The Ultimate Guide to Dining and Drinking in Houston This Halloween By Houston Eater

Houston knows how to throw a party for the whole family, and Halloween is no exception. Museums, restaurants, and shopping centers are breaking out the fake spider webs and 12-foot skeletons to host devilishly good parties and to-die-for dining experiences for all ages. Expect trick-or-treating, costume contests, pumpkin decorating, and other activities for all ages, and for the 21-and-up crowd, Houston’s bars are here to keep the Halloween party going ‘till November 1 with drink specials, movie trivia, and more.

For a ghastly good time, check out the events below, add them to your calendar, and RSVP early where applicable to ensure entry.

This list will be updated, so be sure to check back for new additions.

For families

Art by the beach: The 27th annual ARToberFEst in Downtown Galveston will showcase art, jewelry, decor, and other works from over 100 artists. Grab some lunch from the food and drink trucks while listening to live music and talking to artists from all over the country. $5 and free for children 12 and under. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, October 19; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 20. Postoffice Street, between 21st and 23rd Streets. Galveston.

Scream on the Green: Discovery Green’s annual spooky Halloween-themed event fills the park with live sculptures, palm readers, psychics, games, music, and a screening of Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire. The park will also feature a costume contest for park-goers, but they must pre-register on Discovery Green’s website before 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, October 24. 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, October 25. 1500 McKinney Street, Downtown, 77010.

 Discovery Green

The Outbreak at Popfancy Dessert Bar: This Bellaire cafe will deck out its digs in spooky decor through November 10. Popfancy will double as a “quarantine room” with four weeks of zombie-themed menus showcasing sinful, apocalyptic sweets and drinks for all ages, including buildable “radioactive” sundaes and a Bloater Belly concha stuffed with vanilla ice cream and a topping of salted caramel and blood berry sauce. Reservations, especially during weekends, are encouraged. 9393 Bellaire Boulevard, A6, 77036.

Mini monster mayhem at the BOOseum: Little goblins and mini superheroes will be able to indulge in daily trick-or-treating at Children’s Museum Houston. Additionally, families can participate in interactive events, including searching for goodies and goo or practicing mad scientist skills by experimenting with creepy concoctions. General admission is $17. The Museum opens at 9 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, trick-or-treating begins at 3 p.m. on weekdays and is available all day on weekends. Saturday, October 12 through Thursday, October 31. 1500 Binz Street, 77004.

A Halloween ice cream toppings bar: Buttermilk Baby in M-K-T Heights will serve its Carvel soft-serve with a special Halloween-themed pop-up toppings bar on the patio from noon to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 26. 600 N. Shepherd Drive, Suite 250, the Heights, 77007.

 Alex Montoya

All Hallows Eve: The Texas Renaissance Festival is held from October to November yearly, so you know it will have a huge Halloween bash. The Ren Fest’s All Hallow’s Eve will have a Transylvanian court with prizes for costume and kettle corn-eating contests, alongside the usual shows, games, and, of course, gigantic turkey legs. Tickets cost between $15 and $24. Saturday, October 26 to Sunday, October 27. 21778 Farm to Market 1774, Todd Mission, 77363.

Craft Pita’s Pumpkin Patch and Scary Habanero: This Mediterranean restaurant will offer a small limited edition batch of Scary Habanero hot sauce for $10 from Friday, October 25 through Thursday, October 31. The West University location will also host its own pumpkin patch, giving diners a complimentary pumpkin with a meal purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis. Diners can decorate the pumpkins on-site with the free pumpkin decoration kits Craft Pita provides. 1920 Fountain View Drive, Uptown, 77057; 5172 Buffalo Speedway, Suite C, West University, 77005.

Halloweeniversary: To honor its fourth anniversary, Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House will celebrate in style with a Halloween bash with live entertainment and prizes for the best dressed. Guests of all ages are welcome, with plenty of candy for the kiddos and food and drink specials for the adults. Dine in to access the party or pay a $5 entry fee. Themed cocktails will also be on offer, including a buttered bourbon cider, Poison Apple-tinis made with Gentle Ben vodka, apple liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup, and a gin-based Witches Brew mixed with raspberry liqueur, lime juice, and ginger beer. Reservations are encouraged. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 26. 113 6th Street, San Leon, 77539.

