Usually the scariest thing in New York City are the rent prices. But this past weekend, the Big Apple gave a ton of spooky reasons for partygoers to hit the town. And with Halloween on a Saturday this year (a rare occurrence that only happens once approximately every seven years) New Yorkers took full advantage of the anomaly. Yes, that included dozens of Elizabeth Holmes and Nathan Fielders. From a starry party where the costumes were above and beyond, to a brand new venue with a Dave Chappelle connection and debut Halloween weekend for an iconic club making its bow in NYC, here’s what it was like to galavant around the metropolis. 

The Cursed Amulet 

Elsewhere, Brooklyn

An annual tradition from the singular mind of the acclaimed comedian, actor, and comedian Julio Torres, the Cursed Amulet stakes a claim as the costume party to end all costume parties. Here you won’t find attendees dressed in simple Scream masks. Instead, the choices were an intense array of the most batshit, out-there, inventive costumes this side of the universe. That includes Torres, who went as someone who could simply be described as underwater, complete with plastic blue orb (to symbolize the water), a snorkel and plenty of fish. Walking in was met with a carnival atmosphere, as attendees posed in front of a backdrop depicting a circus. It was here where the costumed freaks flaunted their wares, including the fashion designer Mondo Guerra dressed as a cigarette surrounded by two friends as mirrors. Yes, they were Smoke and Mirrors. Then there’s the fellow who dressed as a slutty Spongebob, complete with a very large exterior. Meanwhile Francesca Scorsese was the Cowardly Lion and comedian Caleb Hearon was Captain Hook. Then there was Troye Sivan as a cowboy (complete with a red neckerchief), the pop star arriving in tow with his stylist Marc Forne, who was a 20s-era gangster. Inside the space, the theme conjured up by Torres’ warped mind was, to put it simply, a mother who knows her son is possessed. Cue the creepy children’s drawings scattered around the room, for good measure.  told you his mind was twisted.

Most Wanted Halloween Wild West Costume Ball 

The Stand West, Chelsea

The Stand is a longtime NYC comedy haven that draws top comedians, and last month they expanded with the Stand West, a location inside Chelsea Market, with a stable of starry-eyed opening acts including Dave Chappelle and Saturday Night Live’s Michael Che. On the Friday night before Halloween, the underground club turned into a wild west-themed party space. Outside was a gaggle of guys and gals dressed in plaids and massive hats who took plenty of smoke breaks on the small landing that led to the club. Inside, the music was courtesy DJ Scram Jones, a Mariah Carey and Wu-Tang Clan collaborator who is a legend in the New York scene. As a result, the music was a frenetic mix of 70s and 80s deep cuts and favorites, including the La Da De earworm “Gypsy Woman (She’s Homeless)” from Crystal Waters. He felt the room with such a deft hand that as the party raged in the intimate space, people actually danced. At a certain point, a platter of joints was passed around. And with that, another smoke break was in order.

Purple Disco Machine

Pacha Brooklyn

As Halloween night descended on the Big Apple, partygoers braved the chaotic subways and stratospherically-priced Ubers to head to Pacha New York, the US outpost of the classic Ibiza club known for both its late nights and cherry regalia. On Friday, the venue welcomed KAYTRANADA along with surprise guest Anderson .Paak Tonight, in addition to Eli Escobar, Tino Piontek took the stage. Better known by his superstar dancepop alias Purple Disco Machine, the gargantuan DJ and producer has serious Pacha cred: he recently held a weekly residency at the OG location in Ibiza and even released the song “Disco Cherry” in honor of the club. The beats cut through the night air, as a deafeningly delicious finale to Halloween weekend in the Big Apple.