In Houston, the spooky season may not come with a wind chill, but it does indeed come with a packed social calendar of festive ways to ring in Halloween. Houston restaurants and bars have brewed up a bewitching lineup of festivities this year, with local favorites transforming into spellbinding destinations for food, fun, and fright, and others hosting costume parties with high stakes and prizes.
Whether you’re brunching with witches or dancing under the moon, Houston’s Halloween scene promises a hauntingly good time.
Both locations of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse are decked out with over-the-top spooky decor, making the bar a perfect stop before or after a Halloween soiree. Limited time themed cocktails are on offer, like the espresso martini with pumpkin spice foam and the blood-soaked nightmarish hellscape, a frozen, tequila-fueled drink with coconut cream, lime, house strawberry chamoy, and black salt that comes in two sizes. As a bonus, the gothic tiki speakeasy located inside the Montrose location, called Endless Bummer, is transforming into the Haunted Luau through Friday, October 31 with its own set of spooky cocktails.
The Cursed Cauldron pop-up returns to Botanica, the bar located on the street level of Sky House River Oaks, for its third year. Along with themed cocktails and bites to match, the experience features a calendar of events to properly ring in the spooky season. Through Sunday, November 2, guests can stop in for movie nights with pumpkin paint and sip on Sundays; Tarot Tuesdays, featuring complimentary tarot card readings with the purchase of a beverage; and bewitched burlesque on Wednesdays with performances at 7:30 and 10 p.m.
The Black Lagoon pop-up has resurfaced in Houston with a residence at Nickel City through Monday, November 3. The immersive experience allows guests to bask in the spirit of the season and enjoy themed cocktails like Griselda’s Revenge–a tropical and herbaceous cooler fit for a swamp queen; and the Nocturna Colada, a nightmarish twist on a piña colada.
Zanti’s themed brunches continue through Halloween with two spooky occasions to partake in. On Saturday, October 18, Zanti is hosting a pre-Halloween brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. with themed cocktails, brunch classics, a live DJ, and a dress code showcasing Halloween hues like black, orange, and purple. The following weekend, on Saturday, October 25, the theme is Midnight in Milan for a late night event from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. The festive evening will feature roaming entertainers, surprise acts, and dramatic photo-ops for guests to capture the fun. Guests are invited to dress in hauntingly elegant or sultry costumes, with prizes awarded to the best. Reservations are recommended.
Pickleball hangout PKL Social is kicking off Halloween a week early with a series of games and happenings. On Friday, October 24, guests can play Halloween-themed bingo starting at 7 p.m. and wear costumes to win prizes like a Ninja SLUSHi. From Monday, October 27 through Thursday, October 30, Halloween-themed movies will play in the beer garden starting at 7 p.m. And on Halloween night, guests can don costumes and enjoy free open play on two courts from 7 to 10 p.m. and free Halloween-orange Jell-O shots with every purchase. A winner for best costume willl receive a $100 gift card.
Brasserie 19’s annual Halloween bash is back on Saturday, October 25 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m, with this year’s theme set as the Haunting of Versailles. The Marie Antoinette-inspired evening will give way for couture costumes, Moët Hennessy cocktails, and a DJ and packed dancefloor. The annual tradition will be followed up by a day-after brunch on Sunday, October 26 from 12:30 to 4:30 with the theme, Le Spectacle de Merde. Guests can nurse their hangovers with cocktails by Campari and indulgent brunch specials.
Emma Jane is hosting a three-course murder mystery dinner on Sunday, October 26, with two seatings offered at 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. The theatrical experience will transport guests to the grand Paris Opera House, where they will participate using secret character roles to solve a murder with clues given during each course and a final reveal during dessert. Tickets are available for $125 per person via OpenTable and include a three-course dinner, interactive gameplay, a character card and secret role assignment, and the chance to win prizes for Best Detective and Best Costume.
Hi-Fi, the moody upstairs bar at the Finn in Downtown, is transforming into a spookeasy from Monday, October 27 through Saturday, November 1. Guests can enjoy themed cocktails like the Sin at The Finn, a mix of gin, beet-apple chutney, lemon, and egg white topped with a candied hibiscus flower; or the smoky Agave Cemetery, served in a black flask glass with cinnamon-fig tequila, grapefruit, and a palo santo smoke rim, throughout the week. While the bar is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, it will remain open from 4 to 9 p.m. in the week leading up to Halloween. And, on Friday, October 31, guests can celebrate Halloween with Hi-Fi’s prohibition burlesque and costume contest. Doors open at 8:30 p.m, with performances beginning at 9 p.m.
Brennan’s is hosting a two-course witchy brunch on Friday, October 31 with seatings at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Guests are welcome to dress from their witchy wardrobes—hats, broomsticks, and all—and join the fun. The cost is $35 per witch, and reservations can be made by calling 713-522-9711.
The Marigold Club is hosting the Marigold Masquerade from 5 p.m. to close on Friday, October 31. The restaurant will offer its regular dinner menu and costumes are encouraged.
Brenner’s on the Bayou is hosting its annual “Boo on the Bayou” Halloween party on Friday, October 31, starting at 5 p.m. The event is free-to-attend and will feature music, signature cocktails, and late-night bites. Prizes like a night at the Post Oak Hotel and dinner for four at Grotto Ristorante, will be awarded for best costumes. Guests can compete to win.
Goode Co. Kitchen & Cantina is hosting its inaugural Halloween soirée on Friday, October 31, launching it as a new annual tradition and nod to the beloved parties held by the former tenant, La Griglia. From 7 p.m. to midnight, guests are invited to party the night away in costume and enjoy live mariachis, door prizes, and a costume contest with prizes like a Goode Co. giftcard and “Meet the Maker” cocktail experience hosted by Goode Company’s beverage director, Westin Galleymore. The evening will also feature themed cocktails and bites passed by costumed waitstaff. Tickets for general admission are available via OpenTable for $50 per person, and VIP tables of four and six are also on offer.
Hotel Saint Augustine is hosting a Montrose Masquerade ball on Friday, October 31 from 8 p.m. to midnight. The mysterious evening is open to all guests, but masquerade masks are required.
