Get Into the Halloween Spirit at These Spooky Bars

October is the perfect time to swap your typical go-to cocktail bar for something a little more sinister. That doesn’t mean you have to visit a corny Halloween pop-up bar with disappointing drinks and decor. There are plenty of drinking dens all across the country that can make your happy hour feel a little more haunted for Halloween or anytime you want to get into the spooky spirit.

These ghostly places are packed with scary decor, frightening stories, and cocktails with horror-inspired names and eerie elements like smoke and creepy colors. From long-tenured taverns with resident ghosts to cocktail bars that lean into all things otherworldly, these are the most epic Halloween bars across the United States.

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Courtesy of Arcana

Arcana

Durham, North Carolina

Wander around the back of this building on Main Street in Durham, and you’ll uncover a cocktail bar that’s spirited in more ways than one. Arcana, which means secrets, is a tarot card-themed queer bar that hosts readers just about every night of the week. While you’re waiting to learn more about your fate through the cards, order a supernatural-themed drink from the cocktail menu, like the Gemini Rising, which pairs gin with Cocchi Rosa and Cynar.

Beetle House

New York, New York

Equal parts campy and creepy, every day is Halloween at Beetle House. This Tim Burton-inspired bar, dedicated to the film Beetlejuice, boasts decor that looks like it came straight from the set. Drinks are named for titles of Burton films and characters, like Sparky’s Minty Margarita or The Beetle’s Juice, a crimson mix of tequila and muddled blackberry with cranberry and lime juice. It likely comes as no surprise that this place is always crawling with superfans, so lean in and know you won’t be the only one raising a glass to say, “it’s showtime!”

The Crypt

Denver, Colorado

The Crypt, an aptly named bar in Denver’s Uptown neighborhood, is decked out with skulls, horror movie posters, and punk rock paraphernalia 365 days a year. The menu keeps it simple with a handful of straightforward cocktails, Crypt Juice shots with Deep Eddy lime vodka and lemonade, and a dive bar favorite: a beer and a shot for just $7. Despite its hardened exterior, the bar has become a gathering place for the industry and serves up an unexpected menu of vegan fare that’s anything but scary.

King of Cups

Chicago, Illinois

If you know anything about tarot cards, you know pulling a king of cups (or walking into a bar with the same name) means you’re in for a good time. The cocktail bar in Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood is suited up like a king’s castle with epic chandeliers, medieval armour, and gilded wallpaper. The drinks are equally regal. A handful of the cocktails are served flaming or topped with other grand garnishes. There’s also a slate of king-sized drinks meant to share, such as the Prince Poobah, a combination of vodka, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, lime, mint, and watermelon for two. The bar regularly hosts tarot card readings so you can sip a spooky cocktail and learn what the rest of your night has in store.

Raven’s Manor

Portland, Oregon

In a city that’s known for its weirdness, Raven’s Manor is right at home. The haunted manor-themed bar in Portland’s Old Town neighborhood embraces Halloween all year with a menu of horror movie-inspired libations and cocktails served in smoking beakers. The menu covers a few categories: deadly tonics, eerie elixirs, and exorcised spirits (also known as non-alcoholic drinks), like the smoking Bone Collector with house-made oolong coconut simple syrup and blood orange shrub. Whether you pop in for a drink or embark on the interactive experience that pairs an escape room-like challenge with signature cocktails, the moody lighting and creepy decor are perfect for channeling spooky vibes whenever the mood hits.

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Muriel’s

New Orleans, Louisiana

To clink glasses with some actual ghosts this Halloween, head to Muriel’s in one of America’s most haunted cities. You may feel like you’re walking into a normal restaurant when you enter the eatery off New Orleans’ iconic Jackson Square. But head up the stairs to the second floor Seance Lounge to order a classic Sazerac or Hurricane, and you’ll be greeted by an actual ghost. The broody red, baroque-style space that looks like a bordello is home to Pierre Antoine Lepardi Jourdan, a specter who once inhabited the mansion and still wanders around today.

The Keep

Brooklyn, New York

Wandering around The Keep will make you feel like you’re in an antique shop where dusty glassware, cracked mirrors, and old photographs may have haunted backstories. While the taxidermy and other oddities bring the eerie energy, the drink menu is straightforward with options like a Southside, Paper Plane, or an espresso martini. The best part about this Ridgewood bar is that most of the items are actually for sale, so you can take home a scary souvenir if you dare.

The Obscure Distillery and Cocktail Experience

Los Angeles, California

The Obscure Distillery and Cocktail Experience is a tasting menu-style event dedicated to all things mythical. Located in Los Angeles’ Arts District, guests gather in a candle-lit space (wearing all black, if you follow the directions on the ticketing site) to embark on an immersive story told over a two-hour reservation window. Each ticket includes three house-made distillates and three signature cocktails, plus an evening of scary storytelling that may give you nightmares.

More Halloween Coverage

Seven spooky spirits to pour for Halloween this year.
Wanna hear some scary stories from haunted wineries? Listen in to this Wine Enthusiast podcast episode from last year.
This red wine caramel apple recipe adultifies the holiday classic.
And try these expert-picked wine pairings for Halloween candy.