Spooky season is upon us, and there’s no better way to embrace the eerie atmosphere of Halloween than by visiting some of the most haunting bars. Whether you’re in search of a spine-tingling experience, a dose of cutesy Halloween charm, or a historical connection to the supernatural, New York City has a ghoulishly diverse array of options to explore. Check out our list below for the 18 must-visit Halloween bars scattered throughout the city, where you can sip on spooky concoctions, revel in the season’s spirit, and maybe even encounter a ghostly presence or two.
Embrace the otherworldly atmosphere at Lillie’s Victorian Restaurant, just off Union Square. Over the Halloween season, Lillie’s spares no effort in conjuring up a haunting experience for its guests. As you approach the entrance, your journey into the supernatural commences with ominous skeletons looming overhead, setting the stage for the chilling adventure within. Stepping inside, you’ll find almost every inch covered with spooky decorations.
Owned by the same group as Lillie’s Victorian, Oscar Wilde decor is a similar spooky vibe. Inside, the atmosphere is awash with unsettling sights, from creepy jack-in-the-boxes and terrifying clowns to an abundance of chilling skeletons. This spooky Halloween spot it a treasure trove of photo opportunities if you’re craving a terrifying aesthetic.
Black Lagoon is a spooky Halloween pop-up bar located on the Lower East Side. Its doors will be open through the entire month of October. This immersive and eerie experience pays homage to the macabre, weaving in elements of goth and metal for that extra dose of darkness. Sip the night away with an array of spooky-themed cocktails.
A great Halloween spot for Midtown is Papillon (and you’ll be able to spot this one from far away – with all their skeletons hanging above the entrance). Once inside, the interior is filled with skeletons and spiderwebs that cover nearly every inch of wall space. The decor is super eerie with much of the spookiness hanging above you from the ceilings.
Beetle House is a year-round Halloween-themed bar in the East Village. Drawing inspiration from the whimsical and gothic universe of Tim Burton’s movies, this unique hangout not only offers delectable American fare and creative cocktails but also boasts Spooky Scary decor that is sure to transport you to a world of eerie enchantment. Inside the bar, guests will find skulls and an array of iconic Tim Burton characters.
Okay, this is the scariest spot of the list. This is definitely not your typical cute Halloween decor and it goes right past “spooky” and lands somewhere near “damn scary”. The Junction bar, located in Midtown, has some truly haunting displays that you may just need to see to believe. Bring a friend for moral support <3.
House of Wax is another great spot to get your year-round Halloween vibes on. The interior is filled with displays of wax figures of the human anatomy collected from the 19th century when spectators used to frequent wax museums. The exhibit is definitely a little bit eerie and the perfect spot for the season.
Moving on to cuter decorations – The Cauldron is another year-round spot perfect for witches and wizards. The bar offers potion making classes which are a little bit extra decorated for Halloween. If you don’t feel like going to potion class on the 2nd floor, you can chill on the first floor and get your beer on tap from the magical tree at the bar.
Magic Hour is really where the Instagram Magic happens. This spot was created with photo-ops in mind and you can really see it with each season’s decor. This year, you’ll find hundreds of colorful pumpkins in the prettiest rooftop pumpkin patch. Nothing here will scare you, but you’ll be able to enjoy some Fall-themed seasonal cocktails and foods.
Loreley Beer Garden has a good mix of spooky and cutesy decor for the season. Inside you’ll find dozens of Jack-O-Lanterns, Pumpkin Kegs, Spooky Cocktails, and some Scary Halloween props. You can eat inside or out as they have heaters throughout the season.
Over Halloween Weekend (October 27th – October 29th), Watermark is participating in Fear on the Pier. Over the weekend, the pier will transform from their Octoberfest design, to spooky Halloween. The pier is a bit windy out on the waterfront, but you can snag a glass house for you and your party.
Head over to Citroën in Greenpoint for some spooky vibes. Order festive cocktails, like the “Children of the Candy Corn”, that get served out of creepy heads for cups. The interior is filled with Skeletons who happen to be taking up some seats at the bar.
Far less spooky, and way more Fall centric is Serra by Birreria, located in the Eataly Flatiron building. This spot changes up their decor for each passing season, and currently you’ll be able to spot lots of Fall leaves and a little bit of pumpkins.
The White Horse Tavern has been open since 1880, and with that much history, of course it would be a spot for ghostly sightings. In 1953, a frequenter of the bar, Dylan Thomas (a famous poet), spent the night drinking a new personal record of 18 straight whiskeys. A couple days later, he passed away, but bar-goers continue to see Thomas enjoying a drink at The White Horse Tavern.
Another original bar from Old NYC, The Ear Inn, established in 1817, is said to be haunted by Mickey the Sailor. When Mickey wasn’t away at sea, he was spending his time and money at the bar. While the cause of his death is disputed, it is said his last night on earth was spent drinking at The Ear Inn in 1920. Mickey is known in the bar for stealing swigs from patron’s drinks.
The Campbell bar was once the private office and salon of 1920s tycoon John W. Campbell. It is said that the bar is haunted by several unidentifiable ghosts. On the mezzanine level, a couple in 1920s attire are sometimes spotted enjoying a cocktail. Other instances include cold drafts and unidentified noises.
Manhattan’s oldest tavern, Fraunces Tavern was built back in 1719. One of the tavern’s most popular events is George Washington bidding farewell to his troops in 1783. With so many years of history, there have been known to be a few ghosts lurking around. Patrons have reported mysterious footsteps, jangling keys, and slamming doors.
McSorely’s Old Ale House was opened as a saloon in 1854 by John McSorely, an Irish immigrant. Bar staff are said to have heard disembodied footsteps, unidentified noises, and have even seen an unidentified ghost petting the bars cat. One tour guide for Ghosts of New York claims that it is magician, Harry Houdini, haunting the bar.
