But if the standard fare of dancing, drinking and partying is your less-than-spooktacular goal tonight, most of the clubs in and around Boston and Cambridge are holding Halloween contests, and some offer special rates for those in costume.

One Fried Nose Ring.

One possible exception:

"A Royal Halloween: The King's Costume Ball." (Tonight, 8 p.m., Medieval Manor Theatre Restaurant $32 per person, reservations required.)

A parody of the "Medieval Times" show and dinner, the Medieval Manor Theatre Restaurant offers a "bawdy musical comedy" full of singing, dancing and jokes that, while all in good fun, are definitely "not G-rated," according to employee Jennifer Goodfellow.

The show, which ordinarily features a mock joust involving "French bread with a creative twist," will add a costume contest on Halloween.

The winners of the best male and female costumes will compete in the joust, for prizes undisclosed.

"We're pretty much out of the ordinary," Goodfellow says.

The show will probably sell out quickly and is generally 21+. Those under 21 should let the ticket office know when you call to make a reservation.

Four Fried Nose Rings (Anyone who isn't scared by this description is brave indeed.)

Venturing Beyond

If Boston doesn't suit you, the area surrounding the city is filled with scary things to do on Halloween--from haunted houses and castles to horror amusement parks to graveyards and wax museums.

Below is a partial and incomplete listing for the die-hard thrill seekers willing to make the trek:

* Spookyworld (Tonight and tomorrow, 7 to 11 p.m. $18.50 per person. Berlin, MA: about a 45 minute drive.)

Spookyworld, the world's only horror theme park, has something for everyone--both random special appearances (Tabitha from "Bewitched" is their Halloween VIP guest, while Alice Cooper was seen there last week), amusement park-style games and genuinely scary haunted houses and museums.