Where to strut your spooky side

Whether or not you feel too old to trick-or-treat, you’re definitely too young to stay at home on a Friday night. So partake in a costume contest, go on a bar crawl or shiver with antici…pation at the sight of Dr. Frankenfurter’s fishnets. Here are some ways to spend a ghoulish night in D.C. and have a very happy Halloween:

Thursday

Apex (formerly Badlands)
Ghosts & Goblins Halloween Bash
Free with college ID, $5 without.
18 to enter.
Doors open at 9 p.m.
1415 22nd St.
Dupont Circle Metro
(202) 296-0505
http://www.apex-dc.com
At this gay club the person with best costume will win $100. DJ Timothy Mykael spins and the video bar opens at 11 p.m. Can everyone say “Dancing Queen?”

Friday

Avalon Theatre
“The Body Snatcher” at 2 p.m.
$5.
The Exorcist” at midnight
$6.
All ages.
5612 Connecticut Ave.
Friendship Heights Metro
(202) 966-6000
http://www.theavalon.org
In addition to scary movie screenings, the Avalon offers prizes for best costume Halloween night.

Chaos
$3, receive $3 coupon for the bar.
21 and up.
Doors open at 8 p.m.
1603 17th St.
Dupont Circle Metro
(202) 232-4141
http://www.chaosdc.com
In addition to the usual sparkles, feathers and drag shows, Chaos will also host a costume contest on Friday. Winner gets $100.

Club Space
Grand Masquerade Ball
$20
18 to enter.
Doors open at 9 p.m.
714 Sixth St.
http://www.grandmasqueradeball.com
Those in the best costume at Club Space could get a free trip to Cancun, Mexico or a flat screen television set. Drink specials, trance and hip-hop music will last all night. Shuttles will run from AU, George Mason University and University of Maryland. Ticket sales will end online at 3 p.m. Friday.

Dream
A Nightmare on Okie Street
Doors open at 6 p.m.
1350 Okie St. NE
(202)636-9030
http://www.welcometodream.com
The group Floetry performs at Dream’s Halloween Bash.

George Washington University
“Rocky Horror Picture Show”
Marvin Center Grand Ballroom
$5
All ages to enter
11 p.m. to 2 a.m.
800 21st St.
Foggy Bottom Metro
(202) 994-7470
gwired.gwu.edu
Sponsored by Forbidden Planet Productions
Do the ‘Time Warp’ to this late night screening of the classic” Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Hard Rock Cafe
Graveyard Jam
$10 in advance, $12 at the door.
8 p.m. to 3 a.m.
999 E St.
Metro Center Metro
(202) 737-7625
http://www.dcyoungpro.com
The D.C. Society of Young Professionals is hosting its annual event as a dance-fest and costume contest at Hard Rock. Call (202) 686-6085 to order tickets. Visit http://www.dcyoungpro.com for more information.

Lulu’s Club Mardi Gras
The Annual DC101 Halloween Bash
Free until 7 p.m., then $10 with costume, $20 without.
21 to enter.
6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
1217 22nd St.
Dupont Circle Metro
(202) 861-5858
http://www.lulusclub.com
The winner of DC 101’s costume contest wins $1000, runner-up gets $500, $250 for third place.

Nation
Spooky IV
$15
18 to enter.
8 p.m. to 4 a.m.
1015 Half St.
Navy Yard Metro
(202) 554-1500
http://www.primacycompanies.com/nation
The person with the best costume wins $500 on Friday. Android Lust, My Robot Friend and Martiya Possession will perform and a number of DJs will be spinning.

Passport
Halloween Party
No cover charge
18 to enter
8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m.
4201 Connecticut Ave., NW
Van Ness Metro
(202) 363-8300
Passport offers a costume contest, door prizes, two live bands, free food and specials on shooters this Halloween.

Platinum
Ladies over 21 free before midnight.
18 to enter.
9 p.m.
915 F St., NW
Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro
(202) 393-3555
http://www.platinumclubdc.com
Rob Base and DJ EZ Rock will perform at Platinum’s Halloween event. Platinum features three dance floors. No athletic wear.

Rumors
Nightmare on M Street- Bar Crawl
$10 ($7 with costume)
21 and over
6 p.m. to 3 a.m.
1900 M St., NW
(202) 466-7378
Register for the bar crawl and drink specials that come with it at Rumors from 6 to 10 p.m. Participating bars include The Front Page, Tequila Grill, Sign of the Whale, Madhatter, Toka Cafe, Black Rooster Pub and Recessions. Recessions at 1700 K St. will also host a costume contest at midnight through a promotion from Lindy’s. Call (202) 296-6686.

State Theater
Decades Fright-Night Halloween Bash
$9 or free for ladies before 9 p.m.; $12 after.
7 p.m.
220 N. Washington St. (Rte 29)
Falls Church, Va.
East Falls Church Metro
(703) 237-0300
http://www.thestatetheater.com
The State Theater features a contest that awards $500 prize for the best costume.

VIP Club
Halloween Costume Party
Free for ladies until 11 p.m.
$15 after and for guys.
21 to enter.
9 p.m. to 3:30 a.m.
932 F St.
Gallery Place-Chinatown Metro
(202) 347-7200
http://www.vipclubdc.com
DCNITES is sponsoring this dance party and costume contest, offering $1,000 for the best costume. Huey Dunbar and Young MC will perform. VIP Club DJs spin international, dance, trance and hip-hop. No athletic wear, but jeans OK.

Visions
Halloween Party:
1985 High School Reunion Style
$5
All ages to enter, 21 to drink
9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
1927 Florida Ave.
Dupont Circle Metro
(202) 232-5689
http://www.visionsdc.com.
Featuring Jello shots, Atari video games, hits from 1985 and a costume contest.
Also featuring midnight screenings of “Donnie Darko” and “Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

Willie & Reed’s
Pimp and Hoes Halloween
No cover charge
21 to enter
10 p.m.
4901-A Fairmont Ave.
Bethesda, Md.
Bethesda Metro
(301) 951-1100
http://www.willieandreeds.com
This sports bar will host a live cover band, the Band of Blue. Miller Lite draughts are $1, and various door prizes will be given out for the best costumes.

-ANNE GODLASKY
and BLAIR PAYNE