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

From macabre cocktails to costume parties to haunted jaunts, there are so many ways to embrace Spooky Season.

halloween bar

Cocktails at Nightmare Before Tinsel pop-up Halloween bar / Photograph by Society Hill Films

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 brand-new pop-up bars, haunted houses, spooky soirées and so much more.

Ongoing: Halloween Pop-Ups, Haunted Houses and More

Uptown Upside Down
Uptown Beer Garden is getting into the spooky spirit with a reprise of last year’s Stranger Things-themed experience. They’re taking it back to circa-1983 Hawkins, Indiana, with plenty of photo ops based on the show (Demodogs! Demogorgons! Vecna!) and other general Halloween-y decor, plus themed cocktails in take-home souvenir glassware.
Pay-as-you-go; now through October 31st, Uptown Beer Garden, 1500 John F. Kennedy Boulevard.

philly halloween pop-up bars

Uptown Beer Garden gets a Stranger Things Halloween bar makeover / Photograph by Cody Aldrich Photography

Taqueria (Never)Amor
For spooky season, this Manayunk spot takes its inspiration from Netflix’s Wednesday, along with some Edgar Allan Poe for good measure. Cocktails include “Once Upon a Midnight Dreary,” the black-salt-rimmed “Festering Woes,” and a slushy “Pirhanas in the Pool” that includes a Swedish Fish garnish. Decor is mildly macabre.
Pay-as-you-go; through October 31st, 4410 Main Street, Manayunk.

Potion Making and More at The Cauldron
Midtown Village’s magical, wizard-adjacent bar hosts “potion making” mixology sessions all year long, but they kick it up a notch during Halloween season with “The Veil.” The experience lasts just under two hours and includes an “ectoplasm shot” and all the ingredients and directions to make a special themed cocktails like the Maleficaria, the Monster Mash, and other spooky potions. You get a wand and cloak to wear, too. It’s the best. They’ll also be hosting Halloween events, like a Halloween Disco dance party on October 28th and a “”spectacular seance” on Halloween night itself.
$43 for potion making; through November 5th, 1305 Locust Street.

Nightmare Before Christmas Pop-Up at Craftsman Row
Known for their over-the-top milkshakes and penchant for theming, Craftsman Row is getting into the haunting game with a Nightmare Before Christmas pop-up experience. Expect special menu items (Spook-ghetti and Meatballs, anyone?), cocktails, boozy milkshakes, and lots of decorations! New for this year, they also have Spooky Brunch menu items, including a pumpkin-spice mimosa topped with a toasted marshmallow.
Pay-as-you-go; through October 31st, Craftsman Row Saloon, 112 South 8th Street.

hallowen bars

Craftsman Row has transformed into a Halloween bar with spooky (and boozy) milkshakes and cocktails. / Photograph by Laura Swartz

The Nightmare Before Tinsel
This Halloween pop-up bar located in an abandoned jewelry store has everything: skeletons, creepy baby dolls, and more spooky scares. And, of course, the drink menu does not disappoint. Expect lots of themed cocktails like the Blood Bag (it’s cranberry juice, don’t worry), skull-shaped specialty shots (yes, you can keep the skull), and other fall flavors served up in Halloween-themed take-home vessels. This Halloween favorite’s opening has been delayed till mid-October (tentatively Friday the 13th), but that still leaves lots of time to enjoy it.
Pay-as-you-go; October 13th-31st, 116 South 12th 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 “Twisted Fairy Tales,” with each station named accordingly. (There’s spiced-apple wine for Snow White, naturally.) 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 (or beer) by the glass, plus food from the Common Good Food Truck.
$40; Saturdays and Sundays in October, Chaddsford Winery, 632 Baltimore Pike, Chadds Ford.

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.
$30-$50; select dates through October 31st, 2200 South Swanson Street.

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!
$40-$125; September 23rd-October 31st, 1835 Middletown Road, Glen Mills.

Creepy clowns at Eastern State Penitentiary’s Halloween Nights haunted experience / Photograph by Erin Davis

Halloween Nights at Eastern State Penitentiary
Fairmount’s historic prison has been divided into separate haunted house attractions — including Delirium (in 3D!), Machine Shop, The Crypt, Big Top Terror and Nightmares. There’s also the Bloodline Lounge (for vampire-themed cocktails), live dance performances by the Boogie Monsters in Pumpkin Plaza, a beer garden, s’mores, tours and more.
$34; through November 11th, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Avenue.

