Nightlife: There will be blood - and parties, too

Psycho Suzi's had me at all-you-can-drink "sacrificial blood."

Next weekend, you won't be able to toss a severed zombie head without hitting a Halloween party. With that in mind, I thought it best to give you a jump start on your dress-up-and-drink plans.

Halloween lands on a Wednesday this year, so the weekend leading up to this massive party day will be rife with costume contests, dance parties and all-you-can-consume soirees (including fake blood at that giant tiki palace down by the river).

I've cut down the party list to these 10 sure bets.

One night after its grand opening, downtown Minneapolis' new video-game nightclub will host a huge Halloween party. Expect a sensory overload in the former Karma with cash prizes and an iPad 3 to the best video-game-themed costume.

$10. 9 p.m. Oct. 27. 315 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-564-4016. www.insertcoinsmpls.com

This is the anti-naughty nurse party. Jager's "Halloween Speakeasy" is Prohibition-themed with classic cocktails, plus jazz and ragtime tunes. Make sure you dress the part (flapper frock and pinstripe suits maybe?).

The fifth annual Big Gay Halloween Party is back with New York's remix king, Tony Moran.

$10-$15. 10 p.m. Oct. 26. 110 N. 5th St., Mpls. 612-332-3742. www.epicmpls.com

The swanky downtown nightclub's costume contest features one of the Twin Cities' largest cash prizes -- $1,000.

$10. 9 p.m. Oct. 27. 411 2nd Av. N., Mpls. 612-333-8800. www.theloungempls.com

This is the anti-top 40 Halloween bash. Each month, DJ Shannon Blowtorch celebrates what she calls the "queer revolution" with her dance night, Berlin. The Halloween edition will brim with her usual ear for non-mainstream dance songs, plus a performance by Mistress Victoria DeVille.

They're killing two birds with one stone -- Brit's 22nd anniversary and a Halloween party. Costume advice? Dress as your favorite Brit.

No cover. 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27. 1110 Nicollet Mall, Mpls. 612-332-3908. www.britspub.com

It's the Halloween edition of the club's monthly gay dance night, Flip Phone, which celebrates music from the "flip phone era" (1996-2006). They even have a giant flip phone on site.

$5. 9:30 p.m. Oct. 31. 205 E. Hennepin Av., Mpls. 612-746-0306. www.honeympls.com

Zombie Michael Jackson not necessary but always encouraged at this downtown club's annual "Thriller" bash. First prize for its big costume contest is a trip to the Bahamas. Also: $85 open bar.

Dress to impress at First Ave's always-wild costume party, with music by DJ Soviet Panda. Your entry ticket also gets you access to the Record Room's reggae-tinged "Holla-Ween VI: Dreadlocks & Debauchery."

$5-$10. 8 p.m. Oct. 31. 701 1st Av. N., Mpls. 612-332-1775.

www.first-avenue.com

It's like New Year's Eve with an all-you-can-consume entry fee that gets you unlimited cocktails, beer, wine and bubbly (and the aforementioned sacrificial blood). Suzi has dubbed it the "Old Fashioned & Slightly Psychotic Halloween Costume Party."

$30-$35. 7-10 p.m. Oct. 31. 1900 NE. Marshall St., Mpls. 612-788-9069. www.psychosuzis.com