Freaks are the new zombies, if this year's Halloween parties are any indication. Bars are embracing the twisted, dark side of the holiday with freak show-themed bashes that lend themselves to some eerie costume possibilities. There are a handful of other great events, too, including a potentially haunted Pilsen bar party and a Jazz Age cocktail party and movie screening downtown. Don't sleep on these parties, though; even though not all require advanced ticket sales, you'll want to start assembling that horrifying costume soon. kbernot@tribune.com | @redeeyeatdrink
Boneshaker
9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 at Redmoon Theater
2120 S. Jefferson St. 312-850-8440
Eighteen-foot-tall candelabras, aerial dancers, a pastry Ferris wheel and cigar-and-mezcal salon-this could only be the work of Redmoon Theater, whose annual Boneshaker party is one of the most surreal, over-the-top events of the fall. An expected 1,000 guests will have access to three DJ-driven dance floors, interactive performances, a room dedicated to chocolate fondue as well an open bar and food and drinks from Lagunitas Brewing Company, Pabst Blue Ribbon beer and Spin-Spun cotton candy. Part theater event, part performance art, part out-there costume party, Boneshaker costs $75 (through Oct. 24) and $100 thereafter. For tickets, visit redmoon.org/box-office or call the theater.
Northhalsted Halloween Parade: The Freakshow (Free!)
8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31 in Boystown
Halsted Street between Belmont Avenue and Addison Street
One of the city's biggest and most creative costume celebrations takes place annually in Boystown, where groups and individuals strut their creations that correspond to the freak show theme. Line up (early, if you want a good spot) along Halsted Street to watch contestants in categories including Drag, Group, Original, Pet and Scariest. Gear up for the parade with a free pre-registration party from 9-11 p.m. Oct. 24 at Progress Bar (3359 N. Halsted St. 773-697-9268), featuring a green screen photo machine and Fireball whiskey specials.
Haunted (Punch) House
7-9 p.m.; 10 p.m.-midnight Friday, Oct. 31 at Punch House
1227 W. 18th St. 312-526-3851
The retro basement punch bar in Pilsen's historic Thalia Hall might just be haunted, given the building's age. The staff dials up the creepy factor for a party co-hosted by Salonathon's Jane Beachy and interdisciplinary arts group The Inconvenience, which includes a guest DJ, a glass of Letherbee gin punch or Lagunitas beer, plus a costume contest for a $100 gift card to Dusek's (the restaurant upstairs) and two tickets to any upcoming Thalia Hall show. Choose your two-hour time slot and buy tickets at ticketweb.com.
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Haunted Inn Brunch
1 p.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25 at Hubbard Inn
110 W. Hubbard St. 312-222-1331
Two Las Vegas-based DJs, DJ Ikon and DJ Que, pop up at the River North restaurant for a special Halloween-themed boozy brunch. Costumes are highly encouraged at the second installment in Hubbard Inn's new Sunday afternoon brunch party, which includes confetti, strobe lights and a dining room decked out in cobwebs, skulls and other creepiness. Fuel the party with dishes such as blueberry-stuffed French toast ($11), a lobster omelet ($15) or a chorizo and goat cheese flatbread ($14).
'Made In Chicago' Movie Singalong and Costume Party (Free!)
6 p.m. cocktail hour; 7 p.m. movie screening Friday Oct. 31 at Auditorium Theater of Roosevelt University
50 E. Congress Parkway 312-341-2310
Slip into your best jazz-era, flapper-esque, roaring-'20s gear for the kick-off to Auditorium Theater's "Made in Chicago" movie series, which screens the Academy Award winning film "Chicago" starring Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger and Richard Gere. Start the evening with classic cocktails (cash bar) in the theater's glitzy lobby at 6 p.m. and enter a costume contest for a chance to win tickets to upcoming performances. At 7 p.m., settle in for a sing-along screening of the film accompanied by the Auditorium's Merry Murderess dancers in the aisles.
Blind Tiger: A Circus of Horrors, A Carnival of Curiosities
10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31-1 a.m. Saturday, Nov.1 at The Violet Hour
1520 N. Damen Ave. 773-252-1500
The dimly lit Wicker Park cocktail bar hosts a late-night "freaks of nature"-themed soiree that includes three hours of cocktails and other Halloween surprises. Costumes are encouraged. Tickets are $75 plus gratuity and space can be reserved by emailing aubrey@theviolethour.com.
Roof Horror Story
9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 31-2 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 1 at Roof
201 N. State St. 312-239-9502
"American Horror Story" fans, this one's for you. The 27th-floor bar inside The Wit hotel throws a "Horror Story"-themed party with DJ Tina T, staff decked out in Coven-inspired attire and bubbling fountains of blood red-hued cocktails. Roof opens at 4 p.m.; party begins at 9 p.m. No cover.
>> More party options
Find more Halloween parties in Chicago at metromix.com.
>> EXTRA: See RedEye's gallery of TV-inspired Halloween costumes here.