Looking for thrills, chills, and drink deals to help you celebrate spooky season this October? Well, look no further. We’ve rounded up some of Chicago’s favorite bars and restaurants that have temporarily undergone terrifying transformations into the Halloween scene of your dreams (or nightmares).
Expect ghoulish decor, spooky seasonal cocktails, and plenty of photo opps with your favorite psycho-slashers at bars, restaurants, parades, and festivals all around the city. Dawdle if you dare — these are the must-visit spots this spooky season so spaces are limited and ticketed events are selling out quickly.
Chicago Halloween bars
Nightmare on Clark Street at Deuce’s
Wrigleyville’s Deuce’s Major League Bar has been transformed into three floors of fear with an over-the-top haunted house and restaurant combo. Those brave enough to make it through the horrifying haunted house will be rewarded with music, drink specials, and ultra-Instagrammable Halloween decor galore in the main bar area.
Black Lagoon Pop Up at Dandy Crown
Black Lagoon, an immersive Halloween pop-up, is taking over River West cocktail bar Dandy Crown from Oct. 3 – Oct. 31. The Black Lagoon, first held at The Dungeon in New Orleans, is a traveling pop-up that transforms bars all over the country into immersive and macabre experiences each October. Now it’s Chicago’s turn to enjoy their signature creepy-themed cocktails and spooky decor made up of things that go bump in the night.
Camp Lottie’s Tent-flix and Thrill at Lottie’s Pub
Lottie’s is hosting a Camp of Horrors pop-up in their decorated (and heated) Tents of Terror. You and your crew can rent a private tent and enjoy a lineup of scary movie classics. Movie nights run Tuesday and Wednesday through Oct. 27. Lottie’s full food and drink menus are also available, so you can enjoy classic pub bites like burgers, wings, and homemade chili.
Treehouse of Gore / Stranger Bar at Replay Lincoln Park
80’s alien horror or cartoon Halloween classics? It’s dealer’s choice at Replay in Lincoln Park. Downstairs is the Upside Down, with decor and drinks based on the last season of Stranger Things. In the upstairs bar, guests are transported to The Simpsons-themed TreeHouse of Gore with plenty of beer, themed cocktails, and photo ops galore in front of the larger-than-life Simpsons statues.
Sweet Dreams Halloween at Rizzo’s Bar and Inn
The covered indoor-outdoor patio at Rizzos in Wrigleyville has been transformed into a truly terrifying pop-up experience based on classic horror movies that will bring all your Halloween nightmares to life. Tickets include a free drink and access to all the action while the party rages on until 2 a.m. That should be more than enough time to get pictures with all your favorite psycho-slashers and masked murderers. Don’t you just love the spooky season?
Chicago Halloween pop-ups and events
Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up
A corn maze, pumpkins, and a full bar — Jack’s Pumpkin Pop-Up is a must-add to your list of spooky-season sites, bites, and frights. Through Oct. 31, ghouls and goblins of all ages can enjoy photo ops among the over 10,000 pumpkins that cover the grounds. Plus fortune tellers, carnival games, and food trucks serving up everyone’s favorite fall fare. Come for the pumpkin pics, stay for the cider donuts.
Navy Pier Pumpkin Lights
During the month of October, nearly 1,000 elaborately carved glowing pumpkins will decorate the grounds of Navy Pier for their Pier Pumpkin Lights event. Bring the whole family to wander through the maze of glowing jack-o-lanterns while enjoying seasonal festivities and treats from the Pier’s many restaurants and bars. On Oct. 29, adults can reconvene in the grand ballroom to dance the night away at The Hallows, a fully-immersive “celebration of all things nocturnal,” featuring local DJs, entertainers, actors dressed in theme, glow-in-the-dark body painting, ariel acrobatics, light shows, and so much more.
Nightmare on Wacker Drive
Looking to celebrate in a way that’s more fancy than frightening? Check out LondonHouse Chicago, where you’ll find premium bars and live DJs spread between the lavish LH on 21 Lounge, ballroom, and rooftop spaces on Oct. 29. Don’t leave before midnight — that’s when the costume contest commences and the first-place winner will receive an overnight stay at the hotel and two tickets to the upcoming New Year’s Eve party.
Hocus Pocus Tipsy Tea at The Gwen Hotel
The Sanderson sisters have put a spell on The Gwen’s iconic Tipsy Tea parties and turned all the tea into witch’s brew! On October weekends, all you magical beings out there can celebrate Halloween with a special, spooktacular edition of Tipsy Tea, featuring drinks inspired by Hocus Pocus and live acts by some of Chicago’s best drag performers! They’ll also be serving a Tarot-inspired cocktail menu all month long.
Adults Night Out at Lincoln Park Zoo
Adults can enjoy an evening stroll among wildlife with a beer, cider, hard seltzer, or glass of wine in hand at Adults Night Out: Howl-o-ween. With multiple bars and no kids, this after-hours event offers music from a live DJ, lawn games, and free rides on the Endangered Species Carousel. This special night takes place on Oct. 28 from 6:30 – 10 p.m. and tickets can be purchased online.
Haunted Halloween Ball
The historic Congress Plaza Hotel, which is known to be haunted even on a normal day, is getting extra spooky on Saturday, Oct. 29 for a Haunted Halloween Ball. The massive ballroom has been transformed into an abandoned hotel overrun by vampire bellmen, zombie cocktail servers, and costumed go-go dancers. Tickets and VIP tables are now on sale.
Chicago Vampire Ball
Beer is one of the oldest forms of alcohol and spirits, so it’s no wonder the vampires are in on the deal. On Oct. 15, Rock Bottom Brewery will host a wild vampire-only event with burlesque entertainment, unique photo ops, plus bar service and dinner menu options available at the behest of the Vampire Queen.
