Halloween for Grownups: Pop-Up Bars, Spooky Soirées and More Philly Haunts

You’re never too old for Halloween. Dressing up? Check. Eating candy? Absolutely. Watching Hocus Pocus for the 25th time? No problems there. But if you’re a grownup who wants some extra Halloween festiveness, you’ve got options beyond tagging along with your kids (or your friend’s kids who you’ve suddenly befriended in hopes of fun-size Snickers leftovers) for trick-or-treating. In fact, there are more options than ever, with pop-up bars, haunted houses, spooky soirées and so much more.

Bookmark this page, and be sure to check back often, as we’ll add more things as they get announced.

Ongoing: Halloween Pop-Ups, Haunted Houses, and More

The Nightmare Before Tinsel

This Halloween pop-up bar located in an abandoned jewelry store has everything: a skeleton throne, two Halloween-y bars on two floors, monsters to pose with, a creepy clown on a swing. And, of course, a drink menu full of themed cocktails including skull-shaped specialty shots (yes, you can keep the skull), and other fall flavors served up in Halloween-themed take-home vessels.
Pay-as-you-go, through October 31st, 116 South 12th Street.

Uptown’s Freak Show

Uptown Beer Garden is decked out in creepy clowns, giant monsters, festive skeletons and more Halloween-y decor (including some Stranger Things creatures left over from past years). Plus, themed cocktails in fun cups including a green Frankenstein monster sippy and a Blood Bag. (It’s cranberry juice, don’t worry.)
Pay-as-you-go; now through October 31st, Uptown Beer Garden, 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

Taqueria Amor’s Nightmare on Main Street

For spooky season, this Manayunk spot takes its inspiration from classic horror movies this year. Their “Redrum” adds a strawberry streak to a frozen piña colada, while the “Bride of Chucky” tops a delicate lavender gin-based cocktail with a black salt rim.
Pay-as-you-go; through October 31st, 4410 Main Street, Manayunk.

Nightmare Before Christmas: Spooktacular Monster Mash Pop-Up at Craftsman Row

Known for their over-the-top milkshakes and penchant for theming, Craftsman Row is killing it at their Nightmare Before Christmas pop-up. Expect special menu items (Spook-ghetti and Meatballs, anyone?), cocktails, boozy milkshakes, and of course lots of decorations.
Pay-as-you-go; through October 31st, Craftsman Row Saloon, 112 South 8th Street.

Spookfest at Jet Wine Bar

Jet has decked out their bar and wine garden for spooky season, and every Thursday in October they’ll be showing classic Halloween movies all night. They’ll post the movie schedule on their Instagram each week, so check there for your favorites.
Pay as you go; Thursdays in October from 6-10 p.m., Jet Wine Bar, 1525 South Street.

Haunt at Bridget Foy’s

Alison Hangen of Andra Hem is bringing pop-up Halloween bar Haunt to Bridget Foy’s, which will transform with spooky decor, photo ops, and scary movies. Special cocktails include the Nosfera-tini (which uses Bloody Mary–infused vodka) and the googly-eyed Corpse Reviver Number You (pictured below).
Pay as you go; October 8th-31st, Bridget Foy’s, 200 South Street.

Adult Trick-or-Treat at Chaddsford Winery

Join a Chaddsford Wine Guide on a walking tour to visit five Halloween-themed pairing stations — and get wine tips along the way. This year’s theme is “Cursed Carnival,” but they make sure to specify that there are “no live clowns.” (Which likely means “no clowns,” but if you really want to get dark here, it could mean dead clowns? I’m guessing it’s just no clowns.) There’s also a costume contest, so dress your best. You’ll get a keepsake Halloween wine glass, plus plenty of wine and snacks, in a one-of-a-kind trick-or-treat experiences that’s 21-and-up only. After your 45-minute jaunt, you can buy more wine by the glass, plus food from visiting food trucks.
$35-$45; Saturdays and Sundays through November 2nd, Chaddsford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford.