Party with your puppies and pint-sized friends: Truck Yard Houston’s backyard-style garden is known for its monthly parties, and this Halloween, it’s welcoming all for its festivities. Find fortune tellers, live music, candy for kids, costume contests for both dogs and humans, and a photo booth to document the memories. This event is free, but RSVPs are appreciated. Saturday, October 26. 2118 Lamar Street, East Downtown, 77003.

Pumpkin carving, outdoor movies, and live music: Get Halloween started early at Axelrad Beer Garden, which hosts free family-friendly movies at sundown on Mondays throughout October, including a screening of the Addams Family and the anticipated annual Hocus Pocus showing with pumpkin carving at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 14. On Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., shop the night market, enjoy an open mic, and bites from Boombox Taco. 1517 Alabama Street, Midtown, 77004.

Frightening fun for the family: Feges BBQ’s Spring Branch location will host a Saturday Halloween Spooktacular event for families featuring a haunted bounce house, the Dragon’s Nest play area, “Cupcake’s Haunted House,” a pumpkin decorating station ($5 per pumpkin), costume contests, and a showing of the frightfully funny classic Halloween movie, Hocus Pocus. Parents can treat themselves to special frozen adult beverages or indulge with the whole family on Halloween cookies or New Orleans-style snowballs available for purchase from Miss Kathy’s HTX truck on-site. Feges barbecue will also be on offer. Winners of the multi-category costume contest will be announced at 5:30 p.m. Free event. No reservations required. 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 26. 8217 Long Point Road, 77055.

 Feges BBQ

Candy, movie, popcorn, and more: Head to CITYCENTRE, where its 12th Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat event will kick off at 1 p.m. with candy and goodies for costumed kids, courtesy of participating stores and restaurants (You’ll know when you see a balloon outside their door). 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, October 27. 800 Town and Country Boulevard, 77024.

Themed treats from Dessert Gallery: Planning a celebration of your own? This Upper Kirby bakery offers bewitching treats in shop and for pre-order, including hand-decorated butter cookies ($5 each); cookie decorating kits ($15), vanilla petit fours, and chocolate Halloween cupcakes ($5). 3600 Kirby Drive, #D, 77098.

Eat some brains: Common Bond Cafe brings back its Bloody Brain Cakes. The two-layer gruesome concoction, which serves six to eight people, comes in classic vanilla, chocolate cake with chocolate buttercream, and in a confetti flavor with strawberry icing. Available at all Common Bond Bistro & Bakery locations.

Andrew Hemingway

For adults only

Black Lagoon: This traveling Halloween pop-up created by bar industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage has expanded to 35 different locations this October, with a pitstop at Houston’s location of Nickel City. Now through Halloween, the acclaimed bar will brew up themed cocktails, including the Hex Appeal, made with Fords Gin, honeydew cordial, dry vermouth, lemon juice, seltzer, saline, absinthe, and chlorophyll, and Memento Mori, made with mezcal, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, rum, cold brew concentrate, and Chinese 5 Spice. Skipping the alcohol? The Blood Lust mocktails, a combination of Giffard Sirop, miso falernum, rooibos tea, lemon juice, and ginger beer, is a perfect sip. 2910 McKinney Street, Suite 500, East End, 77003.

Wicked Caviar Soirée: Amrina is partnering with Dr. Delicacy for a lavish night of gourmet bites, and an assortment of caviar and truffles, cocktails, rare wines, and sophisticated spirits. General admission tickets starts at $135, with the option to upgrade to VIP. 9 p.m. Friday, October 25. 3 Waterway Square Place, #100, The Woodlands, 77380.

 Amrina

Vampire Ball at Doris Metropolitan: Sport your best new costume and boogie down with Dracula at this Israeli steakhouse’s annual Vampire Ball, which features drink specials, a live DJ, and prizes for the best contest costumes. Thursday, October 31. 2815 South Shepherd Drive, 77098.

Halloween Town at Heights & Co.: This local watering hole is celebrating Halloween all month long with a movie lineup featuring the Adams Family and Hocus Pocus, and $15 themed cocktails, like Tootsie Roll Carajillos, black Witches Brew Margaritas made with tequila, cassis, orange liqueur, and lime; and Blood-bag Cosmos served in IV bags. A major highlight will be the Halloween s’mores boards. Served at tables outside with table-top flames, the boards feature an assembly of snacks to create s’mores, including marshmallows decorated like ghosts, torched marshmallow cream, apples dipped in caramel, homemade chocolates shaped like skulls, pumpkin, and ghosts, and an assortment of graham crackers. 1343 Yale Street, the Heights, 77008.

