It’s getting colder out and there are more and more ghost sightings (or attempted ghost sightings anyway) around the borough. That can only mean Halloween is almost here, and you know what that means: Putting on a crazy costume and getting freaking wasted, all in an attempt to ward off the ghost of you getting old. We’re here to help, with the best ways you can celebrate Halloween in Brooklyn, both on the big day itself and on the run up to it.
The Ride Inspector’s Nightmare
October 16-18/23 – 25/ 28 – 31, November 1
Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Avenue, Coney Island
$15
We’re a bit surprised there hasn’t been that much horror to come out of Coney Island, given that amusement parks always have an aura of creepiness around them. So, be sure to check out this creepy play that explores the nightmares of a retiring ride inspector at the end of his drug and alcohol-fueled retirement party. Just be aware that beyond being full of cussing and disturbing themes, they’re promising plenty of audience abuse.
Halloween Harvest
Through November 1
Luna Park
Of course, if the Ride Inspector’s Nightmare is a bit too scary for you, there’s always Halloween Harvest at Luna Park, where you can rest assured that none of the ride attendants will throw beer on you or otherwise abuse you. Unless of course, you really deserve it. Instead, you can do things like try to guess the weight of a giant pumpkin, dance in a monster mash dance party, do spooky karaoke and of course, ride roller coasters.
Treehouse of Horror Mondays
October 19 and 26, 10pm
Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg
FREE
No TV and no beer make you something something…oh right, GO CRAZY. Avoid TV-and-beer-deprivation insanity by heading to Nitehawk’s Lo-Res Bar for four two hours of throwback Simpsons action courtesy of the Simpsons Club. These next two Mondays will be nothing but Treehouse of Horror episodes
Night Terrors, An Evening of reading with the Horror Writers Association
October 20, 7pm
Morbid Anatomy Museum, 424A Third Avenue, Gowanus
$8
It’s easy to forget, what with television shows and movies devoted to scaring the piss out of you, but books can also be scary. Get a heaping helping of horror writing when 5 horror authors show up to read from their works at Morbid Anatomy, including one of the museum’s founders Tonya Hurley, who has written horror fiction of her own.
Masters of Social Gastronomy present: Foods That Go Bump In the Night
October 20, 7:30pm
Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street, Gowanus
FREE
Food has its own history of scares, and we’re not just talking about your mother-in-law’s cooking! Thank you, ladies and germs. Tonight, the Masters of Social Gastronomy will be breaking down the history of cannibalism (including a how-to) and everything you need to do about ergot, a fungus that’s been linked from everything to demonic possession, hallucinations and the Salem Witch Trials.
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Gravesend Inn Haunted Hotel
October 22 – 24, 29 – 31
Voorhees Theatre, 186 Jay Street
$5 students/$8 general
Ah, a good old fashioned haunted house. It just wouldn’t be Halloween without one, and Brooklyn has one that’s been running every fall since 1999. Even better, it’s built every year by students from City Tech, who set the spooky ghost pirate traps waiting for you by placing sensors around the route you walk. So don’t go if you’re easily startled or especially afraid of pirates.
Confetti: The Dance Party – Halloween Costume Edition
October 23, 10pm
The Bell House, 149 7th Street, Gowanus
$7
Oh sure if we’re being technical, this event notes that it’s “costume optional.” But do you really want to go to a dance party the week before Halloween that features four DJs, gogo dancers, some kind of promised surprise too hot for the event invite and a costume contest without actually being in a costume? No, we didn’t think so.
Nightmare Before Insomnium
October 24, 7:30pm
The Paper Box, 17 Meadow Street, Bushwick
$15
Are scary movies not immersive enough for you? In that case, snag a ticket to this evening of horror at The Paper Box, in which the venue will be turned into a haunted house hosting four different one-act horror plays. Just make sure you survive the plays, because it all ends with a crazy party helmed by rapper Klokwize. Also because who wants to die at a Halloween party before it’s even Halloween?
8th Annual Howl-o-Ween Bark Block Party
October 25, 12pm
Sean Casey Animal Rescue, 153 E. 3rd Street, Windsor Terrace
FREE
You don’t think of a Halloween party as a party to walk away with a dog, unless you figure you’re followed home by one of the hounds from Hell, but at the Sean Casey Animal Rescue Halloween party you can walk away with a puppy or kitten in your trick or treat bag. Even if you don’t want a dog or cat, there’s fun to be had at this party, like a dog kissing booth or dessert competitions you can enter or just eat the results of like Best Donut on a Stick, Best Pie and Most Creative Halloween Confection.