Spooky Twilight 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.
$12; Fridays and Saturdays from October 18th-28th, Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch 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. 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.
$25-$79; Thursdays through Saturdays through November 4th, 4100 Main Street.

Image courtesy of Lincoln Mill Haunted House

Candlelight Ghost Tours of Fort Mifflin
Experience Fort Mifflin after hours with a three-quarter-mile walking tour of the historical site. There will also be a pop-up bar on site. Costumes are encouraged on Halloween weekend. 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.
$15-$25; weekends from October 7th-29th, Fort Mifflin, 6400 Hog Island Road.

A Golden Girls Murder Mystery: A Halloween Caper
One of several shows by Without A Cue Productions at Red Rum Theater, this one finds the Golden Girls characters planning a Halloween party which quickly becomes an interactive whodunnit murder mystery.
$35-$75; weekends through November 12th, Red Rum Theater, 601 Walnut Street.

Photograph courtesy of Founding Footsteps

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 runs Thursdays through Saturdays all October long. Tickets available online.
$55; weekends through October 28th, begins and ends at 601 Walnut Street.

Haunted Heights at Assembly
Assembly Rooftop Lounge will be doing a Halloween-themed pop-up with themed decor, music, a “Bloody Frosé” and other themed cocktails. Reserve online.
Pay-as-you-go; October 20th-31st, Assembly Rooftop, 1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway.

Halloween Parties, Performances and More

Drag Brunches
From the Sanderson sisters to Harry Potter, there is no shortage of BOOzy drag brunches around town. Here are our top picks:

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

  • The Wizards Ball turns the boat into a Harry Potter-themed party. $10; October 13th, 9 p.m.-2 p.m.
  • Sad & Boujee Halloween features Kellin Quinn of Sleeping With Sirens, and includes a disco pre-party starting at 10 p.m. $22.50-$30; October 21st, 10 p.m.-2 a.m.
  • And finally, the Moshulu’s Haunted Ship Halloween Party features a live jazz band in the ballroom, a throwback hip-hop room, a DJ dance party on the main deck and acoustic live music in the lounge. And drinks, obviously. $20-$50; October 28th, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. (8 p.m. for VIP)

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 (plus the seasonal pop-ups set up for the kids’ Franklin Fright days) after dark, as well as the roof deck with incredible views and stargazing. Plus, the unique Halloween party includes DJ music and dancing, bingo hosted by “glamorous ghoul of drag” Onyx Ondyx, live performers, science demonstrations, and more. Costumes are encouraged.
$35-$45; October 13th, 7:30-11:30 p.m., Franklin Institute, 222 North 20th Street.

Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy
At this pop-up “speakeasy” experience, four of Poe’s classic macabre stories will be told while a mixologist transforms each story into a cocktail. (Yes, there is a Raven-tini.) Cocktail or Poe-inspired costumes are encouraged. P.S. The Northern Liberties location puts you near the Edgar Allan Poe house as well as a mural of the author, if you want to make it a complete evening. Pre-registration is required online.
$55; October 12th-14th, Craft Hall, 901 North Delaware Avenue.

Halloween bars philly

Raventini / Photograph courtesy of Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy

After Hours at The Woodlands
Bring a blanket and picnic (and beverages), explore the historic Woodlands cemetery after dark, and enjoy a spooky outdoor concert by the Philadelphia Viola Quartet in front of the stable. Pre-registration is required, and will close at noon the day of the event.
$10 (free for members); October 13th, 6-8 p.m., The Woodlands, 4000 Woodland Avenue.

Dracuthon
The Rosenbach is home to Dracula’s first editions, as well as Stoker’s research notes and outlines he made over seven years while writing it. To celebrate the season, the Rosenbach will read the entire novel aloud from dusk till midnight. There will also be vendors, book signings with authors, food and drink available for purchase, and the opportunity to sign up for other vampire-related Rosenbach programs.
$15 suggested donation; October 13th, 7 p.m.-midnight, Trinity Center for Urban Life, 2212 Spruce Street.

