For those unsure of "witch" local venue to "haunt," here are a few parties we dug up. All are tonight and for revelers older than 21 unless noted otherwise.

Check out our online calendar at http://www.nwi.com/calendar for more suggestions.

WICKER PARK SOCIAL CENTER, Ridge Road and Route 41, Highland, (219) 838-1510

One of the biggest Halloween bashes in Northwest Indiana, it's hosted each year by frat-boys-gone-wild, History's End. This year the outrageous party rock group relocates its "Ham-Vegas Halloween Happening" from a local night club to the Wicker Park Social Center. Doors open at 8 p.m., the band starts at 10 p.m..

"This is always one of our biggest and best shows of the entire year," said drummer/band leader Phil Carmen. "We'll have a full bar, plenty of food, a $500 cash costume contest, and a DJ spinning dance music before, during the breaks and after our show." Cover: $5, historysend.com

2nd DIMENSION, 340 East U.S. 30, Schererville, (219) 865-9800

Halloween at the newly reopened 2nd D will abound with plenty of Aqua-Net as the 1980s rise from the dead with the help of glam tribute band Metalicious. "Motley Crue, Poison, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard ... we do 'em all," reported band member Nick Spiro. The party starts at 9 p.m., the band at 10 p.m. and a $500 "best costume" contest just before midnight. DJ dance music will be pumped between the band's sets. Cover: $5.

MARK O'S, 2385 Willowcreek Road, Portage, (219) 763-3779

The Mark O's staff is getting into the spirit of the season, club manager Cheryl Oprisko said. "The Star-tenders (bartenders) here at Mark O's will be dressed up in Halloween costumes specially chosen by customers over the last couple of weeks," she said. "And they have conjured up a list of Halloween specialty drinks for the party." Guests will have a howling good time dancing from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. to covers band The Crawpuppies. The costume contest is at midnight; $4 cover charge is waived for those in costume.

DRENA'S BAR & GRILL, 636 N. 700 W St., Hobart, (219) 364-0890

Drena's first Scary Karaoke Costume Party is open to all ages until midnight and starts with acoustic artist Khaki Lymon taking the stage for early birds and diners (6 p.m. to 9 p.m.). Then it's "star time" for Drena's patrons as DJ Audi of Cruisin' Entertainment fires up his karaoke machine. The costume contest starts at 11 p.m. and is open to ages 18 up. Prizes range from cash to gift certificates. There's also a 50/50 raffle and Halloween-themed cocktails. "Drena's has it's own resident ghost," owner Gail Kukulies said. "We will actually have a paranormal investigator on site Halloween night, and I will share my own personal ghost experiences here at Drena's about moving objects, glowing orbs and smashing glasses." FYI: drenasbarandgrill.com.

MARTINI'S, 1004 Calumet Ave., Valparaiso, (219) 464-0801

Magic Hat Beer is sponsor of this haunted happening, starring region punk rock trio Shotgun Elvis. The band, with two albums out, is known for the original song "We Are NWI Region Rats" featured at Gary-Southshore Railcats games. "Brewery personnel will give out T-shirts and prizes (including Shotgun Elvis CDs) while serving up pints of the mysterious No. 9 Ale, which is cloaked in secrecy," Shotgun singer/guitarist Fro Leetz said. A costume contest takes place just before midnight. Expect lots of Halloween punk classics and to do the "dance of the dead." Cover: $5, shotgunelvis.com.

BEAT KITCHEN, 2100 Belmont Ave., Chicago (773) 281-4444

While it requires a drive downtown, this party features one of Northwest Indiana's most popular originals -- The Steepwater Band, sharing the stage with former Drive By Truckers guitarist, Jason Isbell. "Both bands play original rootsy rock 'n' roll and will be dressed up in costume," said SWB drummer Joe Winters. Cover: $16 in costume, $18 street clothes, steepwaterband.com.

PICK-UPS, 2100 South Torrence Ave., Lynwood, (708) 758-0424

Rock band K.O. Bossy serves up classic and modern rock covers tonight at Pick-Ups, with music starting at 9 p.m. and a costume contest at 11 p.m. Cover: $5.

THE KENWOOD TAP, 6309 Kennedy Ave., Hammond, (219) 844-9766

The Muddsharks, one of the region's zaniest bands, swim into this small but popular Hessville haunt from 9:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. "The Muddsharks play a wide mix of music from classic to today's rock, blues, country and pop," said frontman/vocalist Mike Columbo. "There is NO COVER at our show and there will be a best costume contest, plus a 50/50 raffle." Cover: Free.

CLANCY'S IRISH PUB, 2542 Portage Mall, Portage, (219) 764-4995

Party rock quartet Overdue will pump out covers by Nickelback, Blink 42, Green Day, Creed, Matchbox Twenty, Poison, Stone Temple Pilots, Buckcherry and more tonight. "Over $500 in cash and prizes will given out for the best costumes," Overdue's Doug Clapp said. Clancy's also will have plenty of drink specials and free giveaways throughout the night. Cover: $5.

SUNSET LOUNGE, 5844 U.S. Hwy. 6, Portage, (219) 762-6065

Sunset Lounge celebrates Halloween all weekend with back-to-back costume contests tonight and Saturday. Revelers tonight will rock to the sounds of the band Stagger, while Saturday finds a mix of country and rock filling the rafters for freaks and fiends thirsting for a second night of costumed fun.

WOJOE'S SALOON, 391-1 U.S. Hwy. 6, Valparaiso, (219) 764-9656

Rock band Mistress performs hit after hit from 10 p.m. until well after the witching hour tonight while an army of ghouls, ghosts and goblins competes for the $100 prize for "best costume." Assorted other prizes will be given away. Look for Halloween-themed food and drinks, too.

SHAUN'S IRISH PUB, 127th and Central Avenue, Crestwood, (708) 372-80404

Bernie Glim & Country Roads Band have broaden their musical scope and will scare up a mix of old- and new-school country, Southern Rock, classic rock, blues, and oldies at this free "Fright Night" over the state line. Partygoers will vie for cash prizes in the costume contest. Cover: Free.