By Amanda Mesa for Miami.com
Halloween in Miami is always a big excuse to celebrate (come to think of it, which holiday isn’t?), but there’s plenty to check out this year aside from the traditional haunts. Whether you plan on hitting the clubs or just grabbing a beer, we’ve rounded up a selection of our top picks for Halloween happenings in the 305 to help make planning your trick-or-treat weekend a little easier.
Little Lighthouse presents Nightmare On the Beach
The Little Lighthouse Foundation will host its 6th Annual Nightmare On the Beach extravaganza this Halloween centered around the theme of Heaven & Hell. Guests will enjoy a premium all-night open bar, cuisine from some of Miami’s top restaurants and two themed zones filled with unique interactive experiences and activations.
Details: Saturday, October 31 starting at 9 p.m. at Lummus Park, 9th Street & Ocean Drive., Miami Beach; $175 for General Admission (available here).
E11EVEN Hosts Stafford Brothers
24/7 nightspot E11EVEN Miami will host DJ duo Stafford Brothers for its Halloween fete this year. Costumes are welcome as the superclub turns into a Halloween funhouse with contortionists, aerialists, interactive characters and specialty acts. On the rooftop, house legend Oscar G will heat things up in true Miami fashion. Free Caisson cocktails will be served up top from 11 p.m. until midnight.
Details: Friday, October 30 starting at 10 p.m. at E11EVEN Miami, 29 NE 11th Street, Miami; $40 for General Admission to Main Room, $20 for admission to Rooftop (available here).
Haunted Halloween at Thompson Miami Beach
Candlelight, cobwebs and sultry mystery will paint the scene at 1930s House, Thompson Miami Beach’s historic drinking den, on Halloween this year. Guests can enjoy a welcome glass of Witches’ Brew and compete in a costume contest for grand prize two night stay at the hotel with a $100 gift certificate to its new restaurant, Talde, opening next month. NYC’s DJ Will Buck will provide the sounds, while an onsite Tarot card reader tells guests about their destinies. Ouiji boards will also be available for those looking to communicate with the other side.
Details: Saturday, October 31 starting at 9 p.m. at 1930s House at Thompson, 4041 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; $10 cover charge, RSVP at eventsmb@thompsonhotels.com
Playboy Halloween Masquerade at Hyde Beach
In the mood for something steamier than the average costume contest and trick-or-treat fete? Head over to Hyde Beach for a sexy masquerade bash hosted by Playboy. If you stay at the hotel, you can also receive up to 20% off your room and a table for up to six people at the party.
Details: Saturday, October 31 starting at 10 p.m. at Hyde Beach, 1701 Collins Ave., Miami Beach; $35 for General Admission (available here).
Science Art Cinema #2: Fear
The second episode in the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science Science Art Cinema performance event series will center around fear and its effects on the human mind, followed by a screening of the science cult classic “Queen of Blood.” DJ Le Span of City of Progress Studio will perform a special set, and complimentary bites and wine will be served.
Details: Friday, October 23 at 7 p.m. at the De La Cruz Collection, 23 NE 41st Street, Miami; $10 (available here).
Cocktails & Cosplay at SUSHISAMBA
SUSHISAMBA will celebrate its 6th annual Japanese Cosplay Halloween party complete with costume contests, a live DJ, a new Smoked Pumpkin Caipirinha cocktail and Japanese candies.
Details: Saturday, October 31 from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m. at SUSHISAMBA, 600 Lincoln Road, Miami Beach; free to the public.
Thriller On the Bay at Mondrian
Mondrian South Beach will host a Michael Jackson inspired halloween party with DJ YNOT and Ras Adonia. Guests can enjoy specialty Halloween cocktails including “Vampire’s Blood” with Grey Goose and “Pumpkin Pie” made with Bacardi Oakheart. The party will take place at the Mondrian’s luxe Sunset Lounge.
Details: Saturday, October 31 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. at Mondrian South Beach, 1100 West Ave., Miami Beach; free and open to the public.
Carved Pumpkin Day at Concrete Beach Brewery
Experience Broward’s Signature Grand transformed into a haunted Mansion at the event’s 14th edition, hosted by Former Miami Dolphin O.J. McDuffie and radio host Joe Rose. All proceeds will benefit 2-1-1 Broward.
Details: Sunday, October 24 from 6 p.m. – close at Concrete Beach Brewery, 325 NW 24th Street, Miami; Free and open to the public.