 Brandon Holmes

A spooky spin on a Thursday night: Armandos is already known for its festive Thursday night parties that are fueled with ice-cold margaritas, Tex-Mex staples, and a live DJ. This year, the restaurant steps it up a notch with a costume party, for which one impressive winner will win a stay at Hotel Lulu in Round Top, a pair of Katie Kime pajamas, and a gift certificate to Mandito’s Tex-Mex in Bellaire or Katy. Reservations encouraged. Thursday, October 31. 2630 Westheimer Road, River Oaks, 77098.

Hit the ghoulish green: Holey Moley Mini Golf is getting in the spirit. From October 21 through November 1st, its Caddy Shack bar will serve spooky Tito’s vodka-fueled cocktails, including the Dead Duck — vodka, pineapple, coconut cream, lime, and chamoy; a Witches Brew, made with vodka, triple sec, lemon, sage, and egg whites, and a Spider Juice shooter with vodka, apple pucker, honey, and lemon. DJs and magicians will work their magic (literally) to provide attendees with some of the best entertainment. Those who dress up are bound to receive a treat. Children under 12 are allowed inside the venue until 8 p.m. Book your tee time online. 3839 Weslayan Street, #101, Upper Kirby, 77027.

 Holey Moley

Monster Mash Halloween: Start your Downtown Halloween celebrations at the food hall Lyric Market, which will offer a pre-party filled with spooky tunes and creepy cocktails like the Witches Love Potion, a bewitching blend of Tito’s Vodka, fresh grapefruit juice, and lychee liqueur; Bloody shooters made with peach liqueur, coffee liqueur, and a splash of grenadine; and the Vampire’s Kiss, a vodka-fueled sip mixed with orange juice and grenadine. The person donning the spookiest costume will win a gift card to the food hall. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Free two-hour parking with a food purchase. 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday, October 26. 411 Smith Street, Downtown, 77002.

Monte Carlos Massacre at Brasserie 19: This ritzy French restaurant in River Oaks will transform into a terrifying yet glamorous haunted Monte Carlo casino. Attendees will get to participate in costume contests and dance to the spellbinding live music sets played by DJ FX Box Olmos. Diners get to enjoy chef Michael Hoffman’s French creations with a Halloween twist and drink specials made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Moet Hennessy, and Bacardi. Come dressed to impress — and scare. The winner of the costume contest wins a champagne brunch for six. 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Saturday, October 26. 1962 West Gray Street, River Oaks, 77019.

Night at the Haunted Mansion: Chapman & Kirby will host a Scream Queens-edition of its monthly drag queen brunch on Saturday, October 19, featuring a $35 buffet. Diners can also indulge in festive cocktails, mimosa flights, and bottle service for an added fee. Doors open at 11:45 a.m., and the show begins at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are recommended. The bar will also hold its 8th annual haunted mansion-themed Halloween bash on Saturday, October 26, complete with featured drink and food specials, DJ sets, costume contests with prizes, and spooky interactive entertainment, including a wandering magician. Reservations encouraged. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday, October 26. 2118 Lamar Street, #100, East Downtown, 77003.

A spooktacular event at Home Run Dugout: This interactive baseball gaming venue will host a night of fun, food, and festivities, including live music and drink specials. Bring your competitive spirit to the batting cages and to the costume contests, which will yield a prize for the most festively dressed. 7 p.m. to midnight, Saturday, October 26. 1220 Grand West Boulevard, Katy, 77449.

Dance the night away at Jethro’s: A night of mischief will begin on Halloween at this cocktail lounge, where drinks will flow with Cara Buena tequila and music from a live DJ. Don’t forget your costume. 95 Tuam Street, Suite 102, Montrose, 77006.

Brunch and complimentary cocktail: Eat, drink, be mischievous, and head to Brennan’s of Houston for the Witchy Brunch featuring a three-course meal with favorites like turtle soup and Eggs Brennan. Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 713-522-9711. $45 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, October 25, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, October 27. 3300 Smith Street, 77006.

