It’s the question on everyone’s mind — do you know what you’re going to be for Halloween yet? The actual holiday may not be until Wednesday, but time’s running out to come up with a creative costume for this weekend’s festivities.
We’re here to make your life a little easier this Halloween season. We’ve got some of the best parties and events at some of your favorite Chicago haunts, so you have one less decision to worry about.
And hey, you can always just throw on some cat ears and call it a day.
Disco
111 W. Hubbard St., 312-828-9000
Don your sexiest leather, rubber and lingerie — plus a mask — for “The Masquerade Macabre,” a fetish-themed Halloween party at Disco nightclub in River North. Starting at 10 p.m. on Thursday and lasting until 4 a.m., as it should, this seductive and glamorous bash will feature shows from burlesque performers like Sally Marvel, Queerella Fistalot and others inside the club and on the Rooftop Garden at Celeste. But keep in mind: No costume, no entry, so dress to dominate. Free admission. RSVP at discochicago.com.
360 Chicago Observation Deck
875 N. Michigan Ave., 888-875-8439
Climb (or just take the elevator) to the 94th floor of the Hancock Building for the 360 Chicago Observation Deck’s first-ever “Terror from the Top” Halloween party. Your $60 ticket gets you admission, two drink tickets, “light bites” and unlimited rides on Tilt, the attraction that tilts you outward 1,000 feet above the Magnificent Mile (if you don’t want the drink tickets or unlimited rides, tickets are $42). Magicians and tarot card and palm readers will also be milling around, and a burlesque show and a costume contest are sure to liven up the night. Saturday. 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Tickets: eventbrite.com.
Joy District
112 W. Hubbard St., 312-955-0339
It’s your time to shine at the Joy District’s two-night Halloween extravaganza, “A Dead Hollywood Story.” Dress to the nines and pose on the red carpet before heading into the party complete with your favorite celebrities back from the dead to perform, plus themed decorations, a DJ, aerialist performances and access to the rooftop (weather permitting). Your ticket gets you a complimentary drink upon arrival — just don’t let the paps catch you stumbling home. Friday and Saturday. 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. $30-$40. Tickets: eventbrite.com.
Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods
1415 N. Wood St., 773-360-8320
Let Wicker Park’s Ina Mae Tavern transport you to New Orleans for the night as you celebrate Halloween this weekend, Big Easy style. Come in costume, boogie to beats from a live DJ and get your tarot cards read as you savor drink specials, including $5 Sazeracs (absinthe, rye whiskey, bitters — a NOLA favorite), $5 Voodoo Punch and a $5 shot special. Saturday. 10 p.m. Free admission.
Bassment
353 W. Hubbard St., 312-386-5778
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Dress up and party with your Daisy at this speakeasy style lounge’s “Great Gatsby-themed bash” that will take you back to the Roaring ’20s. A live band will play a mix of old-timey jazz and more modern hits to keep you moving. Themed cocktails will be available, including the Hemingway, with rum, lime juice, grapefruit juice, maraschino liqueur and simple syrup ($14). There’s a $10 cover for this undoubtedly classy River North affair. Saturday. 8 p.m.
LondonHouse
85 E. Upper Wacker Drive, 312-357-1200
The swanky Loop hotel’s 21 Lounge, LH Rooftop and Etoile Ballroom will all be open on Saturday night for the “Nightmare on Wacker Street” Halloween party, so you’ll have plenty of space to get spooky. The Don Julio and Ketel One open bar from 8 to 11 p.m. certainly won’t hurt either (well, maybe the next morning). And if you come out on top of the costume contest that begins at midnight, you could win an overnight stay at the luxe Loop spot. Dance the night away with DJ Sye Young opening and Gutierrez closing out. 8 p.m. $75. Tickets: eventbrite.com.
Lark
3441 N. Halsted St., 773-799-8968
Go a little “Psycho” at this Boystown bar’s dance party featuring Hitchcock-themed cocktails on Saturday night. Sip on “The Birds” ($9), a sweet mix of peach vodka, orange juice, ginger beer, apple cider and cranberry juice, while DJ Laura B spins tunes. $250 in gifts and prizes await the costume contest winner. Best of all, there’s no cover. 9 p.m. Free admission.
