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 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 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 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. 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