Rocky Horror Picture Show Live
PHS’s Manayunk pop-up garden will once again host a live shadow performance of Rocky Horror Picture Show starring the Transducer Players, and featuring drag queen Brittany Lynn as Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Costumes are encouraged: Don’t dream it, be it!
$20-$35; October 13th, 7 p.m., 106 Jamestown Avenue.

Gravediggers’ Ball
This annual fundraiser of Friends of Laurel Hill Cemetery invites guests to come in black-tie masquerade attire (and there’s a costume contest!), so if you’re looking for a spooky and swanky evening for a good cause, this one’s for you. The ticket cost goes toward the preservation of the historic cemetery, but if the $350 price tag is too rich for your blood (Halloween pun intended), there’s also a $95 “Graveyard Shift” option for ages 21 to 35 to attend from 9:30 p.m. to midnight.
$95-$500; October 13th, 7 p.m.-midnight, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic.

PHILoween by Opera on Tap
Opera on Tap presents a spooky (or “spoopy,” as they call it) speakeasy featuring tales of ghosts and ghouls alongside opera singers. Costumes are encouraged. The event will be at Velvet Whip, and that Center City location’s address will be revealed only upon ticket purchase.
$15; October 17th, 6:30-9:30 p.m., Velvet Whip (address provided upon ticket purchase).

Horror Movie Trivia Night at The Cauldron
Bring your team of up to six people, dress as your favorite horror-movie character and come prepared to answer scary trivia with quizmaster Ian Morrison. The event will also have a scary movie screening! Food and drinks are pay-as-you-go.
Free to attend (register online); October 19th, 7-9 p.m., The Cauldron, 1305 Locust Street.

Taylor Swift Dance Party: Halloween Edition
The old Taylor can’t come to the phone right now. … ’cause she’s dead. Riot Nerd brings back its super-popular Taylor Swift night with a Halloween twist. Expect themed decor and drinks, a drag performance, costume contests, a photobooth, and of course Taylor music all night. I’m guessing this set list will be more Reputation-heavy than usual.
$18; October 20th, 9 p.m., Underground Arts, 1200 Callowhill Street.

Sleep with the Ghosts
Explore the buildings, myths and legends behind Fort Mifflin during this paranormal investigation and sleepover at the historic site. The evening also includes light refreshments around the fire pit; sleeping quarters are dormitory style, or BYO tent.
$99; October 21st, 7 p.m., Fort Mifflin, 6400 Hog Island Road.

The Spooky Ukie Market
Philly Makers Syndicate presents this shopping opportunity at the Ukie Club with 70+ vendors, food and a full bar — plus, what the hell, live music by Lither’s Midfright Snack, Hexx, Boston Head, Zorn, On the Water, Ugli and Diuretic.
$2–$8 donation (no one turned away for lack of funds), October 21st, 2-9 p.m., the Ukie Club, 847 North Franklin Street.

Monster Mash Bloody Mary Challenge
More than a dozen bars throughout Northern Liberties will put their unique spins on the classic bloody, and drinkers have nine days to taste each one and rate them on spice, taste, design, and “Halloweeniness.” Participating restaurant include Bar 1010, El Camino Real, Jerry’s Bar, and Figo Ristorante, who’s serving up their “Carrie’s Revenge” in a blood bag with a syringe. Stay tuned for list of participating restaurants.
Pay-as-you-go; Saturdays and Sundays from October 21st-29th, various locations in Northern Liberties.

Halloween-themed Bloody Mary at Jerry’s Bar / Photograph by Kris Kennedy

Witches of East Passyunk Bar Crawl
Meet at Pistola’s Del Sur in costumes (or just witch hats!), and stroll East Passyunk Avenue’s participating restaurants and bars offering themed food and drink specials including Cartesian Brewing, Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, The Dutch and more. They’ve also got a “broom race” planned — I don’t know what that is, but it sounds great after a bunch of spooky cocktails.
Pay-as-you-go; October 25th, 5:30-9:30 p.m., East Passyunk Avenue.

Gardyn Jazz Orchestra’s Halloween Jawn
Get your costume on and join the Gardyn Jazz Orchestra for a groovy, spooky time at Manayunk’s Fat Lady Brewing Company. Musical selections will include some of their takes on Halloween classics. Beer and cocktails will be available on-site.
$15-$20; October 26th, 7-9:30 p.m., Fat Lady Brewing, 4323 Main Street.