Bates Motel

This haunted motel in Delco is a longtime favorite for a reason, and worth the drive if you’re looking for a haunted house with high production value. You can also take a 25-minute haunted hayride through Arasapha Farm, complete with its own sets and special effects. Plus, you can walk through a haunted corn maze (who knew that was a thing?) called Revenge of the Scarecrows!
$35-$125; through November 3rd, 1835 Middletown Road, Glen Mills.

Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary

Fairmount’s historic prison has been divided into separate haunted house attractions — including the Machine Shop, The Crypt, Big Top Terror and the new “Dark Tides.” There’s also the Bloodline Lounge (for vampire-themed cocktails), a speakeasy, live dance performances by the Boogie Monsters in Pumpkin Plaza, a beer garden, s’mores, tours, and more.
$49-$109; through November 8th, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue.

“Bloodletting & Burials” Tours at Betsy Ross House

This tour takes you back to the 1700s, where you’ll “hear true tales of bloodletting, smallpox, yellow fever and other gross experiences.” Yikes. After learning about all the disease and dying of 18th-century Philly, head into the Betsy Ross House for a shadowy after-hours tour. Tickets available online.
$25; Saturdays from October 4th-25th at 6 and 7 p.m., Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch Street.

Hocus Pocus Speakeasy

Red Rum Theatre transforms into a Halloween pop-up all month long at the Curtis Center with an “immersive playground of witches, cocktails, and murder mystery mayhem.” But wait, there’s more! Every Saturday, they’ll have the “Hocus Pocus Cocktail Experience” with the Sanderson Sisters, including performances, games, and three “potions” you’ll learn to mix up yourself. And on Fridays, they’ll have special events — like a Rocky Horror night on October 25th. Weekends will host new themed murder mysteries, too, so there’s always something to keep it interesting.
October 3rd-26th (cocktail experience on Saturdays), Red Rum Theatre at the Curtis Center, 601 Walnut Street.

Cavanaugh’s River Deck’s Haunted Pier

Cav’s River Deck will transform into “Haunted Pier,” and they’ve got quite a backstory, involving a lost ghost ship called The Red October. So expect some spooky nautical/pirate-y vibes, plus themed drinks and Saturday night “Thriller” dance parties.
Pay as you go; October 3rd-November 1st, 417 North Columbus Boulevard.

Evil Genius “Taphouse of Horrors”

For the first time, Evil Genius is going all in on spooky season, transforming its Fishtown location with seven different themed zones, featuring killer clowns, creepy scarecrows, interactive animatronics, horror movies, gargoyles … the list goes on. Plus, they’ve got food and cocktail specials and seasonal beer on tap including their “Trick or Treat” chocolate-pumpkin porter.
Pay as you go; September 27th-October 31st, Evil Genius, 1727 North Front Street.

Fright Factory

The basement of this 120-year-old factory is split into three frightening themes to explore, complete with lots of scare-actors, special effects, and elaborate set design.
$35-$60; select dates through October 31st, 2200 South Swanson Street.

Tours at Laurel Hill Cemetery

There’s no better time of year for a scary stroll than October, and there’s no better place for it than a historic graveyard. Laurel Hill is offering all sorts of spooky tours, including their classic “Soul Crawl” Halloween flashlight tours, and their “True Tales From the Tombs” theatrical walking tour featuring a local cast from “The Not Ready for After-Life Players.” See their whole calendar of events and choose a perfectly macabre tour here.

Lincoln Mill Haunted House

Philly’s newest haunted house is back in Manayunk with a grisly Hurricane Ida-related backstory and dozens of “scare-actors” among the property decked out with sets, animatronics, and special effects. Plus, a pop-up bar by New Ridge featuring their “Horror Business” pumpkin ale inspired by Lincoln Mill.
$35-$75; Thursdays through Sundays through November 2nd, 4100 Main Street.

Candlelight Ghost Tours of Fort Mifflin

Experience Fort Mifflin after hours with a three-quarter-mile walking tour of the historical site. Not enough haunted Fort Mifflin for you? You can also gather a group of 20 to 35 for a private 90-minute candlelight tour of the soldiers’ barracks — private tours need to be booked at least 10 days in advance.
$20-$27; weekends from October 10th-24th, Fort Mifflin, 6400 Hog Island Road.

