Halloween weekend’s looming and here you are, caught red-handed without tickets to a killer bash. Luckily, you don’t have to plan ahead for these parties, and with no cover or a low cover, you’ll have more cash to spend on brew. Bonus: Score an extra witching hour thanks to the end of Daylight Savings Time. Set your watch back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday.
BEST FOR: SPOOKY SCENESTERS
Gotta be a part of the freshest Halloween scene? These spots are going all-out for their very first Oct. 31 in business.
9th Annual Black i Ball
Roof, 201 N. State St. 312-239-9501
This longtime roaming bash lands at downtown’s latest rooftop lounge. Dress as your fave film star or movie character to vie for a $1,000 cash prize at midnight. DJ Matty Harris spins. No cover. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday.
All Hail Halloween
Simone’s Bar, 960 W. 18th St. 312-666-8601
Bob for apples, spin a spooky drink wheel and revel in other kitschy fun while DJ Ian Frost spins some monstrous mash-ups. No cover. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.
The Canary Murder Case
The Red Canary, 695 N. Milwaukee Ave. 312-846-1475
This antique-chic lounge’s party is inspired by the 1929 movie of the same name. Head out to the heated patio (weather permitting) or get grooving inside to beats by DJ Merk 1. No cover. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday.
Twilight at Market
Market, 1113 W. Randolph St. 312-929-4787
Make your way through the enclosed beer garden-turned-haunted house, help yourself to the $6 bloody mary bar and wait your turn for bloodcurdling body painting by Mario Ink. Show off your costume for a chance to win $1,500 in giveaways, including “Twilight” gear autographed by Robert Pattinson. No cover. 7 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.
BEST FOR: MOVERS & SHAKERS
Not content to park it on a bar stool and costume-watch? These bashes will keep you on the move.
Eve of the Eve Pub Crawl
Haunt six Lakeview hangs, starting at Frasca (3358 N. Paulina St.). Each spot stages a $100 costume contest, from sexiest at the Shire (8 p.m.) to best costume at the Pony (11 p.m.). Includes $5 Jameson shots and drinks. No cover. 6 p.m.-3 a.m. Friday.
Critical Mass
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.
The October installment of this monthly bike ride taking over the streets always draws wacky costumes, from a cast of Alice in Wonderland characters to a bride and groom on a bicycle built for two. Free. 5:30 p.m. Friday. Info: chicagocriticalmass.org
Halloween at Roscoe’s
Roscoe’s, 3356 N. Halsted St. 773-281-3355
Party along the North Halsted Halloween Parade route and you’re sure to be swept up by churning crowds moving from bar to bar, from recently reopened Scarlet to Sidetrack, where the parade is broadcast live on a projector screen. Start at Roscoe’s for $6 Bacardi bombs and a 10 p.m. costume contest ($1,500 split among three winners) hosted by the drag-tastic Frida Lay. No cover before 9 p.m.; $5 after. 1 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.
BEST FOR: HORROR FILM FREAKS
Get your fill of frightful footage at these fetes.
Halloween 2009
LaSalle Power Co., 500 N. La Salle St. 312-661-1122
Watch black-and-white horror classics on the main-floor video wall or groove to DJ Andres’ beats on the second floor. On the top-floor stage, Tanglewood and South of 80 rock out (9 p.m.-midnight). $3 domestic bottles all night. No cover. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.
Flick or Treat
Angels & Kings, 710 N. Clark St. 312-482-8600
DJ White Shadow spins while scary movies screen on TVs around the bar. A late-night costume contest (2 a.m.) awards tickets to screenings for “Transylmania” or “The House of the Devil.” No cover. 9 p.m.-5 a.m. Saturday.
BEST FOR: COSTUME PROCRASTINATORS
Let these themed shindigs be your last-minute inspiration to whip up a 15-minute get-up.
True Blood Friday
NV Penthouse Lounge, 116 W. Hubbard St. 312-329-9960
Grab some plastic fangs and suck down $7 True Blood cocktails (vodka-spiked blood orange and cranberry juices) at this vampy bash featuring dancers and staff made over as vampires. No cover before 10:30 p.m. After 10:30 p.m., cover is $10 with RSVP to events@nvpenthouselounge.com before 8 p.m. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday.
Dress for the Job You Wanted, Not the Job You Have
Hub 51, 51 W. Hubbard St. 312-828-0051
The name’s unwieldy, but the idea’s simple: Dress up as what you wanted to be when you grew up. DJ Sky Nellor spins in basement lounge Sub 51 (table reservations only). No cover. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.
Dead Celebrity Halloween
LuxLounge, 18 E. Bellevue Pl. (upstairs inside Luxbar) 312-642-3400
Paste on a beard and go as Billy Mays or don a vintage dress and go as Jackie O for a chance to snag a $500 gift card at midnight. Feed your sweet tooth with Halloween candy and $7 pumpkin and candy apple martinis. No cover. 10 p.m.-3 a.m. Saturday.
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lmarnett@tribune.com
