‘Stranger Things’ party, cauldron cocktails: 29 Halloween events at Chicagoland bars, restaurants

With pandemic restrictions lifted, going out this Halloween no longer seems quite so scary to many.

If you’ve got a killer costume and are looking for a party where you can show it off or just want to come as you are and chill out with a spooky-themed sipper,

Chicago’s bars and restaurants have plenty of tricks and treats in store. From pumpkin carving to costume contests to burlesque shows, these spots will let you celebrate all weekend long.

Head to this Gold Coast restaurant’s “secret” cocktail bar, Rose Lounge, for a night of spooky sippers like the Poison Apple, a cider-based brew spiked with Fireball, grenadine and edible glitter. Tickets include a dessert and a cocktail, and costumes are highly encouraged. $25. 912 N. State St., 312-820-9000, adalinachicago.com

Dress in costume Saturday and you’ll receive a complimentary dessert. You can also enter a costume contest at 8 p.m., with winners receiving gift cards and a bottle of Italian wine. 5101 N. Clark St., 773-942-7572, barromachicago.com

Known for its highbrow pours, this River North cocktail bar will offer large-format cauldron drinks as part of a menu filled with festival cocktails Saturday. A costume contest and DJ music will round out the night. 5 E. Ohio St., 312-894-0945, theberkshireroom.com

Try to win a prize in a pumpkin carving contest from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, which also features games and raffles. The bar hosts a costume party from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday with themed drinks and a DJ. 3553 N. Southport Ave., 773-325-0123, thebutcherstap.com

The Little Italy restaurant will host pumpkin-carving and costume contests, giving complimentary pork puppies to everyone who gets dressed up, along with serving $2 Miller Lite, High Life and PBR. 6-9 p.m. Thursday. 1352 W. Taylor St., 312-624-8648, county-bbq.com

A Día de los Muertos celebration Nov. 1 will feature tequila and mezcal tastings, while face painters and tattoo artists will be on hand for guests to adorn themselves as they honor loved ones who have died. Latinos Progresando, a Chicago nonprofit specializing in immigration legal services and other resources, will receive a portion of proceeds. $10. 730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955, the-dawson.com

A two-day fright fest kicks off Saturday with daytime fun starting at noon. The Horror House and The Brewed, a horror-themed coffee shop, teamed up with the arcade bar to feature vendors stocked with vintage gore posters, horror collectibles and art. The fun continues Sunday night with costume contests, movies and giveaways. RSVP in advance for free game tokens. 2363 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-697-7922, emporiumarcadebar.com

From Tuesday through Monday, this Ukrainian Village spot will refashion itself into Dread Lobster, a witchy wink to a ruddy national chain. At this iteration, the cheddar biscuit come with a pat of togarashi-spiked butter, pizza is studded with lobster and bacon, and food is delivered by undead servers.

Start your celebration early with a Boolesque day party package that includes burlesque performances, a brunch buffet, one drink and a costume contest. $20. Noon Saturday. 110 W. Hubbard St., 773- 900-5361, eventbrite.com

The New Orleans-themed spot has transformed into a voodoo lounge through Halloween, serving themed cocktails like a hurricane in an infusion bag and Zombie’s Blood punch made with blood orange juice, vodka and sparkling wine. Come at 7 p.m. Wednesday for voodoo bingo, 8 p.m. Saturday for a costume contest, and 4 p.m. Oct. 31 for goody bags and cookie decorating. 1415 N. Wood St., 773-360-8320, inamaetavern.com

The rooftop lounge hosts a Slash Dance bash featuring DJs, dancers, entertainers and spooky treats. You can splurge on bottle service in one of the heated haunted igloos. Tickets $75-$100. 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday. 127 W. Huron St., iogodfrey.com

Show off your K-pop-inspired costume and you could win a Blackpink box set. 9 p.m. Friday. 109 W. Hubbard St., mikispark.com

Workers festooned in Day of the Dead-inspired looks will give away Dos Equis merchandise, while you enjoy $4 Dos Equis, $5 Dobels and $7 Dos Equis margarita cans from 5:45-7:15 p.m. Oct. 31. Stick around for Halloween trivia at 7 p.m. 1925 W. Cortland St., 773-489-0738, lottiespub.com

