Chicago's top five Halloween events for adults

Halloween isn't just for kids, and Chicago has plenty of ways for grown-ups to celebrate the season with cocktails, costumes, dancing, a little mischief and some seriously unusual settings. Whether your ideal Halloween date involves sipping drinks among exotic animals, dressing as a vampire or dancing the night away in one of Chicago's most historic hotels, these five events offer something considerably more interesting than trick-or-treating.

Here are five Halloween experiences worth putting on your calendar for a night out with someone special, a group of friends or anyone who takes Halloween very seriously.

Memento Mori Halloween Gala at the International Museum of Surgical Science

Oct. 30 | 7–11 p.m. | Gold Coast

For an elegant Halloween night with a deliciously dark twist, head to the International Museum of Surgical Science for its fifth annual Memento Mori Gala. Housed in a historic lakeside mansion, the museum is already one of Chicago's more unusual venues. Add costumes, candlelight, cocktails and a Halloween crowd and you've got a date night with plenty of conversation starters.

The evening includes four complimentary drink tickets, dancing in the candlelit Hall of Immortals, spooky stories from Dead Reckoning Theater Company, hors d'oeuvres and desserts, tarot and palm readings, a photo booth and a silent auction. Costumes are encouraged, with the museum suggesting guests "Dress to Distress."

The 21+ event runs from 7 to 11 p.m., and tickets are $100-$150. (International Museum of Surgical Science)

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Haunted House Party at Shedd Aquarium

Oct. 31 | 7–11 p.m. | Museum Campus

Forget dinner and a movie. How about a Halloween party surrounded by aquatic life?

Shedd Aquarium turns the evening into an adults-only Halloween bash with house music, costumes, DJs and eerie eats. DJ Gent Hunt and DJ Heather are scheduled to provide the soundtrack while guests dance their way through the aquarium.

The 21+ event runs from 7 to 11 p.m. on Halloween night, making it an especially fun option for couples who want something decidedly different from the usual Halloween bar scene. General admission is currently $29.95, with a $19.95 price for members. (Choose Chicago)

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Zoo Brews: Howls & Growls at Lincoln Park Zoo

Oct. 23 and 24 | 6:30–10 p.m. | Lincoln Park

A Halloween party at the zoo? Absolutely.

Lincoln Park Zoo opens the gates after dark for Zoo Brews: Howls & Growls, an adults-only evening built around craft beer, cider, costumes and plenty of Halloween entertainment.

Guests can make their way through themed sampling stations, with unlimited beer and cider samples included with admission. There are also roaming entertainers, live DJs, a pumpkin-carving demonstration, a costume contest and unlimited rides on the carousel, Ferris wheel and giant slide.

The event takes place Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. Tickets currently range from $55 to $70 depending on when purchased. (Choose Chicago)

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Chicago Vampire Ball at the Warwick Allerton

Oct. 9 | 8 p.m.–2 a.m. | Magnificent Mile

If you're going to do Halloween, you might as well commit.

The Warwick Allerton - Chicago becomes the setting for the seventh annual Chicago Vampire Ball, a 21+ night of gothic costumes, live entertainment and decidedly unconventional Halloween fun.

The evening features a Chicago Vampire Queen competition, burlesque performances by BimBamBoom, tarot readings, a costume contest, live bat appearances, blacklight body painting, a DJ after-party and a full bar. And yes, vampire attire is required. Fangs will be checked, so consider yourself warned.

The party runs from 8 p.m. until 2 a.m., giving guests plenty of time to settle into their alter egos. General admission is currently listed at $55 through Hot Tix. (Hot Tix)

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Haunted Halloween Ball at the Congress Plaza Hotel

Oct. 31 | 9 p.m.–2 a.m. | Downtown

For those who want their Halloween night to end with dancing rather than a polite goodnight, the Haunted Halloween Ball at the The Congress Plaza Hotel & Convention Center takes over the historic Michigan Avenue hotel on Oct. 31.

The 21+ party features multiple party areas, DJs, elaborate costumes, bars and VIP tables, with the hotel's famously spooky reputation adding to the atmosphere. Costumes are required, so this isn't the night for a last-minute black T-shirt and cat ears.

General admission starts at $20 for early-bird tickets, while VIP table packages are available for groups. The party runs from 9 p.m. until 2 a.m., giving Halloween revelers six hours to make the most of the night. (Haunted Halloween Ball)

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For couples looking to turn Halloween into a proper night out, these five offer plenty of options, from candlelit cocktails and tarot readings to dancing with vampires and drinking your way through the zoo. Just remember: costumes aren't merely encouraged at some of these events. They're part of the fun.

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