8 Halloween bars and spooky events in Philly
If you're looking for Halloween-themed cocktails and haunted events, here's where and when to find them in Philly.
There’s a slight chill in the air. Crispy yellow leaves on the sidewalk. Ghosts and goblins in every other window.
Add to that creepy clowns and demonic monkeys in City Hall’s beer garden, and Halloween-costumed cocktail parties all over, from Old City to Manayunk.
Spooky season is officially here, and you don’t have to be a kid to enjoy all the fun — those mini Hershey bars and Kit Kats are for grown-ups, too. Not to mention the haunted bars serving all the boo-ze.
Here’s where and when to party with spirits and witchy brews around the city.
East Passyunk Witch Craft Crawl
Bars and restaurants on East Passyunk Avenue will try to put a spell on you with craft beer and food specials on Oct. 29 from 6 to 10 p.m. Crawlers can make their way to Cantina Los Caballitos for $8 pumpkin spice and apple cider margaritas, then head to Kouklet for spooky-themed sonhos (sourdough doughnuts) and other pastries. Tickets ($6.66 online, $10 in person) include specials, your choice of a witch hat or light necklace, and a stamp card that puts you in the running to win East Passyunk merch. There will be an afterparty from 9:30 to 11 p.m. at Garage Passyunk.
📍1651 E. Passyunk Ave., Philadelphia, Pa. 19148, and other locations, 🌐 visiteastpassyunk.com/events/east-passyunk-witch-craft-crawl-2025
Nightmare Before Tinsel
Nightmare Before Tinsel is back, decked out in ghoulish glory. This year’s theme is “classic and old-school villains” for the launch of the South 12th Street pop-up bar’s expansive second floor. Expect the usual over-the-top decor and a giant Yetti and other grotesque monsters from Mistress Zeneca with partner Jason Miller. Drenched in black light, the second-floor bar gathers the 12 most notable giant monsters throughout horror history. Both the ground-floor and second-floor bars will have occult and horror artifacts from Belasco Collection of the United Kingdom. Enjoy craft cocktails such as the Hocus Pocus (Tito’s elderflower liqueur, lemon, prosecco), the Universal Doner (Devil’s Reserve Tequila, triple sec, blood orange), and other seasonal brews.
📍116 S. 12th St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 nightmarebeforetinsel.finnmccoolsphilly.com
Uptown’s Freak Show
The Uptown Beer Garden, in Center City, has adopted a carnival-show vibe complete with creepy killer clowns, demonic animatronic monkeys, and Netflix’s Stranger Things decor. You can enjoy them or try to ignore them over a round of themed cocktails.
📍1500 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa. 19102, 🌐 uptownbeer.com
McGillin’s Olde Ale House
Spotted at the bar on Drury Street: Costumed servers with spiced rum candy corn martinis, Franken-rita sippers with Don Julio Blanco, and Smirnoff vanilla vodka and orange juice Screamsicle. The bar is decked out in all things Halloween. Don’t forget to wear your costumes on the weekend of Halloween — on Oct. 29, there will be “scare-oke,” aka costumed karaoke. Costume contests and prizes on both days. Finally, party at McGillin’s on Halloween night into Nov. 1.
📍1310 Drury St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 mcgillins.com
Nightmare Before Christmas: Spooktacular Movie Mash
Center City’s Craftsman Row Saloon goes ghoulish all month long. Sip on spooky cocktails including the Blood Bag — a rum, grenadine, apple cider, cranberry cocktail — and the Trick or Treat martini — Skrewball peanut butter whiskey, chocolate liqueur, Kahlua, and espresso, topped with a Reese’s peanut butter cup. Pair your drink of choice (NA options available) with a mummy charcuterie board, spooketti and meatballs, sandworm stromboli, and other festive eats.
📍112 S. Eighth St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19107, 🌐 craftsmanrowsaloon.com
Taqueria Amor
The Manayunk restaurant hosts “Nightmare on Main Street,” featuring bites and boozy theme drinks through Nov. 2. Summon cocktails like the Red Rum, a frozen piña colada (NA version available), or Bride of Chucky — an elderflower gin sipper with a black salt rim.
📍4410 Main St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19127, 🌐 taqueriaamor.com
Red Rum Theater, Without a Cue Productions and Pops McCann Whiskey
Head to Red Rum Theater for a monthlong Halloween bar showcasing theatrical experiences and cocktail-potion classes. There’s the Hocus Pocus-themed speakeasy, an immersive experience with witches, cocktails, and murder-mystery mayhem through Nov. 15. The Rocky Horror Picture Show cocktail experience, inspired by the cult classic, features three themed cocktails (or mocktails), outrageous performances, and interactive games on Oct. 25.
📍601 Walnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 redrum.live, 🕑 Various hours.
Stratus Rooftop Lounge
Pop by the Hotel Monaco’s rooftop bar and lounge on Oct. 31. Come for the spooky cocktails and stay for the live DJ sets, giveaways, and a costume contest (at 10 p.m.) featuring a grand prize for the best-dressed attendee. Be sure to RSVP to this free event.
📍433 Chestnut St., Philadelphia, Pa. 19106, 🌐 stratuslounge.com, 🕑 Oct. 31, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
This story has been updated to remove an event that has passed.