Oct. 31 is a Friday this year, which has left Chicago bars and restaurants split on when to celebrate Halloween. That means you have two full weekends to show off your costume, whether you’re dressing up alongside your pup for a contest, bringing the kids to a family-friendly bash or sipping themed drinks at a lounge that’s decked out for spooky season.
There are bakeries offering treats that are way better than fun-sized candy and Day of the Dead celebrations on Nov. 1 where you can sip tequila and support local artists. So get dressed up and don’t be scared to head to these 35 Halloween events.
The Loop and Near North Side
Bandol Brasserie & Raw Bar
The Loop spot celebrates Oct. 24-31 with decorations inspired by “The Phantom of the Opera” and specials including spiked inferno apple cider ($10), pumpkin lager ($6) and a French cheese board ($23). 100 W. Monroe St., 312-877-5713, bandolrestaurant.com
Bar Goa
A Bollyween celebration on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 features a Bollywood DJ from 9:30 p.m. to 1 a.m., costume contests and themed cocktails. 116 W. Hubbard St., 312-900-0197, bargoachicago.com
Harry Caray’s Navy Pier
Bring the whole family for a Slightly Spook celebration on Oct. 25 featuring facepainting, a pet costume contest and a stein-hoisting contest. Boston Beer will donate $1 to PAWS Chicago for every drink from the brand purchased during the event. 700 E. Grand Ave., 312-527-9700, harrycarays.com
I|O Godfrey Rooftop Lounge
The rooftop becomes a necropolis with rooms decked out with sarcophagi and hieroglyphs for a bash at 8 p.m. Oct. 25 featuring themed food and cocktails and a DJ. Bring your pup for a costume contest, treats, swag bags and themed cocktails benefiting Chicago Canine Rescue from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 31. 127 W. Huron St., 312-649-2000, iogodfrey.com/events
Jake Melnick’s Corner Tap
Come dressed as coach Ditka for a lookalike contest from 5-8 p.m. Oct. 31 and you could win $500. Food specials include a Devil’s Burger topped with hot sauce, jalapeno cheese and garlic aioli ($22) and Resurrection Mary Wings covered in horseradish and bloody mary mix ($19). 41 E. Superior St., 312-266-0400, jakemelnicks.com
LH Rooftop
A Nightmare on Wacker Drive bash ($180) features DJs, a premium open bar until 1 a.m. and a costume contest awarding an overnight stay and tickets to the hotel’s New Year’s Eve party. 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. Oct. 25. 85 E. Wacker Drive, 312-357-1200, londonhousechicago.com
The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago
A spooky afternoon tea offered Oct. 25-26 includes Halloween-themed pastries, sandwiches, quiche, scones and a flute of rosé champagne for $105. 160 E. Pearson St., 312-573-5160, exploretock.com/the-ritzcarlton-chicago
Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co.
The fifth annual Howl-o-Ween celebration from 2-4 p.m. Oct. 25 features a dog costume contest and parade. There are treats for the dogs and themed drinks for humans including pumpkin espresso martinis and apple cider mules. 465 N. McClurg Court, 312-265-1328, robertspizzacompany.com
Sugar Bliss
Add some themed baked goods to your party with a dozen mini cupcakes ($33), brownies ($55) or cake pops ($44) available through Oct. 31. Get a mix of snacks packed up in a gift package for $30-$150. 122 S. Wabash Ave., 312-845-9669, sugarblisscakes.com
Three Dots and a Dash
Six tropical bars from around the country, including Miami’s Bar Kaiju and San Francisco’s Smuggler’s Cove, serve signature cocktails and sell merchandise at a Terror in the Tropics costume party ($95). 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 31. 435 N. Clark St., 312-610-4220, threedotschicago.com/events/halloween-party
North Side & Northwest Side
Alma at Hotel Zachary
A Haunted High Tea ($45; $30 for kids ages 4-12) includes a glass of mulled wine or apple cider, cinnamon rolls, apple crumble tarts and Halloween-inspired bites, plus treats from Amy’s Candy Bar to take home. 1-3 p.m. Oct. 26. 3630 N. Clark St., 773-302-2326, almahotelzachary.com
