'12 Halloween Parties Around Bradenton

In observance of Halloween 2012, we've found a dozen local parties happening across town - and it wasn't difficult because most of Bradenton's bars are getting into the spirit!

Halloween falls on Wednesday, but the celebrations are this weekend. Most local pubs are hosting Halloween parties Saturday night, a few on Friday and one is waiting until Nov. 3 (Hi-Way Bar. Details next Thursday).

Here's what we found. Anything missing? Let everyone know on the comment board!

Clancy's Irish Sports Pub, 6218 Cortez Rd., has a Rock N' Roll Halloween Party Friday night with live music from Matt Brow from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. followed by Power Surge from 10 p.m. to midnight.

Ace’s Lounge, 4343 Palma Sola Blvd., is hosting its 4th Annual Sugar Shack Ball Halloween Party starting at 9 p.m. Friday. Live music from The Damon Fowler Group, a costume party with prizes for the best costume and drink specials. This will be a non-smoking show. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door on Friday. Click here to order online.

Rasher Tierney's Irish Pub, 5106 14th St. W., is celebrating Halloween on Friday with a costume contest, $2 Pabst Blue Ribbon beers and live music including Halloween-themed tunes from A Gentlemen Army from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Festivities are happening Rasher's front bar.

Tommy Knockers Saloon, 5627 14th St. W., has three costume contests on Friday, Saturday and Wednesday nights. Cash prizes of $100 and $50 bar tabs for the winners.

The Fourth Annual Zombie Fest is 5 p..m to 10 p.m. Saturday on Old Main Street, but the official "Zombification Station" at Classic Ink, 306 Old Main St., opens at 1 p.m. Get there early because there are only a few artists to go around! Old Main Street between Manatee and Third avenues west closes to vehicular traffic at 2:30 p.m. — park your car at the public lot at Third Avenue West and Old Main Street or in a parking garage. DJ music from Odi Diaz later in the evening. After the party ends on Old Main Street, its pubs continue the festivities: The Distillery Tavern, 450 Old Main St.; The Lost Kangaroo Pub, 406 Old Main St.; O’Bricks Irish Pub & Martini Bar, 427 Old Main St.; McCabe’s Irish Pub, 302 Old Main St.; Old Main Pub, 313 Old Main St., and Cork’s Cigar Bar, 424 Old Main St.

The Cellar Bar, 4307 26th St. W., is hosting two Halloween parties. The first one is Saturday from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. and the second is Halloween Night, Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. The Cellar has $1,000 in cash and prizes to give out on both nights for the costumes that are the scariest, sexiest, most original, stupidest and best overall.

Hallo-Weekend at Tarpon Pointe Grill & Tiki Bar, 801 Riverside Drive E., starts with a family-friendly event from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday with face painting, a hay maze and other events geared toward the younger crowd. Adult fun is 7 p.m. to midnight at the Haunted Tiki Bar with live music, drink and food specials and a costume contest with $100 cash prizes for the best rock star costume, best ‘80s costume and best sports costume. Gift certificates of $50 and $25 for second and third places.

One of the longest running Halloween parties in town is the 16th Annual Boo Bash at Joyland, 5520 14th St. W., starting at 7 p.m. Saturday. More than $1,000 in prizes will go to costumes that are the best overall, most original and sexiest.

Party on the patio at Pier 22, 1200 Barcarrota Blvd., during its annual Costumes & Cocktails at 7 p.m. Saturday with special drinks like Vampire Heart, Witch’s Brew, Acid Drops, Beetle Juice, Deadly Niteshade. Prizes for best costumes are $100 for first place, $50 for second and a $25 Pier 22 gift card for third.

MannateesSports Bar & Grill, 7423 Manatee Ave. W., is hosting its first Spooky Sports Party at 7 p.m. Saturday with live music from Shotgun Justice. Special guest Henry Lawrence is the costume judge for the evening and the winner gets $200 cash. They just added a dance contest, too!

Halloween Bash at Last Call Spots Bar & Grill, 2604 Manatee Ave. E., starting at 8 p.m. Saturday has cash and prizes for its costume contests, bobbing for apples and pumpkin bowling. Drink specials all night.

Dress up and visit Smitty’s Pub & Grille, 3812 Manatee Ave. W., Saturday night for a costume party, Halloween-themed shots and drink specials. Get there early for Smitty’s new happy hour from 4:30-6:30 p.m. for $1 drafts and $2 bottles of Bud, Bud Light, Coors Light, and Miller Lite.