MIL KDU DES
October 27, 7:30pm/10pm
Spectacle Theater, 124 Third Street, Williamsburg
$5
Sure, you may have seen The Blair Witch Project and know of its terrifying twist. But have you seen it remixed into a somewhere scarier and weirder edition, all with the support of a live band a fog machine providing additional intensity? No, you probably haven’t, so get ready to get lost in the woods without any hope of coming out of alive all over again.
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MemeGurls presents: Spoopy Times/Dress 2 Impress
October 28, 8:00pm
Jackbar, 143 Havemeyer Street, Williamsburg
FREE
HallowMEME may be no more, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a party where you can show off your costumes inspired by the internet’s ceaseless content churn. Thank to MemeGurls, your Pizza Rat or “Why You Always Lyin'” costume will have the receptive audience it deserves. Plus, the best internet-themed contest of all wins a free bar tab. Losers can console themselves with pinball.
Spooky Mansion: A Four-Night Halloween Concert Experience
October 28-31, 8pm
The Paper Box, 17 Meadow Street, Bushwick
$55
If you’re tired of haunted houses because they’re too residential, why don’t you try a haunted warehouse? For four nights, The Paper Box is going to be transformed into a crazy spooky warehouse party with games, spooky installations and performances from musicians and DJs like Talib Kweli, Pat Mahoney from LCD Soundsystem and more.
PAT Party presents: PAT-o-ween
October 29, 10pm
Union Pool, 484 Union Avenue, Williamsburg
FREE
Party like it’s 1999 and beyond, because Le Tigre and MEN’s JD Samson is having a Halloween get-down a couple days before the spooky day itself. In addition to spinning her own tunes, Samson is bringing in help from the likes of CREEP’s Lauren Dillard and Tiki Disco’s Andy Pry.
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Come As Your Are/Express Yourself 80s and 90s Party
October 30, 10:30pm
Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street, Gowanus
$5 advance/$8 door
Which decade was better, the 80s or the 90s? Instead of fighting about it, the compromisers at The Skint are devoting a night to dance music from both decades, with tunes provided by Party Like It’s 1999’s Steve Reynolds, video projections from Music Video Time Machine’s Stephen Pitalo, $5 drink specials and candy.
Cartoon Carnival 37: Halloween Hijinks
October 30, 7:30pm
Standard Toykraft, 722 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg
$10
See over a dozen 16mm cartoons from the 1920s to the 1940s—creepy, ghoulish Halloween-themed goodies from the early days of animation.
Zombie Jamboree Halloween Party
October 30, 8pm
Lot 45, 411 Troutman St, Bushwick
$15
See performances by the Dandy Lions, J.A.W.S., and Ill-Fated Natives; dance to DJ sets from DJ Dick at Night, DJ Pumpkin, and more; plus card readings, a haunted alley, and if you don’t come in costume, you can get your face done at the Zombie Beauty Bar.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
October 3o, 6pm
McCarren Park Pool Deck, Williamsburg
FREE
There’s nothing like an outdoor movie, no matter the season. The thing about fall outdoor movies is that it means you have to bring someone to hold onto for body warmth, and in the case of this screening of the The Rocky Horror Picture Show, someone to get sexy with after being bombarded with all that hot Transylvanian action. After this there really are no more outdoor movies until it gets nice out, so don’t miss it.
Halloween Rock’n’Roll Memoirs
October 30, 8:30pm
Pet Rescue, 346 Morgan Ave
$5
We love this concept: a dozen Brooklyn musicians read from musicians’ memoirs—dressed as the musician whose book they’re reading. There will be actual musical interludes as well.
Highway to Hell Costume Party
October 30, 9pm
Friends & Lovers, 641 Classon Ave
$5
Dress in all red for this dance-y shindig, presented by the Dirty Diamonds Tour & Get Summered and featuring musical performances from Corina Corina, ANGI3, Kiirstin Marilyn, TROVE, and more.
17th Annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest
October 31, 11am
Fort Greene Park
$5 recommended entry fee for dogs/FREE to attend and gawk
There’s no reason your four-legged friend shouldn’t get a chance to enjoy Halloween as much as you do, so before you go out to rage, take Fido out to Fort Greene Park to show off her awesome costume that she’ll in no way chew off halfway through the day. The competition for the coveted PUPkin rosettes and prizes from local vendors is sure to be stiff, but let’s be real, this is mostly a great way to just see dogs in costume.
