There's a party for everyone — from sophisticated charity costume balls to pumpkin-carving contests to a dinner honoring Beetlejuice (just don't say his name three times).
Here are the scariest (and not so scary) ways to celebrate Halloween in Miami:
Pre-Halloween Events
Eve of Prohibition Ball Dark Dining Event at Westin Colonnade Coral Gables
Join chef Adrianne Calvo back in time as she re-creates the Roaring '20s for an intriguing evening. On Friday, October 23, at 7 p.m.
Dance the night away at the masquerade ball (attire is either formal or 1920s-themed) and enjoy live entertainment, cocktails featuring an open bar by Bacardi, and multiple food options by Chef Adrianne. Or choose the D
Wine On Harvest Moon at the Deering Estate
One of Miami's loveliest (and most haunted) properties will host its annual soiree this Saturday, October 24. From 7:30 to 10:30 p.m., the Deering Estate at Cutler in Palmetto Bay will be filled with spirits, spells, and American lore at its Wine On Harvest Moon.
Stroll the gorgeous grounds and visit wine- or spirits-producing regions of the United States such as upstate New York's Sleepy Hollow, Edgar Allan Poe's New England, and a rock 'n' roll-tinged California. Don't miss the Mark Twain-themed Southern saloon with a bourbon bar and country music classics for dancing. Each area will have its own pop-up vignette performed by Tandem Theater Company, and art and rare books curated by Deering's cultural arts coordinator. Food is paired with each theme, region, and libation. It's provided by some of Miami's best restaurants, including Oliver Rodriguez of the Biltmore Hotel, Rojelio Fernandez of Brio Tuscan Grille, Diego Solano of Bulla Gastrobar, Rod Chitikov of Devon Seafood + Steak, Phil Bryant of the Local Craft Food & Drink, David Lesser of Munch Thyme, Miguel Antonio Gomez Fernández of Pisco y Nazca, and Julia Ning of Station 5 Miami, as well as A Little Bit of Philly, Anacapri Cucina Italiana, Asian Fusion, Crave American Kitchen & Sushi Bar, Golden Rule Seafood, and Whole Foods Market Coral Gables, among others.
The extravaganza will also feature a live auction, fine wines, and the official unveiling of the 2016 BMW 750i. Tickets for the 21-and-over event cost $150 for Deering Estate Foundation members and $175 for nonmembers and can be purchased by visiting deeringestate.com or calling 305-235-1668, ext. 263.
Mellow Mushroom in South Miami will celebrate a kinder, gentler Halloween, filled with pizza, beer, and fun. Beginning at 7 p.m. October 23, enjoy a costume contest, live music by the Stiltsville, and an extended happy hour on all Concrete Beach beers.
Something's Brewing After Dark at Miami Children's Museum
This Friday, October 23, the Miami Children's Museum will turn into a 21-and-over haunted house with a costume contest, brews, and a night of play to benefit the museum's Very Important Potential program. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $30 at the door and include craft beers, delicious treats, games, black-light body-painting, a giant J
Carved Pumpkin Contest at Concrete Beach Brewery
Bring your carved pumpkin to Concrete Beach Brewery Saturday, October 24, from 6 p.m. to close and enter it into the carved pumpkin pageant. A panel of judges will select a winner, to be proclaimed Pumpkin King!
Beetlejuice Dinner at the Federal Food Drink & Provisions
Next Thursday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m., celebrate the "ghost with the most" at the Federal's tribute to Beetlejuice. The evening will feature five ghoulish courses with five beer pairings, including Tampa's Coppertail
Halloween Eve Events
Noche de Duende Masquerade Bash at Piripi
Friday, October 30, at 8 p.m., Piripi at Merrick Park in Coral Gables will host a masquerade ball, complete with flamenco, tapas, cocktails, and live music. The party will spill out into the street, where attendees can enjoy a live performance by Suénalo. VIP tickets cost $50 per person and include access to a private bar and outdoor lounge as well as complimentary passed tapas. General-admission tickets cost $25. The restaurant's regular dinner, cocktail, and tapas menu will be available all evening. Tickets can be purchased through Eventbrite. Table reservations are available for parties of four or more, and guests must be 21 or older to attend. For more information, call 305-448-2423.
The Biltmore's Halloween Eve
From 8 p.m. to midnight Friday, October 30, the Biltmore's Country Club ballroom will host its annual Halloween eve bash, offering an open bar, a lavish buffet, and live music. Attendees can dress up and enter a costume contest to win prizes for most creative, scariest, and best couple. Tickets cost $75 for members or $100 for the public and can be purchased by calling 305-913-3230.
Vizcaya's Annual Sundowner
On Halloween eve from 8 p.m. to midnight, head to Vizcaya for its annual Sundowner celebration, featuring music by Spam Allstars and DJ A-Train, dancing, a bevy of bars, and bites. Dress to impress, because these costumes tend to be off the charts. Tickets cost $140 for members or $165 for general admission for this 21-and-over event. To purchase tickets, visit vizcaya.org.