Philadelphia True Crime Tour

With live music and storytelling performances on a “haunted” BYOB trolley, Founding Footsteps leads a locally inspired true crime tour of Philly. Did you know that our nation’s first serial killer, H.H. Holmes, began and ended his crimes in Philly? Me neither! The “Bad Things Happen in Philly” tour is for ages 21 and up, and runs Thursdays through Saturdays all October long. Tickets available online.
$55; Thursdays through Sundays through October 28th, begins and ends at 901 North Delaware Avenue.

Halloween Parties, Performances and More

Silent Classic Horror

As part of Opera Philadelphia’s “Pipe Up!” series at the Wanamaker Building, Carrie Rickey curates a week of 1920s horror films with live organ accompaniment in the historic building’s Greek Hall (on the third floor). See the schedule here. All screenings are free, but advance registration required.
Free; October 27th-31st at 7 p.m., Greek Hall at the Wanamaker Building, 100 East Penn Square (entrance at Juniper Street).

Drag Shows and Brunches

There is no shortage of BOOzy drag shows around town. Here are our top picks:

• Drag Becomes Her at Franky Bradley’s, $10-$15; October 15th, 7:30 p.m., 1320 Chancellor Street.
• Screamtime Saturday: A Horror Drag Brunch at Monster Vegan, $18; October 25th, noon-3 p.m., 1229 Spruce Street.
• HallowQueen Drag Brunch at Boozy Mutt, $23.18; October 25th, noon-2:30 p.m., 2639 Poplar Street.
• King Of Drag Halloween Spooktacular at Fabrika, $40-$60; October 26th, 8-11:30 p.m., 1108 Frankford Avenue.
• Spooky Drag Halloween at Bok Bar, $32 for a table for two; October 30th, 7-9 p.m., 800 Mifflin Street.
• Mischief Night Dragula Titans Show at Fabrika, $40-$60; October 30th, 8-11:30 p.m., 1108 Frankford Avenue.

Spooky Boat Parties

Boats are inherently scary: There’s no escape, because of the implication. So the Moshulu (401 South Columbus Boulevard) is hosting two separate Halloween bashes this October:

• Sad & Boujee Halloween, spooky emo. $23; October 17th, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
• The Haunted Boat Halloween Party features reggaeton, salsa, EDM, and more on three decks. And drinks, obviously. $10-$24; October 30th, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.

More Dance Parties (on Land)

• Riot Nerd’s ’80s & ’90s Halloween Dance Party. $21; October 31st, 9 p.m., MilkBoy, 1100 Chestnut Street.
• Riot Nerd’s K-Pop Halloween Party. $15-$20; October 31st, 9 p.m., City Winery, 990 Filbert Street.
• Dance or Die Halloween Dance Party at Khyber Pass. $9, October 31st, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., 56 South 2nd Street.
• Gasolina Reggaeton Party at Brooklyn Bowl. $15-$53; October 31st, 9 p.m., 1009 Canal Street.

Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy

For one weekend only, this immersive cocktail and storytelling experience returns, with mixologists translating four of Poe’s works into creative cocktails. Cocktail or Poe-inspired attire is suggested; timed tickets are required.
$55; October 9th-11th, the Fallser Club, 3721 Midvale Avenue.

Science After Hours: Fright @ Night

The Franklin Institute’s adults-only Science After Hours series is always a good time. You get to run around all the science museum’s exhibits after dark, as well as the roof deck with incredible views and stargazing. Their Halloween party includes live music by Planette Automatic, DJ music and dancing, bingo, AWFUL Wrestling, food and drink, and more fun. Costumes are encouraged.
$35-$40; October 10th, 7:30-11:30 p.m., Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street.

Philadelphia Ballet’s Evening of Horror

The Philadelphia Ballet offers a haunting double bill of Agnes de Mille’s Fall River Legend and Juliano Nunes’s world-premiere Valley of Death.
$29-$270; October 16th-19th, Academy of Music, 240 South Broad Street.