Halloween at The Diamond
October 31, 2pm
The Diamond, 43 Franklin Street, Greenpoint
FREE
Our favorite Greenpoint beer bar will be open from 2pm onward on Halloween and is getting in on trick or treat action by giving a free kolsch to every adult who shows up in costume. After that, it’s hanging out, and seeing if you can get all the characters from Monster Mash to jam into the ski chalet for the weirdest group picture you’ll ever take.
Halloween Spook Walk
October 31, 1pm
Owl’s Head Park, Bay Ridge
FREE
Take a family-friendly romp through both a Spook Walk and a Fairy Tale Forest, plus rides, face-painting, sand art, a costume contest, and Dracula’s Food Court.
Weird Al-oween
October 31, 3pm
Royal Palms Shuffleboard Club, 514 Union St, Gowanus
FREE
Dare to be stupid at the second annual Weird Al-abration, with hilarious fun like an aluminum foil hat making booth, like-a-surgeon operating station, Ample Hills ice cream eating contest, and plenty more.
Haunted Canoe Tours
October 31, 7:30pm
North Brooklyn Boat Club, 437 McGuinness Blvd, Greenpoint
$35
Do something truly terrifying this year: paddle around on the terribly toxic Newtown Creek! NBBC’s certified guides will row you around the haunted waterway—and who knows what you’ll see on the banks?
Masquerade Macabre
October 31, 9pm
Livestream Public, 195 Morgan Ave
$30
Gemini & Scorpio’s annual Halloween soirée is always wild. This year promises music from Sxip Shirey, Funkrust Brass Band, and Late Saints, plus burlesque, fortune-telling, “hybrid ballerina creatures,” marshmallow roasting on a flaming saxophone, and many other bizarre delights.
The Third Annual Rotten Apple Roots and Bluegrass Halloween
October 31, 9pm
The Jalopy Theater, 315 Columbia Street, Red Hook
$12
Roots and bluegrass music are pretty spooky, what with coming out of America’s swamps where ghosts and witches and the like are definitely real and definitely waiting to waylay you. Plus there’s all those murder ballads. Spend a day getting freaked out by banjo plucking howlers at the Jalopy Theater, but it’s not all terrifying, since they also say there’ll be candy.
Cameoween
October 31, midnight
Cameo Gallery, 93 North 6th St
FREE w/ RSVP
There’s only one more month until Cameo Gallery shuts their doors forever, alas. Hit this late-night party for tons of tunes, with DJ sets by Neon Indian and SSION, and music from LE1F and Samantha Urbani.
The Griff and Joe Halloween Scaretacular
October 31, 7pm
Union Hall, 702 Union Street, Park Slope
$10
This looks like it’s gonna feature more laughs than scares, but you really never know when you go to an event hosted by the former features editor at The Onion and a featured player in Martin Scorcese’s upcoming punk rock show on HBO. Beyond your two hosts, you can enjoy magic from comedy magician Tanya Solomon, an educational lesson from The Truth Podcast’s Alejandro Kolleeny and rapping from friends of Brokelyn, Hand Job Academy.
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Joanna Gruesome, Aye Nako, King of Cats, PWR BTTM
October 31, 8pm
Shea Stadium, 20 Meadow Street, Bushwick
$12
Is Joanna Gruesome the perfect band to see on Halloween merely because of their name? Not totally, but it helps! Still, the fast and loud punk show will be a good time, if only to see what PWR BTTM takes the stage wearing. Just make sure you don’t wear a costume that isn’t mosh pit friendly.
Videology becomes The Winchester
October 31, noon
Videology, 308 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
FREE
What better way to get your Halloween party on than be in one place that has a dance party, zombie movie marathon, pool table, makeup, drink specials and food? There’s probably no better way, to be honest, and if you’re a big Shaun of the Dead fan, then Videology transforming itself into the movie’s iconic bar is a can’t-miss Halloween party.
Rubulad Presents Pee-Wee’s Playhouse of Horrors
October 31, 9pm
Secret Bk location
$10
Rubulad parties are always a bizzare great time. This one will have music from Les Sans Culottes and The Yeahtones, DJ sets by Ol’ Stark and Repoman, plus fun and games like a homemade merry-go-round, a light circus, a cartoon carnival, and more.
