Halloween isn’t strictly child’s play any more. While grown-ups still stay busy sweetening the season for kids, there are lots of adult-oriented tricks and treats. So, take a last-minute look at these holiday go-and-do activities for mature witches and warlocks.
Martinis & Imax Fright Night
Fernbank’s popular Martinis & Imax event serves up cocktails, small plates and live entertainment alongside Imax flicks. The Halloween edition will spook things up with a costume contest and dancing — grooves courtesy of Lethal Rhythms DJs. Admission includes a pair of Imax films: “Robots” and “Wonders of the Arctic.” A special $16 ticket will cover the party and movies, as well as access to the new exhibits “Searching for the Queen of Sheba” and “National Geographic’s Women of Vision.”
7 p.m. Oct. 30. $8 general admission. Party and Imax films: $13, $12 students and seniors, $8 museum members. Fernbank Museum of Natural History, 767 Clifton Road N.E., Atlanta. 404-929-6300, fernbankmuseum.org/calendar-of-events/martinis-imax-fright-night.
Fright Night Halloween Edition of Noche Caliente
Salsa ATL, the group behind the Noche Caliente Latin dance parties at Cabana Lounge, spikes the seasonal sangria with some Halloween elixir. Step into the party at 9 p.m. for a salsa and bachata lesson. In between dance steps, a costume contest will offer prizes for such categories as sexiest, scariest and best couple. To help fuel the frenzy, the kitchen will conjure food until 1:30 a.m. And revelers can dance the night away until 3 a.m. The time change means you get an extra hour to cut some raucous rug.
9 p.m. Oct. 31. $15. Cabana Lounge ATL, 3907 Burns Road N.W., Lilburn. 770-855-4396, salsaatl.com.
The B-52s Halloween Scream
One of Athens’ prized rock ’n’ roll exports, the B-52s continue rocking their collective lobster nearly 40 years after teasing their first beehive ’do. Today, three of the original members (Cindy Wilson, Fred Schneider and Kate Pierson) carry the band’s new wave torch, touring periodically and performing a mix of hits (“Love Shack,” “Roam”) and deeper cuts (“Girl From Ipanema Goes to Greenland,” “Lava”). The band’s Halloween shows are legendary, especially the 1989 gig at the Fox when a majority of the audience danced its mess around in full costume.
8 p.m. Oct. 30. $40-$125 plus fees. Fox Theatre, 660 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 1-855-285-8499, foxtheatre.org.
Fon-Boo Bash
All four Atlanta area locations of the Melting Pot fondue restaurant chain will fire up their cauldrons in honor of the season of the witch. In order to help guests charge their batteries like Frankenstein’s monster before an evening of revelry, the eateries will open noon-5 p.m. on Halloween. A special three-course meal includes cheese fondue, filet mignon, shrimp, teriyaki-marinated sirloin, chicken, fish and veggies. They will cap it off with their signature sweet treat, chocolate fondue. If you bring a tot in tow, make sure he or she proclaims “trick-or-treat” to the server for a to-go bag of candy. Want to eat for free? Post a photo of yourself and your child in Halloween regalia on Facebook and tag the Melting Pot for a chance to win dinner for four.
Noon-5 p.m. Oct. 31. $29 adults, $17 children. The Melting Pot. 754 Peachtree St. N.E., Atlanta. 404-389-0099; 3610 Satellite Blvd., Duluth. 770-623-1290; 1055 Mansell Road, Roswell. 770-518-4100; 2500 Cobb Place Lane N.W., Kennesaw. 770-425-1411, meltingpot.com.
An Evening of Espionage
The Atlanta location of Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is looking at Halloween this year through a spy glass. In honor of the release of the new James Bond film “SPECTRE,” hitting theaters Nov. 6, Fleming’s is throwing a dinner party that will include hors d’oeuvres and four courses paired with cocktails worthy of 007 himself. Cocktail hour will fire off at 6:30 p.m. with caviar, oysters on the half shell and a choice of either the 007 Martini or Bombe Negroni cocktails. The seated dinner will follow, with a New York strip with black garlic truffle butter and parsley shoestring potatoes in the starring role. A Black Tie soufflé and a Bang and Burn cocktail (vodka, sweet vermouth and cherry liqueur) will serve as the final act. Come dressed as Blofeld, Honey Rider, Moneypenny, the super spy or any Bond character you can dream up; they’ll be doling out prizes for the best costumes. Props will be on hand for photo ops and selfies. You might even get to take home a picture frame from Belvedere Vodka to display the evidence.
6:30 p.m. Oct. 31. $95. Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, 4501 Olde Perimeter Way, Atlanta. 770-698-8112, flemingssteakhouse.com/landing-pages/007.
Franks ’N Steins Halloween Bash
This costume party for those 21 and older will take place in the suds-soaked confines of Red Brick Brewing Co. Ticket holders will be able to dive into five hours of complimentary beer and score a commemorative pint glass to boot. Other libations will be offered at bars located throughout. And you can fill your belly with hot dogs and veggie dogs. A DJ will lure creatures of the night to the dance floor by spinning a mix of Top 40, house and more. The party will sprawl across three areas, including a patio, for extra elbow room.
9 p.m. Oct. 31. $35 advance; $150 for groups of five in advance; $75 at the door. Red Brick Brewing Co., 2323 Defoor Hills Road, Atlanta. atlantanightlife.com.
About the Author
