Halloween has always been known as the holiday to pig out on candy corn and to dress up as scary as you can to freak out your friends and neighbors. Growing up I would always get excited about this holiday for many reasons. The first was the candy that I would be able to partake in that night and the following weeks. This was motivation, of course, to get the most that I could when knocking on doors. I dressed up like a variety of characters throughout the years. The fun never wore off either, as each year I got a little bit older and could eat just a little bit more candy. We lived in a neighborhood that was perfect for this as there were homes everywhere and porch lights on in nearly every driveway.
But when I got to college it became an excuse to still dress up but to not ask for candy but rather drinks at various parties and night clubs. The costumes became more elaborate and cost a lot more than I remember my folks paying when I was younger. However, nothing beats a Halloween night out on the town with your friends.
Recently I have not been as interested in this holiday for a number of reasons but this year is different. The main reason that I do not care for this holiday is that I lost someone very close to me a few years back on Halloween night. That is a story for another blog post but the holiday has since given me no reason to celebrate. And while I am not over what happened on that night a few years back I have moved on to a point in my life that I can go out and have a good time rather than sit at home and sulk all evening about things I can not control.
So for all of you adults out there that are thinking about what to do for Halloween this year, why not think west and head for the bright lights of the city that never sleeps – Las Vegas. (I know, they say that New York is the city that never sleeps. But once you have spent a weekend in Las Vegas you will soon beg to differ.) I wanted to break down some of the cool things you can do in Las Vegas this year. Not all of these happen on Halloween night, as this is a holiday that deserves a week to celebrate, but if you are going to be in Sam’s Town you will not be bored.
Thursday, October 29th, 2009
Tonight all of you metal rock fans have something to get your attention. The band Puscifer is playing at the Pearl. If you’re a Tool fan or a fan of Maynard James Keenan, you have to check out Keenan’s fresh new group Puscifer. The Pearl is located inside the Palms where you can find places like Rain and the Playboy Lounge. Puscifer is a multifaceted, multimedia, multi-artist and multi-personality project that has a rotating cast of players.
After the concert, head over to the Night of the Creeps: Edward 40 Hands at McFadden’s. This is loosely based on the incredible film Edward Scissorhands. McFadden’s at the Rio will host Night of the Creeps: Edward 40 Hands. Part of this party includes having two forty-ounce beers strapped to your paws. The first partygoer to finish the beers, to the last drop, will win a cash prize.
Friday, October 30th, 2009
A personal favorite spot of mine, Tao Nightclub, will be hosting their 3rd annual Taolloween. Tao Nightclub is inside The Venetian and provides a scenic view very hard to recreate. This event will also double as a release party for the Saw VI film, which hit theaters on October 23rd. Dress your best to participate in the $5,000 costume contest while you dance to the sounds of DJ Reach. Yes that is right, a 5k-costume party. Talk about a reason to dress up this holiday!
If you want to bring back some old school rap memories then you need to not miss this show. Vanilla Ice will be performing at Studio 54. Vanilla Ice will be celebrating his 42nd birthday at Studio 54 and what better way to do it than spend it in Las Vegas. Guess you can scrap the Vanilla Ice costume idea, or better yet, give it a try and see if you can get the VIP treatment by accident! You never know who will be walking around the club pulling up the best dressed.
Another personal favorite of mine, make sure not to miss the parties going on at Jet. This year on Halloween eve you can see the Mad Hatter’s Revenge. Jet Nightclub will host the Mad Hatter’s Revenge featuring $10,000 in prizes for the best costumes. So if the five grand that was offered earlier was not enough to suit your fancy make sure not to miss this chance. Break out your best Cheshire Cat smile and take a trip down the rabbit hole. This comes in good time for the release of Tim Burton’s recent take on the classic film Alice in Wonderland.
Saturday, October 31st, 2009
I think my list of favorites is a little long but this is a party that I would bend over backwards to be in attendance for. This Halloween night, make sure you are at the Night of Killer Costumes at the Ghostbar. The Ghostbar is another one of the clubs that you can find at the Palms. (This is maybe one of my favorite casinos in all of Las Vegas.) The top three ghostly goblins and ghouls will be awarded cash and prizes reaching numbers over $8,000. Also, if the cash prizes were not enough, ladies always receive free admission.
The show did not impress me, but the story line in HBO’s vampire success True Blood has taken the world by storm. Actually, the entire concept of vampires has taken the world by storm. But this Halloween, all things aside, it is time to celebrate some vampires. The entire True Blood cast will be hosting Yelloween at Lavo. The party will be hosted by True Blood stars, some who are even from Las Vegas, and will provide you with a night full of star gazing.
I might have said some of these clubs are on my list of favorites, but my single favorite bar in Las Vegas is Pure. This year at Pure you can be treated to an event hosted by Nicky Hilton. The stellar fashion designer and socialite will host Halloween night at Pure Nightclub at Caesars Palace. She’ll be putting her eye for fashion to good use as a judge in the costume contest with $10,000 in prizes. Pure is actually the place that the Pussycat Dolls started their career as dancers but now is being handed over to the gods of fashion for this Halloween night.
This is just a short list of some recommendations for your holiday enjoyment. These are some of the best places to party in Las Vegas and I suggest you trying to hit them all if you can. Vegas is one of my favorite cities in the world and while I will not be there this Halloween, I still manage to know where all the hot spots are. So take my advice and book a plane ticket for this weekend, it is not too late. Pack your screwiest costume and try to earn some Benjamins. And don’t forget, what happens in Vegas stays on Facebook.
