From masquerade prix fixes meals to wild costume parties, here's an assortment of treats for Halloween revelers:
Masquerade Feast: On Tuesday, October 30th, West Hollywood's Ortolan is hosting a "spooky" New French prix fixe dinner. On the menu are such delicacies as marinated red tuna with a blood orange reduction, vampire beet ravioli and citrus dragon eggs. Guests are encouraged to come in costume ($105 per person; 323-653-3300).
Mystery-Filled Dinner:
To celebrate Halloween, Five Crowns, the Orange County version of Lawry's, is hosting a Murder Mystery Dinner on October 31st featuring a four-course prix fixe menu that includes a choice of roasted prime rib with creamed spinach and Yorkshire pudding; roasted Maple Leaf Farms duckling; or potato-crusted salmon. For dessert, there's strawberry English trifle. And, of course, the Murder Mystery (7 PM; $89 per person; 949-760-0331).
Monster Bashes:
On Friday, the 26th, Boulevard 3 gets the festivities started early with the 14th annual Doll House Heaven and Hell Halloween Bash featuring multiple DJs and a $5,000 contest for best costume (doors open at 8 PM; $30 general admission, $40 for VIP; 323-466-2144).
The next night the party continues at Key Club, which is hosting its 20th annual Halloween Masquerade & Costume Ball. Expect haunted house decor, live aerialists, the obligatory go-go dancers, multiple DJs and prizes for the best costumes, which are required (October 27; doors open at 8 PM; $45 per person in advance, $55 per person at the door; 310-274-5800).
And it keeps on going over at the Roosevelt's Tropicana Bar, which is also being transformed into a huge haunted house – costumes only encouraged at this one – with music spun by the Beastie Boys' Mix Master Mike (October 27; doors open at 8 PM; $75 per person, VIP tickets available for $125; 323-466-7000).
Despite being a school night, there are a number of parties on October 31st, including the Luna Monsters Ball at Element. Costumed revelers will get a discount at the door, and there will be a rotating team of DJs and cash prizes for sexiest and scariest costumes (doors open at 9 PM; $20 per person; 323-460-4632).
Meanwhile Avalon Hollywood will be holding its "Hex Hollywood" party throughout the entire club. Costumes and/or "club attire" is required for entry and the first 400 people to show up in costume will receive free grab bags (doors open at 9 PM; price TBA; 323-462-8900).