Golden Globes party circuit requires some planning

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The Golden Globes are still three weeks away, but it''s never too early to map out the afterparty attack.

1. WARNER BROS./INSTYLE MAGAZINE -- OASIS COURTYARD

You get the most bang for your buck at the WB/InStyle shindig, since it merges fame, fashion and anyone else who''s got even a tenuous relationship with celebrity. Also, Warner Bros. had a mighty fine, eclectic year -- "The Hangover," "Harry Potter," "Terminator Salvation," "Watchmen," "The Blind Side," "The Final Destination," "Sherlock Holmes" -- so expect the babes, bubbly and back-slapping to be free-flowing.

2. HBO -- CIRCA 55 + POOLSIDE

While not quite the critical dynamo it was two years ago, HBO still fields a splendid Globes bash with a reliable hip quotient. Keep in mind: as the night goes on, this thing gets packed, so go early if you want to hang there. With a sublimely resurgent "Curb Your Enthusiasm" (jammed full of "Seinfeld"), the ratings-happy "True Blood" and newcomer "Hung" carrying the series mantle, the cable channel also did well with "Grey Gardens" and "Taking Chance." And don''t forget the comedy fixtures -- from Will Ferrell and Robin Williams to Wanda Sykes, Danny McBride and Zach Galifianakis -- that ramps up the unpredictability factor.

3. NBC UNIVERSAL -- HOTEL ROOFTOP

Putting NBC Universal that far off the ground with minimal safety railings seems like a bad idea given the bad year the film division had with pictures like "Land of the Lost" and "Funny People."

4. SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT -- STARDUST ROOM

Summit''s critical breakout, "The Hurt Locker," has been feted by just about every critics group in the country -- for picture, director Kathryn Bigelow and writer-producer Mark Boal''s screenplay. The Globes followed with its own tank load of nominations.

5. THE WEINSTEIN CO. -- OLD TRADER VICS SPACE

Yes, the struggling studio still has a party. And this year the Weinstein brothers actually have a reason to throw one. "The Road" may have dead-ended and "Halloween II" may have run out of candy, but homegrown hero Quentin Tarantino delivered his biggest hit with "Inglourious Basterds." Between that, "Nine" and Colin Firth''s vaunted turn in "A Single Man," the glamour and movie geek chic should be thicker than Brad Pitt''s Tennessee accent.