Whether you’re a sweet transvestite or a naughty ghoul, there’s a Halloween night party perfect for you in NYC.
Strike up the band
Brooklyn’s newest live music venue is getting an auspicious start on Halloween night. Head to Elsewhere in Bushwick, whose three-in-one music/art venues will transform into a “crazy multi-room maze of stages, cafes, galleries + more.” They put it best: “Come party like your mortal soul depends on it.” $40, 599 Johnson Ave., Bushwick, elsewherebrooklyn.com
Kick it ‘90s style
Your Halloween night can be a story all about how your life got flip-turned upside down at Cantina Rooftop’s Fresh Prince of Bel-Air Party. Dig out your tie-dye socks and cutoff shorts for a night of retro fun on the all-weather rooftop with a one-hour vodka open bar, the best throwback R&B, hip-hop & dance music by DJ HR Beats and cash prizes for best costumes. $20+, 9 p.m.-4 a.m., 605 W. 48th St., facebook.com
The party of the last century
One of the hottest themed parties of the year, The Salon: Halloween Stomp turns the Montauk House in Brooklyn into a 19th-century Venetian Gothic playground of thrills like burlesque performances, a speakeasy, sizzling live music from jazz to swing (with lessons!) and more glamorous fun. Come and lounge among the sexy spirits of the night — they’ve been waiting two centuries to party with you. Vintage costumes encouraged. $25-$30, Oct. 31, 7 p.m.-midnight, 25 Eighth Ave., Park Slope, thesalon.biz
Commune with the dead
If anyone can get us out of the mess that is 2017, it’s Houdini. Join the paranormal society that tries to contact history’s greatest magician every year since his death on Halloween night at the site of his first home in NYC — which is now a restaurant. So even if the seance isn’t successful, there will be free snacks. Free, 11:30 a.m., Sojourn Restaurant, 244 E. 79th St.
Work on your puns at Bob’s Burgers
It’s become a Halloween tradition for Greenpoint’s Alameda bar to transform into the burger joint run by one of our favorite cartoon families. On Halloween night, swing by for specialty burgers that would make pun-loving Bob proud, served by costumed staff and fun events all night. Free entry, 195 Franklin St., Brooklyn
Scare-tacular good times
If Halloween isn’t just about dressing up but becoming a different person for you, get to Pine Box Rock Shop’s Scary-oke contest, where the winner is whoever matches their song to their costume the best. Themed beers start at $3 a pint to keep the mayhem going all night. 10 p.m. 12 Grattan St., Bushwick, pineboxrockshop.com
Get spooked in a haunted theater
Before making its grand debut, Nitehawk at Prospect Park is dressing up for an all-ages community party, A Haunted Hawks’ Night Out. Get a sneak peek at the newly revamped theater decked out in Halloween finery, plus free candy, snacks and beer from Brooklyn Brewery and themed crafts. Free, 3-7 p.m., 188 Prospect Park West, eventbrite.com
Meet the freaks of Williamsburg
The William Vale Hotel’s rooftop bar Westlight is bringing Coney Island to Brooklyn with a freak show featuring contortionists, burlesque dancing, sword swallowers, magicians and more. Costumes are a must, and so is a sense of wonder. $80-$320, 7 p.m.-2 a.m., 111 N. 12th St., Williamsburg, thewilliamvale.com
The parade of the year
There’s nothing like getting freaky all over Greenwich Village with the rest of the city on Halloween night. With new spectacles every year and costumes too elaborate to wear anywhere else, the Village Halloween Parade is where the real freaks come out to show off. Anyone in costume can walk in the parade. Free, Oct. 31, 7-10:30 p.m., parade begins at Sixth Avenue and Canal Street, going north to 16th Street, halloween-nyc.com
The official parade afterparty
Whether you strutted through Greenwich Village or your heels weren’t made for walking, all are welcome at the official Halloween parade afterparty at Slake. All four floors of the club will be transformed into a haunted mausoleum of “shocking spectacles” and “bone-rattling dance music” from six DJs, with $2,500 at stake for best costume. $40, 9 p.m., 251 W. 30th St., slakenyc.com
The Rocky Horror Live Show
A time-honored tradition gets a swanky new venue. Michael T and his band of time-warping miscreants are taking over The Django for a live re-enactment of The Rocky Horror Picture Show. No movie, just a cast of 10 fully costumed singers with a six-piece band rocking one of the city’s classiest lounges all Halloween night. $20, Oct. 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., 2 Ave. of the Americas, eventbrite.com
Get kinky at Hogwarts
Come out of the dungeons and into the night at Level 3. Dress in your house robes and join your fellow adult Potterheads (only 21+ allowed) at this BDSM-flavored Harry Potter bash featuring St. Andrews crosses and spanking horses. DJs will spin everything from Top 40 to dance and there’s a vodka open bar for the first hour. $20-$650, 9 p.m.-4 a.m., 605 W. 48th St., eventbrite.com
A grown-up circus
Foodie freaks can come to Sunday in Brooklyn for hors d’oeuvres by former Atera chef Jaime Young and two drinks (all included in your ticket) while being treated to live music and sideshow acts including snake dancers and acrobats. And what carnival would be complete without a Tarot reader, flash tattoos and face painting. Costumes required. $50, 8 p.m.-midnight, 348 Wythe Ave., resy.com
