It’s around the holiday season that living in New York is an extra special treat, the city offering up more quality, affordably priced entertainment options than a single human body can possibly attend. From haunted houses to occult occurrences and front yard musicals, there’s a little something for everyone in Brooklyn this Halloween, no matter how easily spooked or how high a fear tolerance you have.
The Other Side
Where: Williamsburg
When: October 13 – October 31
How much: $130
This “psychological seance” and “microtheatre event” is limited to 13 participants who, alongside mentalist Jason Suran, will take fear head on in a private Williamsburg home. Not for the faint of heart.
Gravesend Inn: A Haunted Hotel
Where: 186 Jay St., Downtown Brooklyn
When: October 19 – 31
How much: $5 – $10
This annual high-tech haunted house is put on by New Cork City Tech students and features minimal blood but maximum entertainment.
Bête Noire
Where: 411 Troutman St., Bushwick
When: Friday, October 20,
How much: $10 – $15
Take a ride into your subconscious at this occult costume party, featuring burlesque, tarot, painting and all the ambiance of a “soft nightmare.” If you come without a costume, you’ll be given a mask at the door.
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Virtual Reality Halloween Thriller
Where: 537 Atlantic Ave., Boerum Hill
When: October 27 – 31
How much: $50
Enjoy a little bit of horror-themed escapism this Halloween by transporting yourself with some high-tech goggles. Virtual reality provider YokeyPokey is offering terrifying, hourlong experiences featuring freaky 360 degree videos and horror-themed games down in the VR rabbit hole.
David Lynch Night
Where: 504 Flatbush Ave., Prospect Lefferts Gardens
When: Friday, October 27
How much: $5
The Nest, located downstairs at Bluebird Brooklyn, is hosting a David Lynch-themed costume party with live music, a severed ear hunt and Twin Peaks-themed cocktail specials. Get on those $5 Laura Palmers and $4 Flaming Fire Walk With Me shots.
Costume catwalk and scary-oke in “Bushwick’s spookiest bar”
Where: 12 Grattan St., Bushwick
When: Saturday, October 28 and Tuesday, October 31
How much: FREE
Bushwick’s Pine Box Rock Shop is built inside an old casket factory, a fact the Beer Book Bar is capitalizing on for their Halloween event. They’ll be having a professional photoshoot for you and your costume on the 28th + $3 pumpkin ales, and on the 31st starting at 10pm, there will be a scary-oke contest, the winner of which will get $250 cash.
Freak-O-Ween: Masquerade Murder Mystery!
Where: 1904 Surf Ave., Coney Island
When: Saturday, October 28
How much: $30 – $40
Utilize your murderer-dar to figure out which of the party guests at the Billionaires’ Club Annual Masquerade Ball is the killer. Your ticket includes a beer token and snack access in addition to inclusion in the two hour mystery.
Sweet sweet horror Halloween
Where: 288 Seigel St., East Williamsburg
When: Saturday, October 28
How much: $10 – $15
Get spooked in a chocolate factory: Fine & Raw chocolate is throwing a musical holiday bash featuring three live bands, a DJ, a dance floor and a haunted loft full of cocktail-sipping zombies.
Costume bar crawl
Where: 131 Atlantic Ave., Brooklyn Heights
When: Saturday, October 28
How much: $10 early bird / $15 general admission
While crawls like SantaCon are peak frat deplorability, the bars (Floyd, Fawkner and Union Hall) on this Halloween To The Upside Down: A Costume Bar Crawl are three of Brooklyn’s best, and $10 for three Bloody Marys is a damn good deal.
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Threes Brewing: Hallowe’en
Where: 333 Douglass St., Gowanus
When: Saturday, October 28 & Tuesday, October 31
How much: FREE
Gowanus brewery and Beer Book Bar Threes Brewing will be hosting two Halloween events this year, both featuring pumpkin carving, costume contest and DJ set.
A Haunted Hawks’ Nite Out
Where: 188 Prospect Park West, Park Slope
When: Tuesday, October 31
How much: FREE
Since the Nitehawks’ riotous Pour One Out for the Pavilion event last year, the Park Slope theater has been closed as it undergoes renovation. Now, for one night only, the theater will briefly open its doors for a sneak peak of the space, seasonal beer, giveaways and more. Don’t forget to register online.
Halloween 313
Where: 313 Clinton Ave., Clinton Hill
When: Tuesday, October 31
How much: FREE
This Clinton Hill classic has been a neighborhood tradition since 1994. Once a year, the front yard of the private residence at 313 is transformed into a haunted graveyard and stage for a 30 minute family-friendly musical attracting thousands of neighbors.
The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari at Kings Theatre
Where: 1027 Flatbush Ave., Flatbush
When: Tuesday, October 31
How much: $21 – $45
As part of The Kings Theatre’s new Silver Screen Experience series, there will be a screening of silent film classic Dr. Caligari in collaboration with live music from the Catskill Jazz Factory. Over 3,000 people are anticipated to attend.
Punderdome pun-costume contest
Where: 635 Sackett St., Gowanus
When: Tuesday, November 7
How much: $8 – $10
Not a fan of the whole scare yourself shitless aspect of Halloween? Everyone’s favorite monthly Gowanus pun competition will be hosting a pun-costume contest at their November Punderdome. No promises there won’t be any fearfully good outfits.
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