Halloween Happenings at Chicago Restaurants, Hotels, and Bars

Maple & Ash (8 W Maple St), in its typical tongue-in-cheek fashion, disguises itself as Frontback Steakhouse on Halloween night, Monday, October 31. In addition to special décor and costumed servers, Chef Danny Grant will present his takes on signature Aussie-inspired items done in the whimsical style of Maple & Ash. The regular Maple & Ash menu will be served that evening, however for this one-time-only transformation, guests may also choose from the following Frontback Steakhouse specials: Aussie-Style Caviar Service - White Sturgeon Caviar (1oz) served with an Onion Blossom for $130.00; Awesome Aussie Add-Ons! – Enhance any steak from the Maple & Ash menu with a trio of Awesome Aussie Add-Ons (Barbie-Q Shrimp, Coconut Shrimp and Onion Rings) for $25.

Arbella (112 W Grand Ave), River North’s new global cocktail lounge, presents Death by Disco, a Halloween party to wake the dead, on Saturday, October 29. From 9pm-12am, partygoers will enjoy a 3-hour bar package (with Red Bull included), special Disco Punch made with Absolut vodka, passed bites such as stuffed mushrooms and mini-egg rolls, and disco dance beats from DJ Bridget Marie to keep the scary shenanigans going all night. At this spooky soiree, costumes are encouraged, and guests can compete to win a $250 grand prize for the best Halloween ensemble. Tickets to Death by Disco at Arbella are priced at $45 and can be purchased online. 

The Boundary (1932 W. Division St.) The beloved Wicker Park watering hole will host a sports-fan-friendly Halloween bash on Saturday, October 29. Costumes are encouraged and a video DJ will be on-site to ensure a spook-tacular evening. Football fans can keep one eye on the dance floor and one eye on the TV, thanks to The Boundary devoting TV space to the Michigan-Michigan State game as well as the potential Cubs World Series game during the evening.

Old Town Pour House (1419 N. Wells St.) Old Town’s favorite game-watching destination is making Halloween easy for everyone this year, with a combined costume party and Michigan (and potential Cubs) game watch. The popular bar will feature a video DJ all night to give the best party/sports coverage for guests to enjoy. 

Travelle Kitchen + Bar (330 N. Wabash Ave.) Drink Special: Dia de los Muertos ($16) Day of the Dead ‘Dia de los Muertos’ is a day where mainly Mexicans celebrate their beloved ones who passed away by honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigold flowers, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.  The cocktail is made with Mezcal Siete Misterios Joven, Templeton Rye, and Blackberry syrup, as a representation that we have a little bit of everything for everyone.

DMK Burger Bar (2954 N. Sheffield Ave.) Chicagoans can get a taste of Halloween all month long at DMK Burger Bar with the Bloody Burger and All Treats No Tricks Shake. Bite into the Bloody Burger with Australian grass-fed sirloin tartare, garlic aioli, salt & vinegar potato chips, and a fried egg all sandwiches between two slices of garlic toast, and wash it down with the candy-filled All Treats No Tricks Shake. 

Ada Street (1664 N. Ada Street) Calling all Hogwarts students, Ada Street invites you to celebrate Halloween at Harry Potter’s Great Hall Halloween Feast. On Saturday, October 29 and Sunday, October 30 (with two seatings at 6pm and 9pm), muggles and wizards alike can indulge in a four course dinner, complete with butter beer, Quidditch Beer Pong, and more. $75 (including tip & tax) Tickets can be purchased here:

Henry’s (18 W. Hubbard St.) On Saturday, October 29, Henry’s presents “Madames, Playboys, and Politicians,” a turn-of-the-century Chicago debauchery reminiscent of the notorious first ward. Spooky drink specials and a live DJ will be spinning all night with NO COVER! 

BIG Bar (151 E. Upper Wacker Drive) For those looking to reminisce on Halloween nights spent trick-or-treating, BIG Bar located on the second floor of Hyatt Regency Chicago offers a candy cocktail perfect for adults with a sweet tooth. The BIG Scare, made with candy-corn infused vodka, vanilla vodka, vermouth, bitters, and pop rocks, is available from October 23-31. Guests can enjoy this spookily sweet sip while looking out over Chicago’s night sky, as the bar offers downtown views of the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, and more. $13

The Godfrey Hotel Chicago (127 W Huron St) - I|O Godfrey invites Chicagoans back to The Godfrey Hotel Chicago for Haunted Hotel 2, a night of thrilling fun in celebration of the spookiest day of the year. Following 2015’s unforgettable fright-fest, which scared up some Chicago Hawks players and the entire casts of Chicago Fire and Chicago PD in full costume, The Godfrey is turning up the paranormal activity by giving its rooftop lounge a sinister makeover, transforming the guest rooms on the fifth floor into haunted rooms with horrors lurking in every corner, and allowing zombies and ghosts to roam the fifth floor hallways. All are encouraged to attend the party disguised in costumes to revel in the night’s frightening festivities and drink the chef’s potions. ”Brave” guests can prove just how fearless they are by booking and staying overnight in a haunted room on the creepy fifth floor – where the monsters will stay up all night.       

All guests that survive the night are invited to the “Walk of No Shame” brunch the next morning at I|O Godfrey, which should be free of prowling spirits by sunrise. Anyone that shows up in full costume and make-up from the night before will receive $10 off the food and one complimentary Mimosa or Bloody.    

General Admission: Starting at $40/person

VIP Expedited Entry: Starting at $60/person

Tickets available here

Chicago Athletic Association hotel (12 S Michigan Ave) Step Into The Darkness...: On Saturday, October 29, the Chicago Athletic Association hotel encourages guests to embrace their childlike sense exploration as they make their way through the hotel with the mystery and chilling potential of the unknown. The hotel invites guests in for an evening of curious discomfort, featuring chilling exhibits and interactive installations confronting them with a warped sense of their own existence, and the eerie awareness that every movement is being observed by an otherworldly entity. The darkness begins at 6 p.m. in The Tank on the first floor, and in the hotel’s Drawing Room and Game Room on the second floor with complimentary entry, culminating in a ticketed major musical act at 10 p.m. presented by The Empty Bottle in the Chicago Athletic Association hotel’s original gymnasium Stagg Court. Tickets for the concert portion of the evening are available for $25, including entry to Stagg Court beginning at 8 p.m. There is no charge for general admission to the hotel.

Hotel Lincoln (1816 N Clark St) Hotel Lincoln continues its support of local pet shelter One Tail at a Time with a Halloween party and dog costume contest, as well as a dog adoption event at the hotel on Saturday, October 22 from noon-2 p.m. Guests and animal lovers are welcome to bring their dogs dressed up in their Halloween costumes and participate in the costume contest. Jenny Milkowski from “Good Day Chicago” will be on hand to announce the dogs and MC the event. After the contest, all contestants will participate in a parade around the hotel, so they can show off their costumes to nearby bystanders.

The dog costume contest winners will receive prizes donated from local pet store Barker & Meowsky. All are welcome to join in spending time with adoptable dogs from One Tail at a Time and learn about all of the ways the animal shelter is saving lives.

Cost for the event is free, though a $10 donation to One Tail at a Time – which makes a lifetime commitment to provide each of their dogs with a safe, loving forever home – is requested for entry into the dog costume contest