Bar Roma
Diners who visit the Andersonville restaurant in costume on Oct. 31 receive a free dessert and can enter a costume contest awarding a $100 gift card. Chef-partner Fred Ramos offers specials including split pea soup ($11), roasted butternut squash salad ($16) and baked oxtail lasagna ($28). 5101 N. Clark St., 773-942-7572, barromachicago.com
Broken Barrel Bar
Enjoy well drinks, Miller Lite and Coors Light drafts, and house wines from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. Oct. 31 for $40 as part of a bash featuring DJs and a costume contest awarding $200. 2548 N. Southport Ave., 773-327-4900, brokenbarrelbar.com
The Butcher’s Tap
Get crafty with a Halloween-themed paint-and-sip at 7 p.m. Oct. 23, where you’ll get all the materials for $10 and a specialty cocktail for $8. The bar hosts a bash at 9 p.m. Oct. 31 with karaoke and a costume contest awarding $500. The $20 ticket includes two drinks and passed appetizers. 3553 N. Southport Ave., 773-325-0123, thebutcherstap.com/events
Cafe Ba-Ba-Reeba
Dine in costume on Oct. 31 and you’ll receive a free dessert like Natilla flan or chocolate truffle cake. 2024 N. Halsted St., 773-935-5000, cafebabareeba.com/events/halloween
Cody’s Public House
Compete for cash prizes in a costume contest for dogs and their owners at 4 p.m. Oct. 26 that features free pup cups, $5 Lagunitas pints, $7 Tito’s cocktails and a raffle benefiting Alive Rescue. On Oct. 31, the bar offers a pumpkin spice RumChata sampling from 7-9 p.m. with a costume contest at 9 p.m. awarding $300. 1658 W. Barry Ave., 773-799-8217, codyschicago.com/events
The Parlour at The Albion Manor
The Black Lagoon pop-up running through Nov. 1 features themed drinks served in custom glassware such as the Corpse Flower (tequila, ube, banana liqueur, amontillado sherry, lime, purple salt) and White Zombie (Seedlip Spice, coconut, grapefruit, cinnamon, lime). Catch a burlesque show from Brooklyn’s Reverie from 8-10 p.m. Oct. 30. 1480 W Webster Ave., 773-697-4686, thealbionmanor.com/event/black-lagoon
Way Out
The Logan Square bar celebrates its fifth anniversary at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 with a costume contest, food and drink specials, tattoos, and DJ. 3213 W. Armitage Ave., 773-799-8750, thewayoutbar.com
West Side & Near West Side
Bocaditos
Celebrate Día de los Muertos with a four-course dinner paired with mezcal or tequila cocktails served Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. 1140 W. Madison St., 312-526-3306, eventbrite.com
Carnivale
Face painters will complete your look at a masquerade ball ($125) that includes signature dishes, a premium open bar, a DJ and aerialist performances from 7 p.m. to midnight Oct. 31. Bring the family from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 2 for a Dia de los Muertos brunch buffet ($55; $25 for kids 10 and under) featuring roaming performers, specialty cocktails and mocktails, and face painting. 702 W. Fulton Market, 312-850-5005, carnivalechicago.com
The Dandy Crown
The Never Trust the Living pop-up bar running through Nov. 2 features creepy decor and themed cocktails, including the Boo-Berry (bourbon, blueberry, lemon, bitter and egg white) and Devil Inside (tequila, agave nectar, lime and jalapeno). 694 N. Milwaukee Ave., 312-846-6420, thedandycrown.com
The Dawson
Celebrate the Day of the Dead at 4 p.m. Nov. 1 with live music, artisan pop-ups, and tastings from Ilegal Mezcal and Patron Tequila. A $10 admission fee benefits Latinos Progresando. 730 W. Grand Ave., 312-243-8955, the-dawson.com/day-of-the-dead
Easy Bar
Compete in a pumpkin carving contest awarding New Belgium swag while sampling beer and trying themed drinks like Seattle pumpkin cider ($8) and the Scrumpkin Patch made with black pepper tincture, Monkey Shoulder, Ancho Reyes Red, Liquor 43, pumpkin pie syrup and lemon ($12). 7 p.m. Oct. 28. 1944 W. Division St., 773-227-4644, easybarchicago.com
Flying Saucer
