With Halloween falling on a Friday this year (and with warmer weather projected for tomorrow), debauchery all around town – especially near the Village's infamous parade – is pretty much guarranteed. If you're still figuring out your All Hallow's Eve plans, here are a few spots hosting parties and costume contests to consider.
30 West 26th St.; 212-255-4544
The party starts at 10 PM at this Chelsea BBQ joint when country blues band Five Points takes the downstairs stage with no cover. While they play, revelers can enjoy the restaurant's regular menu along with $4 "Scream and Go Crazy" punch, $2 Jello shots and additional drink specials. There will be a prize-filled costume contest starting at 11 PM.
697 W. 133rd St.; 212-491-9111
This Harlem seafooder is getting haunted for the holiday with a masquerade ball. From 10 PM until closing, it will boast a live DJ with no cover, along with $1,000 in prizes for the best costumes. If that isn't enough, there will also be a slew of Halloween food and drink specials on hand.
25 W. 51st St., downstairs; 212-265-8824
In conjunction with Venom Energy Drink, this Midtown BBQ joint known for its mechanical bull is throwing a Halloween party. Costumes are mandatory (bull wrangler, anyone?) and the guest with the best costume wins a year's supply of Venom. The party starts at 10 PM, and for the first hour there will be an open vodka bar ($20 per person).
337B W. Broadway; 212-941-7832
Just blocks from the infamous Halloween Parade, this SoHo tea spot (which serves the harder stuff too) is pitching itself as the ideal spot to meet up before going to watch the festivities. From 5–7 PM, it'll be offering two-for-one pre-parade drink specials to get you in the reveling mood. The restaurant will also be introducing a new cocktail, the Flaming Cocktail (a burning rum-and-Coke concoction that is literally on fire), and hosting a costume contest. The winner of the contest will get a $100 gift certificate and their picture displayed on the restaurant's "wall of fame."
23 Ave. A; 212-529-2919
The entire staff of this East Village Pan-Latin spot will be in costume for the holiday, serving up specials from chef Julian Medina like hamachi ceviche, duck ropa with pumpkin purée and coffee-glazed flan with ancho chile. There will also be a $250 prize for the guest in the best costume.