There are plenty of treats to be had during the Halloween season, and we ain't just referring to all that candy. We happen to be making reference to treats of a more adult-oriented nature, like specialty and themed cocktails, fantastic drink deals, and scads of prizes that are available at all the spooky and stylish parties and events scheduled for this weekend.
See also: Halloween Guide 2013
If you're going to be out celebrating over the next seven days, there are plenty of options all across the Valley to choose from, no matter what your particular interests might be. In fact, there are so many Halloween happenings that we had a bit of difficulty whittling things down to just one list.
So as a way of complimenting our recent list of 13 must-attend shindigs, here's a rundown of 19 more interesting, unusual, and off-the-chain parties to partake in at more than a dozen different locations throughout metro Phoenix.
Arizona Event Center As its name implies, the Foam 'n' Glow dance party on Friday, October 25, will include a shoulder-high sea of bubbles and a nonstop maelstrom of colored lights flowing throughout the two rooms of the Arizona Event Center. Meanwhile, fire-spinners and go-go girls will perform, while college kids and EDM fans will bump their respective rumps and DJs like Hunter Moore, Syrus, and Delux spin high-energy tracks. Doors open at 9 p.m. Pre-sale tickets are $32.50 and day-of-show admission is $40.
The Shout! House Speaking of affairs that will be lit up like a jack-o-lantern, this Glendale piano bar will be aglow during its Black Light White Out Party on Friday, October 25. Patrons who are dressed in their whitest whites or pay a visit to the "Electric Paint Station" will shine brightly underneath the various UV lights set up around the place. Dueling pianos provide the music and drink specials include $2 Bud Light drafts, $4 Toxic Slime shots, and $5 Electric Bombers. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is $5.
Apollo's Lounge Need somewhere hip to show off your costume this weekend? The cats behind Apollo's popular RAD! dance night are throwing their Skull & Bones Halloween Party Massive on Friday, October 25, and will feature DJ sessions from Jared Alan, Kevin M.O.B., Deux Yeux, William Reed, and Skyler O'Hara, and others. Artist Lalo Cota will offer face painting of the Day of the Dead variety, horror film classics will play on the TVs, and drink special will be available. The party begins at 9 p.m. Cover is $5 after 10 p.m.
The Mint On the heels of its recent renovation, this Scottsdale ultra lounge is planning three different nights of festivities. A Halloween-themed edition of The Mint's Fantasy Friday event (dubbed Fantasy Land) on October 25 promises sweet treats in the form of specialty cocktails and sweet sounds from DJ MCB. Next, the Pick Your Poison party on Saturday, October 26, will include plenty of potent concoctions from the bar and spins from DJ Aaron Taylor. And the night before All Hallow's Eve will involve the weekly Project M Wednesdays transforming into Project Massacre on October 30 with music from DJ Five. Doors open at 9 p.m. each night. Call 480-947-6468 for admission info.
Maya Day & Nightclub Axis-Radius might be long gone, but the now-defunct Scottsdale club's signature Halloween event is still alive (albeit at a new home). The annual Ghostball Block Party has moved across the street for this year's edition on Saturday, October 26, and will encompass the entirety of Maya, as well as Hi Fi next door and portions of Indian Plaza. As always, it will offer a big costume contest with some big cash prizes, as a total of $2,000 will be awarded to attendees wearing the sexiest and best overall costumes. Gates open at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.
Sandbar Mexican Grill Some of the most popular costumes of every single Halloween in recent memory seem to include pirates, superheroes, or dastardly villains. And if you're going with any of these options this year, the three Sandbar locations will host themed affairs to complement your ensemble, whether it involves rocking a flintlock or spandex. Pirates of the Sandbar parties will be held on Saturday, October 26, and include specials on Jell-O Eyeball shots, pumpkin ale, and Pirate's Grog black salt margaritas.
