Fun scares and cheap eats on Halloween night

For me, Halloween justifies eating all the candy I want in one day; I guess I didn’t get enough as a kid. For a more grown-up activity, nothing will get you more in the mood than the annual Village Parade. When you’ve finished marching down Sixth Avenue, try some of these places for treats of all kinds.

Village Halloween Parade (Sixth Avenue from Spring to 16th streets) On Friday, dress up and join the fun of New York’s signature parade. If you want to participate you must be in costume and line up before 8:30 p.m. on Sixth Avenue at Canal Street. It’s a fun excuse to dress up and act like a kid – and it’s free!

Webster Hall (125 E. 11th St.) All 40,000 square feet of the music venue will be transformed in Webster Hell, with acrobats, dancers, DJs and a $5,000 costume contest. This place attracts seriously creative people, so don’t expect some fake blood to cut it. Tickets start at $40.

Blind Tiger Ale House (281 Bleecker St.) Quench your thirst here after all the parade festivities. They offer 28 rotating craft beer taps and three cask ales. Monday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. get $1 off all drafts, wine and prosecco. The menu has something for everyone, including gluten-free options. I like the blistered peppers and the veal meatball sliders (three for $10.50).

Thunder Jackson’s (169 Bleecker St.) Keep the party going with changing daily food specials and $3 beers from 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Definitely visit on Monday nights for 30-cent wings; their fries and pigs in a blanket are also good.

John’s of Bleecker Street (278 Bleecker St.) This is your kid-friendly post-parade spot. The pizza is outstanding, and the atmosphere is loud and festive. John’s has one of the few coal-fired brick ovens left in the city. Large pies are $16.50 – no slices.

Monica DiNatale is a Deals Expert and Author of “365 Guide New York City,” a treasure trove of restaurant deals and bar specials in New York. Monica has been featured as the Dining Expert for PIX 11 and has hosted segments for The New York Chocolate Show and The New York City Craft Beer Week Festivals. She writes a weekly deals column for both Metro NY and Crain’s New York. “365 Guide New York City” is available in paperback and e-book.