Halloween in the clubs and on the streets for night howls
Halloween is a great night everywhere for grown-ups to go out and party, but Halloween in L.A. — a town that sells fantasy to the rest of the world — is something special. There’s a gathering out there for just about every taste and alter ego, from zombies to fetish nights. So get yourself a baby sitter and check out this list of bars, clubs and cultural venues opening their doors after dark for cocktails, dancing, masquerading and more.
Even on a normal night, it’s easy to imagine spirits roaming the cavernous, dimly lighted, retro-styled Edison bar. On Halloween, the former power plant welcomes apparitions and club-goers alike with music by the jazz- electronica band Helios Jive and DJ James as well as a variety of stilt walkers, contortionists and dancers. Ages 21 and older. The Edison, 108 W. 2nd St., L.A. 8 p.m. Sun. $20 in advance, $25 at the door in costume, $35 at the door without a costume. (213) 613-0000. https://www.edisondowntown.com
The goth and fetish playgrounds Bar Sinister and Bondage Ball team up for a second year of risqué revelry. Henchmen, Veil Veil Vanish and the Entertainment will perform, and fetish model Emily Marilyn will host. $20 in advance, $30 at the door. Ages 18 and older. Boardner’s, 1652 N. Cherokee Ave., L.A. 10 p.m.-4 a.m. Sat. (323) 462-1934. https://www.barsinister.net
This outsize Orange County fete draws thousands of costume-clad partiers and offers six rooms of music and dancing, plus a sexy costume contest with a $2,500 prize. Ages 21 and over. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Sat. $50 in advance, $60 at the door. https://www.halloweenoc.com
And now for something truly frightening: an 11-hour pub crawl. Participants will check in at the Pig N’ Whistle, then shamble zombie-like through Hollywood, stalking drink specials across more than 20 bars. An after-party will follow on each night. Ages 21 and older. Pig N’ Whistle, 6714 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. Noon-11 p.m. Sat.-Sun. $10 Sunday, $15 Saturday, $20 both days. (323) 604-6030. https://www.pubcrawls.com
Hollywood Vampires Halloween Ball
In accordance with Hollywood’s current obsession with vampires, the Kress is throwing a blood-sucking bash hosted by none other than Snoop Dogg (a notorious “True Blood” fan). Snoop will mingle (but not perform) at the four-level party, which will also feature DJs, dancing and a prize for the best vampire couple. The Kress, 6608 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. $25 (advance purchase required). (323) 785-5000. https://www.thekress.net
Killer music and creative costumes are all but guaranteed at KCRW’s second annual Halloween ball at the neo-Gothic Park Plaza Hotel. Thirteen of the station’s DJs will spin throughout the night across five themed rooms, and turntablist Cut Chemist and rock bands the Duke Spirit and Gram Rabbit will perform. Ages 21 and older. Park Plaza Hotel, 607 S. Park View St., L.A. 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. $75 in advance, $85 at the door (cash only). (310) 314-4635. https://www.kcrw.com
A night at the museum unlike any other, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s annual costume party is set amid music, video projections and art. Local rock band Grouplove will perform in front of the glowing “Urban Light” installation, select exhibitions will be open after-hours, and the West Penthouse will host a swank ball. LACMA, 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. 8:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Sat. $50. Individual tickets are sold out, but some tickets are available with an enrollment purchase into LACMA’s Muse membership group. (323) 857-6000. https://www.lacma.org/muse
“Lost Boys” fans will descend upon the House of Blues like teenage vampires on a sleepy California surf town. The evening includes a screening of “The Lost Boys” and clips from the new sequel, “Lost Boys: The Thirst,” as well as a set by series star Corey Feldman and his band, Truth Movement. House of Blues Anaheim, 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, Anaheim. 8 p.m. Thu. $20.50-$100. (714) 778–2583. https://www.houseofblues.com
The author of “House of Leaves” will bring his illustrated ghost story, “The Fifty Year Sword,” to life with a unique dramatic reading, in which he will be joined by actors and shadow artists. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. 7 p.m. Sun. $12-$15. (213) 237-2800. https://www.redcat.org
Is it possible to attend a party “just for the articles”? Perhaps not, but in addition to the Playmates and Bunnies, the Highlands’ posh celebration boasts Jane’s Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro as host along with music by Listen Deep, Prophecy Projekt, DJ Mia, DJ Turbulence and others. Ages 21 and older. The Highlands, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. $30-$65. (323) 461-9800. https://www.thehighlandshollywood.com
For the record: An earlier version of the Wokcano listing stated this event happened on Sunday, but it happened on Saturday.
