There’s a slight nip in the air, and for Houston, that can mean only one thing: spooky season is almost here. Though temperatures are still hovering in the 80s, many folks are basking in the start of the fall season by decorating their front stoops with pumpkins and stretching fake cobwebs across the yard. But homeowners aren’t the only ones getting in on the fun. Local restaurants and bars are going all out with ghostly decor, spooky cocktails, and boo-worthy bites.
Halloween-themed pop-ups have become a nationwide trend, with some establishments transforming into haunted houses or spirit-filled lounges for the season. Whether you’re looking for a festive night out or a few extra thrills and chills before Halloween, this guide covers all the bases.
Black Lagoon at Nickel City
The Downtown Houston location of this retro-style lounge has transformed its space into a Halloween wonderland through Saturday, October 31. Cinematic lighting and eerie sound effects add to the immersive experience, made even more spirited with festive cocktails like Abyssa’s Obsession; a pina-colada-style beverage with pumpkin-infused Kraken rum, or the Bone Temple; a tequila-forward drink. The bar has the Delray Cafe for Detroit-style coneys and wings. 2910 McKinney St., Houston, nickelcity.com/houston
Black Lagoon at Daiquiri Time Out
The pop-up from award-winning bartenders Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes will also be held at Daiquiri Time Out in Galveston. The same specialty cocktails and collectible glasses will be available, along with gothic ghoulishness and spine-tingling decor. 2701 Market St., Galveston, dtogalveston.com
HiFi at The Finn Spookeasy
Listening lounges are all the rage at the moment, with this one located at The Finn in Downtown, a standout among them. Through Saturday, October 31, the vinyl-inspired cocktail bar will host a variety of Halloween events including live jazz, spooky musical bingo, and even a hands-on plant workshop, with Halloween-inspired cocktails available. The lounge will also host two glamorously naughty burlesque shows on Saturday, October 24 and on Halloween night. Check The Finn’s calendar for more details. 712 Main St., Houston, thefinnhou.com
Brasserie 19
This lively French restaurant is decked out in Halloween decor for the season and hosting two wickedly naughty events. First up is Creepy Cabaret, a spooky bash on Saturday, October 24, from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Guests can dress in eye-catching costumes, sip Moët Hennessy cocktails, and dance to eerie beats from the DJ. It’s a stylish affair, so guests are encouraged to don their most dazzling Halloween attire for the costume contest. The fun continues the following day, Sunday October 25, with Le Spectacle de Merde, from 12:30 to 4 p.m. The lively brunch will feature special dishes, cocktails presented by Campari, and high-energy tunes from DJ Funk. Reservations are recommended. 1962 W. Gray St., Houston, brasserie19.com
Toca Madera
Dia de los Muertos is a multi-day Mexican celebration of souls that have passed, but at this posh dining destination, the holiday is being celebrated all month long, through Monday, November 2. Its special spooky menu includes three spine-chilling cocktails that are picture-perfect for Instagram. The Blood Orange Eclipse is a crimson-spiced paloma, while the Howl at the Moon is a smoky mezcal margarita. The third spirit is called Black Night, an old fashioned with bourbon, coffee, Amaro and walnut bitters. The limited-time menu also features a dark raspberry dessert called The Poisoned Rose. Edible soil and creepy crawlies add to the Halloween whimsy. 1755 Allen Pkwy., Houston, tocamadera.com
Brennan’s Witchy Brunch
The voodoo vibes at this New Orleans-inspired restaurant will be strong for its three special brunches, held on October 24, 30, and 31, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual event encourages guests to dig into their witchy wardrobes and come prepared for decadent dishes like creepy seafood crepe, Jack-O-Lantern pumpkin soup, and Creole shrimp black linguine. Witch-themed cocktails include The Wicked Witch of the West and Cold Brew Coven. There is a two-course menu available for $45. 3300 Smith St., Houston, brennanshouston.com
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
Both locations of this quirky pizza joint and bar are getting into the Halloween spirit with terrifying monsters and smiling skeletons, but it’s the Washington Avenue outpost that’s going all out. Life-sized werewolves and spooky animatronics provide the frights, while specialty cocktails like Devil’s Candy and Betelgeuse Goes Hawaiian help calm the nerves. There’s even a fruity rum drink for two called Missionary Position of the Damned. While both locations will offer similar Halloween menus, the Washington Avenue location will host a lineup of events throughout October, including Costume Karaoke every Friday and Saturday, plus a fundraiser benefiting Pippy’s Pals Rescue on Thursday, October 22, from 6 to 10 p.m. A $10 donation goes directly to the rescue organization. Multiple locations, betelgeusehou.com
Jethro’s
This vintage-style cocktail lounge in Montrose has a whole month of Halloween events and activities for October like Dead Man’s Industry Night each Monday with an all-day happy hour, costume contests, and a DJ. Guests can make plans to grab a martini and check out the scary movies on Wednesday or drop in for a tarot card reading each Thursday in October. Freaky Fridays mean witching hour specials, along with a DJ, while Haunted Saturdays are perfect for those who like to wear different costumes each week. The bar will host a pre-Halloween party on Friday, October 30, followed by its signature Halloween party October 31. 95 Tuam St., Houston, jethroshouston.com
Lazy Lane and Heights & Co.
