No need to OD on candy this Halloween – here are some spots offering treats of a more grown-up flavor:
Early Frights
Get the party started early at Ian Schrager’s Clift Hotel, where the entire first floor, including the Redwood Room, Asia de Cuba and the lobby, will provide the setting for a costume party on Thursday, October 29, with a DJ (8 PM–midnight; $35 per person, benefiting Global Green; tickets available at 800-606-6090 or online).
Also getting into the act early is Yoshi’s San Francisco, which will be clearing away the tables for a Friday night Halloween dance party with a set by KatDelic (10 PM–12:30 AM; $15 per person; see more info here).
The Eve Itself
Head to Maverick for a special three-course "mystery" wine-paired dinner. Neither the menu or the wines will be revealed, and the diner who guesses the most ingredients or wine varietals correctly at each table will win a free bottle of wine. Sure beats candy corn ($55 per person; 415-863-3061).
Walking the streets on Halloween night is fun – living on the streets every night of the year isn’t. That’s why Terzo in Cow Hollow is donating a percentage of October 31 profits to Street Smarts 4 Kids, a SF-based nonprofit providing meals to homeless and underprivileged children. Additional envelopes will also be available all month for guests to make a donation directly to the organization (415-441-3200; reserve online).
Poleng Lounge will be hosting a party featuring Mixhell Live, along with several “face-melting” DJ sets. Complimentary drinks will be given out to revelers donning the best costumes (9 PM–2 AM; $12 per person; click here for tickets).
Flutter the night away at Butterfly, where ladies in costume are free until 10 PM (space providing) and DJs will be rocking the party (doors open at 9 PM; $20 per person; click here for tickets).
Yoshi’s in Oakland will be hosting a costume bash featuring food, salsa dancing and two shows of the musical act Julio Bravo Y Su Orquesta Salsabor. Drink specials include the "Vampire’s Blood Orange Margarita," "Great Pumpkin Martini" and the "Ghouly Green Melon Caipirinha" (8 PM, $20 per person; 10 PM, $10; click here for tickets).
Those who miss the old Castro celebration will be converging outside the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market Building for a free, experimental flash-mob dance party called “Take Back and Fix Halloween." Guests are encouraged to bring their own mobile DJ units, dress in costume and not act like jerks, for fear of being shut down (9 PM; click here for more info).
Later That Night...
Celebrate into the wee witching hours on supperclub’s cushy beds after dancing your heart out to live DJs (5–8 AM; general admission, $10 per person; VIP bed reservations are $150 and include a bed for up to four people, a bottle of champagne and a carafe of OJ, as well as a breakfast platter; bottle service is $250 for four and includes Hangar One vodkas and a selection of mixers and Bloody Mary mixers; click here for reservations).