CINCINNATI — It's time to wake the dead this Halloween.
Enjoy bone-rattling fun at these bar crawls and costume parties taking place throughout Greater Cincinnati.
(And possibly win some cash, dance the night away and enjoy cocktails, food, music and treats at these events:)
Yuletide Nightmare: 5 p.m.-midnight Tuesday-Thursday; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Video Archive, 965 E. McMillan St., Walnut Hills. For the third year in a row, the owners of Video Archive have transformed the speakeasy bar into "A Nightmare Before Christmas"-themed popup bar through the end of October. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Art After Dark: Tormented Souls: 5-9 p.m. Friday. Cincinnati Art Museum, 953 Eden Park Drive, Mount Adams. Free. Join the fine folks at the Cincinnati Art Museum for a night of spooky fun as they celebrate Halloween and the museum’s new special exhibition, “Treasures of the Spanish World.” The event will feature music from Andres Bautista (DJ AB,) dance performances from Pones, food for purchase from Che and Busken Bakery, specialty cocktails, gallery experiences with Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, planet and star gazing with Cincinnati Observatory and free admission to the art museum’s special exhibitions. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Voodoo on the Bayou: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday. The Righteous Room, 641 Walnut St., Downtown. 21 and up. Follow the sound of jazz and the smell of jambalaya through the streets of the Queen City and find yourself at the center of the Righteous Room’s Halloween-themed mystic cult of voodoo. The one-night-only event will feature alcohol-steeped potions, blessed gris-gris, New Orleans jazz and homemade jambalaya. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Halloween Madness: 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Friday. Cove51, 11473 Chester Road, Sharonville. 21 and older. Everyone who comes dressed in costume to Cove51’s Halloween party will get free entry and an evening of fun. There will be a Latin dance performance by Casino Real and Dayon1 at 11:30 p.m., along with music by DJ Pablo, Salsa, Bachata and Reggeaton. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
A Rhinegeist Howl-o-ween: 4-7 p.m. Friday. Rosedale OTR, 208 E. 12th St., Over-the-Rhine. Rhinegeist and Rosedale are collaborating for the canines with this very special Halloween-themed happy hour. Rhinegeist will donate $2 directly to the Peppermint Pig Animal Rescue, a no-kill shelter for every featured beer sold during the event. Rosedale will also donate 10 percent of all sales during the event to the shelter. And don't forget to bring your pooch. Each dog in costume will receive treats and a free bandana. Prizes will also be awarded for the best dressed pups. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Energy Nightclub's Halloweekend 2019: 10 p.m.-2:15 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Energy Night Club, 700 W. Pete Rose Way, Downtown. This year Energy Nightclub will offer up two monster Halloween parties. On Friday, people can win more than $500 in cash and prizes by wearing the sexiest costume on the dance floor. Then on Saturday the club will be awarding more than $1,000 in cash and prizes for the three best costumes. The club’s owners recommend arriving early to avoid long line to get into Saturday’s event. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Halloween Party with Melvin Brewing and Rooster Ridge: 5-10 p.m. Saturday. Cappy's Wine and Spirits, 309 Loveland Ave., Loveland. Cappy's is throwing a Halloween party the only way Cappy’s knows how – with live music, costumes and some killer beers. This year’s party will feature craft suds from Melvin Brewing and entertainment from 8-10 p.m. by Rooster Ridge. Prizes will also be awarded for the best Melvin-inspired costumes at this event. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Rhinegeist Halloween Party 2019: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday. Rhinegeist Brewery, 1910 Elm St., Over-the-Rhine. Free. There will be beers, food, music from DJs Matt Joy and SKG and a rowdy costume contest. (Sorry gang, all eligible costumes needed to be submitted online by Oct. 18.) For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Freshlist Halloween: 9 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday. Top Cats, 2820 Vine St., Corryville. $7. 18 and older. Come dressed in costume for a chance to win $100 at Top Cats’ annual Halloween party. Astropat will play electronic dance music along with the Example, Bit Flip and Meiosis. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Costume Craze: 8 p..m. Saturday. Land of Illusion, 8762 Thomas Road, Middletown. $50 all night pass. This is your chance to dress up and scare the ghouls and goblins at Land of Illusion. Visitors who show up in costume will get $5 off with the purchase of an all night pass and have the chance to win up to $300. Costume contest judging will begin at 11 p.m. Multiple prizes will be awarded. www.landofillusion.com
