Halloween comes but one day a year, but that doesn't mean the party is confined to a 24-hour-period. The Halloween 2011 festivities in South Florida have been underway for at least a week, but things will really heat up this weekend, when most of us do our costuming and cajoling for sweet treats.
Ideally, you've already found the perfect get-up -- perhaps even a Halloween costume inspired by Florida food and drink -- and you just need to narrow down where you'll be showing off your creativity, resourcefulness, and possibly a hell of a lot of skin.
While you can count on most any bar or restaurant to be in the Halloween spirit this weekend, we've pulled together a list of more than a dozen Halloween events in South Florida in case you're the type who likes to know before you go. Without further ado, here is a look at food and drink related Halloween events in Broward and Palm Beach Counties:
Halloween Events in Broward County/Fort Lauderdale
Halloween on Himmarshee -- Any spoilsport who tells you trick or treating is for "kids only" needn't attend Fort Lauderdale's biggest street party from 7 p.m. to 4 a.m. Saturday in the Himmarshee entertainment district. Costumes are de rigueur, with various contests at which to strut your stuff. Attendance is expected to reach 3,000 and party goers will have access to multiple outdoor bars, live music by Tuxedo Jesus, and lots of dining options within easy reach. The event is sponsored by Bacardi, Stoli, Heineken, and New Times.
Laser Wolf Halloween Party -- Drink good beer -- there are nine taps rotating craft beers and more than 60 varieties available in cans and bottles -- and wash down your dinner from Truckin' Good Pizza at the Laser Wolf Halloween costume party from 5 p.m. to close Friday.
Multiple Halloween Parties at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino -- You'll find a variety of options, like dance
parties, costume contests, and music throughout the weekend. There are
five events Friday, five on Saturday and one event Monday. Cover charges range from free to $30 and up. Get
more details on Halloween 2011 events at Seminole Casino, or by calling 954-585-5112.
Magic Hat Zombie Pub Crawl -- The undead will roam the Himmarshee bar district starting at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. The gathering begins at Lucky's Tavern, before meandering off to Original Fat Cat's, on to ROK:BRGR for dinner and concluding at Poor House for tunes by the Freakin' Hott and Zombies! Organize!. Participating bars in the Zombie Pub Crawl will offer drink and food specials to those in zombie costume.
Vampires & Vixens Party at Vibe Las Olas -- Zombies may be the choice of hipsters, but vampires are still the sexy monster of note. Drink up at the Vampires and Vixens party from 10:30 p.m. to close Saturday at Vibe in Fort Lauderdale. Table reservations at 954-326-0848 or [email protected]. Music by DJ Mister Gray.
Hulaween Party -- Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show
hosts the third annual Hulaween Party from 5 p.m. to close Friday. Happy hour is 5 to 7 p.m. Live
music will be provided by Slip and the Spinouts.
Costume Party at SoLita -- Cash and prizes will be awarded at the costume party from 9 p.m. to close Friday at SoLita on Las Olas.
Halloween Events in Palm Beach County
Pre-Halloween Late Night Mixer at Cantina Laredo in Palm Beach Gardens -- Margaritas, snacks, and other drinks are planned for a late-night mixer at Cantina Laredo. The party is 10 p.m. to midnight Friday. Come in costume or dressed all in black. RSVP to get a free margarita and apps.
Third Annual Boos 'N' Brews Food and Wine Festival -- Whole Foods Market in Palm Beach Gardens is hosting an outdoor Halloween fest Saturday night at Downtown at the Gardens shopping center, 11701 Lake Victoria Gardens Ave. in Palm Beach Gardens. The festival is 6 to 10 p.m. and tickets are $15 to $25 depending on the number of beer and wine tastings you want. All proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity of Palm Beach County.
Costume Contests in Lake Worth
-- Several Lake Worth restaurants are hosting Halloween costume
contests on Friday night. Venue and judging times include: 8
p.m. at Brogue's Down Under & Aussie Boomerang Bar;
9 p.m. at Fiorentina's; 9:30 p.m. at the Hookah House;
10 p.m. at Igot's Martiki Bar and Havana Hideout; 11 p.m. at The
Cottage and midnight at South Shore Tavern.
Lake Worth pumpkin cooking contest
-- Local chefs will judge this family friendly event as part of Lake Worth's Halloween weekend. Prizes will be awarded
in three categories and the challenge kicks off at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the Chamber of Commerce, 501 Lake Avenue.
Second Annual Delray Zombie Crawl -- The Second Annual Night of the Drinking Dead
is $20 a brain head which nets a drink at each stop on the zombie pub
crawl. A zombie prom and
horror movies are also included in the event. The party is 8 p.m. to 2
a.m. Saturday in various locations throughout Delray Beach.
Halloween Events Throughout South Florida
Free "Scary Face" Pancakes at IHOP -- Participating IHOP
restaurants in South Florida will offer a free "Scary Face"
pancake to kids 12 years and younger from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday. The free pancake comes with various sugary toppings. Sign up for a scary face "wake up call" to be sure you won't miss out on the freebie.
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