Celebrate fright night with costume contests, drink specials
Don't be afraid of getting all dressed up with no place to go this Halloween. Plenty of bars and clubs provide the place to catch some entertainment and show off your costume - and there are great prizes for the winning outfits.
With fright night falling on Friday, there's no excuse not to go out and celebrate!
Adobo Grill
Facts: 356 Yorktown Shopping Center, Lombard, (630) 627-9990, www.adobogrill.com
Hours: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Cover: $10 after 11 p.m.
For its combination Halloween and Dia de los Muertos party, Adobo Grill will be decorated for the Mexican holiday complete with traditional sugar skulls. Come at 8 p.m. for a complimentary 45 minute dance lesson featuring moves for salsa, meringue, bachata and cha-cha. After you've gotten some steps down a DJ will take over for an evening of dancing. There's also a costume contest with $500 in cash and prizes up for grabs.
Chandler's Chophouse
Facts: 401 N. Roselle Road, Schaumburg, (847) 885-9009, www.chandlerschophouse.com
Hours: 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Cover: $40
For their first-ever Halloween party, Chandler's is showing that Halloween isn't just for the kids. The admission includes a three-hour open bar, a buffet of hot and cold appetizers, dancing and rock music from DJ Lou Visconti. There's also a costume contest with prizes for the best male, female and couple. Reservations are required.
Durty Nellie's West Irish Pub
Facts: 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, (847) 858-9150, www.durtynellies.com
Hours: 9 p.m. Fridaty, Oct. 31
Cover: $6
Showing that few things are scarier than Michael Jackson and the '80s, Durty Nellie's is throwing a "Thriller" party. Modern Day Romeos will perform a "Thriller"-themed show complete with dancers, and staff will be dressed as zombies while dishing out Halloween-themed drinks like Black Cat Ale and SkullSplitter. There's also more conventional brews on special with $2.50 Bud Select and Sam Adams Light bottles. Guests are encouraged to dress as zombies too, with special awards in their costume contest to the most impressive walking corpse, but anyone has a shot at the $1,000 in cash and prizes.
Famous Freddie's Roadhouse
Facts: 1799 S. Busse Road, Mount Prospect, (847) 593-2200, www.famousfreddiesroadhouse.com
Hours: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31 and Saturday, Nov. 1
Cover: $5
Catch the recently reunited X-Side playing rock covers to get the crowd dancing. If you don't get enough party on Halloween night you can come out Saturday for Led Zeppelin tribute act Kashmir. Both nights feature a costume contest for $300 cash, with all finalists winning a free cocktail party.
Flatlander's Restaurant and Brewery
Facts: 200 Village Green, Lincolnshire, (847) 821-1234, www.flatlanders.com
Hours: 9 p.m. to midnight Friday, Oct. 31
Cover: $10
Beatles tribute band The Innocent performs with Quinlan at Flatlander's Halloween party. Come dressed up for a chance to win $500 in prizes. The spot is decorated for the occasion with goblins about and spiders hanging from the ceiling. If you plan on drinking, sign up for the $30 three hour open-bar package, which includes all well drinks, house drafts and wines. They'll also be serving special spooky cocktails including the monster mash with Belvedere vodka, Red Bull and cranberry juice and the red devil with Belvedere vodka, cassis, pineapple juice and a gummy worm on the rim.
The Gallway Tribes Irish Pub & Restaurant
Facts: 9680 Lincoln Way Lane, Frankfort, (815) 464-9881, www.thegalwaytribes.com
Hours: 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31
Cover: Free
The Gallway Tribes is hosting a bluegrass Halloween bash, with a performance by Leadfoot String Band. The whole band will be dressed up and you should, too, for a costume contest with T-shirts, hats and gift cards up for grabs. While you listen, sip on a $4 dark 'n stormy, a rum and ginger cocktail, or have some Celtic Crossing shots.