Philadelphia bars are getting into the Halloween spirit, transforming their spaces with elaborate decorations, themed cocktails, and plenty of surprises. Some are going all out, with haunted attractions, animatronics, and immersive experiences. Others are keeping things simple with seasonal drinks, horror movie screenings, and costume parties. Whether you’re looking for a festive night out or a bar that takes Halloween decorating seriously, here are 11 spots around Philly worth checking out this October.
Alien Invasion at Taqueria Amor
Taqueria Amor has given its Manayunk restaurant an extraterrestrial makeover as Taq Area 51, an alien-themed Halloween pop-up. Large figures and posters depicting visitors from outer space fill the space, while the Halloween cocktail menu features drinks such as the Violet Invader, made with gin, elderflower liqueur, crème de violette, lemon, lavender, and a black salt rim. There’s also the ET Phone Home, combining silver tequila, triple sec, blood orange, habanero syrup, dragon fruit, and a black salt rim. Stop by for an experience that’s worth the photo ops.
Frankenstein’s Putt Putt at Libertee Grounds
The Frankenstein Bar is alive at Libertee Grounds. Beyond a caution-taped entrance, guests can put on lab coats and goggles before exploring the nine-hole course and trying themed food and drinks. The menu includesspooky kimchi mac-and-cheese bites and the Divination, a mezcal cocktail with blue Curaçao, Aztec chocolate bitters, and an “eyeball” garnish. There’s also the Electric Jolt, made with orange liqueur and Boardroom Spirits Turtle Rabbit tequila, which turns black and smoky when stirred. Tickets start at $20.35 and includes nine holes of mini golf, the cocktail experience, and photo ops. The pop-up runs through Oct. 31.
Frights & Delights at Jet Wine Bar
Step into Jet Wine Bar’s graveyard garden this month for Frights & Delights, a weekly Halloween movie screening series. Every Thursday through October, there will be free screenings from 7 to 10 p.m. Upcoming films are the 1993 comedy Hocus Pocus (Oct. 22) and James Wan’s Insidious (Oct. 29). No reservations required.
Halloween at McGillin’s Olde Ale House
McGillin’s Olde Ale House is celebrating Halloween with seasonal decorations, costumed bartenders, and a menu of specialty cocktails. This month’s offerings include drinks like the Crypt Keeper’s Cosmo, made with Tito’s vodka, blue Curaçao, cranberry juice, and black sugar, garnished with a spider ring. There’s also the Poltergeist Paloma — Casamigos tequila, grapefruit juice, salt, and a “gory umbrella” garnish. The festivities continue with costume karaoke Oct. 28 and a Halloween party Oct. 31, with prizes available on both nights.
Haunted Pier at Cavanaugh’s River Deck
Cavanaugh’s River Deck has turned its Delaware River waterfront space into the Haunted Pier, featuring towering costumed characters, Halloween cocktails, photo opportunities, and plenty of jump scares. The attraction is open Wednesday through Sunday throughout October, with a costume party scheduled for Oct. 31.
Nightmare Before Tinsel
Tinsel knows how to make the most of a holiday, and Halloween is no exception. The Center City pop-up has returned as Nightmare Before Tinsel, where visitors pass through a reflective hallway into a dimly lit bar filled with hanging figures, portraits of Edgar Allan Poe, and holiday-themed cocktails. Step inside for the photo ops, decor, and the eerie vibes.
Taproom of Horrors at Evil Genius
Evil Genius Beer Co. has turned its Fishtown taproom into the Taproom of Horrors, featuring seven fright zones, animatronics, and more than 200 horror movie posters. The seasonal drink menu includes the Trick or Treat Chocolate Pumpkin Porter, as well as themed cocktails like the Hellfire Mule and Poison Apple. Admission is free, and the decorations are up through Nov. 1.
The Enchanted Nightmare at Craftsman Row Saloon
Craftsman Row Saloon has filled its Jewelers’ Row space with tombstones, ghosts, and skeletons sporting branded merchandise for its Enchanted Nightmare pop-up. The seasonal menu is just as elaborate, featuring a Frankenberger topped with pepper jack cheese, fried onions, and pickle eyes, alongside cocktails such as a candy corn-infused martini and a pumpkin margarita. The experience runs through Nov. 1, and reservations are recommended.
The Haunt at Bridget Foy’s
Bridget Foy’s has brought back The Haunt, its Halloween celebration featuring elaborate decorations, themed cocktails, and seasonal beers. The Halloween-themed “potions” include the Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, made with gin, belle pear liqueur, lemon, green chartreuse, and gummy worms. There’s also the Creature of the Night, combining vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, whipped cream, and cherry syrup. Seasonal brews include the Original Sin Black Widow Cider, Three 3’s Twisted Cobbler Pumpkin Ale, and a Schlafly Vanilla Pumpkin Ale.
The Haunted Mansion at Uptown Beer Garden
Uptown Beer Garden has transformed its outdoor space into a haunted mansion, with skeletons, glowing ghosts, cobwebs, pumpkins, and tombstones. Visitors can order specialty cocktails served in Halloween-themed cups and faux blood bags, snack on trick-or-treat-inspired desserts, and watch horror movies on large screens throughout the venue.
The Pumpkin Press at Newsroom Philly
Behind a 7Up vending machine door in Northern Liberties, Newsroom Philly has transformed its speakeasy into a Halloween pop-up inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The Pumpkin Press features ravens, black cats, pumpkins, candles, and headless horsemen, along with a seasonal cocktail menu. Drinks include a pumpkin spice espresso martini and the Raven’s Cauldron, a rum cocktail served with dry ice. Reservations are available.
