The Best Bars In The US To Celebrate Halloween

Candy tends to get all the hype during the Halloween season, but let's not forget about the spirits. By spirits we mean the creepy cocktails, spooky ciders, and magical martinis that emerge for the autumn holiday. Fall flavors like pumpkin may be introduced through liqueur in a Pumpkin Spice White Russian, or green jello might become the star ingredient in a gigantic bowl of neon, spiked punch. Getting a good Halloween-inspired drink is basically the adult equivalent of receiving a full-size chocolate bar in a trick-or-treat bag, so making time to explore some of the many creative concoctions out there while the season is ripe will almost certainly amplify your Halloween experience. While many bars get on board in preparation for Allhallows Eve with festive drink menus, others take things a step further not only with themed beverages but with outlandish decor, as well.

Spooky skeletons, dry ice, witch's cauldrons, and servers in costume will turn sipping a brightly colored Halloween cocktail into a full-on immersive experience, something which will bring that childlike joy you once held for the holiday bubbling back to the surface. So, go ahead — get dressed up and head out to one of these, the best bars in the U.S. to celebrate Halloween.

Looking for something a little different to do this Halloween than your standard holiday party? Well, how about a haunted mixology experience? At Raven's Manor in Portland, Oregon, a haunted mansion–style bar and cocktail lounge, you can sign yourself and a group of friends, family, or coworkers up for an experience like no other. "The Elixir Experience is to DIE for!" reads a review on TripAdvisor in reference to the escape room–like tasting adventure for which the bar is known. Drinks such as the Redrum lurk behind hidden doors, and meals like the Skellington Soup or Steaked to Death will be whipped up in the haunted kitchen as you are taught to mix multiple alcoholic potions of your own. "The menu is amusing (grilled cheese of darkness)," said a guest of the joint on Reddit after their visit. "The drinks were creative and on-theme. It feels a bit like a theme park experience."

But, we will warn you; consumers report that getting a spot in the coveted mixology encounter can be extremely difficult and they tend to book out relatively far in advance. Even if there are no spaces open come Halloween, you can still experience the eerie extravagance that is Raven's Manor. Walk-ins are welcome, and sitting down at one of the tables in the spookily lit bar just to enjoy the scary decor and Halloween-themed fare is still well within the spirit of the holiday, we'd say.

Wicked, the musical sensation based on the story of the two witches of Oz, is the second highest-grossing Broadway production of all time. The charm and allure of the sister witches are undeniable — this Halloween in downtown Nashville, one penthouse bar has taken the concept and run with it wholly to create a wickedly enchanting environment for its customers.

The bar at the Fairlane Hotel is re-doing its decor just in time for Halloween with a pop-up experience called Emerald City. Named for the romantic green hue that will illuminate the walls, the celebrated spot will feature a unique, inspired-by-the-stage lineup of drinks like Glinda's Bubble or Lion's Courage and delicious, light bites like Broomstick Brittle or Magical Macarons. The environment will be more sophisticated than scary. If lighter, less frightening Halloween decor is your preference, this will be the ideal place to spend your holiday evening. Listen to some of the famed Broadway hits, sip, nibble, and observe lit-up Nashville at night from the high point windows as you are transported off to see the wizard. There will also be a witch-themed drag show on October 8, so don't delay in snagging tickets for this once-in-a-full-moon experience.

New Orleans is considered by many thrill and paranormal seekers to be one of America's most haunted cities. Nestled within the streets of this infamous city lies a bar dedicated to the idea of spirits unwilling or unable to pass on. The Ghost Bar is a cozy, intimate lounge in which one can spend a comfortable evening surrounded by decorations featuring Caspar and other well-known ghosts while sipping on one of the many concoctions that truly make the place distinctive.

Cocktails such as the Cereal Killer (a Vodka-based drink full of rainbow fruity cereal nuggets), the Tombstone Tea (which gives off some serious spiked Arnold Palmer vibes), the sweet Banana Banshee, or the dry ice–smoking Pear Potion stand out for their creativity every bit as much as their deliciousness. Paired with an appetizer like the Alligator Kickers or the Chicken Cracklins, you are more than set up for an unforgettable Halloween night sitting at a table made out of a Ouija board. What could better get you in the mood for a night of spooky shenanigans?

The most highly-rated bar in Los Angeles might surprise you. According to iHeartRadio, It's not some glamorous, sparkling rooftop lounge — it is a dark, dimly lit bar called Potions & Poisons located in Koreatown. While its ambiance is generally spooky and remains reminiscent of Halloween at all times of the year, the place goes extra hard for the fall holiday by amping up the scary decor and themed drinks.

Consumers will feel as if they've stepped foot in the dungeons at Hogwarts for potions class when they sit down to order beverages like Draught Of Living Death or the Emerald Tablet. True to its name, the bar also offers its very own uniquely crafted fermented elixirs with a wide array of healthful additions, such as cancer-fighting antioxidants, immune-boosting properties, and important vitamins and minerals. These "nutritional" alcoholic creations — such as the Ume Plum or the Ginseng — can be ordered as individual drinks or as a sampling platter featuring a small amount of each one served in fun test tubes. The place also has karaoke, making it the perfect location to drunkenly belt out "Spooky Scary Skeletons" on Halloween night. As an extra bonus, consumers find the beverages decently priced, something hard to find in the notably expensive City of Angels. Bottoms up, witches and wizards.

There's nothing like a good pop-up to get people roused. Something about the knowledge of a place being around for a limited time only doubles the excitement surrounding it, and the latest spooky pop-up in Detroit — Nightmare on Bagley — certainly lives up to the hype. On Bagley, a location that has housed multiple different pop-ups including Vixen's on Bagley for Valentine's Day and Blitzen's on Bagley for Christmas, has become a nightmarish freakshow funhouse for the 2023 Halloween season.

Come up and order a tequila-based Bloodrita, a whipped cream–topped Peaches & Scream, or an ice-cold jello shot from the bar draped in chains and cobwebs. Then, take a walkabout through the haunted hallways (if you dare) and come face to face with terrifying, glowering animatronic skeletons and a rotating Ferris wheel full of evil clowns. Between the bright lights strobing and the bloody hand prints, you will find yourself frightened out of your wits ... in a good way, of course. This jarring joint is only open Wednesdays through Sundays, so be careful not to show up on a Tuesday at 5 p.m. ready to party. However, it is likely that Nightmare On Bagley will open up for one specific Tuesday in particular this season (seeing as Halloween 2023 falls on one, after all).