Halloween in New York means raucous, costumed crowds parading down the street (whether or not they’re actually involved in the parade) and a whole lot of paid-entry parties. If you want to avoid the hubbub, host a party of your own and try serving your guests some spooky alternatives to the average mixed drink. However, if you feel like gazing upon the variety of costumes New Yorkers (and, let’s face it, plenty of people from New Jersey) put on for the holiday, here are some spots where you might want to get your drink on.

Ella Lounge: Ella Lounge already boasts a red-lit interior, filled with glowing candles. It’s also not a bad place to dance, and the dual floors should make it even more exciting to get lost in the sea of Halloween outfits. The narrow, red-curtained entryway offers ample spookiness before you enter the hour-long open vodka bar (from 9–10 PM) at $10 for general admission and $20 for access to the VIP lounge (and it’s probably worth the extra $10, considering the crazy prices Halloween events can climb to in the city). (9 Avenue A; 212-777-2230)

Club Shade: On Halloween night, NYC’s nomadic Club Shade will host a party from 11 PM to 6 AM. In other words, this is a real party, not for the faint of heart. Performers include Matrixxman, Physical Therapy, Michael Magnan, and Max McFerren. Admission costs $35, but all proceeds go to the Ali Forney Center for homeless LGBTQ youth. Plus, you can’t know the actual location until you buy tickets.

The Headless Horseman: How can you pass up a haunt named after the famously horrifying legend of Sleepy Hollow this Hallows Eve? The bar’s environment reflects the era of the horseman, so think eighteenth-century, Northeastern woods (and possibly some angry-looking pumpkins?). General admission costs $10 and the party begins at 4 PM, so you can start drinking craft beer and cocktails in the afternoon and keep at it for a solid twelve hours. Yup the party there lasts until 4 AM. (119 E 15th St.; 212-777-5101)

Jekyll & Hyde: Yes, this place is extremely corny. No, it could not avoid making its way onto a Halloween bar list. The place is so delightfully tacky that some native New Yorkers who grew up with the restaurant based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s 1886 novel still feel compelled to return once in a while as adults (it’s true—I know such people). Though the “chilling” special effects may seem like they’re aimed more at scaring children than grown-ups, get a couple drinks in you (there’s a surprisingly decent beer selection) and you’ll be screaming at the next robotic skeleton to flash its eyes at you (or do whatever it is that robotic skeletons do). (91 7th Ave. S; 212-989-7701)

The Pyramid Club: The Pyramid Club’s celebrating Halloween on Thursday this year instead of Friday the 31st, which means you’ve got an excuse to party for an extra day—that excuse being the ability to win up to $100 worth of bar tab for showing up with the best costume. (Second prize gets $50 to spend on drinks at the club.) Even better than that, there will be $3 beers and $4 vodka drinks all night, while women get a two for one special between 11 PM and 1 AM if they show up to the club with the appropriate flyer. The best part, however, is that it’s an 80s dance party. Sold, right? (101 Avenue A; 212-228-4888)

Gansevoort Park Rooftop: These kinds of mass, hotel Halloween parties can be a real turn-off, but the venue at the Gansevoort Park is worth subjecting yourself to the drunken hordes. The view’s amazing, there’s a pool (for designated ticket holders only to gaze upon), and each room/lounge has the kind of name that suggests an intriguing Halloween display, like “Ivy” and “Red.” You can shell out over $2,000 if you want to get really fancy, but there’s no need. The trick is to show up after 1 AM, when the party has actually hit its stride and tickets only cost $10. (420 Park Ave. S; 646-380-5391)

Ear Inn: The Ear Inn building was erected in the eighteenth century, according to the establishment’s website, and has been called one of Manhattan’s oldest bars. It started doling out beer and whiskey to “thirsty sailors” in the mid-nineteenth century, some of whom apparently still haunt the place. For example, patrons/employees have spotted (or possibly just heard) a ghost by the name of “Mickey,” who, legend has it, was killed right in front of the inn. Besides featuring ghosts, the place’s history is just plain interesting, so ask the bartender about it when you arrive this Hallows Eve. (326 Spring St.; 212-226-9060)

Photo via Jekyll and Hyde