PROVIDENCE — Dangling DJ Lord Fresh, a complimentary buffet and live video of the ball dropping in Times Square, the owners of the Tantric nightclub expected the typical swarming crowds for tomorrow night. It’s New Year’s Eve, after all.

But revelers have not snatched up reservations for the VIP tables, offered at $150 per couple. Two days before New Year’s Eve, only 60 percent of tickets had been sold yesterday, compared with 80 percent at the same time last year.

“It’s definitely slower,” Arlindo Alves, general manager at Tantric, on North Main Street in Providence, said yesterday. “Everything is affected by the economy right now. People are just spending less. They’d rather save a few more dollars and stay home with the family.”

Historically, New Year’s Eve has loosened even the most tightly sealed wallets. But the softening national economy, high gasoline prices and falling real estate values could pour cold water on the fireworks this year.

Local limousine companies are already complaining about sluggish sales and a trend toward less-extravagant vehicles for shuttling partygoers. The Fish Company Bar and Grill, in Providence, has enlisted college students to promote its New Year’s Eve concert to overcome what bartender Anthony Pirri calls a “challenging year.” And at the Providence Marriott hotel, reservations for the Hats and Streamers package are down.

“It’s a challenging year, so we’re trying a few things different,” Pirri said. “There’s so much competition.”

Not all New Year’s Eve outings will strain family budgets. In Westerly, for example, the admissions button for the First Night celebration sells for $13 and gives access to a comedy show and a performance by a former American Idol contestant.

A similar event in Providence, Bright Night, includes a poetry slam at AS220, on Empire Street, a figure-skating show and a performance by Davey the Clown, who will be juggling and squeezing his accordion at the United Methodist Church, on Mathewson Street. The price of an admissions wristband, $15, will probably please penny pinchers.

But for the swanky feasts and hotel packages that have come to define New Year’s Eve, the merrymaking does not come cheap. Still, local businesses say, the sputtering economy and high prices have not scared all customers away.

At Local 121, which opened in June in the former Dreyfus Hotel, in Providence, the 9 p.m. seating for New Year’s Eve is sold out, according to maitre d’ Sean Powell. Walk-ins will have to eat their $75 five-course meal — including fried quail, grilled venison and apple, plum and butterscotch compote — sitting by the bar.

For its first New Year’s Eve since Downcity Food and Cocktails opened in its new location — after a fire in May 2006 that destroyed its building — the owners assembled a $100, four-course dinner with wine pairings, a bottle of champagne and delicacies including American sturgeon caviar and char-grilled filet mignon Oscar. From 7 p.m. to midnight, every table is spoken for, dining-room manager Jason Welch said.

Hoteliers report interest in their New Year’s Eve offerings. The Westin Providence hotel says a $349 package has helped fill more than 60 percent of its rooms. The “Fresh Start” includes a room, a three-course dinner for two, and a performance of A Mobfellas New Year’s Eve Wedding.

Even at the Marriott — where about 70 year-end packages have been sold, 30 fewer than had been sold last year at this time — the Hats and Streamers event is expected to keep the lobby hopping.

For $229, guests get a room, a glass of champagne, a breakfast buffet and hats and streamers to wear at Bright Night events. (Bright Night tickets are no longer included in the package, allowing the hotel to lower the cost, from $279 last year.)

“I was a little worried,” said Jennifer Dahler, who identified herself as the hotel’s lead experience specialist. “But we had a great New Year’s Eve package that we sold. We have not [booked] as many as last year, but I’m not upset about the number.”

bgedan@projo.com