Where to go for grownup Halloween parties 🍸️🎃

Happy Thursday, Capital District! Today we’re picking the best Halloween parties—for the big kids. Plus, get ready for a packed, pre-Halloween weekend with our Top 5 Picks!

Btw, we goofed on Tuesday and told y’all that the Albany Auto Show starts on Friday. It kickoffs next Friday, of course. Apologies if we got you all hot & bothered too soon with that new car smell.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Where to go for grownup Halloween parties 🍸️🎃 

Here’s a fun fact: Phat’s birthday is on Halloween. As a kid, that wasn’t much fun because everyone had trick-or-treating on their minds, not sitting down for cake. But as an adult, it’s become an event. Going out to a cocktail party in full costume is a blast.

This week and next, there are going to be a ton of Halloween parties with adult beverages and dancing. Here’s our curated list of events. Most are costume encouraged, not required—but don’t be the party pooper who doesn’t even try!

miSpooky Science: miSci After Dark transforms the kid’s museum into a 21+ affair with themed drinks, costume contest, scary animal exhibit and planetarium shows. Fri, $20.

Halloween Masquerade: This fundraiser for Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County features dancing, games and cash prizes for the best costume. Fri, tix start at $44.52.

The Official Halloween Bar Crawl: Starting at Bar Vegan, Albany’s 7th annual spooky bar crawl visits six different venues, mostly along Lark Street. Sat, tix start at $29.69.

Planetarium Party (Halloween Edition): The Planetarium Parties at No Fun in Troy attract a great crowd, but it’s gonna be even more wild for Halloween. Sat, $11.03. Thursday is also Goth Night at No Fun.

Halloween Mischief at Encore Lounge: This is a costume-required 21+ event featuring DJs, drink specials and contest with cash prizes. Sat, $23.18.

Hangar Haunt: The Hangar at 743 in Latham is one of the hottest private party spaces in the Capital District. Their Halloween party features DJs, dancing and open bar. Sat, $60 presale.

Boo Part II: Common Roots Brewing teams up with Micropolitan Matchmakers for an afternoon singles event centered around microbrewing. Nov. 1, $55.

Built: The Disco Ball: The Historic Albany Foundation celebrates its 50th anniversary with a 1974-themed costume party / fundraiser. Nov. 2, $150.

Halloween at Deer Mountain Inn: A David Lynch-inspired Halloween party! Think Twin Peaks, Elephant Man, Eraserhead and Dune. Nov. 2, $103.22.

More to explore: Masquerade Ball at the Coat Room in Saratoga, Halloween Ecstatic Dance at The Halcyon Center. Runway of Terror with Tommy V Live. Big Shrimp's 7th Annual Halloween Extravaganza & Costume Contest. Lark Hall’s Halloween Night.

Did we miss something cool? Let us know and we’ll promote it! [email protected]

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🍽️ Yelp has come out with its ranking of the 25 best places to eat in the Capital District. There’s a lot to quibble with this list, which is based on, you guessed it, Yelp reviews. For one, there are a few Catskills restaurants on here, which are definitely not in the Capital Region. So take it with a ginormous grain of salt.

🚧 The DOT’s concepts for “reimagining” the 1-787 in Albany are getting decidedly mixed reviews. In short, they don’t seem to go far enough to transform the waterfront. The plans also don’t include a proposal to add a waterway to the downtown area, as some civic groups have long pushed for. You can review the concepts and submit a public comment here, or show up to one of the community forums:

• Oct. 29, 5-7p, The First Church in Albany, 110 N Pearl St

• Oct. 30, 5-7p, Albany Housing Authority, 200 S Pearl St

• Nov. 6, 5-7p, Howe Library, 105 Schuyler St

⭐️ = 518 Staff Picks

⭐️ Phish 3 Night Residency | Fri-Sun, $60—$150 (per day), and afterparties GALORE. The MVP Arena is about to light up with the jammiest band of the 21st century. Don’t miss it as their energy brings bolts of light and swaying smiles to downtown Albany. Lark Hall is hosting one of the bigger afterparties. Details here.

And just down the street at the Palace Theatre, the PhanArt market features a variety of artists and vendors offering art, clothing, home goods and music memorabilia. There’s also a health and wellness fair taking place on the second floor. Sat, 12—5p, free.

⭐️ Troy Night Out | Fri, 6-10p, free. Don’t miss the four-legged fun at Dogtober, the Halloween-themed edition of this month’s downtown Troy stroll. Be sure to dress up your furry best friend if you have one!

⭐️ Planetarium Party (Halloween Edition) | Sat, 7—11p, $11.03. The Planetarium Parties at No Fun in Troy attract a great crowd, but it’s gonna be even more wild for Halloween. .

⭐️ The Official Halloween Bar Crawl | Sat, 4—12p, $29.69. Starting at Bar Vegan, Albany’s 7th annual spooky bar crawl visits six different venues, mostly along Lark Street.

⭐️ Trick or Trot Pumpkin Run | Sat, Race starts at 4p, free for spectators. This delightful race for all ages on a gorgeous (but spooky!) course through Washington Park is sure to get the blood pumping!

🎃 MORE NOTABLE EVENTS

TODAY

🎞️ On Thursday, the 2nd annual Renaissance Black Film Festival returns to Albany. Opening night is 6 pm at the Spectrum 8 Theatre, with a Q&A panel and reception to follow.

FRIDAY

👻 Also on Friday, Knickerbocker Mansion hosts its Annual Knick-at-Night Souper Supper and Ghostly Mansion Tours in Schaghticoke. Dinner is only $15 or $25 with dinner and tour. Tour reservations required.

🌭 Trunk or Treat at Clifton Common is fun for the kids with free hot dogs, pony rides and a petting zoo. 4—6p, free.

💀 Halloween Haunts is a new haunted house concept taking place Fri-Sun at the Altamont Fairgrounds. There are two versions: one for the kids & one for adults. Pick your fright level.

SATURDAY

🎃 The Saratoga Fall Festival is a safe place to trick-or-treating with downtown businesses welcoming costumed kids. 12—3p, free. Also, families can trick-or-treat at Halfmoon Town Park in Clifton Park without even getting out of their cars. 4—6p, free.

SUNDAY

🦸‍♀️ Get your cosplay on at Albany Comic Con on Sunday. It’s the Capital Region’s biggest comic book and collectibles convention.

🦕 The NYS Museum’s Halloween Spooktacular is a family-friendly event with ghoulish games, art projects, spooky specimens and a costume parade. 11a—2p, free.

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Know a cool business, event or local personality we should profile? Reach us directly at [email protected].