This year, Halloween falls on a Thursday, meaning most of Seattle's top Gay bars are seizing the chance to stretch the fun - and the fees - by throwing their spooky soirées over the weekend before That's a whole weekend of wallet-weeping parties instead of just one night of fun. What was once a one-night event has morphed into a full three-day financial commitment. When did Halloween become so- boo-jee?

Let's dive into the numbers and see if the Queer community is getting tricked or treated this holiday.

Queer/Bar is serving looks- and price hikes
Queer/Bar is pulling out all the stops with its Halloween lineup: RPDR season 16's Mirage Amuro on Friday, October 25, followed by RPDR Canada's Brooke Lynn Hytes on Saturday. Drag royalty? Absolutely. Pricey? You bet.

General admission starts at $23, but when you tack on the service and facility fees, you're looking at almost $30. Reserved seating hits $45, and if you want to get fancy with a high-top table (for up to four people, including VIP table service, a photo opportunity with the featured star, and seating along the runway), prepare to drop $225 - and that's before all those pesky fees. It's like they're charging us to breathe in the same air as these queens.

Then there's Jimbo's Halloween Haunt the next week. General admission creeps up to $25, with reserved seating at $50. And yes, that $225 high-top table option still looms large. The only thing scarier than Jimbo might be your credit card statement the morning after.

The Cuff Complex: A reckoning (for your wallet)
Meanwhile, over at the Cuff Complex, it's a Night of Reckoning on Saturday, October 26. LA's Tokeyo and Kitty Glitter are hosting a night of debauchery - and it'll cost you $30 just to get through the door. For the full weekend pass, including Friday's Boo-kakke event, you're shelling out $40 (plus those inevitable fees).

Sure, they're sweetening the deal with a $2,500 costume contest, but you might start wondering if it's just a way to distract you from your drained bank account.

Massive Halloween: Bigger, badder- but at what cost?
Massive, Seattle's underground party central, is serving up two full nights of Halloween madness. On Friday, October 25, it's I'm Screaming with Boris and Tommy Hart, and on Saturday, I'm Dead delivers cosmic Italo-disco vibes. General admission will cost you $35 per night, but the premium pass?: $60. If you want to go all in with the Premium Weekend Pass, it's a whopping $105.

Between the costume, drinks, and that inevitable post-party Uber, you might be left wondering: what's scarier, the party or your total tab?

What are we actually paying for?
In the last few years, many Seattle Gay bars have adopted weekend event passes for their Halloween celebrations, promising access to multiple nights of drag shows, DJs, and costume contests. But as we dig deeper, it raises a bigger question: are we really getting our money's worth?

Sure, the concept of a weekend pass sounds convenient. Pay once, party all weekend. But when ticket prices range from $40 to $105, you can't help but wonder: what are we paying for? Are these weekend passes just a way for bars to maximize profits?

Halloween is already a cash cow for the nightlife scene, but by stretching it into a multinight affair, bars can double or even triple their revenue. It's smart business, but for attendees, it can feel like a cash grab.

DJ lineups: Who are these people?
One of the most baffling parts of these weekend passes is the DJ lineups. Massive's bringing in Boris and Tommy Hart, while Queer/Bar is sticking to its formula of big-name drag headliners. But for the average partygoer, some of these DJs might as well be ghosts: no one knows who they are, and their niche subgenres of techno and Italo-disco might only appeal to a small segment of the crowd.

Are bars booking these DJs to cater to a select few club-goers? Or are they just filling slots on a weekend packed with overpriced tickets? While it's cool to diversify the music scene, the average Halloween party-goer might just want to dance to the hits.

Most of us hit the bars on Halloween for familiar beats - whether it's pop, house, or a solid remix of the year's biggest numbers. But too often, we're met with DJs spinning obscure underground tracks, leaving the crowd more confused than entertained. It's a harsh reminder that you can pay for the party, but not necessarily the vibe.

When the music doesn't hit and you've forked over cash for a weekend pass, it feels like the ultimate letdown.

A night out for everyone- or just the few?
Ask anyone who's been around for a while, and they'll tell you: Halloween didn't always come with these sky-high prices. Bars used to rely on word-of-mouth, pack the venue, and throw a good time without draining your wallet. Now, with event passes, VIP packages, and premium seating, it feels like a far cry from the inclusive and spontaneous Halloween nights of old.

As prices rise, it's worth asking: who's getting left behind? Younger Queer people, students, and those from lower-income backgrounds are finding themselves priced out of the very celebrations that were once pillars of community connection.

Luckily, there are still options for those who want to enjoy Halloween without going broke. The Wildrose is stepping in with its own free event: Scaryoke. Since Halloween falls on a Thursday, the bar is turning its regular karaoke night into a spooky costume contest extravaganza. The best part? It's free.

For anyone feeling priced out of the bigger events, Scaryoke might be the best way to enjoy a true community celebration without the scary price tag.

Conclusion: Halloween doesn't have to be pricey to be fun
Despite the rising prices and inflated weekend passes, there are still ways to enjoy Halloween without draining your bank account. Whether it's embracing smaller events like Scaryoke or opting for DIY parties, there's still room for an affordable holiday experience.

So, while some bars might be going a bit boo-jee this year, remember that the best parts of Halloween are about community, creativity, and fun - not how much you spend.

Story impact
Back in July, I wrote about the lack of diversity in Seattle's LGBTQ+ nightlife in my piece, "Breaking the Monotony: A Call for True Inclusivity in Seattle's LGBTQ+ Nightlife." The response was eye-opening, and it seems like some people have taken note.

Massive, known for its techno parties, recently launched Sunday Service, a new event created by Black promoter Keith J. He promises more Black Queer representation on Capitol Hill, with a lineup featuring hip-hop, R&B, trap, funk, disco, and throwbacks - a welcome change. The event will also feature go-go dancers and pop-up performances every Sunday from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m.

In a chat with Keith J., he told me, "I read your piece about the death of diversity on Cap Hill right after I created this event, and it makes me so happy to be part of the change." It's moments like this that remind me why I write - because sometimes, stories spark real change.

I'll be checking out Sunday Service myself, and I'll report back on how this new night is making waves. If this is the future of Seattle's Queer nightlife, it's looking a whole lot more inclusive.

Support the Seattle Gay News: Celebrate 50 Years with Us!
As the third-oldest LGBTQIA+ newspaper in the United States, the Seattle Gay News (SGN) has been a vital independent source of news and entertainment for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest since 1974.
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary, we need your support to continue our mission.
Your contribution will ensure that SGN remains a beacon of truth and a virtual gathering place for community dialogue.

Help us keep printing and providing a platform for LGBTQIA+ voices.

How you can donate!
Using this Link
Text "SGN" to 53-555
Or Scan the QR code below!