More than any other holiday of the year, New Year's Eve is prized for its huge, gala parties. If ever there was a time to throw an epic shindig, this is it (provided we all survive this evening's apocalypse). Don't have an appropriately over-the-top venue in which to throw this bash of the ages? Worry not. Here are five of the coolest one-night rentals still available for the 31st. Up first is the Carondelet House, a classically styled brick mansion in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Available for $4,500 a night, this 7,600-square-foot party space has all the exposed brick, crystal chandeliers, and wooden beams that post-war weary Angelenos could possibly desire, with two courtyards and room for 400 guests.
? Utah's Park City might really overflow with celebrities during the famous Sundance Film Festival later in January, but few would turn down an early invitation to this sprawling mountainside mansion. The cavernous great room could accomodate a huge crowd for a midnight toast, while the rest of the house offers accommodations for at least 12 guests. The catch? The 13,500-square-foot mansion goes for $10,250 a night
? New York City, despite price gouging and a chronic taxi shortage on New Year's Eve, is one of the holiday's favored destinations, even for those not willing to brave the hours of cold in a pen in Times Square to watch the ball drop live. This 1,600-square-foot loft in Soho has plenty of space to hold a party, plus a pool table to while away any awkward hours before midnight. For this much space in such a prime location, $700 a night isn't too bad, but renters may have to contend with some noise-sensitive upstairs neighbors.
? With the Art Basel-induced hangover finally wearing off, Miami is ready to play host to a whole new set of partiers this New Year's Eve. For those with the means, there might be no more hilarious place to welcome 2013 than this outrageously over-the-top megamansion on Star Island. It rents for—if the listing is to be believed—as much as $90,000 a night. Tasteless? Maybe, it was called a "hot mess" on these pages just a couple of months ago. But then again the renter won't be buying into the extravagant palace for a whopping $35M, so a party here could serve as one very expensive joke.
? For a Rat Pack-style affair, the former Frank Sinatra estate in Palm Springs would be the ultimate venue. The low-slung 1947 E. Stewart Williams-designed house was recently restored, right down to the period appropriate furnishings and vintage home theater setup. Surprisingly—and probably because Mad Men is out of season—the four-bedroom house has yet to rent for this coming NYE. It is currently listed for $2,600 a night.
· Carondelet House [official site]
· Modern luxury home -- newly built [Airbnb]
· Beautiful Soho Loft! Best Location! [Airbnb]
· The Ultimate Star Island Mansion [Airbnb]
· Hot Mess on Miami Beach's Exclusive Star Island Asks $35M [Curbed National]
· The Frank Sinatra Twin Palms Estate [Airbnb]