Halloween is the time for things that go bump in the night and scary movies (which I love). It’s also the time for some cool specials from Chicagoland restaurants. Below are just a few offerings:
—The Gold Coast spot Dearly Beloved will host a Halloween masquerade event on Oct. 26, 9 p.m.-2 a.m. A $40 ticket includes two drinks and a mask—although you’re welcome to bring your own. RSVP here.
—Tatas Tacos spots will sell scary tacos Oct. 29-Nov. 2 and a costume contest on Oct. 31, 6-8 p.m. (at each location). Regarding the spooky menu, there will be frightening tacos like brain (cauliflower), chicken feet, guts and Scorpion Llorona as well as Diablito Chocolate Cake, and creative drinks like the Smashed Zombie and the Black Widow. Regarding the costume contest, the winner will receive $100 cash, while those in second and third place will get Tatas Tacos gift cards.
—Frontier is known for its unique dishes that incorporate everything from antelope to frogs—and Halloween will be no different. On Oct. 31 at 6 p.m., the spot will host a “Where the Wild Things Eat” gator dinner, with courses that involve grilled octopus, a whole smoked gator (with Caesar salad, jambalaya, mac ’n cheese, and skillet veggies) and blood-red velvet molten cake. The cost is $78 per person; more info is here.
—Hard Rock Cafe Chicago will host a Spooktacular Howl-A-Ween Dog Fashion Show on Thursday, Oct. 31, 5-8 p.m. that will support the Anti-Cruelty Society. Guests can enjoy music, small bites and sweet treats; they can also shop local pet vendors such as Doggy Glam Boutique, Comicos Pet Bakery, Boujee Pups Accessories, Munchbird, Sam Park Pet Portraits, Sploot Veterinary Care and Kimberly Kingen Pet Photography. Best, this outdoor event is FREE; RSVP here.
—Bodega Taqueria y Tequila in River North will be hosting The Queen of Heart’s Wonderland for a thrilling Halloween weekend on Oct. 26 and 27 starting at 9 p.m. Attendees will enter a 1920s-themed speakeasy where the Queen of Hearts presides. The event will feature DJ sets, drink specials, and live entertainment. Guests can expect to encounter dark, shadowy creatures as they explore Wonderland’s chaotic world. The event is free; RSVP here.
—On Saturday, Oct. 26, and Thursday, Oct. 31, wear your Halloween costume when you dine in at Café Ba-Ba-Reeba! and receive your choice of one free dessert tapa. Choose from sweet treats like the Marcona almond-caramel bar, chocolate truffle cake, butterscotch custard and more. This spooky good deal is valid for dine-in customers only.
—Through Thursday, Oct. 31, enjoy spooktacular cookie specials for the holiday at the Lincoln Park spot Summer House. Stop by The Cookie Bar at the front of the restaurant for pumpkin-shaped sugar cookies, a Count Chocula crispy treat, festive sprinkle cookies and candy corn.
—This Halloween, step into the Silver Scream at I|O Godfrey on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. The I|O Godfrey rooftop will transform into a haunted theater where horror films come to life. Guests will check in at a spooky ticket window, pass through an eerie concession stand and wander a maze-like theater filled with tributes to classic horror movies. A full menu will be available until 11 p.m., featuring horror-themed dishes like the Butcher’s Skull Board and Scream Supreme Pizza. Featured cocktails include the Midnight Freeze, Alien Blood, The Substance and Sangre Sangria (and those drinks are all available through Oct. 31). Tickets are $45-$2,400.
—Old Town spot LG’s Bar & Kitchen is celebrating Halloween the whole month. The Irish-American bar will wrap up things with a pumpkin carving on Oct. 27, 6-8 p.m.; a Murder at the Masquerade Cocktail Party on Oct. 30, 7-10 p.m.; and Halloween Trivia Night on Oct. 31, 7-9 p.m.