Halloween Comic Fest 2019: 11 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday. Arcadian Comics & Games, 627 Monmouth St., Newport. It's comic book Halloween fun for everyone at Arcadian Comics & Games. Learn about the scariest comics, the most ghoulish comic book cover art and share the fun that comes with telling stories about ghouls, werewolves and ghosts. The shop encourages people to wear costumes, but they are not required. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Halloween Party at the Olde Fort Pub: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. The Olde Fort Pub, 1041 S. Fort Thomas Ave., Fort Thomas. Join folks at the Olde Fort Pub for some hauntingly good spirits and killer tunes this Halloween season. There will be contests and prizes for those who dress up and live music from Wednesday’s Perfection. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Secret Garden Redux: The Upside Down Halloween at 21c: 9 p.m-1 a.m. Saturday. 21c Museum Hotel, 609 Walnut St., Downtown. $10 suggested donation. 21 and older. 21c Cincinnati will transform into a “Stranger Things” inspired world of fun for creatures of the night this Halloween season. The evening will feature Northside Nick and PXVC spinning music in the main gallery plus projections from C Jacqueline Wood to add to the mood. Heroes Rise and Dancefix by HBDC will also perform throughout 21c’s galleries. Some of the best makeup professionals in the Queen City will also be decorating guests’ faces free of charge. Costumes are highly encouraged and there will be a costume contest with prizes. All suggested donations will benefit the ACLU of Ohio, as well as the Art Academy of Cincinnati. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Harvest Fest: 1 p.m.-midnight. Saturday. HighGrain Brewing, 6860 Plainfield Road, Silverton. Drink a pint of great beer while helping reforest areas damaged by wild fires this weekend at HighGrain Brewing’s inaugural Harvest Fest. The day will feature a special brunch, the tapping of Fire Scout, a Nordic red IPA, fall family friendly activities and live music featuring the Comet Bluegrass All-Stars. www.highgrainbrewing.com
Braxton Halloween Bash: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday. Braxton Brewing Co., 27 W. Seventh St., Covington. Free. Don your spookiest costume and boogie down at Braxton’s taproom for a Halloween disco party with Travis Bell , aka Retro DJ. Braxton will be lighting up the dance floor on All Hallow's Eve and will have plenty of beer to go around. Costumes aren't necessary, but are definitely encouraged. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
The “HALLO-WIEDIE” Party Returns: 7:30 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Wiedemann Brewing Co., 4811 Vine St., St. Bernard. Free. I can’t think of a better place for a Halloween party than inside a funeral home turned taproom. The evening will feature a costume contest, drink specials, munchies and DJ Marty G will be playing tunes. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Where’s Alice? Halloween in Wonderland: 7-10 p.m. Saturday. Marty's Hops & Vines, 6110 Hamilton Ave., College Hill. Look for Alice at Marty's Wonderland. Come in costume or as the Queen of Hearts would say, "Off with your head!" Actually, if you come in costume you’ll get $4 drafts, half-price wine pours, $3 off premium wines and $2 off cocktails. There will be a costume contest at 10 p.m. Live music with Working Title Steam Band begins at 9 p.m. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Hotel Covington’s Annual Halloween Party: 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Hotel Covington, 638 Madison Ave., Covington. $15 advance tickets; $20 at the door. 21 and older. Enjoy the Halloween dance party with DJ Future Boy. The night will also feature two special cocktails and an exclusive Braxton Brewing Co. craft beer. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Ghosts & Ghouls Costume Ball: 8 p.m.-midnight Saturday. The Windamere, 2 S. Main St., Middletown. 21 and older. $25 general admission. The ball will feature rock band Velvet Crush, interactive games, costume contests, snacks and a cash bar. Each general admission ticket includes a complimentary signature cocktail. VIP tickets for this event are already sold out. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Nightmare on Sixth Street: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Igby’s, 122 E. Sixth St., Downtown. The scariest villains from 80’s horror flicks are back for one last fright. Freddie Kruger, Mike Myers and IT will take over Igby's for a Nightmare on Sixth Street. To prepare for the fright of your life, the club will provide a soundtrack by its killer DJ, spooky good cocktails and a photo booth that will haunt your dreams. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Molly Malone's Halloween Costume Party: 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Molly Malone's, 112 E. Fourth St., Covington. Don your most creative costume and win gift cards at Molly Malone's' legendary Halloween party. First-place costume contest winner will receive a $200 gift card; second place a $150 gift card; and third place a $50 gift card. The bar will be serving $3 Trick or Treat shots and cover band Floyd and the Walkmen will be playing everything from Johnny Cash to Sugar Ray. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Disco of the Dead: 9 p.m.-midnight Saturday. Yonder by Commonwealth Bistro, 621 Main St., Covington. Yonder’s Disco of the Dead Halloween party and costume contest will feature a night of craft cocktails and small bites. The costume contest will begin at 10 p.m. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
Pleasant Ridge Halloween Pub Crawl & Trick or Treat: Noon-11 p.m. Saturday. Revolution Rotisserie, 6063 Montgomery Road, Pleasant Ridge. $10-$15. It’s here . . . The Pleasant Ridge Halloween Pub Crawl returns with great eats, drinks and spooky fun. The pub craw portion of this year’s event will include seven eateries and bars while the Trick or Treat part will include seven other local establishments. The day will begin with free trick or treating from noon-3 p.m.. The fun will then continue with the bar crawl starting at 6 p.m. until the participating businesses close. For more information visit the Facebook event page.
