Costumes and cocktails: Bars go all out for Halloween
Too old for trick-or-treating? You can still get in the Halloween spirit at suburban bar and restaurant parties serving adult treats — think Bloody Eye Martinis — and a night full of entertainment. So don a costume and get ready to celebrate this weekend at these local haunts.
Haunted Steakhouse Halloween Party & Pig Roast Benefit at Chicago Prime Steakhouse
1444 E. Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, (847) 969-9900, chicagoprimesteakhouse.com
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Price: $10 suggested donation
Sip Halloween-themed martinis and enter a costume contest awarding $25 to $100 gift cards. Live Pete Show provides music. The suggested donation funds culinary arts scholarships at Harper College.
A Night in Disguise at E + O Food and Drink
125 Randhurst Village Drive, Mount Prospect, (847) 398-3636, eofoodanddrink.com
When: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday
Price: $35
Dress in costume or grab a mask at the door for this bash, which includes appetizers, two drinks, a buffet from chef EJ Kim (8 to 11 p.m.) and dessert (11 p.m. to midnight). The best individual and couples costumes win cash prizes.
Halloween Murder Mystery Dinner & Show at Maggiano's Little Italy
1901 E. Woodfield Road, Schaumburg, (847) 240-1600, maggianos.com
When: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. or 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. Saturday
Price: $65
Share appetizers and a family-style dinner while collecting clues to solve a mystery where the culprits could be the waiter or the person sitting next to you.
Boo-tiful Halloween Costume Party at Martini Room
161 E. Chicago St., Elgin, (847) 741-0349, martiniroomelgin.com
When: 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. Saturday
Price: No cover
Sip themed cocktails such as the Bloody Eye Martini made with blood orange vodka, pomegranate liqueur, triple sec and a lychee with blueberries inside to resemble an eyeball. Other options include the sparkling raspberry and strawberry Morgue-A-Rita and a pumpkin pie martini, a blend of vanilla vodka, pumpkin pie cream liqueur, vanilla liqueur and cinnamon served in a graham cracker rimmed glass. A midnight costume contest awards a $150 gift card.
Cary Ale House
208 W. Main St., Cary, (847) 639-7244, caryalehousebrewing.com
When: 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday
Price: No cover
The bar gives away free Halloween candy and offers a number of specials including 25 percent off appetizers and flatbreads from 9 p.m. to midnight, $3.50 well drinks, $4 select craft beers, $5 Long Island iced teas and $3.50 mystery shots. Staff will pick the best costumes, with partygoers being able to vote for the finalists between 11 p.m. and 12:30 a.m. The winner, announced at 1 a.m., will get $250.
Plank Road Tap Room
39W149 Plank Road, Elgin, (224) 238-3527, plankroadtaproom.com
When: 2 to 11 p.m. Friday
Price: No cover
Inspired by Stone Brewing Co.'s creepy gargoyle mascot, the bar pours six beers from the California brewery for $6 to $10.
Rivers Edge Bar & Grill
12 N. River St., Batavia, (630) 406-9200
When: 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Price: No cover
Catch performances by Pantomime, Oliver Kiss and DJ Love Musheen on Friday and Noah's Arcade on Saturday. Both nights also feature costume contests with cash prizes for the top two finishers. Friday's theme is “Night of the Living Dead” while Saturday's is “Superheroes vs. Villains.”
Copper Fiddle Distillery
532 W. Route 22, Lake Zurich, (847) 847-7609, copperfiddledistillery.com
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Price: No cover
Listen to a mix of original songs and covers of country and rock music by acts ranging from Toby Keith to AC/DC performed by the Brown Liquor Boys. You can also enter a costume contest from 9 to 10 p.m. and try some Halloween-themed cocktails.
El Tapeo
2100 Spring Road, Oak Brook, (630) 828-2044, eltapeorestaurant.com
When: 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday
Price: No cover
Dress in costume and you'll get free signature tapas while you listen to a DJ play music.
The Loaded Buffalo
2061 W. Maple Ave., Mundelein, (847) 949-0858, loadedbuffalo.com
When: 4:30 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday
Price: $10
Van Halen cover band Unchained and AC/DC cover band TNT-Chicago perform at this bash, which also features a costume contest awarding concert tickets, gift certificates and cash prizes for the best rock star, vampire and zombie costumes and the overall winner.
Monster Mash at Village Tavern & Grill
291 S. Schmale Road, Carol Stream, (630) 668-1101, villagetavernandgrill.com
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Price: No cover
The family-focused party features a kids' costume contest awarding a goody bag to all competitors and additional prizes for the top three contestants. Kids get a meal from the kids' menu free with purchase of an adult entree.
Ti Amo Cafe Italiano
1001 W. Golf Road, Hoffman Estates, (847) 519-0601, tiamoitaliano.com
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Price: No cover
Vocalist Beth Haines performs on Friday while singer Sal Barbarito provides live music on Saturday. Costume contests at 9 p.m. both days award a first prize dinner for two, two bottles of wine for second prize and one bottle for third prize. House sangria is available for $4 both days.
Millrose
45 S. Barrington Road, South Barrington, (847) 382-7673, millroserestaurant.com
When: 6 to 10 p.m. Friday
Price: No cover
A costume contest awards $100 to the winner, $50 for second prize and a large pizza for third place. DJ Broozewayne spins, and drink specials include $5 house margaritas.
Broken Oar
614 Rawson Bridge Road, Port Barrington, brokenoar.com
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Price: No cover
Costume contests award cash and other prizes. Party Obvious plays, and drink specials include $2 tallboys.
TopGolf's Zombie Ball
3211 Odyssey Court, Naperville, (630) 596-1000, topgolf.com
When: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday
Price: No cover
TopGolf celebrates at a Zombie Ball Friday and Saturday with drink specials, live entertainment and a costume contest. Extra fees for golf.
The Foundry's Sultry Salsa's Halloween Costume Party and Contest
85 Executive Drive, Aurora, (630) 978-2088, thefoundryonline.com
When: 9 p.m. Saturday
Price: $10 cover
Dance to hot Latin music and join the fun at Sultry Salsa's Halloween Costume Party and Contest. Cash prizes total $500, with the contest at midnight. The evening starts with a free Bachata dance lesson at 9:15.
Durty Nellie's' 50s Halloween Sockhop
180 N. Smith St., Palatine, (847) 358-9150, durtynellies.com
When: Doors open at 9:30 p.m. Saturday; band plays at 10:30
Price: $7 tickets
Pull out your poodle skirt or grab another costume for the '50s Halloween Sockhop featuring Wedding Banned. The evening includes a costume contest.