Night of 1000 Undead Dolly Partons
There are a lot of Halloween drag shows planned this month, but this may be the most unique. Franky Bradley’s hosts a spooky drag and burlesque show celebrating the one and only Dolly. Performers include Snatcherella All-Stars 3000 winner, Wet Betty, so you know the hair is gonna be big!
$15; October 27th, 8-10 p.m., Franky Bradley’s, 1320 Chancellor Street.

Xfinity Live Halloweekend Parties
The sports-complex behemoth offers two back-to-back masquerade nights: Screams in the Stadium District on Friday October 27th, and A Haunting on Pattison Ave. on Saturday October 28th. Both parties will include costume contests (with over $1,500 in cash prizes) and entertainment including live music, DJ sets, silent disco, karaoke and bull riding.
$10-$15 per night; October 27th and 28th, Xfinity Live, 1100 Pattison 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 27th, 28th and 31st, Philly Cheese School, 701 South 9th Street.

’80s & ’90s Halloween Dance Party
Riot Nerd encourages ’80s and ’90s costumes for this one — and there will be a contest. Their ultimate throwback Halloween bash includes candy, decor, and ’80s and ’90s dance hits spun by DJs Riot Meg and Jawn Cena.
$9-$13; October 27th, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., The 700, 700 North 2nd Street.

Ghouls Night Out
Love City hosts its fifth annual Halloween party, featuring art by Sam Heimer, live music by PJ Brown and Her Resistance and Gringo Motel, specialty cocktails and more. Costumes encouraged.
Free, October 27th, 7 p.m.-midnight, Love City Brewing, 1023 Hamilton Street.

Ghosts in the Hood Cemetery Concert
Join Opera On Tap for an “enchanted” concert experience 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.
$35; October 28th, 5 p.m., Hood Cemetery, 4901 Germantown Avenue.

Twisted Tail’s Haunted Barbie Halloween Party
The Twisted Tail’s annual Halloween soirée is turning pink this year! As always it will include entertainment (live tunes start at 8 p.m., featuring Twisted Tail mainstay Mikey Junior Band), a costume contest with prizes awarded at the end of the evening, and $6 “Witching Hour” drink specials in quick succession from 11 p.m. to midnight. (This year’s drinks include “Barbie’s Revenge.”)  There will also be a photobooth and The party is free to attend; drinks are pay-as-you-go.
Pay-as-you-go; October 28th, 8 p.m.-1 a.m., Twisted Tail, 509 South 2nd Street.

Morgan’s Pier decked out Halloween bar / Photograph by Jason Melcher

Morgan’s Pier Halloween Party
Morgan’s Pier ends their season with their annual Halloween Bash, where guests are encouraged to help “drink 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 winners for both individual and group ensembles.
$75; October 28th, 9 p.m.-2 a.m., Morgan’s Pier, 221 North Columbus Boulevard.

Stratus Rooftop’s Halloween Party
Head to Hotel Monaco’s rooftop for themed cocktails and small bites, live entertainment and DJ sets, and a costume contest (with a $1,000 prize at stake!).
$20; October 28th, 8 p.m.-2 a.m., Stratus, 433 Chestnut Street.

“The Shimmying” Halloween Dance Party at the Trestle Inn
Head to a spooky, vinyl-only dance party featuring scary movie clips, go-go dancers, a “Red Rum” cocktail special, and a “Killer Disco” set by DJ SoundinBetween. Advance tickets are sold out, but a limited number of tickets will be available at the door after 11 p.m.
$25; October 28th, 10 p.m.-2 a.m., the Trestle Inn, 339 North 11th Street.

Murder Mystery Dinner and Show at Wilder
On Halloween night, Wilder is hosting a fun, interactive murder mystery with live actors from Red Rum Theater. Your $125 ticket includes food and the show. Costumes are encouraged! Tickets are available online.
$125; October 31st, 8 p.m., Wilder, 2009 Sansom Street.

Halloween at McGillin’s Olde Ale House
Come to McGillin’s for Halloween decorations, drink specials (pumpkin martinis, pumpkin hot chocolate, pumpkin beers … you get the picture), and a costume contest. Plus, the staff will be in costume for extra festiveness. There will also be “scaraoke” (costumed karaoke) on Sunday, October 29th.
Pay-as-you-go; October 31st, McGillin’s Old Ale House, 1310 Drury Street.