New York Night Train 10 year Anniversary Halloween Bash
October 31, 8pm
Secret Project Robot, 389 Melrose Street, Bushwick
$10
Jonathan Toubin is one of New York City’s most beloved DJs and you know that he’s in high demand. So what a great guy that he’s spending the 10th Anniversary of his New York Night Train with a crazy master mash dance party. It’s gonna be great we bet. If only there were words that rhymed with “mash” that could describe how much fun it’s going to be…
A Nite to Dismember 2015
October 31, midnight
Nitehawk Cinema, 136 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
$50
So you say you’re a horror movie fan? It’s easy to talk a big game, but do you have the stamina to sit through a night of FIVE horror flicks (Poltergiest, House on Haunted Hill, A Bay of Blood, Scream and a myster film). If you are, get a ticket to this most horrifying night, at which you’ll also get a survival goodie bag, free coffee to keep you up and keep those nerves on edge plus a complimentary breakfast of eggs and tater tots and a complementary cereal bar.
Poltergeist Dance Party
October 31, 8pm
Mary’s Bar, 708 5th Avenue, South Slope
FREE
You might not even own a television, but guess what? Ghouls from the TV dimension are still waiting for you at the Poltergeist dance party at Mary’s. We guess that’s not exactly a great way to get you to go, so just be aware that in addition to TV demons, there’s also a DJ spinning the best music from the 80s on until now and a costume contest in which the male and female winners each drink for free.
Matty Beats X Horrorchata present: Be Cute or Die
October 31, 10pm
Littlefield, 622 Degraw Street, Gowanus
$10 adv/$15 or $20 door
Sometimes simplicity with a dance party is for the best. No photobooths, no gimmicks, this here is just a dance party advertising itself as being for “aliens and homos from outer space.” Is that you? Even if it’s not, you’ll probably be welcomed as long as you’re willing to shake it.
Bury Y’er Dead
October 31, 9pm
RedWood Studios, 55C 9th St, Gowanus
$20
The Exquisite Corpse Company presents an occult-themed evening, with fire dancing, sexy and spooky rituals, music from Belly Fire and Odetta Heartman, and a 20-foot wicker man.
Psychopomp: A Halloween Club Night
October 31, 9pm
Brooklyn Masonic Temple, 317 Clermont Ave
$20
Several maniacal party-throwing teams come together for this one: Gayletter, Boom Collective, and CHERYL, the dance party that will ruin your life. Expect the music to be loud, the costumes to be wild and wacky, and the dancing to go late.
Music Idol Massacre
October 31, 8pm
Passenger Bar, 229 Roebling Street, Williamsburg
FREE
Burlesque is all about costumes, so of course we found you a burlesque night for Halloween, and it’s hosted by none other than showbiz’s own Mister Murray Hill. Beyond the costumes almost-strippers, you’ll be able to enjoy a music video set from The Guide to Teenage Popularity and a chance at winning a guitar or a bar tab by showing up in your best music idol costume. The competition should be fierce, so make sure you have the exact right red Yankees hat for your Fred Durst costume.
3rd Annual Halloween Bash
October 31, 8pm
Freddy’s Bar, 627 5th Avenue, South Slope
FREE
Freddy’s is clearing out some dance floor space, offering up drink specials all night, holding a costume contest and welcoming DJ Ben the Beyonder, Jae Trevor and Company Flow’s Mr. Len for a night of debauchery. What, you’d expect a quiet night from them?
Battery Harris HalloQween 2015… Costume Contest x Tarot Cards x DJ Noumenon
October 31, 8pm
Battery Harris, 64 Frost Street, Greenpoint
FREE
What does your future hold? You probably don’t know, despite your careful planning. A tarot card reader might know though, and you can find one giving free readings at Battery Harris tonight. If you don’t cotton to all that Devil magic, you can still enjoy yourself with a costume contest and hip hop and horror tunes (please tell us Necro is on this playlist) by DJ Noumenon.
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Halloween Party
October 31, 8pm
The Adirondack, 1241 Prospect Ave., Windsor Terrace
FREE
The Adirondock is also having themselves a DJ night/costume contest/drink specials party, but they’re setting theirs apart with a Wes Craven movie marathon. Right now the docket includes the hits like Scream and Nightmare on Elm Street, the lesser-knowns like Deadly Friend and the widely reviled like Scream 3.
CALABAZAFEST
November 1, 12pm
Maria Hernandez Park, Bushwick
FREE
Okay fine, this is the day after Halloween, and you’re probably planning on being all partied out by then. Give it the old college try though, and get out to Maria Hernandez park for this harvest festival/Day of the Dead/Halloween mashup that will feature live music, pumpkin carving, Peruvian street food and mini farmer’s market.
Got another Halloween party that should be on this list? Shoot an email to dave [AT] brokelyn.com