Meanwhile, Earth's mightiest heroes and other übermenschen (as well as their nefarious nemeses and any other character inspired by movies, games, and other geek obsessions) are welcome to attend the Comicon Halloween event on Thursday, October 31, which offers comparable drink deals. Admission is free to each.
Chandler Air Service Not every celebration this weekend will be a booze-fueled fiesta of sin and debauchery. For instance, the all-ages Scream Halloween Bash on Saturday, October 26, promises alcohol- and drug-free fun in the form of a five-hour dance party inside an airplane hanger with DJs Munition, Huff, ROM3, and AJ Slim in the mix on the 30,000-watt sound system while massive amounts of balloons drop and both confetti and CO2 cannons go off. The party runs from 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Admission is $10.
Fairmont Scottsdale Princess One of the highlights of the Halloween scene is the posh Nightmare on Princess Drive soiree that unfolds within the resort's courtyard and outdoor plaza bar every October. This high-style event take place on Saturday, October 26, and boasts an apocalyptic/zombie theme this time around, which we're willing to bet will translate to faux members of the undead in attendance sporting ripped and torn Prada wear. A live DJ, specialty cocktails like the Flash Fire and Zomberry, and a costume contest are also planned. The party starts at 9 p.m. Admission is free but parking will run you $10 to $12.
BS West Old Town Scottsdale's lone LGBT-oriented nightspot has become rather infamous for its high-energy Halloween hootenannies, which are both ginormous in size and attendance. This year's event on Saturday, October 26 -- which is entitled Reincarnation -- should be no exception, as it will take block party form and feature $1,000 in cash prizes during its costume contest, West Hollywood club DJs Dawna Montell and Derek Monteiro on the decks, and a slew of entertaining attendees. Inside bars open at 7 p.m. and the outside drink stations start pouring at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25 in advance and $30 at the door.
Cave Creek Wicked What's better than one Halloween party? How's about seven of 'em in a row. That's what awaits the patrons of the yearly bar crawl that will hit up a septet of Cave Creek's favorite haunts on Saturday, October 26. During the day, a slate of family-friendly activies will transpire beginning at 11 a.m., including gigs by "Thriller" dancers, pumpkin carving, and costume contests for kids and even horses (!!). After evening-fall, however, the crawl will start at 7 p.m. at Big Earl's before moving onto the Cave Creek Smokehouse, Buffalo Chip, Harold's Corral, Hogs and House, The Hideaway, and other stops. Admssion is free.
Club 24 Quick history lesson: Didja know that Halloween was partially inspired by the sorta-Gaelic/sorta-Wiccan festival known as Samhain that marked the end of harvest time? Yup, it's true. Said celebration, which has taken on a bit of significance in gothy circles in more recent times, will be honored in part during the weekly City of Madness dance party at this CenPho joint. DJs Aeternum and s.alien will spin dark music in the vein of goth, synthpop, and industrial during this costume party on Saturday, October 26. Doors are at 9:30 p.m. Cover is $5.
If you like this story, consider signing up for our email newsletters.
SHOW ME HOW
Newsletters
McFadden's The Desert Ridge Marketplace location of this party-hardy bar chain has Halloween revelers covered throughout the entire holiday and its aftermath with a quartet of shindigs spread out across the entire weekend. The lineup starts on Wednesday, October 30, with the All Hallow's Eve celebration that have specials that will help countdown to the big day with discounts on brews that will increase each hour until midnight.
The Night of the Living Drunks commences on Thursday, October 31, and includes $3 zombie shots all night and $2 drinks from 9 to 11 p.m. with costume or student ID, as well as $500 in prizes for the scariest and most original costumes. A Pixar Party is planned for Friday, November 1, where $3 mixed drinks will be served and another $500 in cash goes to the best cartoon-inspired and best overall outfits.
Those with any mojo left over on Saturday, November 2, can attend the Hangover Party and show up in what's left of their costumes to get in for free and score a complimentary drink. Each event starts at 9 p.m. Cover charges vary.
Or sign in with a social account:
FACEBOOK GOOGLE + TWITTER YAHOO!