Heritage Restaurant & Caviar Bar has closed but it is bringing its annual Dread Lobster Halloween pop-up to Flying Saucer, serving oysters, poached lobster tail in ginger butter, lobster rolls, pimento cheese grits and chocolate cheesecake. Note that the venue is cash only. 5, 7 and 9 p.m. Oct. 29-31. 1123 N. California Ave., exploretock.com/heritagerestaurantpartners
Good Ambler
Satisfy your sweet tooth with Halloween treats available through Oct. 31, including a chocolate pumpkin packed with treats ($28), crispy white chocolate ghosts ($16) and skull-shaped bonbons filled with black sesame caramel ($8). 216 N. Peoria St., 312-872-7165, goodambler.com/holidays-2025
Ina Mae Tavern
The annual Voodoo Lounge pop-up running through Nov. 1 features cocktail and food specials such as $10 beignets and $12 gator sausage sliders plus events like a burlesque show at 10 p.m. Oct. 25 and a costume party with a $49 all-you-can-drink package and a DJ on Nov. 1. 1415 N. Wood St., 773-360-8320, inamaetavern.com
Kit Kat Club
Kylee Hunter and Kinley Preston host an Addams Family drag brunch at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Oct. 25 and 26, including bottomless mimosas and sangria for $72. The 28th annual Halsted Halloween Parade Oct. 31 ends at Kit Kat Club, where you can join a $65 Halloween drag dinner at 6 or 8 p.m. Enjoy some Latin flair during a Día de los Muertos drag brunch ($72) Nov. 1-2. 3524 N. Halsted St., 773-525-1111, kitkatchicago.com
Stolen Saddle
The Nightmare on Clark Street rooftop pop-up running through Nov. 2 features over-the-top decor and themed drinks like Freddy’s Tequila (tequila, lime juice, agave, pineapple and fresh jalapenos) and Monster Mash (rum, Midori, pineapple, Sprite, purple sugar rim topped with an eyeball gummy). Tickets start at $30. 3505 N. Clark St., bucketlisters.com/experience/nightmare-on-clark-street
Time Out Market Chicago
A Death by Disco bash features DJs, tattoo stations, stilt walkers, fortune tellers, dancers and themed cocktails including the Witch’s Potion (vodka, tart cherry syrup, blood orange and lime juice) and Dracula’s Elixir (tequila blanco, tart cherry syrup and orange juice). Tickets start at $90. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Oct. 31 and 8 p.m. to 3 a.m. Nov. 1. 916 W. Fulton Market, posh.vip/e/death-by-disco-a-halloween-popup-2025-11-8-8-0
Tuman’s Tap & Grill
Get a taste of spooky season with 3 Floyds Brewing Broo Doo Harvest Ale, Allagash Brewing Haunted House dark ale and Old Irving Brewing Mutant’s Revenge kettle-soured ale offered for $7 Oct. 30 to Nov. 2. 2159 W. Chicago Ave., 773-782-1400, tumanstapandgrill.com
Suburban and multiple locations
Barcocina
A circus-themed bash ($40-$50) features aerialists and fire dancers plus a drink package including beer, seltzer and house cocktails. 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. 1814 W. Chicago Ave., 773-270-4027 and 2901 N. Sheffield Ave., 773-687-9949, barcocinachicago.com
Beatrix
Pick up Halloween-inspired sugar cookies from the bakery counter Oct. 27-31. Multiple locations, beatrixrestaurants.com/happenings/halloween-cookies/
Passero
A Dia de los Muertos dinner ($100) features a live mariachi band and a four-course dinner with cocktail pairings including smoked cochinita pibil and short rib mole negro. 7 p.m. Nov. 1. 3 S. Evergreen Ave., Arlington Heights, 224-857-8900, eatpassero.com/events/dia-de-los-muertos
Sweet Mandy B’s
The bakery offers themed treats Oct. 23-31, including ghost cookies, iced rice krispie treats, furry monster brownies and decorated cupcakes. 1208 W. Webster Ave., 773-244-1174 and 254 E. Ontario St., 312-255-1632, sweetmandybs.com
Wonderverse
A Zombie Brunch buffet ($39) features slime making, a scavenger hunt, tarot readings and trick-or-treating. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 25-26. 2310 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, wonderversechicago.com
Samantha Nelson is a freelance writer.
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