The Ultimate Guide to Dining and Drinking in Houston This Halloween

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 be sure to 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: 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 6 p.m. Saturday, October 21; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, October 22. Postoffice Street, between 21st and 23rd Streets.

Witchery, thriller killers, and a seance: Popfancy Dessert Bar is once again transforming its Bellaire cafe, decking it out with spooky decor for its themed weeks. Through November 5, the dessert bar doubles as a “seance room,” with a spooky-themed menu of sinful sweets and drinks for all ages, including a dark and creamy ube latte, a Killed Cheese sandwich, a Texas Chainsaw Minced Sloppy Joe, and more. Vampires will take over from October 20 to October 26, followed by “retro slasher icons” like Freddy Krueger and the It clown, and from November 3 to November 5, “possessed cursed objects” (Think characters from movies like Child’s Play). Reservations, especially during weekends, are advised. 9393 Bellaire Boulevard, A6, 77036.

Mini monster mayhem: Little goblins, mini superheroes, and cool cartoon-dressed characters 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 10 a.m. Tuesday through Saturday, trick-or-treating begins at 4 p.m. on weekdays and is available all day on weekends. Tuesday, October 10 through Tuesday, October 31. 1500 Binz Street, 77004.

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. $10 to $34 Saturday and $20 to $29 Sunday. Saturday, October 28 to Sunday, October 29. 21778 Farm to Market 1774, 77363.

Halloweeniversary: To honor its third anniversary, Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House will celebrate in style with a two-day 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. Reservations are recommended. 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. October 28 to October 29. 113 6th Street, 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. Candy for kids, pumpkin smashing, tarot card readings, and cauldron cocktails for adults will be available all day at this free event. No reservations are required. Saturday, October 28. 2118 Lamar Street, 77003.

Pumpkin carving, outdoor movies, and live music: Get Halloween started early at Axelrad Beer Garden, which will host free family-friendly movies on Mondays at 7:30 p.m. throughout October, including Once Bitten and The Witches, as well as a Hocus Pocus showing with pumpkin carving. On Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m., check out the night market and showings of The Simpson’s “Treehouse of Horror” episodes. 1517 Alabama Street, 77004.

Axelrad

Frightening fun for the family: Feges BBQ’s Spring Branch location will host a Saturday Spooktacular event for families featuring a haunted bounce house, the Dragon’s Nest play area, a pumpkin decorating station, 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. 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 28. 8217 Long Point Road, 77055.

Candy, movie, popcorn, and more: Head to CITYCENTRE where the British International School of Houston will host its 11th Annual Halloween Trick-or-Treat event with candy and goodies for little princes, princesses, and all other costumed kids, courtesy of participating stores and restaurants (You’ll know when you see a balloon outside their door). Families can also rock out to festive tunes in the plaza spun by a live DJ and a witch-themed show. No reservations are required for this free event. 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., with trick-or-treating held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, October 30. 800 Town and Country Boulevard, 77024.

Candy trail: Visitors to the 19th Annual Trick or Treat Trail at Independence Park will be greeted by local businesses and organizations that will pass out candy and other goodies. Food trucks will be onsite. No reservations are required for this free event. 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday, October 31. 3449 Pearland Parkway, 77581.

Halloweekend: Think your costume is award-winning? Head to the Rustic for a night of live music, drinks, and costume contests that could yield a cash prize, or opt for their family-friendly Halloween brunch. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, October 28 and Sunday, October 29. 1836 Polk Street, 77003; 1121 Uptown Park Boulevard, 77056.

Haunted Hues: The interactive art museum Color Factory offers an otherworldly experience with art installments filled with ghosts and ghouls, themed rooms for photo ops, and a variety of treats from local vendors. Plus, a pumpkin patch. Tickets start at $28 for children and $36 for adults. Now through Tuesday, October 31. 3303 Kirby Drive, 77098.

Lezu Photography

A smoky celebration at J-Bar-M Barbecue: This barbecue joint will do what it does best this Halloween, offering spooky smoked meats in dishes like tacos de al pastor negro and Bloody Burnt Ends, plus drink specials, including $6 Canta Ritos, $5 frozen margaritas, and $15 buckets of beer. Attendees can enjoy live entertainment from Felipe Galvan’s Pachuco Boogie Sound System and Houston punk icons Los Skarnales, or explore merchandise from Rinkers Boat World and The Jewelry Bar, which will both be on-site from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., respectively. Saturday, October 28. 2201 Leeland, 77003.

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

Urban Halloween: Urban South HTX’s latest Boos & Brews Halloween Bash will serve beer and cocktail specials, a specialty menu from GastroCraft, and local vendors, as well as costume contests for dogs, children, and adults. Bring the kids for pumpkin carving, a bounce house, tarot card reading, face painting, and cookie decorating. No cover, but $15 for pumpkin carving. Starts at 1 p.m. Sunday, October 29. 1201 Oliver Street, 77007.

For adults only

A Barbie and Ken soiree: Be a doll this Halloween and head to Red Lion Pub for a Barbie and Ken adults-only soiree, with shots specials and a live DJ to help you get on the dancefloor. The best costume gets a $1,000 gift card. 2316 South Shepherd Drive, 77019.

