PLATTSBURGH — Last night was the big celebration, as scores of people bid farewell to 2008.

Today is the morning after, and for many, the sun's bright rays and anything above a whisper will be painful reminders that 2009 arrived with a bang.

Area bartenders have some suggestions for hangover remedies.

"Gatorade, water, eggs and toast," said Adam Meham.

The bartender at Peabody's in downtown Plattsburgh added that fast food is reliable, too.

"I prefer Wendy's or Burger King."

A hangover's severity is dependent on the amount of alcohol consumed and how rapidly people drink, according to the Division of Neuroscience and Behavior at the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Hangovers can last eight to 24 hours after alcohol has been cleared from the system.

The United States loses billions yearly in worker absenteeism and poor job performance due to hangovers, according to researchers at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in San Francisco.

Josh Dubay, another Peabody's bartender, spends his money on fast food the next day, as well as fountain sodas.

New Year's Eve is one of Peabody's busiest nights.

Andrea Townsend, also a bartender there, said she turns to a cold shower for healing.

It seems everyone has their personal favorites.

"I always go with the Bloody Mary," said Rick Pavone, manager and bartender for Arnie's Bar and Restaurant.

A little "hair of the dog that bit you" works, too, he said.

"Try a little of what you drank the night before."

That may be a myth, though, as "hair of the dog" only prolongs the pain by increasing the toxicity of the alcohol already in the body, according to the few studies that scientists have conducted on hangover remedies.

Coffee doesn't cure hangovers, either, as some people believe, though drinking it helps with drowsiness.

At The Green Room in Plattsburgh, water is the remedy of choice.

Owner Chris Dumont suggested lots of water and some pain reliever.

"You're dehydrated."

Indeed, people suffering from hangovers are most likely dehydrated, and water and sports drinks are beneficial, scientists say.

"I heard the Gas-X pills are good," added Seth Louey of S.L. Designs. "But I usually do water."

The Green Room usually operates at capacity every Friday and Saturday night. Dumont expected the same last night.

Like many area bars, he applied through New York state for a 24-hour permit for New Year's, though he planned to close at 4 a.m. today for safety reasons.

E-mail Stephen Bartlett at: sbartlett@pressrepublican.com