Halloween isn’t just for kids anymore. While children still revel in dressing up and trick-or-treating, October has become a month-long celebration for adults who want to join the spooky fun.
In recent years, Halloween-themed pop-up bars have become the go-to destination for adults looking to enjoy All Hallows’ Eve in a new way. These bars, adorned with eerie decor and chilling cocktails, offer a grown-up twist on the holiday — and they’re popping up all over the place.
The Rise of Halloween Pop-up Bars
One of the hottest pop-ups in this space is Black Lagoon, a Los Angeles-based traveling show that brings Halloween thrills to bars across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Inspired by goth culture, horror movies, and heavy metal, Black Lagoon’s founders, Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes, have created a bar experience that’s anything but ordinary.
With over 35 stops planned this year, Black Lagoon is bringing its dark, rebellious vibe to audiences far and wide.
“We wanted to create a space where people could indulge in their love for spooky, weird stuff,” explains Ramage. “It’s kind of rebellious, like sneaking into scary movies when you were younger.”
Inside Black Lagoon’s Halloween Vibe
You won’t find the cutesy pumpkins and witches of Halloween past at Black Lagoon. Instead, you’ll be greeted by severed hands, blood-red lights, and the sounds of Black Sabbath echoing through the room. Drinks with names like Nosferatu’s Rise and Nightmae Fuel add to the thrill.
For Hayes and Ramage, creating the ultimate Halloween atmosphere is about collaboration. While they provide a “lookbook” of design ideas, they encourage each host bar to add its unique touch.
“We want every bar’s personality to shine through,” says Hayes. “We’re not trying to change the place completely we’re just helping them celebrate Halloween in an authentic way.”
The Local Halloween Bar Pop-up Scene
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, bar owner Bo Counts takes Halloween to the next level with Nightmare on Block Street, a month-long event that’s become a community favorite.
Counts transforms his bar, Pinpoint, each year into a haunted wonderland with hand-crafted set pieces and eerie decorations from his collection.
“For me, it’s all about creating a new experience each year,” Counts says. “Halloween lets me push creative boundaries and keep people coming back for more.”
Similarly, the Poka Lola Social Club in Denver embraces the Halloween spirit with its annual Poka Muah Ha Ha pop-up. As bartender Harvest Pelletier explains, these events help bars fill a seasonal lull between summer and the winter holidays. “Halloween pop-ups are a great way to bring in business during an otherwise slow season,” she notes.
Crafting the Perfect Halloween Cocktail Menu
The drinks are essential to the Halloween pop-up experience, but they’re not the main attraction. While the cocktails at Black Lagoon and similar bars are carefully crafted to fit the spooky theme, Hayes points out that most people are drawn to the overall atmosphere.
“People come for the vibe,” she says. “The decor and the playlist set the mood. It’s more about creating an immersive experience.”
To keep up with the high demand, pop-up bars need to create drink menus that balance quality with speed. For example, Counts says that cocktails for Nightmare on Block Street are designed to be fun and approachable while also quick to prepare. “We need drinks that are easy to make and still fit the Halloween theme,” he explains.
Seasonal flavors like apple, pumpkin, and cinnamon are popular, as well as colors that evoke Halloween, such as deep reds, purples, and greens. At Black Lagoon, Hayes and Ramage focus on creating festive and familiar drinks.
Halloween Bars Are About More Than Just the Drinks
While a well-made cocktail is always appreciated, the ambiance keeps people returning to Halloween pop-up bars year after year. The combination of spooky decor, themed playlists, and a crowd of fellow Halloween enthusiasts creates a unique experience that’s hard to replicate.
So, if you’re looking for a new way to celebrate Halloween this year, check out a local pop-up bar. You might find that a few ghostly cocktails and some Eerie decor are the perfect way to get into the Halloween spirit.
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