Halloween Happenings Worth Howling About

Lucky for adults, there's more to Halloween fun than the door-to-door sugar rush. Atlanta restaurants trick out with treats for grown-up batty boys and ghoulish girls!

Scary good times are in order at both Atkins Park Tavern locations. Ease into it with a local brew and food menu during Atlanta Beer Week, through October 27 at Atkins Park Tavern in Virginia Highland. Cut out some time for the annual pumpkin carving contest with a cash prize at the Virginia Highland bar on Thursday, October 25 at 8 p.m. Between jack o' lanterns, scary movies and drinks sponsored by Terrapin and Jack Daniel's, there's a slice of fun for everyone. On Saturday, October 27 at 10 p.m., Sam Adams and Jägermeister host the annual costume contest complete with individual and group prizes plus DJ Lion mastering the monster sound board. Halloween Hangover on October 31 plays "Rocky Horror Picture Show." Toast the classic with Terrapin beers and Jack Daniel's mischief in a glass.

Oktoberfest at Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna unearths outdoor fun with games, rides, live music and free admission on Saturday, October 27 and Sunday, October 28. Halloween costume contest on Saturday for children at 6 p.m. and adults at 9 p.m. There's more costume contest fun on Halloween as Atkins Park Tavern in Smyrna hosts Monster Mash. A ghoul-ore of prizes will be handed out to participants - categories for best costume and best group and couple costumes could land winners a $200 house cash prize. Other random house cash prizes will be given throughout the evening.  

The staff pumpkin carving contest at both the Virginia Highland and Dunwoody Alon's Bakery and Market locations gives employees a chance to show off their blade skills from October 27 - 31. Come see their craftwork mixed in the shops' fall decorations and vote for your favorite.

On Halloween night, October 31, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar extends the popular "5 for $6 til 7" bar menu until close. Tricky drinks include a tropical martini dressed with Malibu Coconut Rum, Mark West California Pinot Noir and Widmer Brothers Brewing Rotator IPA series, all complemented with treats of baked brie in a puff pastry, sweet chili calamari and roasted mushroom ravioli.

Boo Bash 2012 takes over RA Sushi Bar Restaurant in Midtown on Halloween night from 7 p.m. to close. Good for gobblin' "Boo Bites" including sushi and appetizer specials such as Voodoo Crispy Chicken -- crispy chicken sautéed with onion, green pepper and Japanese pumpkin tossed in a sesame chili sauce ($6). Witchy "Potent Potions" abound. Try the Grape Ghoulade made with Three Olives Grape Vodka, Blue Curacao, cranberry and fresh lemon ($8). The Boo Bash costume contest treats the first place winner to a $100 RA gift certificate and hands a $25 certificate to second place. Apparition on the haunting soundboard? Nope. A guest D.J.

Treats only (no tricks) at Little Cake Bakery this Halloween. Made-from-scratch seasonal favorites mesmerize eyes and please tummies. The apples and honey cupcake tops cinnamon cake with a cooked apple and honey compote, cream cheese frosting and a cinnamon dusting. Pumpkin fanatics perk up over the pumpkin spice cupcake frosted with spiced cream cheese icing and crowned with a pumpkin candy. Pricing and more on the website.

In Brookhaven, Kaleidoscope Bistro & Pub is Halloween headquarters, hosting its second annual Halloween Party and Costume Contest on Wednesday, October 31 from 8 p.m. to close. Only guests who arrive in costume can enjoy drink and shot specials, including Fireballs, Applefire Caramel Apple shots and Zombies ($5 each), Fireball Shorty's ($3.75) and pumpkin spice martinis ($6). Costumed guests will be entered into the costume contest for the chance to win great prizes. The kitchen crawls with creativity as Executive Chef Joey Riley cooks up Halloween-inspired dishes. Live music plays all night.