Yelloween at The Forge
Science fiction starlet Elaine Lanscaster will star at The Forge’s annual Yelloween bash (this year’s theme is sci-fi). Music will be curated by Maxwell Blandford and Project F. Guests can enjoy complimentary bites, $50 bottles of Veuve Clicquot and $7 Belvedere cocktails. The best costume will win a $500 cash prize and a limited edition bottle of Veuve Clicquot Jeroboam valued at $1,500. Second place will win a dinner for two at The Forge valued at $500. Third place gets a basket of six bottles of Veuve.
Details: Friday, October 30 at The Forge, 432 W 41st Street, Miami Beach.
Signature Grand Ghoul
Bring your best carved jack-o-lantern to Concrete Beach Brewery for a chance to win some Halloween swag and enjoy some of Wynwood’s finest locally-brewed selections at CBB’s ever-popular Social Hall.
Details: Monday, October 26 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. at Signature Grand, 6900 W State Road 84, Davie; $100 per person or $150 per couple (for non-members, includes open bar, gourmet buffet, costume contest and more, available here).
Halloween Eve at the Biltmore
This year’s Halloween Eve party at The Biltmore will feature a host of contests and prizes awarded to guests with the most creative, scariest and best couples costumes. Guests can enjoy an open bar, a decadent buffet dinner and live entertainment at The Biltmore’s Halloween Eve party.
Friday, October 30 from 8 p.m. – midnight at the Country Club Ballroom at The Biltmore Hotel, 1200 Anastasia Ave., Coral Gables; $75 for club members, $100 for the public. Guests must be 21+ to attend; reservations are required via 305-913-3230.
Noche de Duende at Piripi Miami
In Spanish, the word duende has several meanings, including “spirits,” “passion” and “mysterious allure.” That said, it’s the perfect word to define Coral Gables hot spot Piripi’s upcoming masquerade bash, which will feature flamenco dancers, tapas, cocktails, and a live performance by Latin band, Suenalo!
Details: Friday, October 30 from 8 p.m. – 2 a.m. at Piripi Miami, 320 San Lorenzo Avenue #1315, Miami; $25 for General Admission, $46.46 for VIP Lounge Access with dedicated bar and complimentary tapas all night (available here). Guests must be 21+ to attend.
Vizcaya’s 29th Annual Halloween Sundowner Party
Now in it’s 29th year, Vizcaya’s Halloween extravaganza will feature costume contests, bayfront music and dancing, five full bars with speciality drinks and craft brews by local breweries, and bites by participating food vendors.
Details: Friday, October 30 from 8 p.m. – midnight at Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, 3251 S Miami Ave., Miami; $140 for members, $165 for General Admission (available here). Guests must be 21+ to attend.
Day of the Dead at STK Miami
Guests can partake of ‘Boo’s and Booze’ at STK Miami, which will offer an open bar package for $50 this Halloween weekend. There will be costume contests, a phantom photo booth, and live performances by DJs and drummers. Dress to impress!
Details: Friday, October 30 starting at 7 p.m. at STK Miami, 2311 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
Halloween Crawl with Pubbelly, Pubbelly Sushi & Barceloneta
Enjoy a special spooky happy hour at each of these Sunset Harbour mainstays on Halloween! Each location will have a different decade theme, so don your period costumes and prepare to do the time-warp!
Details: Saturday, October 31 from 6 p.m. until midnight at Pubbelly Sushi, Pubbelly & Barceloneta, all on 20th Street at Sunset Harbour, Miami Beach.
Walking Dead at Whiskey Blue & Living Room
Whiskey Blue and Living Room at the W Fort Lauderdale will ring in Halloween with a party inspired by the Walking Dead. DJ Mark Gallow and DJ Richie Rich will provide the soundtrack and Gerber Group will provide the cocktail offerings. Dress to impress and you may win the evening’s costume contest.
Details: Saturday, October 31 starting at 9 p.m. at Whiskey Blue & Living Room, 401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; free to the public.
Beetlejuice Dinner at The Federal
Enjoy five Beetlejuice-inspired courses at The Federal with beer pairings by Tampa’s Coppertail Brewery at The Federal. Beetlejuice will be playing all night long and costumes are encouraged!
Details: Thursday, October 29, cocktail hour at 7:30 p.m. and dinner at 8:30 at The Federal, 5132 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; $55 per person for full dinner and beer pairings.
7th Annual Hulaween Party at Mai-Kai
The seventh installment in the historic tiki bar’s Hulaween series will feature a zombie-theme, Appleton Rum giveaways, live performances by Slip and the Spinouts, and a costume contest with cash prizes ranging from $100 to $300. Guests can enjoy many of the venue’s famed cocktails for half price during happy hour until 7 p.m.
