Nothing to do on New year’s Eve? Take a Look. : The clubs: Say hello to 1996 while being a part of the diversity that is Los Angeles.

Ah, New Year’s Eve . . . when all Southland socializers should give thanks for their bountiful options.

We’re not saying anything’s wrong with Peoria, but you gotta love L.A., where the clubgoers can be swinging, boogieing or rockin’ in the new year mambo-style. Turning to our favorite venues, each of which has devised fond ways to remember auld things past, we offer a toast to the bounty:

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The Derby: If you wish to be surrounded by class and style when ringing in the new, this beautiful Los Feliz swing club can’t be beat. With entertainment by Big Town Seven, a spirited, brassy swing band, it’s a bet that the dolls on the dance floor will be dressed in lavish retro garb and the guys will be sporting zoots. Guests at the Derby’s third annual “Gatsby” style new year’s party can look forward to a balloon drop, souvenir photographs, derbies, tiaras and, of course, a midnight toast (beats staying home and watching the ball drop).

* The Derby, 4500 Los Feliz Blvd. (at Hillhurst), 21 and over, 7:30 p.m.-2 a.m. Cover $25 (includes champagne at midnight), $50 per person to reserve a table (four-person minimum), and $75 includes champagne and buffet dinner. Reservations recommended: (213) 663-8979.

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The Palace: Here’s a party for those who’d rather be celebrating the Bicentennial. The grand Art Deco dame in Hollywood is throwing a 12-hour, ‘70s-theme disco party with costume prizes (platform and leisure suits are encouraged), a large-screen video and a breakfast buffet. From 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., multiple deejays will drench your ears with disco, and before you know it, it’ll be ‘76, whoops, we mean ’96.

* The Palace, 1735 N. Vine, Hollywood. 18 and over, 7 p.m.-7 a.m. Cover $35, $55 includes dinner and breakfast buffet. Guests arriving after midnight can pay $20 (which includes breakfast). (213) 462-6031.

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El Floridita: This intimate Cuban restaurant and nightclub in Hollywood is offering a celebration with a bit of mambo in mind. Featuring the music of Perico Hernandez and his Havana Quartet, El Floridita’s tiny dance floor will be jumping all night so try to get in early. Dinner reservations might help (the authentic Cuban menu is worth the additional cost).

* El Floridita, 1253 N. Vine, Hollywood. All ages, 5 p.m.-1 a.m. Cover $27 (includes champagne at midnight), dinner separate. Reservations recommended: (213) 871-8612.

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The Century Club: The swanky Century City nightspot has channeled a “Vegas Meets Rio” celebration that should be a memorable affair. With two live bands, a four-course dinner buffet, a Las Vegas motif and complimentary breakfast, the spacious multilevel venue will keep the entertainment going till 5 a.m. The countdown to the new year will be led by Christiane and the Girls From Ipanema, a Brazilian dance troupe (don’t be surprised if you wind up part of a midnight mambo line).

* The Century Club, 10131 Constellation Blvd., Century City. 21 and over, 6 p.m.-5 a.m. Cover $75 for guests arriving early (7-9 p.m., includes dinner and 8 p.m. show), $100 thereafter, $150 V.I.P. seating. Reservations recommended: (310) 553-6000.

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House of Blues: Undoubtedly the most festive and colorful club in the Southland, the House of Blues has invited one of its most popular regular acts, Irish rockers the Young Dubliners, to entertain guests on New Year’s Eve (with opening act Francis Dunnery). A fixed three-course dinner menu is available separately, and each show ticket includes complimentary midnight champagne and party favors.

* House of Blues, 8430 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 21 and over, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Cover $50 (includes show and complimentary champagne at midnight), $47.50 for fixed dinner (show not included). Reservations recommended: (213) 650-5686.

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Jack’s Sugar Shack: Here’s a Hollywood party for those who wanna sing the blues yet avoid all the fuss. The Shack booked blues aficionado Harry Dean Stanton (backed by Jamie James & the King Bees) for the night, and the cover charge is a nominal $10. There’s no complimentary champagne, but the island-style club’s food menu is always reasonable and its regular patrons and bartenders are some of the nicest folks in town.

* Jack’s Sugar Shack, 1707 N. Vine, Hollywood. 21 and over, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Cover $10. (213) 466-7005.

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B.B. King’s: This elaborate three-tier blues haven, located in Universal CityWalk, will feature blues a-plenty on New Year’s Eve. Offering two separate blues shows--Coco Montoya and the King Brothers are scheduled--B.B. King’s has already sold all the club’s dinner packages, but still offers show tickets (with comp champagne, natch).

* B.B. King’s, 1000 Universal Center Drive, Universal City. 21 and over, 7 p.m.-1 a.m. Cover $25. Advance ticket purchase recommended: (818) 6BB-KING.