Alien Invasion at Taqueria Amor
Taqueria Amor has given its Manayunk restaurant an extraterrestrial makeover as Taq Area 51, an alien-themed Halloween pop-up. Large figures and posters depicting visitors from outer space fill the space, while the Halloween cocktail menu features drinks such as the Violet Invader, made with gin, elderflower liqueur, crème de violette, lemon, lavender, and a black salt rim. There’s also the ET Phone Home, combining silver tequila, triple sec, blood orange, habanero syrup, dragon fruit, and a black salt rim. Stop by for an experience that’s worth the photo ops.
Frankenstein’s Putt Putt at Libertee Grounds
The Frankenstein Bar is alive at Libertee Grounds. Beyond a caution-taped entrance, guests can put on lab coats and goggles before exploring the nine-hole course and trying themed food and drinks. The menu includesspooky kimchi mac-and-cheese bites and the Divination, a mezcal cocktail with blue Curaçao, Aztec chocolate bitters, and an “eyeball” garnish. There’s also the Electric Jolt, made with orange liqueur and Boardroom Spirits Turtle Rabbit tequila, which turns black and smoky when stirred. Tickets start at $20.35 and includes nine holes of mini golf, the cocktail experience, and photo ops. The pop-up runs through Oct. 31.
Frights & Delights at Jet Wine Bar
Step into Jet Wine Bar’s graveyard garden this month for Frights & Delights, a weekly Halloween movie screening series. Every Thursday through October, there will be free screenings from 7 to 10 p.m. Upcoming films are the 1993 comedy Hocus Pocus (Oct. 22) and James Wan’s Insidious (Oct. 29). No reservations required.
Halloween at McGillin’s Olde Ale House
McGillin’s Olde Ale House is celebrating Halloween with seasonal decorations, costumed bartenders, and a menu of specialty cocktails. This month’s offerings include drinks like the Crypt Keeper’s Cosmo, made with Tito’s vodka, blue Curaçao, cranberry juice, and black sugar, garnished with a spider ring. There’s also the Poltergeist Paloma — Casamigos tequila, grapefruit juice, salt, and a “gory umbrella” garnish. The festivities continue with costume karaoke Oct. 28 and a Halloween party Oct. 31, with prizes available on both nights.
Haunted Pier at Cavanaugh’s River Deck
Cavanaugh’s River Deck has turned its Delaware River waterfront space into the Haunted Pier, featuring towering costumed characters, Halloween cocktails, photo opportunities, and plenty of jump scares. The attraction is open Wednesday through Sunday throughout October, with a costume party scheduled for Oct. 31.
Nightmare Before Tinsel
Tinsel knows how to make the most of a holiday, and Halloween is no exception. The Center City pop-up has returned as Nightmare Before Tinsel, where visitors pass through a reflective hallway into a dimly lit bar filled with hanging figures, portraits of Edgar Allan Poe, and holiday-themed cocktails. Step inside for the photo ops, decor, and the eerie vibes.
Taproom of Horrors at Evil Genius
Evil Genius Beer Co. has turned its Fishtown taproom into the Taproom of Horrors, featuring seven fright zones, animatronics, and more than 200 horror movie posters. The seasonal drink menu includes the Trick or Treat Chocolate Pumpkin Porter, as well as themed cocktails like the Hellfire Mule and Poison Apple. Admission is free, and the decorations are up through Nov. 1.
The Enchanted Nightmare at Craftsman Row Saloon
Craftsman Row Saloon has filled its Jewelers’ Row space with tombstones, ghosts, and skeletons sporting branded merchandise for its Enchanted Nightmare pop-up. The seasonal menu is just as elaborate, featuring a Frankenberger topped with pepper jack cheese, fried onions, and pickle eyes, alongside cocktails such as a candy corn-infused martini and a pumpkin margarita. The experience runs through Nov. 1, and reservations are recommended.
The Haunt at Bridget Foy’s
Bridget Foy’s has brought back The Haunt, its Halloween celebration featuring elaborate decorations, themed cocktails, and seasonal beers. The Halloween-themed “potions” include the Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, made with gin, belle pear liqueur, lemon, green chartreuse, and gummy worms. There’s also the Creature of the Night, combining vodka, espresso, coffee liqueur, whipped cream, and cherry syrup. Seasonal brews include the Original Sin Black Widow Cider, Three 3’s Twisted Cobbler Pumpkin Ale, and a Schlafly Vanilla Pumpkin Ale.
The Haunted Mansion at Uptown Beer Garden
Uptown Beer Garden has transformed its outdoor space into a haunted mansion, with skeletons, glowing ghosts, cobwebs, pumpkins, and tombstones. Visitors can order specialty cocktails served in Halloween-themed cups and faux blood bags, snack on trick-or-treat-inspired desserts, and watch horror movies on large screens throughout the venue.
The Pumpkin Press at Newsroom Philly
Behind a 7Up vending machine door in Northern Liberties, Newsroom Philly has transformed its speakeasy into a Halloween pop-up inspired by Edgar Allan Poe and Washington Irving’s The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. The Pumpkin Press features ravens, black cats, pumpkins, candles, and headless horsemen, along with a seasonal cocktail menu. Drinks include a pumpkin spice espresso martini and the Raven’s Cauldron, a rum cocktail served with dry ice. Reservations are available.