NATASHA GORBACHEV: RECOGNIZE YOUR FAVORITE DRINK SLINGER? >>>

I hope you'll allow me to sneak out of my dark, hallowed cavern and sweet social slumber to offer you some sights that will include both tricks and treats.

Last night was the annual Budweiser Bartender's Ball, and after everything that happened at last year’s event, I had to go back for seconds.

This Budweiser Bartender’s Ball took place at the Temple Theater, which was totally tricked out with everything Halloween, a full spread of food, and several bars that were serving up Olympic Eagle Distributing's stellar portfolio of brews and Monster Energy drinks. Speaking of the beer, I was diggin' on Issaquah Brewery's White Frog Ale.

Five hundred bartenders and restaurant-industry friends from Tacoma and throughout the Pacific Northwest were present (I even kissed some dude from Hoquiam), and were all mixing and monster mashing all over in this amazing historic theater. DJ Dave Leu was pumping rump-shaking cuts, and, of course, I had to get the dance party started on the stage.

One of the best, and most hilarious, aspects of this function was that you could send text messages that would appear on big screens for everyone to see. People were blowing that thing up all night, and I can't even begin to describe how funny the posts were.

Most importantly, this Nightmare on St. Helens was a costume party, and the 2009 assortments really showed our natural human preoccupation with gender-bending, body parts, sexiness, spookiness, super heroes and A-and-B-list celebrities. 

Bob Ross won the costume competition, and some of our other favorites were Pam Anderson, Shrek, Dee Snider and, of course, the Octomom.

When all of the beer was gone, hundreds of the freaks took over Doyle's Public House and partied on until closing time. What a night!

I really want to thank Olympic Eagle, Monster Energy and the Temple Theater for hosting such a wicked event. I always laugh so much that my face hurts, and I can continue to believe that this really is one of the best events of the whole year.

Happy Hallloweiner!

LINK: More photos on the Photo Hot Spot