beaten up sofa in the corner is where I'll wake up in January 2009. No, I want to wear a glitzy dress, sparkle in a bar someone and drink something fun from a real glass and see lots of strangers faces, all smiling and basking in the general warmth this time of year generates. In short, I want to go out for New Years Eve. And the best way to do it on the cheap (ie not paying club entrance and extortinate bar bills) is by spending New Years Eve in Oxford bars.

Despite what you might think, there are quite a few parties for New Years Eve in Oxford bars.
The Bullingdon is having a soul and reggae party that will get going at about 10pm. It's expected to go on until about 4am. They are charging entrance but it shouldn't go above £10.
Student fave - The Cape of Good Hope - is opening up both bars and there'll be a DJ. Entrance is free so it's credit crunch friendly, as it the City Arms. Although they're not planning on staying open late, the City Arms should be rammed early in the evening as it will no doubt be the warm-up party for The Regal over the road  which is having a 70s, 80s and 90s party.

But just because you're having New Years Eve in Oxford bars doesn't mean it can't be sophisticated.  One place that has ensured you'll have a stylish time is the Living Room. Early on it's going to be filled with swanky diners but later on the bar should fill up nicely as they've got The Stupidity playing between 8.30pm and 10.30pm and then a DJ takes over. They're licensed until 4am, but whether they stay open that late depends on how many people are standing by the end of the night! It's £15 entry but you do get a Champagne and canape recption between 7pm and 9pm.

Thirst is probably a good place to head to if you fancy dressing up for your New Years Eve in Oxford bars. They're hosting a 1920s prohibition party - don't panic, there will be booze. As I say, it's fancy dress so get your flappers dresses and gangsters spats at the ready.  Tickets are £12.50 and you get a free drink on arrival. Their regular Friday and Saturday night DJ will be playing funky soul and a mixture of other crowd-pleasers until 3am.

Raoul's Bar is always worth a look too, and even though it's one of many parties for New Years Eve in Oxford bars, unlike quite a few of the rest they're not charging. And over at Bar Risa they're planning to chuckle their way into 2009 with Jongleurs New Year's Eve party which sounds like an excellent way to end 2008.