Cincinnati’s hottest Halloween events

Cincinnati has a jam-packed weekend for any Halloween party-goer looking to celebrate the spooky and macabre.

Movie buffs will love seeing The Denton Affair, a local theater group, perform a shadow cast version of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” at the Esquire Theatre. Shadow casts pantomime the movie in front of the screen, adding an extra level to the eccentricity to the film. The Denton Affair performs at the Esquire every other Saturday throughout the year, but according to Diane Janicki, operations manager for Theater Management Corp., there is an extra-special Halloween performance Oct. 27, followed by another on Oct. 28. Audience members are encouraged to dress up, and since audience participation is such a big part of the show, everyone is invited to yell and joke along with the performers. Saturday night at the Esquire might not be the place for a quiet night at the movies, but it is the perfect place to get in the Halloween spirit.

Of course, one of Cincinnati’s great breweries has to get in on the Halloween celebration. Following its namesake, Rhinegiest, meaning “ghost of the Rhine,” is having a scare-filled Halloween party. From Oct. 27 at 8 p.m. until 2 a.m. Oct. 28, come and dance along with music provided by various DJs at Rhinegiest. Feel free to rock your best costume and enjoy some of the brewery’s many specially-crafted beers, including those from its seasonal collection, like Andromeda. According to its Facebook page, the event is “BYO garlic and wooden stakes.” Garlic necklace or not, be sure to enjoy some locally-crafted creepy brews and dance the night away this weekend.

There’s even more spooky fun to be had at the historic 21c Cincinnati Museum and Hotel. The 21c is holding a Creatures of the Night party Oct. 27, starting at 9 p.m. and ending at 1 a.m. Oct. 28. This event is only for those who are at least 21 years of age. At the party, people will be “concocting creepy cocktails and a special Halloween punch,” according to the 21c website. Costumes are requested, but not required, and everyone is invited to get involved in the costume contest. Winners can receive a variety of prizes, including a night’s stay at the 21c — or for the couple’s costume winners, a massage for two at the 21c spa. For anyone who doesn’t have a costume, “The Queen City’s elite makeup professionals will be on hand to help you manifest your inner creature” for free, according to the 21c website. While admission to the frightening event is free, 21c suggests a $10 donation for the Ohio American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), whose purpose is to “defend people across the political spectrum, from minority to majority.” 21c is the perfect place to support a good cause while getting freaky.