Halloween season has arrived and Houston is here for it. Among bars at haunted houses, actually haunted bars, to local Houston haunts that have transformed into an entirely different beast – like a werewolf during a full moon – for the spooky season with over-the-top decor, enchanting elixirs, and more, here’s where to find the most festive bars in Houston through October.
1. Nickel City
Named one of the best bars in North American earlier this year, Nickel City is a neighborhood dive known for their high-quality cocktails and laidback atmosphere. Kicking off on October 13, the bar will once again transform into an over-the-top Halloween haven for the annual Black Lagoon pop-up. Here, Halloween enthusiasts can enjoy themed libations and spooky tunes in an immersive atmosphere.
📍2910 McKinney St Suite 500
2. Betelgeuse Betelgeuse
The pizza-slinging cocktail bar, now with multiple locations, are serving up slices of the underworld this month in celebration of the Halloween season. From monster cutouts, skeletons hanging from the rafters, ooze, and moody lights, the venue makes for a scary good time this October. Also, the bar has debuted its pizza of the month: the Fungi Fungi, a brick-cheese-based pizza piled with a medley of mushrooms, chevre crumbles, and arugala – just garlicky enough to ward off lingering vampires.
📍2101 Washington Ave.
📍4500 Montrose Blvd.
3. The Cursed Cauldron at Botonica
The newly-minted, wickedly-enchanting Botonica bar is the new host of The Cursed Cauldron. The otherworldly cocktail experience combines the mystique of witchcraft with mixology artistry, offering an animating series of events over the season, including pumpkin-carving movie nights, betwiched burlesque, and more.
Open from 4 pm to 2 am nightly, The Cursed Cauldron at Botonica transports patrons to enchanting realms of otherworldly decor, ancient apothecary artwork, and mesmerizing live entertainment.
📍2301 Westcreek Lane
4. Poison Girl
Just like its atmospheric interior with its rich crimson walls, dim lighting, and collection of spirits, the Westheimer haunt provides a moody setting for drinking experiences of all sorts.
Whether you seek to unwind after a long day at the office, fully immerse yourself in your thoughts, ease first-date nerves, or simply enjoy a pleasant evening with friends, Poison Girl accommodates all these drinking moods.
📍1641 Westheimer Rd B
5. Endless Bummer
Opened this past summer, inside Belelgeuse Betelgeuse’s Montrose location, Endless Bummer is your new favorite tiki bar from the Netherworld. Described as “somewhere between death and vacation”, Endless Bummer is dream house of spirits – a surreal hang adorned in altars, paradisical flora, weird creatures. Its an ample setting for you and your wayward companions to go on a spiritual journey this October.
📍4500 Montrose Blvd. Suite B.
6. Houston Terror Dome Haunted Bar
The “Scariest Haunted House in Houston” is a multi-faceted Halloween experience comprising of a haunted house, zombie paintball, axe-throwing, pumpkin patch, and more.
Located at 16030 East Freeway in Channelview, the Terror Dome also features a resident bar, the Haunted Bar, where patrons can fuel up on liquid courage (beer and wine) before facing their fears or soon their nerves thereafter.
📍16030 East Freeway
6. La Carafe
Nestled on 813 Congress Street, with two modern gastro lounges nearby in the outskirts of Market Square Park downtown, is the candlelit La Carafe wine tavern.
La Carafe Wine Bar is an enduring establishment housed within a building that has been a part of Houston for over a century, proudly claiming the distinction of being the city’s oldest structure.
Even now, it preserves its cozy and softly illuminated ambiance. Adorned with a chandelier, candles with wax-crystallized patterns, vintage artifacts from bygone eras, and a classic jukebox, visitors can leisurely explore this candlelit historical treasure and relive the Houston of yesteryears.
📍813 Congress Street
7. The Hideout: Secret Bar at 13th Floor
In addition to a quartet of chilling haunted house experiences, axe-throwing, and escape rooms, 13th Floor – one of the ‘Top 5 Most Terrifying Haunted Houses In U.S.A.‘ also features a couple bars on site.
Whether you want to settle your nerves before or after the haunted house experiences, 13th Floor visitors can stop by its horror-themed secret bar, The Hideout to imbibe themed libations and/or purchase concessions. Either/or, visitors can also slink into The Hideout, the area haunted house speakeasy.
📍7075 Farm to Market 1960 Rd W Ste 20
8. Scream Fest
Scream Fest in Houston is the largest horror-themed amusement park in Texas. It includes five distinct haunted house experiences as well as a midway filled with spooky carnival games, vendors, a big screening with horror movies on repeat, and bars.
In addition to the above, as well as live music, the chance to take out the walking dead at their Night Ops paintball attraction. Oh by the way, did we mention that tickets come with free drinks?
📍1500 Elton St
9. AGR Adventure Park
Indoor paintball, axe-throwing, tactical laser tag, and gastropub – all wrapped up in a single venue at AGR Adventure Park. This October, the multi-purpose facility has put a Halloween theme at all of its attractions, a la zombie paintball. Plus, there’s a fully stocked bar on site.
📍830 Katy Fort Bend Rd Suite 200, Katy
📍1300 E 40th St
10. Wonder Bar
Revel in the extravagant, eerie, and Instagram-ready decorations of Wonder Bar. From a clown wall, smashing pumpkin installation, life-sized cauldron, series levitating eyeballs, levitating witch hats, spooky neon – not to mention themed cocktails and more – Wonder Bar is a must for basic witches this Halloween season.
📍2416 Brazos St.
11. Cidercade
Houston’s cider-fueled arcade hangout in East Downtown is getting its game on this Halloween with all-out decor. Enjoy the nostalgic experience of the arcade with the adult perks 48 taps as well as 24 cider taps. Plus, costumed visitors can enjoy a free admission card for their next visit.
📍2320 Canal St. Suite 100
12. Jethro’s
Opened last year, Jethro’s is a spacious new cocktail lounge in east Montrose. Over this past month, Jethro’s has undergone a Victorian Gothic Halloween transformation. Running through Halloween night, the bar will be draped in cobwebs while pouring devilishly delightful drinks. On Hallow’s Eve and Halloween night, Jethro’s will be hosting a costume bash!
📍95 Tuam St.