Wokcano gets a graveyard makeover for this dance party paying homage to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.” The festivities include an M.J. dance contest, costume prizes, a laser light show, spooky drink specials and tunes by DJ Casey Connor. Wokcano, 1413 5th St., Santa Monica. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. $10-$20. (310) 497-6324. thrillernightwokcano.eventbrite.com
West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval
Massive crowds turn out each year for WeHo’s Halloween spectacle, which shuts down a stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard and fills it with six stages of live entertainment, a “Rocky Horror Picture Show” tribute, graffiti artists, dancing, a parade and general mayhem. Santa Monica Boulevard between La Cienega Boulevard and La Peer Drive, West Hollywood. 6 p.m.-11 p.m. Sun. Free. https://www.westhollywoodhalloween.com
The newly opened Villains Tavern in the downtown Arts District presents a dastardly bacchanal with performances by Circus Insidious, a freak show, tarot readings, face painting, a costume competition, live music, food trucks, Oktoberfest beers and cocktails. Ages 21 and older. Villains Tavern, 1356 Palmetto St., L.A. 7 p.m.-2 a.m. Fri.-Sat. Free. (213) 613-0766. https://www.villainstavern.com
The turntable whiz DJ Shadow brings his “Live From the Shadowsphere” tour to the House of Blues on Allhallows Eve. Pigeon John will also perform. Costumes are encouraged. Ages 18 and over. House of Blues Sunset Strip, 8430 W. Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. 9 p.m. Sun. $30 in advance, $32.50 day of show. (323) 848-5100. https://www.houseofblues.com
This special screening of the 1920 silent film “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” will be accompanied by Clark Wilson playing the Walt Disney Concert Hall pipe organ live. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Sun. $37.50-$63.25. (323) 850-2000. https://www.laphil.com
Downtown’s J Lounge gets freaky with this sprawling carnival of debauchery. The party offers three dance areas, games, a sexy-costume contest and a show by the goth-punk performance art troupe Wandering Marionettes. J Lounge, 1119 S. Olive St., L.A. 8 p.m.-3 a.m. Sat. $20 in advance, $30 at the door. (213) 785-7321. https://www.freaksfest.com
Ohwow Gallery presents an opening reception for the new exhibition “Into Darkness” by the street artist Neck Face. In addition to unveiling the new work, the evening will feature a haunted house and skateboarding demos. 101 S. La Brea Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Sun. Free. https://www.oh-wow.com
Mummy costumes would be particularly appropriate at this Halloween bash held at the historic Egyptian Theatre. Partygoers should be well covered between multiple dance areas, five bars, a heated outdoor courtyard and six DJs. Numerous costume prizes will also be awarded. Egyptian Theatre, 6712 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Sat. $35. (323) 604-6030. https://www.californianightlife.com
Don’t let the name throw you off — this soiree at the aquarium doesn’t involve actual diving. It’s more of a cocktail party with bat rays, jellies, sea dragons and sharks. Artists and DJs will do their thing, and bands Bella Novela, Rumspringa and the New Fidelity will perform. Ages 18 and over. Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach. 7 p.m.-11 p.m. Fri. $11.95. (562) 590-3100. https://www.aquariumofpacific.org
The organist Steven Ball will provide a live soundtrack for this screening of the 1925 silent film “The Phantom of the Opera.” Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, L.A. 8 p.m. Sat. $15-$33. (310) 825-4401. https://www.uclalive.org
Three Hollywood venues — the ArcLight, Green Door and Cabana Club — will together be transformed into a celebration of the seven deadly sins. The sinning includes an open bar, a costume contest, music, dancing, fashion and more. Green Door, 1429 Ivar Ave., L.A. 9 p.m.-3 a.m. $30-$40. (323) 604-6030. https://www.californianightlife.com
This evening of gothic literature brought to life features Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Cask of Amontillado,” adapted by Paul Millet; H. P. Lovecraft’s “The Unnamable,” adapted by Jeff G. Rack; and Charles Dickens’ “The Chimes,” adapted by Jonathan Josephson. Each play is performed at a different location at Mountain View Cemetery, and attendees will be led to and from each play by a guide. Mountain View Cemetery, 2300 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena. 8 p.m. Thu.-Sun. $45. (818) 242-7910. https://www.wickedlit.org
Undead hordes in search of brains and booze will overrun Newport Beach’s bars. After checking in at Malarky’s, zombified party people will invade the Blue Beet and Sharkeez before finally convening at the Undead DJ Party at the District, which will hold a raffle and a costume contest. Malarky’s Irish Pub, 3011 Newport Blvd., Newport Beach. 2 p.m. Sat. $8. https://www.localhipster.com/zombies
Sign up for The Wild
We’ll help you find the best places to hike, bike and run, as well as the perfect silent spots for meditation and yoga.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
