There's no Halloween like a Halloween with drag queens, burlesque shows and friendly LGBTQ company. With the season kicking into high gear this weekend, our team at BTL has organized a list of queer-friendly Halloween celebrations that are sure to be a fabulous time.
Homophobia is such a Drag!
Where: SOHO Ferndale – 205 W. 9 Mile Road, Ferndale
When: Saturday, Oct. 20 at 10 p.m.
Details: "Join us as we party for a cause and support the wonderful work that Ruth Ellis Center does for our community. Homophobia is Such a Drag will feature a costume contest ($300 grand prize), drink specials, gift raffle and more. In the spirit of Halloween, costumes or drag looks are encouraged."
Rocky Horror After Party
Where: Necto Nightclub – 516 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
When: Saturday, Oct. 20 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Details: "Join us as we celebrate the 2nd annual presentation of the Rocky Horror Picture Show at the Michigan Theater! Enjoy great Rocky Horror drink specials with all the crazy glitz and glamour at Ann Arbor's best nightclub in town. $5 for guaranteed general admission after the show or $15 to skip the line!"
DLP Presents Zombie Prom
Where: Spiral-DanceBar – 1247 Center St., Lansing
When: Saturday, Oct. 20 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.
Details: "Dress in your fanciest prom wear and then splatter it with blood, because we're ready to get messy. Enjoy music in the main room from our resident DJ Klees and drag performances throughout the night featuring Asio Aviance and Caj Monet. We'll have gogos on the bar, shot boys, performances and a costume contest, with a $100 prize package for the best dressed! Make sure you find our Snapchat geofilter while you're here!"
SuicideGirls: Blackheart Burlesque
Where: The Majestic – 4120-4140 Woodward Ave., Detroit
When: Thursday, Oct. 25 from 9 to 11 p.m.
Details: "The SuicideGirls: Blackheart Burlesque is unlike any other burlesque act you've ever seen, filled with pop culture references, a high-energy indie soundtrack and the sexiest choreography that will make your inner nerd explode with glee. Choreographed by one of their very own – you can see 'Star Wars,' 'Rick and Morty,' 'Stranger Things,' 'Sailor Moon' and more!"
"For Saints and Sinners" a Halloween Party
Where: Ant Hall – 2320 Caniff Ave., Hamtramck
When: Friday, Oct. 26 at 12 p.m.
Details: "Willa Rae & the Minor Arcana cordially invite you to a night of worldly pleasures and auditory luxuriance … including live DJs, burlesque, arial and a chance to confess your sins, so start accumulating them. All souls require costume for admission."
Pride Halloween 2018
Where: Necto Nightclub – 516 E. Liberty St., Ann Arbor
When: Friday, Oct. 26 from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Details: Midnight costume contest – High-energy dance music from DJ Jace – Free professional photographs – Hosted by Chanel Hunter and Jadein Black.
Detroit School of Burlesque Halloween Anniversary Party
Where: Detroit School of Burlesque – 483 W. Marshall St., Ferndale
When: Friday, Oct. 26 from 7:30 – 10:30 p.m.
Details: "Join us to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Detroit School of Burlesque Grand Opening! Enjoy catered hors d'oeuvres and cocktails, photos in front of our Halloween backdrop, one night only luxe showgirl and class discounts, champagne toast, raffles, games and prizes for the best costume!"
Ta-Boo Halloween Party!
Where: CLUB TABU – 3208 S Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Lansing
When: Friday, Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. – 4 a.m.
Details: "It's time for another epic CLUB TABU bash, and there's no better holiday than Halloween to do so! For our naughty little peeps that cum dressed in a costume of sorts, and couples that are dressed in a theme, admission is only $10. Single's admission is $20. Couples that are not dressed cost $35."
Hallo-Weenie: Dia De Los Muertos
Where: The Dunes Resort – 333 Blue Star Hwy, Douglas
When: Friday, Oct. 26 at 9 p.m. – Sunday, October 28 at 9 p.m.
Details: Dia De Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) Theme – Resident DJ Doug Robers – Costume Contests (Best Drag, Best Group, Best Overall) – Karaoke – Bobby on the Piano.
Halloween Costume Contest – Apartment Lounge
Where: Apartment Lounge – 33 Sheldon Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
When: Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Details: "It's our annual Halloween party! Come down in your best Halloween costume and enter to win cash prizes. All contestants must be present and entered in the contest by 11 p.m."
The Addams Family Halloween Party (Spiral – Lansing)
Where: Spiral-DanceBar – 1247 St., Lansing
When: Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Details: "They're creepy and they're kooky, mysterious and spooky … This Halloween, we're paying tribute to everyone's favorite ghoulish TV family, The Addams Family! Enter our costume contest and you'll have a chance at $200 for first place or $100 for second place. Dance to the sounds of DJ Sizi and enjoy drag performances on the main stage. We'll also have sexy gogos on the bar, a photo booth, custom Snapchat filter, hot shot boys and a special Halloween drink menu."
A Menjo's Halloween Costume Contest
Where: Menjos Entertainment Complex – 928 W McNichols Road, Detroit
When: Saturday, Oct. 27 from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m.
Details: "It's that one night of the year that you can be a 300-pound bear in a pink tutu w/ tuna cans for earrings and nobody bats an eye. Yes spooks, kooks and queens, the gay high hold day is upon us and tonight we will be throwing cold hard cash ($250 bucks).
Just sign up with our gracious hostess for the contest and enjoy the evening festivities including seasonal treats, plus the Olympics patio will be open for this event featuring seasonal spiced shots and Oktoberfest beer specials throughout the night!"
Halloween Night – Sloppy Seconds Halloween Costume Contest
Where: Menjos Entertainment Complex – 928 W McNichols Road, Detroit
When: Wednesday, Oct. 31 from 9 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Details: "You've put a ton of work into your costumes, you cleaned Michael's and Jo-Ann's out of glitter, felt, feathers and gold anything and your costume still didn't win shit … well here's your shot at redemption.
We invite you to cash in on our Annual Sloppy Seconds Halloween Costume Contest featuring a special guest hostess, seasonal drink & specials all night long with a special Halloween-themed after party over at the Eagle."
Birthday Bash & Halloween Party for Transgender Michigan
Where: Affirmations – 290 W 9 Mile Road, Ferndale
When: Friday, Nov. 2 from 6 – 9 p.m.
Details: "Celebrating Transgender Michigan's 21st Anniversary, Halloween and Rachel Crandall's upcoming birthday (presents cheerfully accepted). Karaoke with DJ Megan. No cover charge, but donations to Transgender Michigan are encouraged."