Dylan McEwan

Paper faces on parade: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is hosting the classiest Halloween party in town. MFAH’s Punch Party at Rienzi asks people to dress in masquerade-themed costumes as it showcases 17th- and 18th-century European art and serves English punch. $65 for adults and $60 for members. 1406 Kirby Drive, 77019.

Vampire Ball at Doris Metropolitan: Sport your best new costume and boogie down with Dracula at this Israeli steakhouse’s annual Vampire Ball, with drink specials, a live DJ, and a costume contest. Thursday, October 26. 2815 South Shepherd Drive, 77098.

The Cursed Cauldron at Ninja Ramen: Through Halloween, this ramen shop and whiskey bar will host a pop-up full of mystic energy. From 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., diners will be met with wandering fortune tellers, tarot card and aura readers, a marketplace that sells spells, potions, and rituals; and a host of performances. The menu also gets festive, with Char-Boo-Terie boards, “bewitched” ramen, and spellbinding cocktails, like the gin-based Coven’s Calling — a mix of sherry, elderflower, sage, and black pepper, and the tequila-loaded Bruja’s Brew, a potion of crème de cacao, macadamia nut, coconut milk, chocolate and vanilla. 4219 Washington Avenue, 77007.

Murder at the Moulin Rouge and a thrilling brunch: Veuve Clicquot champagne will flow at Brasserie 19’s annual Halloween party, Murder at the Moulin Rouge, held Saturday, October 28 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Costumes are more than encouraged — the best of the best win a champagne brunch for six. The French restaurant will follow that party up with a Thriller le Brunch De Funk from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 29, featuring live music and drink specials made with Veuve Clicquot and Tito’s vodka. 1962 West Gray Street, 77019.

Beetlejuice or bust: Pizzeria and cocktail bar Betelgeuse Betelgeuse already had some outlandish decor, but this Halloween, it has revamped its space with a haunted house vibe at both its Washington Avenue and new Montrose location. Between karaoke competitions, movie trivia, and tattoo artists, the Halloween party lasts throughout October. 2101 Washington Ave., 77007; 4500 Montrose Boulevard., 77006.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse

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 required and can be made by calling 713-522-9711. $45 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 28. 3300 Smith Street, 77006.

Cabinet of Curiosities: Harkening back to where the game of darts began, Flight Club Houston will transform for Halloween, with themed desserts, signature cocktails, and a virtual costume contest. Saturday, October 28. 3515 W. Dallas Street, 77019.

Win big: Big Casino’s Halloween costume contest will give a $200 gift card for the winning costume. Friday, October 27. 908 Congress Street, 77002.

FestiFall: Wooster’s Garden’s “FestiFall” will celebrate Halloween with a costume contest, food trucks, shopping vendors, raffles, games, and live music. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday, October 29. 3315 Milam Street, 77006.

Go wild: CBD bar Wild’s Halloween party will offer $12 themed cocktails and $5 shots, with a costume runway and specials like Japanese barbecue and a Graveyard Patch dessert. 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. Tuesday, October 31. 1609 Westheimer Road, 77006.

Brennan’s of Houston

All Hallows Weekend at Traveler’s Table: This Montrose restaurant will offer pumpkin pie-flavored Jack-O-Lantern shots ($9), pumpkin spice Old Fashioneds ($14), and a Dark N’ Stormy Eye of the Storm cocktail ($14) to go along with Halloween dishes like its Louisiana fried chicken dish served with brown butter pumpkin grits, a Bloody Juicy Lucy Burger, and a pumpkin pie flan. 520 Westheimer Road, 77006.

A Great Gatsby Halloween bash: The Warwick throws it back to the 1920s with a Great Gatsby-themed party, with Halloween cocktails, reserve happy hour specials, a costume contest with a $500, and music by DJ Mr. Rogers. Make it a night to remember in the 360 photo booth and a step and repeat that’ll make you feel glam. 7 p.m. Tuesday, October 31. 5888 Westheimer Road, 77057.

A haunted mansion: Starting at 8 p.m., Chapman and Kirby hosts its 7th Halloween bash on Saturday, October 28th, featuring live DJs, themed cocktails, a Trick-or-Treat bar, and exciting costumes for the scariest and most creative cocktails. Free reservations can be made online. 2118 Lamar Street, Suite 100, 77003.

Skaroake: All locations of Christian’s Tailgate will host a Halloween-themed karaoke on October 28, with a boo-zy celebration on Halloween until 2 a.m. The White Oak location will also serve as a stop on the White Oak Halloween Pub Crawl on October 28th from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., during which crawlers will explore various neighborhood hot spots, where they can also compete for best costume.

Pub crawls

Midtown: Get your drink on during one of these four happy hour Halloween pub crawls, all starting at The Dogwood. Travel bar-to-bar, flash an exclusive wristband, and receive drink specials instead of candy (though some bars may have some on hand for those with a sweet tooth). $10 to $20. Begins at 5 p.m. October 21, 27, 28 and 31. 2403 Bagby Street, 77006.

