Where to Celebrate Halloween in Boston

The day (and night) is almost upon us… October 31, All Hallow’s Eve, All Saint’s Day, or simply Halloween. Whether you’ve known what you wanted to be since November 1st of last year, or you plan to duct tape some ad-hoc costume together last minute, it’s time to prepare for the night. If you’re a free spirit in Boston this spooky night, your final question may be this: where, in this city of age-old bars and legendary venues, should I go to celebrate Halloween?

For those with Victorian-inspired elegant garb and a mask hanging in your closet as we speak, there is the Halloween Masquerade Ball. Hosted at the Bastille Kitchen’s Chalet Lounge, the venue’s combination of old-fashioned elegance and modern chic makes it the best place enjoy a masquerade this side of the century. Beginning at 9 pm, enjoy the mystery of seeing a hidden face behind a mask, the intrigue before the stranger’s unveiling, and of course, the fun of dancing. Visit the website to see full details and to purchase tickets.

Then, there are those who realized that Halloween fell on a Saturday night this year and in their crystal ball predicted a stylishly epic night. All of your kind, meet at Gem, an Italian restaurant by day and one of Boston’s hottest clubs by night, for heavy beats, drinks and dancing. This year’s Halloween Costume Party provides the energetic, yet intimate atmosphere to attract all the fun, young, and fashionable in the downtown area to listen and get down to DJ JesseJess mixing EDM, Hip Hop, and House music. you can opt for general admission and pay as you go to imbibe, or you and your friends can enjoy Halloween as VIPs with bottle service and your own private space with the purchase of a table. Head to Gem’s website for tickets, table information, and all other specifics.

Or, take the trick-or-treating to Boston’s most innovative new venue, District Hall, which will throw what they promise to be the biggest Halloween bash in the area. The “Halloween Ball in the Hall”  will include two rooms for your partying pleasure. In one, the area-legend cover band Never in Vegas will perform their high-energy set, while a DJ playing retro hits will take care of you in the other. Plus, great news for those of you with a magnificent costume all lined up: while you celebrate Halloween, you could win the 500 dollar prize for the best Halloween costume. You can register online for free tickets to the “Halloween Ball in the Hall,” but it’s best to guarantee admission by purchasing a ticket upfront to avoid the first-come first-served scramble.

This year, leave the cemeteries behind and dance off the cobwebs at the best Halloween celebrations downtown Boston has to offer.