Details: Friday, October 30 starting at 5 p.m. at 3599 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale; Free and open to the public.
Halloween at Novecento
Novencto’s Key Biscayne and Aventura locations will both be hosting a special Halloween party. Aventura will be serving happy hour all night long alongside a “witchy menu.” A live DJ will be spinning from 8 p.m. – 1 a.m., and come dressed to impress as best costume will win bottle service! Starting at 8 p.m., Key Biscayne will party in costume with a cause as all proceeds will go toward helping the Pan y Amor Association build a new school. Guests can enjoy happy hour specials and the chance to win prizes in raffles going on throughout the night!
Details: Saturday, October 31 starting at 8 p.m. at Novecento Aventura, 18831 N Biscayne Blvd., Aventura, and Novencento Key Biscayne, 620 Crandon Blvd., Key Biscayne; Free and open to the public.
Melodies of the Macabre feat. Amanda Crider
IlluminArts and Seraphic Fire’s Amanda Crider (mezzo-soprano) joins forces with Gabriel Preisser (baritone) and special guests from Musimelange in a program of haunting classics. Guests have the option of purchasing a three-course prix fixe dinner by Starr Catering Group to enjoy with the show.
Details: Friday, October 30, Saturday, October 31, doors open at 7 p.m. at Ted’s at Youngarts, 2100 Biscayne Blvd., Miami; $95 for prix fixe dinner + show, $35 General Admission (available here). There is a $25 food and beverage minimum for General Admission tickets.
Strangers & Friends Halloween feat. Erick Morillo
House music legend and Terrace room veteran Erick Morillo hits Space again for a special Halloween edition of the club’s notorious Strangers & Friends party series.
Details: Saturday, October 31 from 11 p.m. – 3 p.m. (Sunday) at Space, 34 NE 11th Street, Miami; $25 before 1 a.m., $35 before 3 a.m. (available here).
Halloween Bash at Delano South Beach
Enjoy drinks and beats poolside at the Delano Beach Club’s All Gold Everything Halloween party before heading to FDR’s Haunted Church at midnight to continue the festivities long into the night.
Details: Saturday, October 31 from 9 p.m. – 5 a.m. at Delano Beach Club & FDR, 1685 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
Circo Negro at Wall
Wall invites guests to experience the dark side of the circus with its 7th annual Halloween bash.
Details: Saturday, October 31 starting at 11 p.m. at Wall (W South Beach), 2201 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
Casino Royal at LDV Gale’s Regent Cocktail Club & Rec Room
Party like James Bond at this 007-themed Halloween party, which begins with casino style games and craft cocktails served at the Regent Cocktail Club, and finishes off with a night of dancing downstairs at the hotel’s subterranean lounge, Rec Room, with Sammy Bananas from Fool’s Gold Records.
Details: Saturday, October 31 from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m. (Regent Cocktail Club) and 11 p.m. – 5 a.m. (at Rec Room), Gale South Beach, 1690 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
Shots Hop
Wynwood drinking den Shots will be transformed into a 1950s zombie sock-hop complete with a haunted house.
Details: Saturday, October 31 starting at 7 p.m. at Shots, 311 NW 23rd Street, Miami; free and open to the public.
The Gates of Bagat’hell Purgatorio Saturday Brunch Launch
Enjoy three days of spooktacular events at Bagatelle Miami Beach, including a Halloween-themed dinner party on Friday, October 30, the launch of their Saturday brunch followed by a grand Halloween bash, and a special Dia De Los Muertos brunch celebration on Sunday.
Details: Halloween Dinner on Friday, October 30, Halloween Brunch & Evening party on Saturday, October 31, and Dia De Los Muertos Brunch on Sunday, November 1 at Bagatelle Miami Beach, 220 21st Street, Miami Beach.
Halloween Hangover at Shore Club
Ease your post-Halloween hangover with a delicious spread at Shore Club’s Terrazza and a ‘best-of-the-worst-morning-after’ costume contest. To help nurse your aching head, they’re offering bottomless mimosas and bellinis for ladies.
Details: Sunday, November 1 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Shore Club, 1901 Collins Ave., Miami Beach.
Dia de Los Muertos at Bodega
Cap off your Halloween weekend with plenty of tequila and hard-hitting beats by Miami’s own Damaged Goods. If you RSVP to muertos@bodegasouthbeach.com, your first 1800 Tequila cocktail is on the house.
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