For the month of October, both venues from Doke Concepts are transforming the patios into HalloweenTown. There are Halloween-themed movies on the big screen, special cocktails, and even a live-fire s’mores board. Some of the spooktacular drinks include Blood Bag Cosmo, Grave Digger espresso martini, and Witches Brew margarita. A full dinner menu is available as well. Reservations for Lazy Lane (923 Wakefield Dr.) in Garden Oaks can be made through Open Table, while Heights & Co. (1343 Yale St.) in the Heights utilizes Resy. lazylanehouston.com, heights&co.com
The Savoy
Located in Houston’s historic Third Ward, The Savoy is transforming into a Halloween destination for the month of October with activities for both kids and adults. The bar will offer six limited-time cocktails such as The Savoy Spell, a brew of green apple that gets garnished with a witch’s finger. A cognac concoction, Sweet Screams, is like trick-or-treat in a cup, served with lollipops and Sour Patch Kids. And for the kids, The Savoy will host a free Trunk-or-Treat event for families Friday, October 30, from 4 to 8 p.m. There will be a haunted house, candy bags, moonwalks, and more. Adult fun happens October 31 when the restaurant and bar has its day-long Halloween celebration with $5,000 worth of costume competition prizes and lots of entertainment. 4402 Emancipation Ave., Houston, thesavoyhtx.com
Bar Daphne
This bar at Hotel Daphne is presenting its Spooky Sunday Cinema series each Sunday, beginning October 11 with The Shining. The rest of the month’s movie line-up includes The Rocky Horror Picture Show (October 18) and Nightmare Before Christmas (October 25), all free, starting at 5 p.m. It will end its spooky programming October 29 with a special Halloween-themed Drag Bingo, featuring Queen Persephone, from 8 to 10 p.m. 347 W. 20th St., Houston, bunkhousehotels.com
The Cursed Cauldron at Incanto
The witches have arrived at this Heights-area bar with a spellbinding pop-up full of enchanting beverages and naughty entertainment. Activities like Tarot Tuesday and Bewitched Burlesque Wednesday run through November 1. There are single cocktails such as Lilith’s Lullaby and Hexpresso Martini, along with large format coven cocktails like Bruja’s Brew, loaded with tequila, rum, coconut, pineapple, and more. Snacks include roasted pumpkin dip with ricotta and goat cheese, plus a line-up of wicked good pizzas. A special witches hour offers select $10 cocktails from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday through Thursday. 1426 Yale St., Houston, incantohouston.com
Bar Doko
Things are sweet rather than scary at this Autry Park bar for the holiday. It is partnering with Swedish candy cart brand, Haus Candy Co., for a Halloween cocktail menu from Monday, October 26 through Saturday, October 31. Each of the cocktails will incorporate pieces of Swedish candy into them, as a delicious preview to its one-night-only pop-up October 30, from 5 to 8 p.m., when Haus Candy Co. will set up its cart in the Bar Doko alleyway. 3737 Cogdell St., Houston, bardoko.com
Monster Mutt Mash at Sonoma Wine Bar
Halloween is going to the dogs at Sonoma Wine Bar in Garden Oaks, where wine lovers and their four-legged friends can enjoy a laid-back afternoon on the lawn. Guests can sip their way through 20 wines paired with artisan cheeses while their pups strut their stuff in a Halloween costume contest, complete with prizes and local guest judges. Dex Treats will be on hand with goodies for the canine crowd, and a portion of proceeds will benefit Santos Sanctuary. Tickets are available at SonomaHouston.com. 1227 W. 34th St. Houston, sonomahouston.com.
