Megan Thee Stallion's Hottieween Leads Halloween at Resorts World

Hottieween Las Vegas: Megan Thee Stallion Makes Costumes Mandatory

Here’s why Hottieween works when so many celebrity-hosted Halloween parties feel like a paycheck with a pumpkin on it. The crowd is the production design. Megan launched the event in 2019, and Resorts World describes how it has grown into a phenomenon built on elaborate costumes, surprise moments and her outsized presence.

That makes it closer to a fan convention with bottle service than a standard club night. The three-time Grammy winner sets the theme, and the Hotties (her fans, for the uninitiated) do the rest.

The resort is promising special guests and “unexpected surprises” for the 21-and-over night. They haven’t named anyone, and I wouldn’t bet my rent on guessing. Ticket prices haven’t been announced either, so keep checking Resorts World's site for the details as Oct. 30 gets closer.

My prediction is that the costume bar will be absurdly high. When the host’s whole brand is commitment, a cat-ear headband and a hopeful smile won’t cut it. Build the outfit, then build it again.

Masquerade on 66: A Costume Party With the Best Seat in the House

The same Friday night, Allē Lounge on 66 trades its usual polish for something moodier. Resorts World says glowing candelabras and dramatic décor will turn the lounge into a masquerade, 66 floors above the Strip, with DJ Cameron Dettman spinning from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m.

The two cocktails made for the night show the bar has a sense of humor. The Red Masquerade pairs Ketel One vodka with savory tomato, lemon, Worcestershire and spice, so it reads like a Bloody Mary dressed for the opera, and it comes with a skull caprese garnish. The Phantom's Obsession sits on the dessert side of the menu: Don Julio Blanco tequila, Licor 43, espresso and dark chocolate under a marshmallow spiderweb and a rose petal.

If you’d rather drink wine, there’s Faust Cabernet Sauvignon, Whispering Angel Rosé, or both through the Angels and Demons Wine Tasting. It's a small bit of theater in a glass, and I respect it.

The Costume Contest Rules

Three winners will each take home a $100 Allē Lounge voucher, one each for most creative, scariest and funniest costume. You have to register by 9:30 p.m. and still be in the room for the 10 p.m. announcement to qualify. Costumes and reservations are encouraged.

One irony to plan around: this masquerade bans full-face coverings, along with simulated weapons and offensive costumes. Pick a half-mask with some drama and leave the prop sword at the hotel.

Chase & Status Take Over Zouk on Halloween Night

On Saturday, Oct. 31, Zouk changes genres. Award-winning UK drum and bass duo Chase & Status play Halloween night with their hits plus new material from their upcoming album, “Generic Everything.”

Friday is about the spectacle of the crowd. Saturday is about the bass. If your idea of a perfect Halloween is a lot of sweat and very little posing, this is your night, and hearing unreleased tracks before the album drops is a nice bragging right on the plane home.

Día de los Muertos at Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den

Here's the event with staying power. Here Kitty Kitty Vice Den, the hidden speakeasy tucked inside Famous Foods Street Eats, is running a Día de los Muertos takeover now through Sunday, Nov. 22. The room has been dressed in marigolds, sugar skulls and butterflies.

The cocktail list leans on traditional Mexican flavors and imagery:

• Marigold Smoke: Don Julio Blanco tequila, Casamigos mezcal, agave, house grenadine and fresh lime

• La Calavera: Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac, Cointreau, spiced pear, pineapple amaro, lime, orgeat, brown sugar and cinnamon

• Until We Meet Again: Bulleit Bourbon, apple, allspice, maple, ginger and lemon

La Calavera is the ambitious one, with ten-odd components that either sing or collide. I'm curious enough to order it first. Locals, note the run: you have weeks after the costumes come down to make it over.

Halloween Food Specials at ¡VIVA! and Carversteak

Chef Ray Garcia‘s modern Mexican restaurant ¡VIVA! is running three Día de los Muertos specials Oct. 31 through Nov. 2. There’s Aguachile Negro with shrimp, scallops, black chile aguachile, cucumber and avocado. There are Vampiro Tacos with wood-grilled carne asada, crispy corn tortillas, quesillo and salsa morita. And there’s Borrego Adobado, adobo-braised lamb with frijoles de la olla and handmade tortillas.

The wild card is the Avocado Margarita: tequila, lime and ¡VIVA!’s housemade avocado crema. A savory margarita will split a table down the middle. Order one to share and let the argument be part of dinner.

Over at Carversteak, the Blackout Sundae ($18) is on the menu Oct. 30–31 only. It layers noir chocolate ice cream, tart cherry compote and fudgy brownie, which is a black forest cake with better posture.

How I'd Spend Halloween Weekend at Resorts World Las Vegas

Friday, Oct. 30, I’d split the night. Start at Carversteak and end on that sundae, then go up to Allē Lounge on 66 when the DJ starts at 9 p.m. Register for the contest by 9:30 and stay for the 10 p.m. results. After that, head down to Zouk for Hottieween, already in costume, which is the whole point. Confirm Hottieween’s timing on the resort’s site before you plan the handoff.

Saturday, Oct. 31, go with Vampiro Tacos at ¡VIVA!, a nightcap-in-reverse at Here Kitty Kitty, then Chase & Status.

The verdict: Resorts World built a Halloween you never have to leave the building for. Hottieween is the night everyone will be posting by Saturday morning, and the Here Kitty Kitty takeover is the one I expect to outlast the hype.