Ghosts in the Hood Cemetery Concert

Join Opera On Tap for an “enchanted” classical concert in a historic cemetery. Come early because historians from Historic Germantown will host a tour of the cemetery grounds prior to the performance, which begins at dusk. BYOB, and dress up for the costume contest.
$39; October 18th, 5 p.m. (concert at 5:45 p.m.), Hood Cemetery, 4901 Germantown Avenue.

Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors

West Philly’s Curio Theatre presents Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen’s “90-minute, gender-bending, quick-changing, laugh-out-loud reimagining of the gothic classic.”
$20-$30; October 18th-November 1st, Curio Theatre Company, 4740 Baltimore Avenue.

DracYoga

The Rosenbach is hosting a “candlelit, Dracula-inspired” yoga session. What does that mean? “We’ll have some fun linking imagery and themes from this Gothic horror classic to a gentle flow yoga sequence.” So … corpse pose the whole time? I don’t know! After the class, participants get an after-hours viewing of the museum’s Dracula collection. Bring your own mat (and fangs). Costumes are encouraged.
$30; October 22nd, 6-7 p.m., The Rosenbach, 2008-2010 Delancey Place.

Opera on Tap Presents Philoween

Opera on Tap Philly presents their annual Halloween show with classical music to “celebrate all things dark, macabre, and sometimes spoopy silly.”
$15; October 22nd, 7 p.m., Glory Beer Bar & Kitchen, 126 Chestnut Street.

Sleep With the Ghosts

Explore the buildings, myths and legends behind Fort Mifflin during this paranormal investigation and sleepover at the historic site. Sleeping quarters are dormitory style, or BYO tent.
$99; October 25th, 7 p.m., Fort Mifflin, 6400 Hog Island Road.

A “Grotesque” Tour at Dusk: Edgar Allan Poe at Andalusia

Edgar Allan Poe visited Andalusia in 1840, the year he published Tales of the Grotesque and Arabesque. This tour will take you around the historic mansion and grounds while hearing selections from Poe’s book, connecting each short story to the location where it is read. Plus, hot toddies and tea!
$50-$60; October 25th, 5:30-7 p.m., 1237 State Road, Andalusia.

Fat Lady Brewing’s Carnival Spooktacular

A night of music and drag performances by Ms. Terr, Dinah Loninless, and Hungary Da Clown. Plus, a costume contest, face painting, tarot readings, and more.
$28; October 25th, 6-11:45 p.m., Fat Lady Brewing, 4323 Main Street.

Creepy Clown Cabaret

I mean, it’s what it sounds like: a revue of “creepy clown performances” at Nutmeg. Come in costume!
$28; October 25th, 7-10 p.m., Nutmeg Bar and Market, 1835 East Passyunk Avenue.

Trick or Cheese at Philly Cheese School

Philly Cheese School will guide you through a sampling of cheeses paired with classic candies, plus give tips and tricks for how to pair cheeses with sweet treats. Costumes (and BYOB) are encouraged, and the class is for ages 21 and up.
$60; October 26th & 30th, Philly Cheese School, 701 South 9th Street.

East Passyunk Witch Craft Crawl

Stroll East Passyunk Avenue’s participating restaurants, bars, and store offering food, drink, and shopping specials. Collect five or more stamps on your ticket to be entered to win East Passyunk merch. Costumes are welcome, but know that your ticket also includes a witch’s hat or light-up necklace. After the crawl, hit up the after-party at Garage from 9:30 to 11 p.m.
$6.66-$10 for tickets, food and drinks are pay-as-you-go; October 29th, 6-10 p.m., East Passyunk Avenue.

Choreomania

The Mütter Museum hosts an immersive dance party inspired by a bizarre medieval medical phenomenon of “dancing mania” where “hundreds of citizens were impacted by a widespread but inexplicable need to dance.” Dance the night away and enjoy specialty cocktails and after-hours access the the museum. Guests are encouraged to embrace the theme with “Choreomania-themed costumes- think peasant-core, the medieval period’s visual culture, and demonology.”
$60; October 30th, 7-11 p.m., Mütter Museum, 19 South 22nd Street.