Downtown: Nightcrawlers Pub Crawls will host a Halloween Pub Crawl starting from El Big Bad and snaking through Batanga Houston, Bovine & Barley, and more. $10 and up. 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, October 28. 301 Milam Street, 77002.

EaDo: True Anomaly Brewing is hosting a free bar crawl around the neighborhood, ending with a party with live music at True Anomaly. 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, October 28. 2012 Dallas Street, 77003.

Montrose: The 15th Annual Montrose Crawl starts at La Grange and Poison Girl and lasts until late at night for munchies. Gift cards for free food and drinks will be given as prizes for best costume at 8 p.m., 10 p.m., and 12 p.m. No cover. 7:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 28. 2515 Ralph Street, 77006.

For pets

Canines in costumes: Outfit your four-legged friends in a creative costume for a chance to win a dog portrait and other premium prizes during the Eight Row Flint’s 7th Annual Dog Costume Contest. To enter, email Christina@eightrowflint.com with the owner’s name/pet’s name, a costume description, and an Instagram handle (pets or owners), or arrive early on the day of the competition. Bring pet food, which will be donated to the Rescued Pets Movement, as the entry fee. Sunday, October 29. 1039 Yale Street, 77008. Brasserie 19 will also host a Trick Fur Treat pet costume contest benefiting Houston Pet Set from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on October 26. 1962 W Gray Street, 77019.

Heights Beer Garten

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, vendor pop-ups, live music, and drinks. Starts at 2 p.m. Saturday, October 28. 2110 Edwards Street, 77007.

Halloween rescue: Who needs Halloween candy when you can bring a new dog home, instead? Heights Beer Garden’s Howl-oween Dog Costume Contest and Adoption Event will showcase dogs for adoption alongside rescue merchandise and a full menu and bar, as well as a dog costume contest. To further benefit dog adoptions, contest proceeds will go to HTX Dog Rescue. The contest entry fee is $20. 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, October 21. 1433 N. Shepherd Drive., 77008.

Specials, discounts and freebies

Pluckers is offering $1 wings at all of its locations on Halloween Day.

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.

Axelrad’s October specials include the Eye of Newt, with gin, pear liqueur, matcha simple syrup, and lemon juice. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to So Every Body Can Move. 1517 Alabama Street, 77004.

This fall, The Original Ninfa’s will serve an orange Paloma, with Patron Blanco, lime juice, blood orange, and grapefruit soda for $13. Ninfa’s will add activated charcoal until Halloween for the extra spooky factor. 2704 Navigation Boulevard, 77003; 1700 Post Oak Boulevard, 77056.

Betelgeuse Betelgeuse will offer a R.O.B Zombie, with a rum blend, cognac, orgeat, banana liqueur, and orange juice for $13 (and comes with a temporary tattoo); the Grave Digger, with Amaras Verde Mezcal, Amaro Montenegro, Lazzaroni Amaretto, lemon, mint, and Scotch spritz for $12; the Autumn Joe, with Legent bourbon, cold brew coffee, turbinado, and chocolate bitters for $12; The Monster Smash, with Gentle Ben gin, strawberry Cheong syrup, lemon, and syrup for $12; and the Frozen El Diablo, with Aguasol Blanco tequila, ginger beer, lime, agave, and creme de cassis for $12. You can get Halloween-themed cups for $1. 4500 Montrose Boulevard, 77006; 2101 Washington Avenue, 77007

Pizaro’s Pizza is aligning a Vampire pizza, with three types of garlic, and a Fruity Pebbles cheesecake from October 15 to October 31. 11177 Katy Freeway, 77079; 1000 West Gray Street, 77019.

Willie’s Grill & Icehouse will serve free meals for the kiddos in costume from October 27 to October 31. Multiple locations throughout Houston.

Cyclone Anaya’s will offer free meals to kids in costume on October 31. Adults in costume can receive a free small queso. Multiple locations throughout Houston.

8th Wonder Brewery, Distillery, and Dispensary will offer 20 percent off to-go on Halloween for anyone dressed in costume. 2201 Dallas Street, 77003.

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Axelrad Beer Garden

1517 Alabama Street, , TX 77004 (713) 597-8800 Visit Website

Pier 6 Seafood & Oyster House

113 6th Street, , TX 77539 (281) 339-1515 Visit Website

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The Original Ninfa's on Navigation

2704 Navigation Boulevard, , TX 77003 (713) 228-1175 Visit Website

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Brasserie 19

1962 West Gray Street, , TX 77019 (713) 524-1919 Visit Website

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Brennan's of Houston

3300 Smith Street, , TX 77006 (713) 522-9711 Visit Website

Feges BBQ Spring Branch

8217 Long Point Road, , TX 77055 (346) 319-5339 Visit Website

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Betelgeuse Betelgeuse

2101 Washington Avenue, , TX 77007 (713) 640-5220 Visit Website

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Eight Row Flint

3501 Harrisburg Boulevard, , TX 77003 (832) 409-1850 Visit Website

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Doris Metropolitan

2815 South Shepherd Drive, , TX 77098 (713) 485-0466 Visit Website