By Sage Lazzaro

While we certainly maintain that NYC is one of the best cities in the world for Halloween, it can also be one of the most difficult. If you find yourself without reservations, tickets, or a special “in” when the weekend comes, you might spend more time traipsing around the city, stuck in traffic, or getting denied at every door then you will drinking festive cocktails and reveling in the fact you finally got to wear your yellow fur coat and disco boots. Basically, to maximize fun, we strongly suggest planning ahead. Here’s a list of some of the best clubs, concerts, rooftop parties and bars throwing down for Halloween weekend.

Wednesday, October 26

Carrie Screening at House of Yes

2 Wykoff Avenue, Brooklyn
7pm
Tickets: (Only the “Clawfoot Bathtub” tickets remain, $100)

Classic horror from 1976. House of Yes describes this screening as an “immersive experience” that will include a cellist, dancers, and fire performers, so yeah, the $100 ticket sounds worth it.

Friday, October 28

Carnevil at Mr. Purple
180 Orchard Street – 15th Floor, Manhattan
10pm
Tickets/Table service: $35/$125+

Circus performers including a sexy snake charmer, a juggler, a stilt walker and a contortionist will be entertaining throughout the evening along with DJ Morsy. “Carnevil” themed costumes strongly encouraged!

Raise the Dead at CLUB b66

6612 New Utrecht Avenue, Brooklyn
10pm-4am 
Tickets: $6.66-$10

If you’re looking for more of a warehouse vibe, CLUB b66 will deliver with music, pool tables, stripper poles and a costume contest.

Hello Devils at The Wick

260 Meserole Street, Brooklyn
9pm 
Tickets: $20

The hollowed-out music venue right off the Montrose L train with DJ Louie XIV spinning. Costumes “not required but strongly encouraged.”

Saturday, October 29

Haunted Lazar Brunch at Social Drink & Food, Yotel  

570 Tenth Avenue, Manhattan
1 – 6pm
Tickets: $20 – $75

It’s costumes, lazer tag, cocktails and live music all in one. Outside the arena, street food stations will offer globally inspired street fare while the adjacent modern Israeli restaurant Green Fig will host an a la carte brunch.

Haunted Insane Asylum at The Roof

124 West 57th Street – 29th Floor, Manhattan
10pm
Not ticketed, but reservations are strongly encouraged: hostess@theroofny.com/212-707-8008.

Boasting a brand new terrace awning that brings the roofdeck indoors, The Roof is hosting a Haunted Insane Asylum-themed party with Halloween themed cocktails. DJ Chazz Rockwell will be spinning all night, and insane asylum costumes strongly encouraged!

Dia de Los Muertos at Whiskey Blue

541 Lexington Avenue, Manhattan
10pm
Not ticketed, but reservations are strongly encouraged: amcaleavy@gerberbars.com/call 212-407-2947

This swank lounge is throwing a Dia de Los Muertos party complete with a costume contest, a DJ and drink specials.

ROCK is DEAD. The Halloween Show at Unit J

338 Mofat Street, Brooklyn
9pm – 4am
Tickets: $25-$39

This raging Halloween show features some of your favorite revived rock acts as well as a costume contest, cricket brownies made with real crickets (seriously), alcoholic blood punch (made without real blood) and plenty of room on the dance floor.

Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Party at Cannibal Beer & Butcher/The Cannibal Liquor House

600 11th Ave/113 East 29th Street, Manhattan
9pm – 1am
Tickets: $125

Playing the part of Dr. Jekyll, Liquor House will feature a three-piece band, proper cocktails and English snacks. At Beer & Butcher, a.k.a. “Mr. Hyde,” guests will experience “bloody and horrible with all the trimmings,” draft beer, wine, and whole roasted animals. Costumes are required and a ticket gets you entry to both parties.

Halloween – Monday, October 31

Halloween Costume Boat Party at Harbor Lights

2430 FDR Drive Service Road East, Manhattan
8pm-12am
Tickets: $30

Forgo traffic jams and 10x Uber surge pricing by setting sea on this party cruise. Hookah bars and more than a dozen DJs on two floors of dancing. Do remember though: if you drink too much (or your friend does) you’re on the boat till 12am. 

Creepy Cloudy 28 at Hotel Indigo

127 W 28th Street, Manhattan
5pm – 12am
Tickets: $10

The rooftop bar atop Hotel Indigo is throwing a Halloween bash with one of the most affordable covers in town. Views and music are included and hookah is available as well.

Fixed Halloween with S U R V I V E (Live) at Good Room

98 Meserole Ave, Brooklyn
9pm – 4am
Tickets: $10

Obsessed with Stranger Things? The band behind the hit show’s score is playing at this Brooklyn Halloween bash.

Halloween! A Place To Bury Strangers at Brooklyn Bazaar

150 Greenpoint Avenue, Brooklyn
7pm
Tickets: $15

The newly-opened Brooklyn Bazaar’s Halloween party is all about the music. A Place To Bury Strangers, Honey, Way Out and Vinyl Williams will all perform live Halloween night.