With less disposable income this holiday season, more people are likely to forego the expense of eating out and going to parties this New Year's Eve.

John Quigley of Carbondale said he used to go out and party hard on New Year's Eve, but prefers the comfort of his own living room or a friend's these days.

"Sure, I get the urge to go out," he said. "It often sounds exciting, but I choose not to do it. I worry about the drunks on the road, and the cops are out everywhere, too. I figure I can't get in trouble if I stay home. I'm much happier hanging out with my buddies at my house or their house."

Andrea Duke of Carbondale said she also used to spend time out partying on New Year's Eve.

"But that was several years ago, before I had children," Duke said. "I like to stay home with my children on New Year's Eve. We have snacks and watch the ball drop (in Times Square in New York City) on TV at 11 and I tell them it's midnight and time to go to bed."

Duke said she doesn't go out because she worries about drunk drivers on the roads.

If there are indeed fewer area residents dining out, it won't be a problem for Maryjane Sorensen, owner of Tom's Place in De Soto.

"We're sold out and have been since about a week before Christmas," she said. "That night, along with Valentine's Day and SIU graduation day, are almost always sellouts. People like our dining atmosphere with the tablecloths and candlelight."

Sorensen said some customers come early and leave early, while others choose to arrive late and ring in the new year.

"We stay open anywhere from 12:30 to 2 a.m., depending on the crowd," she said. "The last couple of years, people were leaving a little early to be home by midnight."

John Alongi with Alongi's restaurant in Du Quoin said it's usually an early-arriving crowd there.

"We're usually done by 9 or 10 as our customers head out to another gathering," said Alongi, whose business celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. "Our crowds are holding steady. We always hope for the best. Last year, the economy wasn't in such bad shape, so we're taking a wait-and-see approach this year."

Dustin Vinson, a manager at Hideout restaurant in Marion, said he also anticipates an early-arriving crowd.

"We expect to be busy," he said, "especially from about 5 to 8. People like to come in and eat and then go out and party after that. We'll probably close around 11."

John Hill, owner of Bennie's Italian Foods & Pizza in Marion, said he looks forward to a good New Year's Eve crowd, because crowds were good leading up to Christmas.

"I think the fact that gas prices have gone down has helped considerably," Hill said. "People have a little more money to spend."

Hill said he doesn't take reservations at the restaurant and does not serve alcoholic beverages, so it's difficult to predict how successful the evening will be.

john.homan@thesouthern.com / 351-5805