It's the spookiest time of the year, when grisly ghouls from every tomb bridge and tunnelers in sexy Ebola costumes spill out of Village bars to vom on young trick or treaters. Yes, Halloween in the city can be a Bit Much, but there are still ways to celebrate that won't make you feel like it's your freshman year of college all over again. (That's scary.) Here are some fun options...
(Nightmare: NYC)
HAUNTED HOUSES: If you are hell-bent on experiencing a haunted house this year, you'll be frightfully pleased to know that some of the more popular ones still have tickets available for Halloween. Venture into Nightmare: New York for a twisted trip to the '80s or Blackout if you're into a more touchy-feely, awkward experience. Regardless of your choice of scare, slots will absolutely sell out for Halloween night, so book your tickets ASAP. But beware: Gothamist's Lauren Evans visited four of them in one night; read her horror story before choosing your Final Destination.
MoMA PS1 / Miguel Villalobos
COSTUME PARTIES: MoMA PS1 is holding their Halloween Ball, this year entitled "Hallowqueens!" Guests are encouraged to wear costumes relating to the theme of Queens, whatever that means to them. During the party you can explore exhibits (which will remain open), dance to DJ Amber Valentine, and surround yourself with countless shades of Freddie Mercury. A costume contest, dancing, and pageantry are all also promised. Tickets to the Haunted Warehouse After-party are also available.
The Bell House in Gowanus is hosting their sixth-annual HallowMeme, which is always a hoot. Expect plenty of ice bucket challenge costumes, unlimited Apparently Kids, and endless "nerding out and out-nerding." Check out Katie Sokoler's stellar photos from last year's party for a meme-ingful look at what's to come.
(Tod Seelie / Gothamist)
MORE EXCUSES TO DRESS UP: The bawdy bohemians at BangOn! NYC are once again going all out for their annual Warehouse of Horrors, which will be held at an as-yet-undisclosed warehouse somewhere in Bushwick. This year features a set from DJ Twin Shadow, as well as a live performance from Zebra Katz. A full list of performances and acrobatics, including details about the "2 indoor stages and a tented outdoor silent disco with dueling DJs atop art cars" are here. Other highlights are an actual haunted house, blood-soaked art performances, and a cuddle puddle. Tickets are almost gone, so act fast, and check out Tod Seelie's photos from last year's "orgiastic excess."
Not to be outdone, the unstoppable revelers at Rubulad are planning a Phantasmic Fright Night in Jefftown. There will be weird and horrible performances, marionettes, seances, "blood-curdling cabaret" and DJ Partyfoul5000, and "the ghastly ghouls of Rubulad will be surprising you with additional awful art and other shocking surprises. If you find yourself craving something more than Halloween candy and vampire blood, there is splatteriffic pizza and bone-chilling Chinese food right next door." $10 before 10 p.m. to enter, $20 after.
HOLIDAY LIBATIONS Fancy a freakishly potent cocktail or two before hitting the town? For those who will find themselves around Grand Central Terminal on Halloween—looking at you, Nutmeggers—the Campbell Apartment is offering up some holiday fun. Long-rumored to be haunted, the bar will supply imbibers with Ouija boards to channel long-deceased spirits while they sip Pumpkin and Cinnamon-infused Bourbon.
Farther downtown, West Village DIY Prosecco bar extraordinaires Sotto 13 are getting into the spooky spirit, offering an even sweeter take on their signature setup. Guests can indulge in glasses of Prosecco with a tray of liqueurs, fruit purees and Halloween candy (think: Pop Rocks, Twizzler straws) to mix in. Expect some crowds due to the close proximity to the Village Halloween Parade, but this could be a good place to regroup if you're participating in that (which everyone should do once).
(Glasslands)
MUSICSoon-to-be-closed Glasslands is hosting their last Halloween party at the venue, the appropriately themed Halloween in the Black Lodge. Just a guess, but is the venue's Twin Peaks theme perhaps a veiled reference to resurrection? Either way, come dressed as a Twin Peaks character for their costume contest and stay to enjoy the David Lynch-inspired DJ set, complete with coffee and donuts. Where's the pie, man?
Meanwhile, over at Brooklyn Bowl, the drunkest Guns n' Roses cover band rises from the dead. Mr. Brownstone hasn't been on the stage for... years, probably? We can't remember. So as a refresher, here's their performance on Letterman from 2008—yes, they are better than seeing a real Axl Rose-fronted Gn'R. The show starts at 12:30 a.m., and you can buy $10 tickets here.