 Jason Montegut

Noches de Brujas: Caracol will celebrate witches, ghouls, and Halloween with a Monster Mash featuring passed bites, themed food and drink stations throughout the restaurant and patio featuring quesabirria and cochinita pibil tamales, and boozy hot chocolate, plus a DJ set and prizes for best costumes. Special cocktails will include a variety of tequilas and spiced rum. Tickets are $85 and include four drink tickets. 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday, October 31. 2200 Post Oak Boulevard, 77056.

Calling All Souls: River Oaks Italian restaurant Bari will host a Halloween bash featuring face-painting from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., DJ sets, and a night of cocktails made with Don Julio Tequila, Maestro Dobel Tequila, and Tito’s Vodka. 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. Thursday, October 31. 4444 Westheimer Road, Suite A-175, River Oaks, 77027.

Pub crawls

The Ultimate Halloween bar crawl: The Midtown location of Christian’s Tailgate will kick off a bar crawl in the city at 4 p.m. on October 26. Bargoers can enjoy free karaoke, $2 Jell-O shots, and $3 Bud Light Draft before venturing off to other establishments, including 77 Degrees, Dogwood, Fao HTX, playground, Unicorn Disco, and Wonder Bar, all of which will feature their own drink deals and food specials. Come dressed the part. The costume contest will give away $1,000 to the winner. Tickets are available online for $20 to $35. 4 a.m. to midnight. Saturday, October 26. Christian’s Tailgate - Midtown Location, 2000 Bagby Street, #105/106, Midtown, 77002.

For pets

Canines in costumes:

• Montrose Cheese and Wine is hosting its third annual dog costume contest throughout October for owners who dine or drink on the patio with their dressed-up pups. The winner will receive Olympia Provisions dog treats for the pooch and a six-pack of wine for the human. 1618 Westheimer Road, Montrose, 77006.
• Dog parents can enter their four-legged friends in La Calle Tacos’s Halloween dog costume contest, which will crown winners for different categories, including Best Horror Costume, Most Creative, Funniest, and Best Duo for owners and dogs. Winners will score fun prizes like pet treats and La Calle gift cards. Sign up by sending a DM to the La Calle Tacos Instagram account with the pet’s name, the owner’s telephone number and email, or sign up in person at La Calle’s Midtown location. The competition will take place at 4 p.m. on Sunday, November 2. 401 Gray Street, Midtown, 77002.

 Montrose Cheese and Wine

Howl at the moon: Holler Brewing Co.’s Annual Howl-O-Ween Pawty invites people to bring their pups in their spookiest (or cutest) fit for treats, dog vendor pop-ups, live music, and drinks. 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The dog costume contest starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, October 26. 2110 Edwards Street, 77007.

Specials, discounts and freebies

Discounted treats at 8th Wonder Brewery, Distillery, and Dispensary: This brewery will offer a 25 percent discount on all to-go purchases for bargoers who are dressed in their costumes on Halloween. This includes all taproom offerings, including beer, THC seltzers, gummies, tinctures, t-shirts, and hats. 2202 Dallas Street, East Downtown, 77003.

Loro Houston: The Texas Asian smokehouse owned by Austin pitmaster Aaron Franklin will offer $2 Boo-zy slushees on Halloween Day for those wearing costumes. Drinks include frozen gin and tonics, frozen sangrias, Vietnamese coffees, rum coladas, a mango sake slushee, and a zero-proof pina horchata. A food purchase is required, with one slushee per diner. Upper Kirby and Heights locations.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse will debut extra scary cocktails throughout October, including a frozen Gravedigger ($14) made with mezcal, amaretto, lemon, mint, and scotch spritz; a $16 Purple People Eater that’s a clarified bourbon pina colada with purple ube-taro foam; and a This is Halloween cocktail, a mix of Maker’s Mark, peach nectar, spiced pair and lemon for $15. 4500 Montrose Boulevard, 77006; 2101 Washington Avenue, 77007.

 Andrew Hemingway

Willie’s Grill & Icehouse will serve free meals for the kiddos in costume with the purchase of an adult purchase from Wednesday, October 30, and Thursday, October 31. Multiple locations throughout Houston.

Phat Eatery: Malaysian restaurant will offer a free order of its buttery roti canai with any food purchase per table with diners wearing costumes. The offer is valid at both Katy and Woodlands locations on Halloween.

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Source: www.houston.eater.com