Halloween: It's like New Year's with costumes

Forget New Year's Eve. When Halloween lands on a weekend -- as it does this year -- the downtown club scene prepares for a wild and crazy night.

"It's the biggest party day of the year besides New Year's," said Spin's district manager, Danny DiNovis.

Last year Halloween fell on a Friday, but that's just not as big as a Saturday (and it's been 11 years since we had a Saturday Halloween).

Most bars around the Twin Cities will celebrate, but downtown Minneapolis is the epicenter for the biggest and boldest parties. Expect costume contests galore.

Bootleggers owner Chris Mueller said it would be easy to mistake Halloween for New Year's, except for one glaring difference.

"New Year's Eve is about trying to class it up," Mueller said. "On Halloween, people are trying to trash it up."

DiNovis expects a glut of "very provocative" costumes and scantily-clad clubgoers: "It's that one night of the year that you can get away with anything."

10 p.m. Sat. 400 1st Av. N., Mpls. $10.

612-232-3232. www.aquampls.com

The party bar has a costume contest both today and Saturday.

9 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 323 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-338-4555. www.bootleggersmpls.com

The club gets all naughty with its sixth annual Fantasy and Fetish Ball. There'll be a dominatrix, stockades and cages. Ouch.

"Wicked Wonderland" is the theme here. Maybe a good time to check out the remodeled main room if you haven't already.

9 p.m. Sat. 411 2nd Av. N., Mpls. $10. 21 and older. 612-333-8800. www.theloungempls.com

New Orleans' Radiators are jamming again with their 24th annual Halloween masquerade ball.

8 p.m. Sat. 318 1st Av. N., Mpls. $25. 612-338-8100. www.finelinemusic.com

What else is there to say about First Ave's party? It's one of the best. Ian Rans of "Drinking With Ian" hosts.

612-332-1775. www.first-avenue.com

More costume contests both today and Saturday from one of the scene's wildest party bars.

9 p.m. Fri.-Sat. 14 N. 5th St., Mpls. 21 and older. 612-333-8820. www.ultimatefunbar.com

The "Red Carpet to Hell" party will take over the Living Room and Prohibition. The costume contests will give out several awards, including best celeb, cheesiest male, tackiest, etc. The cost? "Only your soul," they say.

9 p.m. Sat. 821 Marquette Av. S., Mpls.

The theme this year is "Silverscreen Halloween." Dress as your favorite film character or movie star and walk the red carpet. Please, no coked-out Lindsay Lohans. Costume contest winners get mini-Oscars.

10 p.m. Sat. 400 1st Av. N., Mpls. 21 and older. 612-338-2222. www.envympls.com

Looking to hook up on Halloween? Soundbar has "Love at First Bite." A bloody bite on either side of your neck will indicate your availability.

8 p.m. Sat. 414 3rd Av. N., Mpls. $7.

612-333-0363. www.414soundbar.com

9 p.m. Sat. 711 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls.

18 and older. 612-333-6100.

www.barflyminneapolis.com

More parties:

Bryant-Lake Bowl: Missed Lebowski Fest? Dudes of all kinds will abide at BLB's second annual Big Lebowski Halloween party. Bowling. Costume contests. Plus, the cult classic playing all day in the theater. (7:30 p.m. Sat., 810 W. Lake St., Mpls. Free. 612-825-3737. www.bryantlakebowl.com.)

Clubhouse Jäger: The ladies behind L'Etoile host Saturday's most stylish party, with Ouija boards, creative A.V., a photo booth and DJs. (10 p.m. Sat., 923 Washington Av. N., Mpls. $5. 21 and older. www.clubjaeger.com)

Lowertown: The BOOs Crawl is back in downtown St. Paul. $10 passport gets you a drink at each of the following bars: Barrio, Bulldog, Black Dog Cafe, Rumours & Innuendo, Trattoria da Vinci, Señor Wong, Station 4. (6 p.m. Sat., More info: www.lowertowned.com.)

Gay 90s: Big costume contest and a special Halloween-themed La Femme drag show. (9 p.m. Sat., 408 Hennepin Av. S., Mpls. www.gay90s.com)

thorgen@startribune.com • 612-673-7909