This is not the night of big, honking concerts or tour-stops. So many of these live venues have converted themselves into affordable, multi-faceted club areas for New Year's--the only night when you can eat supper at the Medley or catch a reggae cover band and get free pastries and a dinky noisemaker to go with.

L'Autre Bar, 278 Laurier W., 278-1519 Drink specials.

Backstreet Underground, 382 Mayor, 848-9306 Call for info.

L'Barouf, 4171 St-Denis, 844-0119 Serge Gainsbourg-inspired music, a seafood buffet and live African music. $12 cover.

Bourbon Street N., 2045 Route 117 Mont-Rolland, 227-1856 Night Fever disco party with champagne and snacks for $25.

Bourbon Street W., 1866 des Sources, Pte-Claire, 695-6545 Cajun night with Maureen Brown and Big Hand, a seven-piece band, two drinks, cajun hors d'oeuvres, champagne, and party favours for $40 advance, $50 at the door.

Cabaret Music Hall, 2111 St-Laurent, 845-2014 C'est Extra is the second annual New Year's bash here, featuring champagne, canapés and dancing to French music from the '50s and '60s. $25 advance, $30 at the door.

Café Sarajevo, 2080 Clark, 284-5629 Dinner, followed by gypsy music, champagne and party favours for $50.

Chateau du Lac, 460 Main Road, Hudson, 458-4092 The band Bullfrog, hot and cold buffet, champagne and free local cab service for $30 advance, but only 120 seats.

Clyde's, 286 Lakeshore, 630-8118 Bob Marley tribute by Rastaman Vibrations and champagne at 12.

Déjà Vu, 1224 Bishop, 866-0512 Dirty Device at 10pm and party favours for $10 cover.

Foufounes Électriques, 87 Ste-Catherine E., 844-5539 Groovy Aardvark and friends of G.A. jam with local bands, including Grim Skunk and B.A.R.F. Champagne. Tickets $12.

Jailhouse Rock Café, 30 Mont-Royal W., 844-9696 Flashlight at 10 pm followed at 11:15pm by the Treblemakers and the Kingpins for $15.

La Kachette, 10J Donegani, Pte-Claire 694-7800Band No Holes Barred, hot and cold buffet and champagne for $17.50.

Le Medley, 1170 St-Denis, 842-6557, 842-7469 Tickets $20, $30 with supper.

Oscar's Rock Bar, 1013 Pie-IX, Montreal-Nord, 325-2460 Call for info.

Le Pierrot, 104 St-Paul E., 861-1270 Entertainers Michel Durocher and Daniel Blouin and party favours for $10. Starts 7:30pm.

Les Deux Pierrots, 104 St-Paul E., 861-1270 Yello Mello with Gilbert Lauzon.

Quai des Brumes, 4481 St-Denis, 499-0467 DJ Stephie Shocq with mix of rock, house and reggae and champagne for $2 cover.

Rock Quest, 183 Hymus, Pte-Claire 697-9299 Blushing Brides band, huge buffet, champ, party favours and prizes for $15.

Spectrum, 318 Ste-Catherine W., 861-5851 Quebec folk group Bottine Souriante with Marjo for $50 through Admission (790-1245).