Ravens on the Rooftop

Join The Raven Society for a spooky celebration on Parkway Central Library’s rooftop terrace — literary-themed costumes encouraged, of course. The party includes light bites, drinks, music, and festive activities like tarot readings. The event supports the Free Library of Philadelphia Foundation.
$60 ($30 for Raven Society members); October 30th, 6-9 p.m., Free Library of Philadelphia, 1901 Vine Street.

Gilda’s 3rd Annual Halloween Party

Gilda celebrates with spooky dinner menu of Brazilian street food and N/A drinks, DJ Lousy spinning an all-vinyl set of Halloween favorites, and vendors selling candles, sports art and apparel, vintage fall clothing, and horror-themed comics, books, records, and movies.
Pay as you go; October 30th, 6-8:30 p.m., Gilda, 300 East Girard Avenue.

Spooky Speakeasy at Hill-Physick House

This Halloween party benefits the historic 18th-century house and features custom cocktails and mocktails, hors d’oeuvres, music, costume contests, and more 1920s-themed fun.
$75; October 30th, 6-9 p.m., Hill-Physick House, 321 South 4th Street.

The Night Before Halloween: Spooky Bouquets & Cocktails

Learn spooky floral design and make your own bouquet with Creations by Coppola. Plus, sip on two Halloween-inspired mezcal cocktails crafted by Nico Diaz. Sessions are limited to 20 people.
$75; October 30th, 6:30 and 8:30, Creations by Coppola, 1724 East Passyunk Avenue.

Ghouls Night Out

Love City hosts its annual Halloween party, featuring DJ music, drink specials, and a costume contest. And this year, they’re going “full zombie” with “Thriller” dance lessons before your big group performance!
Pay as you go; October 31st, 7 p.m.-midnight, Love City Brewing, 1023 Hamilton Street.

Morgan’s Pier Halloween Bash

Morgan’s Pier ends their season with their annual Halloween Bash, where guests are encouraged to help “suck the bar dry.” Hosted by Brittany Lynn, the adults-only party is all-you-can-drink (plus there are free hot dogs), and also includes DJ entertainment and a costume contest (with prizes).
$80; October 31st, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Morgan’s Pier, 221 North Columbus Boulevard.

Stateside Live’s Halloween Haunts

The sports-complex behemoth formerly known as Xfinity Live hosts a massive Halloween party, spanning multiple venues within the building. The night will include costume contests (with cash prizes) and entertainment including DJ sets, silent disco, karaoke, and bull riding.
$15; October 31st, 8 p.m., Stateside Live, 1100 Pattison Avenue.

Dr. Trestle and Mr Hyde Halloween Disco Dance Party

The Trestle Inn hosts their annual Halloween bash with “Devilish Disco” on vinyl by DJ Steve J, go-go dancers, and a “Grave Digger” cocktail special.
$23; October 31st, 9 p.m., the Trestle Inn, 339 North 11th Street.

Glen Foerd’s Masquerade Ball

The historic riverside mansion hosts a Halloween ball with live music by the West Philadelphia Orchestra, circus performers, dinner and an open bar. Costumes (and masks) are encouraged. The afterparty will take place in the rathskeller. Proceeds benefit Glen Foerd’s art, education, outreach programming, and historic preservation efforts.
$195-$235; October 31st, 7 p.m., Glen Foerd, 5001 Grant Avenue.

Henri David presents The Halloween Ball

Henri David is famous for his costumes and his well-attended costume balls. Always a flashy, sassy good time.
$29; October 31st, 8 p.m., Commonwealth Plaza at the Kimmel Center, 300 South Broad Street.

Adults-Only Haunted Circus

The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts’ Halloween show promises “noisy, naughty and nightmare-inducing fun.” Note: If you’d like a tamer show, there’s a family-friendly one earlier in the day.
$20-$25; November 1st, 8:30 p.m., Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene Street.

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