With Houston restaurants and bars decked out in spider webs and skeletons, it’s hard not to get caught up in the spirit of the Halloween season. Rummaging through Halloween candy after a well-spent evening of trick-or-treating has its charm, but there are plenty of other tasty ways to celebrate throughout the city too. Restaurants, bars, and bakeries are slinging creepy cocktails, boo’tastic bites, and death-inspired desserts that must be seen to be believed. Alternatively, costume parties with epic prizes are enough motivation to dress to the nines with your most horrific ensemble.
From whimsical treats to wickedly fun soirees that last late into the night, here are the best ways to celebrate Halloween in Houston.
Tricks and Treats
Betelgeuse Betelgeuse has a playfully weird vibe year-round, and it’s especially fun when it’s all decked out for Halloween. Along with its signature pizzas, the bar is serving up seriously spooky cocktails at both Montrose and Washington Ave. locations through October 31. The limited time libations include the mezcal-fueled Frozen Gravedigger ($14); and the Purple People Eater ($16), a whimsical pina colada-inspired drink with purple ube-taro foam.
Mostly Chocolate’s Trick-or-Treat chocolate box features bitesize jack-o-lanterns and eyeballs in seasonal flavors, lingonberry oatmeal and pumpkin pie, and is available in quantities of four ($15) or six ($21). The chocolatier is also offering a number of savory sweet treats, like celebration popcorn, pretzels, and chocolate-dipped and decorated Oreos. Halloween treats, and all of Mostly Chocolate’s classics, can be purchased in-store or online.
Common Bond’s famed bloody brain cake is back for a limited time this Halloween season. The blood-curdling dessert is available in three flavors, classic chocolate, classic vanilla, and confetti, and can be pre-ordered through October 23 for pick-up October 25-27 or October 30-31 at any of the bistro locations..
Pair themed cocktails and sweet treats with a side of nostalgia during Heights & Co.’s movie nights. During the month of October, the festive hangout is showing iconic films like Hocus Pocus, Addams Family, and Edward Scissorhands on the patio while serving up cocktails like the Tootsie Roll Carajillo and Witches Brew Margarita. For an epic treat, spring for the Halloween s’mores board, which is lit tableside, and stocked with decorated marshmallows, house chocolates, caramel-dipped green apple, and cinnamon, chocolate, and classic graham crackers.
Halloween Happenings
On Friday, October 25, Amrina is hosting a Wicked Caviar Soiree to coincide with the milestone 10th anniversary of DR Delicacy. Along with champagne and caviar bumps and live music, guests will be treated to a Halloween-themed menu, featuring caviar and truffles from DR Delicacy, by chef Jassi Bindra. Seats for the ticketed event start at $99 per guest and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
Feges BBQ is hosting a free, family-friendly Halloween Spooktacular on Saturday, October 26 from 3 to 6 p.m. The Spring Branch-area restaurant will be transformed into a hauntingly fun destination for the evening, featuring a “Dragon’s Nest” play area, “Cupcake’s Haunted House”, pumpkin decorating, tarot card readings, a bounce house, and a costume contest with categories including “Best Family Costume”. As always, Feges’ menu of classic Texas barbecue will be on offer, and guests can kick back and enjoy Hocus Pocus playing on the restaurant’s projection screen.
For party goers heading to Downtown, Lyric Market is hosting a Monster Mash Halloween bash pre-party on October 26 from 6 to 9 p.m. Fuel up on cocktails like Witches Love Potion, Bloody Shooter, and Vampire’s Kiss before hitting Main Street, and stick around for the costume contest, during which Lyric Market gift cards will be awarded to those with the spookiest looks. As a bonus, Lyric Market is giving guests two-hours of free parking with a food purchase.
Brasserie 19’s Monte Carlo Massacre is sure to be more fun than it sounds, with the buzzy River Oaks restaurant promising guests glitz, glam, and macabre on Saturday, October 26 from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. This year, the restaurant’s shindig will include drink specials in partnership with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Moet Hennessy, and Bacardi; a burlesque performance by Divine Darlings Burlesque Dance Troupe; and casino gambling benefiting Houston Pet Set. Dress to impress—the winner of the evening’s costume contest will receive a champagne brunch for six. Reservations are recommended.
The Cursed Cauldron has popped up for a second year at Aero Cocktail Co. in River Oaks, and the hauntingly immersive space serves as a most magical backdrop for Halloween activities. Partake in tarot card reading, which is offered nightly; cocktails like the fragrant Old Magick, made with whiskey, black sesame, vanilla, Angostura bitters, and cinnamon smoke; and bewitching bites like Hocus Pocus popcorn, paranormal pizza, and char-boo-terie boards. Visit on Halloween night, and enter the costume contest for a chance to win the $250 cash prize.
Doris Metropolitan is hosting its annual Vampire Ball on Thursday, October 31, with festivities starting at 8:30 p.m. Music from a live DJ will set the mood, and guests are invited to dress up and indulge in themed drink specials.
Brenner’s on the Bayou is hosting its “Boo on the Bayou” costume party on Thursday, October 31, with festivities kicking off at 5 p.m. Along with a live DJ, festive cocktails, and a cigar lounge, guests will have an opportunity to compete for best costume, with first place receiving a night’s stay at the Post Oak Hotel. Reservations are recommended.
Eat, drink, and be spooky at Caracol’s Noche de Brujas party on Thursday, October 31 from 7 to 11 p.m. Along with special cocktails crafted with Maestro Dobel Tequila, Gran Centenario Tequila, Kraken Spiced Rum and Devil’s Reserve Tequila, guests are invited to indulge in passed bites like taquitos and sopecitos, and tamales, quesabirria, churros, and boozy hot chocolate offered at the various food and drink stations. Tickets are $85 per guest, and can be purchased at www.caracol.net/happenings/
La Calle is keeping the spirit of Halloween going with a dog costume contest at its Midtown location on Saturday, November 2 at 4 p.m. Dogs and their humans are invited to show up in costume for a chance to win pet goodies and La Calle gift cards in categories like “Most Creative”, “Funniest”, and “Best Duo”. Registration can be done via La Calle’s Instagram page or in person at the Midtown location.