Dance the night away at a New Wave Halloween party including karaoke, burlesque performances, drinks, appetizers and a costume contest. $80. 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday. 950 W. Fulton Market, 312-374-3686, morgansonfulton.com

The bar gets decked out with spiderwebs and skeletons for a Nightmare on Navy Pier party including a premium open bar, appetizers, giveaways and a costume contest. $125. 8 p.m. to midnight Saturday. 1000 E. Grand Ave., 312-535-6660, eventbrite.com

Celebrate at the riverfront restaurant with unlimited signature cocktails, appetizers and pizza with music from DJ Matthew White. Costumes are encouraged. $125. 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Saturday. 317 N. Clark St., 312-900-9018, pizzeriaportofino.com

The bar transforms into a Barbie dream house for Halloween weekend, serving themed food and drink and offering plenty of photo opportunities. Come from 9-11:30 p.m. Saturday to enter a Barbie costume contest awarding $250. 838 W. Kinzie St., 312-801-1181, chicagoinrecess.com

Learn how to make two simple Halloween-inspired cocktails with fresh ingredients that you can whip up at your party. $65. 3-5 p.m. Sunday. 2010 W. Fulton St., 312-243-4313, rhinehall.com

Dress up your pooch and yourself for the second annual Howl-o-Ween costume contest. There will be treats for pups, themed cocktails for humans, and a photographer capturing all the cuteness. A portion of all sales will be donated to the Anti-Cruelty Society and PAWS Chicago. 2-4 p.m. Saturday. 465 N. McClurg Court, 312-265-1328, robertspizzacompany.com

DJs Kaos, Deov and Aced Spade provide music for a Sinners & Saints bash featuring aerial performers, dancers and hypnotic visuals on a digital wall. Costumes are encouraged. $45-$60. 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. Saturday. 201 N. State St., eventbrite.com

Treat yourself to a bismarck doughnut filled with chocolate pastry cream and decorated to look like a monster or a cake doughnut dressed up like a pumpkin with frosting and buttercream. Oct. 24-31, multiple locations, stansdonuts.com

Furniture retailer CB2 shows off its Halloween décor in the restaurant’s courtyard for A Wicked Affair, a four-course dinner with themed cocktail pairings and a costume contest. $100. 6 p.m. Oct. 31. 1954 N. Halsted St., 773-634-4100, summerhouserestaurants.com

A Dia de los Muertos bash features live music, a DJ, palm reading, a costume contest and drink specials. 5 p.m. to midnight Saturday. 916 W. Fulton Market, 312-637-3888, timeoutmarket.com

Head to suburban Lake Villa on Saturday for the triple crown of Timmy O’Toole’s experiences. The pub group’s party bus will depart from the Lake Villa location at 7:45 p.m. to head to the Gurnee O’Toole’s. The night wraps up at the Libertyville pub, where a costume party will last until 2 a.m., with prizes for costume contest winners announced at might. $10, locations vary, timothyotooles.com

Things will get a little stranger at The Langham’s contemporary second-floor restaurant, which will continue its ode to “Stranger Things” through Nov. 2 with themed cocktails like the 011 Waffle, garnished with a mini Eggo. A party inspired by the Netflix thriller will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight Saturday. 330 N. Wabash Ave., 312-923-7705, travellechicago.com

Tap into four Firestone Walker Brewing beers Saturday during a Halloween tapping party, including limited-release wild ale Frieky Bones; and 2021 Double Barrel Parabola, an imperial stout aged in bourbon and wheat whiskey barrels for two years. Expect giveaways and food specials into the night. 2159 W. Chicago Ave., 773-782-1400, tumanstapandgrill.com

Burlesque performer Michelle L’amour curates the entertainment spread across three rooms for Boogie Frights — Night of the Dancing Dead. Stick around after the show for a dance party with music from DJ Danny Leroy. $20. 8 p.m. Friday. 111 W. Kinzie St., 312-880-1511, untitledsupperclub.com

Sip on Halloween cocktails like the Monster Mash, made with gin, bright-green Cocalero liqueur, and lime, during a week of specials available through Halloween. A weeklong beer pong tournament that began Saturday has teams competing throughout. 1608 N. Wells St., 312-210-7799, utopiantailgate.com

Place an order by Monday for Halloween-themed desserts including pumpkin mousse Boosicles, a flourless chocolate cake spellbook and spiderweb cupcakes. Multiple locations, westtownbakery.com

Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.

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