STK Miami's Day of the Dead
The day before Halloween, STK Miami celebrates Día de los Muertos and Amor Eterno with music, including a special performance by Peter White, Miami's n
Better Days Pumpkin Carving
Friday, October 30, Better Days will host pumpkin carving. Beginning at 9 p.m., the bar will hand out a limited supply of free pumpkins so you can get creative. Get there early for happy hour from 5 to 8 p.m.
Halloween Events
The Gates of
Bagatelle will turn into
Piripi Family-Friendly Halloween Brunch
Saturday afternoon, Piripi will host a family-friendly brunch that includes special activities and Halloween goodie bags for trick-or-treaters.
Seaspice's Hotel Transylvania
Seaspice will transform its beautiful waterfront dining room into a haunted house for the evening. Check into the restaurant-turned-Hotel Transylvania and dine under the cobwebs instead of the stars.
Better Days Halloween Bash
Halloween night, Better Days will throw a party with a
Wicked Brew Bash at Concrete Beach Brewery
No cover and wicked-good brews make Concrete Beach a great place for Halloween. Dress to scare and enter the costume contest at 10 p.m. for prizes.
Meat Market Lincoln Road Watch Party
Be in the center of Lincoln Road's wild costume spectacle while enjoying a good steak at Meat Market's Halloween dinner ($150 per person, excluding beverages, tax, and gratuity). The three-course feast begins at 9 p.m. October 31 and offers appetizers such as tuna tartare, chilled octopus carpaccio, wood-grilled jerk lobster tail, heirloom
Quattro Gastronomia Italiana Lincoln Road Watch Party
On October 31, Quattro will offer a four-course prix-fixe dinner for $110 per person on the patio ($65 indoors). The meal will begin with bruschetta with truffle robiola cheese for the table, followed by a choice of fried calamari, beef carpaccio, eggplant parmigiana, burrata with multicolored tomatoes in basil oil, or black lentil salad. Main selections include a choice of fontina ravioli, pumpkin
Pasta Vino's Magnum Lounge-Inspired Halloween Party
Pasta Vino (1624 79th St. Causeway, Miami) is hosting a Halloween celebration with music by Magnum Lounge DJ Dr. Wayne. Scare up a costume and enter the contest for prizes.
Haunted Halloween at Thompson Miami Beach
Saturday, October 31, the Thompson Miami Beach's 1930s House will morph into a ghoulish haunted house. Beginning at 8 p.m., rock out to a live DJ and enter a costume contest for prizes that include a two-night staycation at the hotel or a gift certificate to Talde restaurant. The $10 cover includes a welcome Witches' Brew.
SushiSamba's Cocktails & Cosplay
Break out your favorite Japanese-themed anime costume and head to SushiSamba's Cosplay party. The Lincoln Road restaurant will host the party from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m., with live DJ, entertainment, costume contests, and more. There's no cover charge, but put some cash in your cat suit to enjoy the three outdoor bars serving $9 cocktails. Of course, this is also a prime viewing spot for the famous Lincoln Road parade.
The Little Lighthouse Foundation's Nightmare on the Beach 2015
On Halloween from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Miami Beach's Lummus Park will get scary with a party to benefit the Little Lighthouse Foundation. Tickets cost $175 and include a premium open bar all night from Patrón and Dos Equis, bites from South Florida's best restaurants, a costume contest, and entertainment. For tickets and more information, visit thelittlelighthouse.org.
Pubbelly Halloween Crawl
Each of Pubbelly's Sunset Harbour restaurants will offer special happy-hour items from 6 p.m. to midnight on Halloween. Drop into Pubbelly, Pubbelly Sushi, and Barceloneta to check out their decor — each will feature a different Halloween theme.
Shots Hop at Shots Miami
Enjoy a 1950s, zombie-themed evening at Shots Miami with a haunted house, hot ghouls, and deathly drinks. The fun goes down Halloween night all night, with a special haunted happy hour from 7 to 9 p.m.
Casino Royale at Regent Cocktail Club
If you'd rather dress like 007 than a zombie, head to the Regent Cocktail Club for a sophisticated take on Halloween. The evening begin at 7 with cocktails (try a vesper or a martini) and casino games. After 11 p.m., if you're in the mood for more spy games, travel downstairs to the Rec Room, where the party will continue till 5 a.m.
Post-Halloween (Día de
Halloween Hangover at Terrazza at Shore Club
Feeling like the walking dead? Use it to your advantage at this Sunday brunch. November 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., enjoy bottomless mimosas for the ghouls. Wear your now-ruined costume to brunch and enter the contest for worst costume.
Día de
Keep the dead theme going at Bagatelle's special Day of the Dead brunch Sunday, November 1. The fun begins at noon and features exclusive Día de
Día de
Miami Beach taco joint Bodega will serve plenty of hair-of-the-dog tequila and music by Damaged Goods Sunday, November 1, from 8 p.m. till close.
