NIGHT LINES

What do thousands of Angelenos do every New Year’s Eve? Get out of town and repeat one simple mantra: Vegas, baby. For those who crave a massive night out, there simply is no substitute. The hottest ticket on the Strip is the opening of Jay Z’s 40/40 club (pictured in a rendering) inside the new Palazzo Casino. Hova himself is rumored to be playing a secret gig the 31st, and the guest list includes a who’s who of hip-hop luminaries and hot actors and athletes, including Kobe Bryant, Robert De Niro, Adrien Brody, Vivica Fox, Dave Chappelle, Adam Sandler and Tiger Woods. Not to be outdone, Tao has tapped another Def Jam megastar to hosts its bash: Mariah Carey. Across the street from Tao, Pure has turned to proven Vegas tourist magnet Pamela Anderson to host its party. And Pure Management Group’s newest hot spot, LAX, has snagged Paris and Nicky Hilton (for a rumored $1 million) to preside over its massive fete inside Luxor. Also check out Luxor’s newest bar, the Cathouse Lounge, which opens Friday. New bar Bank is opening up tonight inside the Bellagio to replace Light and is said to be stunning, with a foyer stacked floor-to-ceiling with bottles of Cristal. The Palms has Kanye West at the Pearl and Dave Navarro at Rain. . . . Looking for more low-key options with good views of Vegas’ fantastic fireworks show? Try Diablo’s Cantina, Voodoo Lounge at Rio or Mix atop Mandalay Bay. And in what may be the oddest choice this year, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s Body English has turned to the Backstreet Boys to “rock” the crowd on the final night of 2007. We thought they might have sent us the news release for 1997 by accident. Still, we’d rather kick it with them than “chill” with Kevin Federline, who is hosting Tangerine’s New Year’s bash inside Treasure Island. On the plus side: We’re pretty sure Britney Spears won’t show up. The Britster started 2007 by passing out and being carried out of Pure. Given the year that followed, may we suggest a more sober start to 2008: a quiet night home with the kids.

-- Charlie.Amter@latimes.com