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Halloween events in South Florida offer frights and fun

A.D. Barnes Halloween: Naturalist staff leads a nocturnal hike through the paved nature trails in search of native wildlife and creepy creatures of the night. A campfire with roasted marshmallows and not-too-scary Halloween stories follows; 7:30-9:30 p.m. Friday; A.D. Barnes Park, 3401 SW 72nd Ave., West Miami-Dade; $25 for four, $8 per person, reservations required. 305-662-4125 or adnature@miamidade.gov.

Aero Bar: 247 23rd St., Miami Beach. 305-674-1110 or www.aerobarmiami.com:

Halloween Vampire's Lingerie Party: 10 p.m. Friday.

Halloween in clubland's a real treat

T his weekend almost every haunt in town -- with the exception of your corner gas station -- is throwing an All Hallow's Eve event.

Those panicking over the dearth of single, eligible suitors should consider Single & Fabulous' Halloween-inspired evening, Fatal Attraction , at 8 p.m. Friday at Club 50 at the Viceroy. Expect free ``fatal concoctions'' compliments of Stoli from 8-10 p.m., and, from what we've been told, a killer singles' scene. To RSVP, e-mail Tiffany@FabulousAlways.com.

The Ritz Carlton South Beach throws its first Full Moon Costume Party Saturday at the DiLido Beach Club , where costumes are preferred but not required and Luna cocktails are $7. DJ Edwin Adams will spin world lounge music, and former Top Chef contestant Jeff McInnis will prepare stuff that tastes way better than stale Tootsie Rolls. Party goes from 7-11 p.m., no cover.

We're digging Miami's hidden treasures

W hen it comes to watering holes in Miami, few can be considered underground. Before we figured out that it was behind a furniture store directly across from Midtown Miami, we'd have filed Bardot under that category. Same goes for Lou's Beer Garden , where a roadside neon sign beckons from Harding Avenue amid low rises and motels. Drive too fast, and you may miss the place. But if you like the idea of off-the-beaten-path beer and wine with a sleek poolside setting in a neighborhood not usually known for things sleek, slow down and stop at all-green The New Hotel at 7337 Harding Ave.

Also ensconced away from the madness of Ocean Drive is the B Bar , 1440 Ocean Dr., the Betsy hotel's ``personal retaliation against celebrity-obsessed nightlife,'' according to a press statement. You don't have to be famous to get in; in fact, if your last name is Kardashian, you're not on the list.

Keeping with the whole underground theme, we move on to Harvey's By the Bay , 6445 NE Seventh Ave., an American

More and more hipsters bridging the gap

S ome people may have noticed a distinct dearth of crowds at certain South Beach night spots lately, and we aren't sure the absence is entirely due to the recession. For the first time in many years, the beach is no longer the only game in town. Now we have the bustling Brickell area, where such places as Brickell Irish Pub and Club 50 are packing in barflies, hipsters and aspiring socialites. And The Little Engines That Could neighborhoods (the Design District and Wynwood) are slowly but surely proving to people that there is life after a meal at Michael's Genuine Food & Drink .

While this branching-off-the-beach trend is hardly new, some places are taking things a step further to make sure we realize that it's here to stay. Take The King Is Dead at Grass in the Design District. Its new Thursday night party calls itself Eff the Beach Thursdays: A Design District Experience. All righty then! This party sets out to prove that South Beach may be a nice place to sun yourself during the day, but

Star chefs line up for Sunday's Sand Bake

Once we heard a radio station advertise a New Year's Eve party, the notion of Labor Day weekend being upon us didn't seem all that far-fetched. And saying sayonara to summer is hardly a teary farewell. Between the recession, oppressive heat and bad reality TV, we're ready to move on.

Kicking summer in its humid backside is the American Institute of Wine and Food and Fairmont Turnberry Isle Resort and Club 's Sand Bake from 5-8 p.m. Sunday. The casual Florida tapas-style affair takes place at the resort's Ocean Club and features a slew of stellar chefs, including Bourbon Steak's Gabriel Fenton , Chef Allen's Allen Susser, Timo's Tim Andriola , Johnny V's Johnny Vinczencz , Escopazzo's Giancarla Bodoni and Primavera's Giacamo Dresseno , all serving dishes to wash down with wines and tropical cocktails. Admission is $80 if you are a member of the AIWF or $100 if not and includes alcoholic beverages, food, tax, gratuity and valet. Attire is resort casual so wear your favorite summer outfit and