Monstrous martinis, clever costumes make Halloween options bewitching
You've got a killer costume but don't know where to go to show it off? With Halloween falling on a Saturday, bars throughout the suburbs are throwing big bashes where you can compete in costume contests for cash prizes, jam to live music and sip Halloween-themed cocktails.
We've rounded up some top picks for Halloween night, though the list is far from complete. Some bars, including Medusa's in Elgin and Alumni Club in Schaumburg, do their partying on Friday, so don your makeup, wigs and fangs and get ready to party all weekend long.
Here is a sampling of bar bashes Saturday:
• Austin's Saloon, 481 Peterson Road, Libertyville, (847) 549-1972, austinsaloon.com
Hours: 10 p.m. to 1 a.m.
Cover: $10
The bash features a midnight costume contest with a $1,000 prize and live music from 1980s tribute band Lounge Puppets.
• Cave Bar, 250 W. Schick Road, Bloomingdale, (630) 529-0200, hiltonindianlakes.com
Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight
Cover: Free
Sip $7.95 Halloween-themed cocktails such as Pumpkin Punch, an orange-colored mix of Captain Morgan, orange juice and cranberry juice; and Frankenstein, made with Crème de Menthe Green, Kahlua and cream.
• Cubby Bear, 21661 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lincolnshire, (847) 541-4700, cubbybear.com
Hours: 10:30 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Cover: $6
A costume contest at 11:15 p.m. features a $500 prize. Cover band FNR performs and drink specials include $3 Miller High Life pints and half-price glasses of wine.
• Dick's River Roadhouse, 702 N. River Road, Mount Prospect, (847) 298-7200, dicksriverroadhouse.com
Hours: 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Cover: No cover
Dress up as your favorite dead celebrity for the chance to win $300 (1 a.m.). All costume contest finalists receive coupons and a complimentary cocktail party.
• Duke's Alehouse and Kitchen, 110 N. Main St., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-9980, thedukeabides.com
Hours: 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Cover: $4, free with costume
Blues and rock group The Soul Vitamins performs at a bash featuring a costume contest and giveaways. Purchase a pumpkin beer for $6 to $8 and get entered into a raffle for the chance to win two tickets to a Goose Island beer dinner and other prizes. For a spooky good treat try the $7 pumpkin pie martini, made with rum, pumpkin spice syrup, pumpkin purée and cream, served in a glass lined with graham cracker crumbs.
• Durty Nellie's, 180 N. Smith St., Palatine, (847) 358-9150, durtynellies.com
Hours: 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Cover: $7
A costume contest features more than $2,000 in cash and prizes at the first Dead Rockstar's Ball. Rock band Modern Day Romeos performs.
• Elgin Public House, 219 E. Chicago St., Elgin, (847) 468-8810, elginpublichouse.com
Hours: 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Cover: No cover
Try $3.50 shots of Jekyll & Hyde liqueur at a party featuring live music from cover band Bagshot Row.
• Grotto, 3011 Butterfield Road, Oak Brook, (630) 571-5700, grottooakbrook.com
Hours: 9 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Cover: $30
Graze on a buffet while listening to live music from The Jerry Devivo Band, plus tunes from DJ Geno Del Boccio. Enter the costume contest for the chance to win $200 cash and dinner for four. Themed $8 cocktails include the Vampire (Chambord, vodka and cranberry juice) and Green Demon (vodka, rum, Midori and lemonade).
• J.D. Mugg's, 437 S. Addison Road, Addison, (630) 833-2570, jdmuggs.com
Hours: 9:30 p.m.-2 a.m.
Cover: $2 or a canned food donation
The best costumed male, female and couple win cash prizes at this party, which benefits a local food pantry. Anyone can enter a drawing for the chance to win a three-day stay at a Las Vegas resort. Drink specials include $6 domestic pitchers and $5 Jack Daniels and Captain Morgan cocktails. DJ Crezia spins.
• McNally's, 201 E. Main St., St. Charles, (630) 513-6300, mcnallysirishpub.com
Hours: 9 p.m. to 1:30 a.m.
Cover: No cover
Listen to tunes from cover band Automatic Fixx while drinking $2 well drinks. Compete to win $400 in a costume contest.
• Tailgaters Sports Bar & Grill, 431 W. Boughton Road, Bolingbrook, (630) 679-1994, tailgatersgrill.com
Hours: 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Cover: $8
Compete to win $100 or gift cards in a costume contest and listen to live music from cover band Infinity.