Nightlife

Monster Bash

The City’s Most Essential Halloween Parties

Halloween. If you’re into stuff like candy corn, pumpkin cocktails and sexy pizza costumes (seriously, that’s a thing—look it up), well, this is your Super Bowl. Time to get in the game and take on all of the insanity the city has to offer. Starting with these five fetes.

W FORT LAUDERDALE

Getting Crazy in a Haunted Hotel

The Tricks: A haunted-hotel motif that encompasses both the Living Room and Whiskey Blue at the W. Feel free to roam between both. Maybe spring for a room key.
The Treats: Halloween-themed cocktails, party favors, DJs and a costume contest. Obviously.
Your Costume: Jack Torrance. Seems about right.

FREEHAND MIAMI

A Freaky Hawaiian Luau by the Pool

The Tricks: It’s a poolside Hawaiian barbecue with all the trimmings. For instance, hula dancers.
The Treats: The aforementioned hula dancers. Gratis rum tiki cocktails. A fire show. Maybe keep your grass skirt at a safe distance. Like near the hula dancers.
Your Costume: Full-on Tom Selleck, circa Magnum, P.I.

SUSHISAMBA MIAMI BEACH

A Night in Tokyo. On Lincoln Road.

The Tricks: An indoor/outdoor celebration ripped straight from the streets of Tokyo.
The Treats: Taiko drummers and DJ-spun Japanese pop music. Plus, geishas. Serving you copious smoked-pumpkin caipirinhas.
Your Costume: Think: anime, video game characters or that guy from American Ninja.

DELANO SOUTH BEACH

The One with Fire Dancers

The Tricks: This two-part affair—you’ll start by the pool and move to FDR for a haunted house and late-night dancing.
The Treats: A performance by fire dancers. “No Hangover” drinks. An ounce of prevention and all.
Your Costume: Anything goes here. So... Tom Cruise from Eyes Wide Shut.

HYDE BEACH

The Official Playboy Takeover. Yes.

The Tricks: The lounge will be transformed into the Playboy Mansion for a Halloween masquerade. Yes, that includes a visit from Miss July 2012 and Miss February 2013.
The Treats: Bunny ears and a “Find the Bunny” contest. Even if you lose, you win.
Your Costume: Your best satin robe, naturally.