AceBounce
230 N. Clark St., 773-219-0900
Play ping-pong as you slay in your Halloween costume at AceBounce’s “Thriller”-themed Michael Jackson tribute celebration on Saturday, featuring a dance floor and production by BAMcreates. Tunes by DJ George May will keep you moving all night long, and so will the 14 ping-pong tables and the three-hour open bar. Make sure to take a peek at “The Man in the Mirror” before you arrive, because you could win a $500 cash prize if your costume is up to snuff. 9 p.m. $59. Tickets: acebounce.com.
Chicago Athletic Association
12 S. Michigan Ave., 312-940-3552
Join the Chicago Athletic Association hotel for its fourth annual Halloween party on Saturday night — this year’s unique theme is “The Underworld’s Fair,” so come prepared to “dance into dystopia” to a soundtrack featuring acid house music from Chicago’s own DJ Pierre and others. Your $25 ticket gets you access to the festivities in the historic Stagg Court on the fourth floor of the hotel and the after-party in the Game Room at midnight, plus a complimentary welcome drink and coat check. 9 p.m. Tickets: chicagoathleticevents.com.
Headquarters Beercade River North
213 W. Institute Place, 312-291-8735
This River North bar’s “STAB Halloween party” on Saturday night is an ode to your favorite slasher films. In addition to an “immersive experience” à la “Scream,” “Nightmare on Elm Street” and “Friday the 13th,” the party will feature special Halloween cocktails, a horror-themed burlesque show, free arcade games and a costume contest starting at 11 p.m. Best costume wins $750, runner up $500 and third place $100 (sorry, but a Ghost Face mask probably won’t bring in the big bucks). 9 p.m. Free admission.
Andersonville Sweetish Stroll
Various locations in Andersonville
We may be too old to trick-or-treat without eliciting strange stares, but at least we have the Andersonville Sweetish Stroll, the neighborhood’s dessert crawl renamed and back by popular demand. Screw a bar crawl: Explore new businesses and old favorites as you stuff yourself with treats from 20 different spots, including m.Henry, First Slice Pie Cafe, Frio Gelato, the Swedish American Museum and more. Choose between two unique routes and spend the afternoon satisfying your sweet tooth, sans cocktails. Sunday. 2 to 5 p.m. $20. Tickets: andersonville.org/events.
Easy Bar
1944 W. Division St., 773-227-4644
Beer and pumpkin carving? Sounds like a perfect pairing. Head to Easy Bar on Monday and taste featured New Belgium beers like 1554 Black Lager and Voodoo Ranger Imperial IPA as you tap into your creative side for the fourth annual New Belgium Pumpkin Carving Contest. Free pumpkins and tools will be on hand — just try not to cut yours off. 7 to 10 p.m. Free admission.
Mi Tocaya Antojeria
2800 W. Logan Blvd., 872-315-3947
Head to Diana Dávila’s award-winning Mexican restaurant Mi Tocaya Antojeria on Halloween night for a “Zombie Quinceañera,” featuring dinner specials and “spooky desserts” from acclaimed pastry chef Mindy Segal. Food will be served until 10, but the party goes on until midnight with drinks and a DJ. Costumes are encouraged: Best dressed will win a boozy prize from Buho Mezcal. Wednesday. 5 p.m. to midnight.
Bar Biscay
1450 W. Chicago Ave., 312-455-8900
Join Fins Up, “Chicago’s preeminent yacht rock DJ duo,” at this West Town spot for a groovy blast from the past on Halloween night that will hopefully help you forget the freezing temps. According to the bar’s Facebook event, “yacht attire is encouraged” — do with that what you will. To sweeten the pot, the evening will also feature $1 shots of Bar Biscay’s vermouth infused with Malört to celebrate the divisive liquor’s return to Chicago
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. Wednesday. 10 p.m. Free admission.Ludlow Liquors
2959 N. California Ave., 773-754-7492
Sing your heart out this Halloween night at Ludlow Liquor’s “Spooky Spicy Scaryaoke.” Since costumes are encouraged, might we suggest dressing up as your favorite crooner? It won’t magically give you perfect pitch, but looking the part definitely makes it more fun. So will the bar’s food and drink specials, including candy galore. Wednesday. 9 p.m. Free admission (karaoke is first-come, first-served).