Northside's Bloody Battle: Friday-Sunday. Northside, Cincinnati. If you think Northside’s Bloody Battle sounds somewhat nefarious, trust us it’s not. Instead, this is one of the most clever Halloween-adjacent events taking place this weekend in the Queen City. Adults 21 and older are invited to visit as many participating bars in this weekend’s “battle,” drink Bloody Marys and then vote which establishment serves the best tomato juice-based beverage. You’ll be asked to judge in three categories – best overall, best garnish and most creative. Each “vote” equals a single entry into a grand raffle basket drawing. A portion of the Bloody Battle’s proceeds will benefit Churches Active in Northside (CAIN), a nonprofit made up of affiliated organizations based in Northside. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Beat Faction: Halloween Edition: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Urban Artifact, 1660 Blue Rock St., Northside. No cover. 21 and older. Bring your tricks and this Northside brewery will treat you to its darkest Beat Faction of the year. Costumes are encouraged but not necessary in order to dance to the concoction of evil beats and eerie synths. Special guest DJ Christopher Favorite will also help you get your freak on. For more information, visit the event Facebook page.
The Birdcage’s Halloween Costume Party: 10 p.m.-2:30 a.m. Saturday. The Birdcage, 927 Race St., Downtown. Put on your ghoulish, scariest or sexiest costume and join the folks at the Birdcage for a real Halloween treat. And get ready to dance the night away with DJ Patrick B. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
HorrorHound's Halloween Bash: 9 p.m.-1 a.m. Saturday. Northside Tavern, 4163 Hamilton Ave., Northside. 21 and older. Free admission. HorrorHound returns to the Northside Tavern for a night full of Halloween shenanigans. Celebrate the haunting season with some amazing horror-influenced musical acts such as The Big Bad and The Jimmy Psycho Experiment, along with Cincinnati locals,The Epidemic. Spooky costumes are encouraged and the HorrorHound crew will be giving away special prizes throughout the night for best dressed. Horehound will also reveal new guests for its upcoming HorrorHound Weekend convention. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Cirocoween: Saturday. Mango’s Tropical Oasis, 7121 Dixie Highway, Fairfield. No cover charge. Celebrate Halloween with $5 Ciroc and costume contest at Mango’s. Contest judging will begin at midnight in three categories: best male, female and couple costumes. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Joker Halloween: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Copa Lounge, 1133 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine. Free entry with RSVP. DJ HD will bring the music. You’ll need to provide the laughs for what sounds like an insanely fun Halloween party at Copa Lounge. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
IT Chapter Two: 10 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday. Treehouse Patio Bar, 1133 Sycamore St., Over-the-Rhine. How much will you be willing to bare or scare at Treehouse’s Halloween bash? There will be $1,000 awarded to the best and sexiest costume that comes out to the clubhouse this weekend. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Wunderween V: 8 p.m.-midnight Oct. 31. Wunderbar, 1132 Lee St., Covington. Common Center will present the fifth anniversary of Wunderween For those who don’t know, Wunderween is billed as “the finest All Hallows Eve Rock N' Roll fiesta in town.” Go Go Buffalo and Dead Man String Band will serenade guests with music spirited enough to raise the living dead. There will also be costume contests and heaps of hi jinks to keep Halloween night interesting. For more information visit the event Facebook page.
Oakley Masquerade 2019: 8 p.m.-midnight Nov. 1. 20th Century Theater, 3021 Madison Road, Oakley. $50-$75. 21 and older. General admission includes access to a haunted nightclub, bar service, a silent auction, costume contest and photo booth. VIP and table packages include special bar, lounge and access to balcony view. Proceeds will help the Save the Animals Foundation. www.oakleymasquerade.com
Bellevue Day of the Dead Pub Crawl: 5 p.m.-closing Nov. 2. Darkness Brewing Co., 224 Fairfield Ave, Bellevue. 21 and older. The folks at Darkness Brewing, Three Spirits Tavern, the B-List, Danyelle’s Bellevue Tavern and the Fairfield Market invite all goblins, ghosts and ghastly craft beer-loving ghouls to take part in this special Day of the Dead Pub Crawl. Each participating location will sell a special drink and then donate a portion of the proceeds from that drink to the Bellevue Education Foundation. Those who wear a Day of the Dead mask will also be automatically entered to win prizes. For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
