Halloween 2009 in Chicago

3400 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60657 (map)

If you're a man who's planning on a gender-bending costume, this Boystown shop is the place. Find plenty of wigs, feather boas and stilettos sized for RuPaul wannabes.

1100 W Cermak Rd 2nd Fl, Chicago, IL 60608 (map)

This South Loop costume standby--it's been around since 1886--knows its stuff. It caters to theatrical performances year-round, so there's a great stock of elaborate costumes, from the traditional to the oddball, available for three-day rentals ($250 deposit required).

4065 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60641 (map)

It's unlikely that you'll find yourself at a loss for options at this block-long costume megastore where would-be pirates, sailors, cowboys and Victorian ladies clamor for lavish rental costumes as well as costume components and theatrical stage makeup to make their Halloween fantasies come to life. If the costume you've got in mind is a little out of the ordinary, don't fret; the staff loves a challenge.

1120 W Fullerton Ave, Chicago, IL 60614 (map)

This small Lincoln Park storefront can deck you out in anything from the odd costume piece (angel wings, "Top Gun"-style aviator shades, Marilyn Monroe wig) to full-on, elaborate get-ups (vampires, phantoms, cheerleaders), either pre-packaged or rented.

56 W Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

Everyone's favorite subterranean VIP den trades in its military-chic motif for an underworld theme this Halloween weekend, with two nights of tricks and treats. On Halloween (Oct. 31, 9pm-5am), the theme is the Coven, so come dressed as your favorite blood-sucking vampire (cue the Rob Pattinson impersonators). The Crypt comes back to life on All Souls Day Evening (Nov. 1, 10pm-4am) for a night of undead debauchery. Skeletons, ghosts and all manner of spirit-world specters are the costume theme du jour.

151 W Erie St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

Throw on that naughty nurse get-up and head for this martini mecca for two nights of costume contests and live music from local acts Hey Jimmy (Oct. 30) and IPOP (Oct. 31). Ladies get in free both nights, and men pay a reasonable $5 cover. The crowd here tends to be 30s-and-up, so expect martini-fueled merriment of the somewhat less wild variety. The best costumes on both nights will win their wearers cash prizes.

937 N Rush St, Chicago, IL 60611 (map)

Someone was bound to do it this year, and it might as well be one of Chicago's most established dance clubs. We're talking about a Thriller party, of course. Practice your zombie dance moves before heading to this chic Gold Coast mainstay Friday night (Oct. 30, 10pm-4am, $20 cover) for a midnight Halloween-themed fashion show with body-painted models strutting the catwalk to the tunes of the King of Pop.

333 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610 (map)

The Hotel Sax's sexy boite tips its hat to the oh-so-trendy Roaring '20s with its Speakeasy Halloween bash (Oct. 31, 8pm-3am). Don your fringed flapper skirt or Capone-inspired suit for a party featuring live music from Sullivan and the Tommy Guns (9pm-11pm), followed by DJ Evil One (11pm-3am).

3700 N Halsted St, Chicago, IL 60613 (map)

Old-school, campy horror is the name of the game at this pop-culture-loving Boystown lounge, where 3D Halloween movies play on screens throughout and all guests receive 3D glasses to take in the gore. Gender-bending divas give live performances, and a costume contest promises cash and prizes for the best-outfitted patrons.

8401 31st St, Brookfield, IL 60513 (map)

Bring the wee ones for two weekends (Oct. 17-18 and 24-25, 11am-3pm) of not-too-scary fun and friendly spooks at the zoo's annual Boo! at the Zoo celebration. Craft activities like professional pumpkin-carving demos and scarecrow-making, as well as a costume parade and haunted hayrides make this a spook-tacular event for all ages.