Halloween in the city: Experience the best restaurants, bars and events
Halloween is an experience to be shared, and there are plenty of opportunities to gather with friends, dress in your finest costumes and wile away a fall night in and around Atlanta. From an otherworldly underwater experience to the biggest street parties and parades around, here are the ways you can get into the spooky spirit locally.
Haunted Underground
Experience 10,000 square feet of Underground Atlanta decked out for Halloween, along with themed cocktails and actors. Later in the night, there will be themed parties, DJs and a dance floor that will have you grooving into the early morning.
Location: Underground Atlanta; Website: Haunted Underground ATL Instagram; Date: Now-Oct. 8; Time: 8 p.m.-4 a.m. Admission: $20
Spookeasy Cocktail Bar
Step into Halloween when you step onto the patio at Chattahoochee Food Works this October. Try specialty seasonal cocktails and an atmosphere that will get you in the spooky spirit!
Location: Chattahoochee Food Works; Website: theworksatl.com; Dates: Oct. 10-12, 17-20, 24-27; Time: 5 p.m. Admission: Free
Fernbank After Dark: Potions & Poisons
This age-21-and-up event will feature science experiments involving elixirs and brews. Treat it like a date night or meet up with friends, and immerse yourself in the museum exhibits, tapas, live music, full bars and science demos.
Location: Fernbank Museum of Natural History; Website: fernbankmuseum.org; Date: Oct. 11; Time: 7 p.m.-11 p.m.; Admission: $22.95
Red Light Cafe - Singing Strawberries
Potions and songs promise to make for a wicked good time. Come on out to hear the Singing Strawberries, and settle in for an evening of great food and drink.
Location: Red Light Cafe; Website: redlightcafe.com; Date: Oct. 12; Time: 8 p.m.-10:30 p.m.; Admission: $20 (advance), $25 (door)
The Wicked Pig
The Blind Pig Parlour brings spooky to another level with its pop-up opportunity - The Wicked Pig. Experience Halloween themed cocktails, mocktails and light bites through Nov. 4, and enjoy seeing this speakeasy appropriately decked out for the season.
Location: The Blind Pig Parlour; Website: theblindpigparlourbar.com; Dates: now-Nov. 2, Wednesday-Sundays; Time: 5 p.m.; Admission: Free
Capturing the Spirit of Oakland
Would Halloween be complete without a tour of the legendary Oakland Cemetery? Not for many Atlantans! This year, get your fill of history by lantern light as storytellers resurrect tales of the cemetery’s most notable residents. Live music, craft beer and artisanal cocktails round out the night.
Location: Oakland Cemetery; Website: oaklandcemetery.com; Dates: Oct. 17-20, 24-27; Times: 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Admission: Free to $190
Little Five Points Halloween Festival and Parade
This event calls itself “the biggest - and spookiest - Halloween celebration in the Southeast.” Come out and see for yourself! From a lively parade to an artists’ market, ghost tours, pumpkin smashing, live music and much more, there’s something for everyone.
Location: Little Five Points; Website: l5pbiz.com; Date: Oct. 19-20; Time: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Admission: Free
Star Bar - DJs in conjunction with L5P Parade
Looking for the perfect vantage point for the Little Five Points Parade? Look no further! And after the procession passes, stay on to enjoy live music outside from the likes of Dusty Booze & the Baby Haters and Bigfoot and DJIT and DJ Twitch inside.
Location: Star Bar ATL; Website: starbaratl.bar; Date: Oct. 20; Time: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Admission: Free
Midtown Halloween Block party
This event bills itself as “Friday night’s largest block party in Atlanta,” and you won’t want to miss it! Secure your wristband, which will get you into more than 35 participating establishments sans cover charge. Experience DJs and live music and sign up for the costume contest ($500 prize!) as you roam between bars trying their best shots.
Location: Politan Row at Colony Square; Website: atlantabartours.com; Date: Oct. 25; Time: 6 p.m.-2 a.m.; Admission: $20-$40
HOBNOB Halloween Party
Party the night away at HOBNOB with live music and Halloween-themed shots all night! And plan to put your best foot forward in the costume contest ($100 gift certificate), while you’re at it. Choose from two locations: Halcyon and Atlantic Station.
Location: HOBNOB Halcyon and HOBNOB Atlantic Station; Website: hobnobatlanta.com; Date: Oct. 26; Time: 7 p.m.-midnight; Admission: Free
Sips Under the Sea
Dance the night away in one of the world’s largest aquariums - right here in downtown Atlanta! The Georgia Aquarium is the place to welcome spooky season with delicious food and cocktails. Attendees must be 21 and over and can plan to explore the underwater backdrop and immersive galleries while enjoying the sounds of a live DJ.
Location: Georgia Aquarium; Website: georgiaaquarium.org; Date: Oct. 25 and 31; Time: 7-10 p.m.; Admission: $56.99-$155.99
Nightmare on Highland Halloween Bash & Costume Contests
This Halloween-themed pop-up promises family friendly fun, specialty cocktails and delicious Italian cuisine. At 4 p.m., kids ages 12 and under can participate in a costume contest and a special menu portioned and designed just for them. Later, beginning at 8 p.m., those 21 and over can experience a four-course prix-fixe dinner and try drinks like Vampire Kiss and Witch’s Brew while enjoying the grown-up iteration of the costume contest.
Location: Amore e Amore; Website: amoreeamore.com; Date: Oct. 26; Time: 4 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Admission: Free-$120
Halloween on the Roof
Moonrise means a transformation for The Roof at Ponce City Market as it becomes a Haunted Carnival for those 21 and up. A live DJ and $1,000 prize in the costume contest are reasons in and of themselves to attend. Add on incredible carnival rides and views of the city, and you’ve got yourself an unforgettable Halloween!
Location: Ponce City Market; Website: poncecityroof.com; Date: Oct. 26; Time: 8 p.m.-midnight; Admission: $30
Monster Bash at Eclipse di Luna
Come for the exotic cocktails and live DJs - Cesar R., Danny B. and more - and stay for a shot at the $2,500 costume contest cash prize pot. Lots of bars will mean fast service at this indoor/outdoor event at Eclipse di Luna in Buckhead. Costumes required.
Location: Eclipse di Luna - Buckhead; Website: eventbrite.com; Date: Oct. 26; Time: 8 p.m.; Admission: Free until 10 p.m. with RSVP
Halloween Bar Crawl - Buckhead
One ticket: Five-plus venues to choose from. Drink and dance the night away, and compete for wicked prizes in the costume contest! Get costumed up, check in and claim your complimentary welcome shots.
Location: Blue Moon Pizza; Website: downtowncrawlers.com; Date: Oct. 31; Time: 4 p.m.-11:30 p.m.; Admission: $20-$25
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