Found the perfect costume? Show it off at these top fright fests. You wouldn’t want to be caught dead anywhere else.
Boy George at Zentra
All things ’80s are hip once more, and the Culture Club kid (yes, it’s really him) returns as a DJ, spinning a full three-hour set of grooves starting at 1 a.m. Although you won’t be brushing shoulder pads with him at the VIP reception earlier in the evening, you’ll get some free booze, along with strawberries and chocolate. If you don’t have advance tickets, get there early: The evening is sure to sell out, and the first 50 guests get a gift bag of free loot. Plus, scrounge up a black hat and Technicolor rags for the Boy George look-alike contest. 7 p.m.-4 a.m. Friday. $10-$30. 923 W. Weed St. 312-787-0400.
Pimp and Ho Party
Gents, put on your floor-length furs; ladies, put on, well, as little as possible. Promoter Brad Altman says this party at Transit is “a night to be someone you aren’t, and in a few cases, someone you are.” Get there early for a hosted bar from 9 to 10:30 p.m. and stay for the debauchery that’s sure to ensue. Hip-hop tribute band Too White Crew will perform, and the pimpin’-est pimp and the hoin’-est ho each get $1,000 cash. 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday. $20-$30. 1431 W. Lake St. 312-491-8600.
Art to Fear Party
For something a little more highbrow, head to this bash at ARC Gallery, which celebrates its “Art to Fear” exhibit, featuring paintings, sculpture and more, including “incongruously beautiful photographs of rotting animal carcasses,” according to gallery vice president Kristina Gosh. DJ QKYU and Genghis Won spin. The best part? Free admission. 6 p.m.-midnight Friday. 734 N. Milwaukee Ave. 312-733-2787.
Halloween Party at Roscoe’s
Get an eyeful of boobs, boas and stilettos (and that’s just the bouncer) at this Boystown bash. After the North Halsted Halloween Parade ends just a stone’s throw from here, this Boystown bar will be brimming with glammed-up guys. The two-category costume contest–one for the best general costume, one for the best drag costume–boasts more than $4,000 in cash and prizes. Drink specials include $10 Stoli pink lemonade pitchers. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday. Free. 356 N. Halsted St. 773-281-3355.
All Hallow’s Eve Party
Start the weekend early at this benefit at Sprout Home, a chic new garden center and home decor store.
Nosh on hors d’oeuvres from the uber-trendy restaurants Fortunato, Mirai and others, washed down with beer, wine or spiked punch. You can even groove on the store’s patio and rooftop deck and not worry about losing your wig to the wind–tents and heat lamps will keep things cozy. Bonus: Smokey, an aptly named performance artist, eats fire. 7:30 p.m.-midnight Thursday. $35-$40. 745 N. Damen Ave. 312-226-5950.
Rockstar Halloween
All those air guitar sessions in your underwear are about to pay off. Throw on the Ozzy wig, the fat-Elvis jumpsuit or the Pat Benatar headband and head over to Bacchus. Down some liquid courage and enter the karaoke contest because, honey, you just might win first prize: a party for 100 people with a one-hour cocktail reception. But even if your singing peels paint off the walls, they’re offering the same prize for the best costume. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday. $5. 2242 N. Lincoln Ave. 312-643-5516.
Stock up on scares
More parties, costume ideas and haunted houses on metromix.com. Plus, find our last-minute Halloween picks in Friday’s metromix.