—Bonhomme Group’s three concepts—Bambola, Coquette and Expat—will combine for a building-wide Oct. 26 Halloween event offering multiple experiences at the hospitality group’s Fulton Market hub. The fun will begin at 10 p.m., when guests will be treated to multiple rooms and multiple sounds inspired by the films of Baz Lurhman and Stanley Kubrick.
Also, on Oct. 31, Expat and Bambola will host a day of Halloween celebration alongside promotional partners We Hate Clubs featuring hip-hop and R&B sounds alongside a costume party. This event will be free.
—Untitled will have a pretty cool event on Halloween. Prepare to be initiated into Unbridled’s secret society in The Order of the Red Veil, taking place 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Vintage Prohibition-era glitz and glamour will meet the macabre as the Dark Goddess is summoned—and more than 20 burlesque, variety, circus and aerial acts will perform in every room of Untitled.
—In celebration of its three-year anniversary this October, Central Park Bar will host a Halloween Emo Costume Party on Thursday, Oct. 31, on the patio. Starting at 9 p.m., Emo Night will kick off with a DJ spinning emo music classics, and themed drink specials will be available. Guests are encouraged to dress up in Halloween attire, and there will be prizes for best Halloween costume.
Spooky drink specials will include a Dead Rose Shot with Jagermeister and Four Roses Bourbon ($8), a Friendly Ghost Shot with Tito’s, Ghost Blanco tequila and amaretto ($8), and 16-ounce cans of Pumpkin Beer ($8). Guests can also start the festivities early with a half-price happy hour at 4-7 p.m.
—LondonHouse Chicago will host a haunted carnival on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. This immersive event spans the LH on 21 Lounge, the Etoile Ballroom and the LH on 22 Rooftop, each offering a festive carnival atmosphere with eerie surprises.
Guests will enjoy a premium hosted bar from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. and live DJ entertainment all night. The evening will also feature a costume contest at midnight, with the grand prize winner receiving an overnight stay at LondonHouse and two tickets to the exclusive New Year’s Eve event, while the runner-up will win two tickets to the New Year’s Eve party. Tickets to the Oct. 26 event include a four-hour premium open bar, costume contest, passed bites, party favors and live DJ entertainment. RSVP here.
—Cody’s Public House will host several events, including a “Once Upon a Time in Cody’s Halloween Party” (Oct. 26, 6-9 p.m.), a dog-friendly howl-o-ween costume contest benefitting ALIVE Rescue (Oct. 27, at 3 p.m.) and a pumpkin-painting contest (Oct. 29). The Halloween party will be Quentin Tarantino-themed, and the best-dressed guest gets $250. Also, drink specials will include $30 High Noon buckets, $7 Camarena tequila, and $7 Rumchata Pumpkin Spice Latte shots—and there will be a Rumchata Pumpkin Spice Latte sampling.
—The Lake View spot Lark is hosting “The Beetlejuice Halloween Drag Brunch” on Oct. 26, with two seatings (at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.). A ticket includes six bottomless drink choices, a starter and brunch entree, and performers will include Vivian De Jour, Ari Gato, Luc Ami and Pixel. RSVP here.
—The Emily Hotel spot Fora has spooky cocktail specials through Oct. 31. They include Witching Hour, which contains Ketel, Lemon, Limoncello, soda and black luster dust ($18); and the Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned, which has Buffalo Trace, Pumpkin Spice, cardamom bitters and nutmeg ($18).
—Easy Bar will host its Annual New Belgian Pumpkin Carving Contest on Oct. 30 at 7 p.m. New Belgium will supply free pumpkins that are already scooped out and carving tools so patrons get creative. Seasonal drink selections will include a Pumpkin Spice Margarita with Espolon Blanco Tequila, pumpkin syrup, and lime ($12); Purple Drank with Empress Indigo Gin, Veev Acai, lemon, simple syrup and soda ($12); and the Pain Ke’iller with Plantation Pineapple Rum, Keke Key Lime Liqueur, Orange juice, nutmeg and a gummy worm ($11). In addition, there will be free pool all evening.