Chicago venues are rolling out themed menus, costume bashes, and Día de los Muertos celebrations for the holiday season, with events spanning multiple neighborhoods, the Chicago Tribune reported.
Neighborhood Pop-Ups and Rooftop Haunts
The city’s bars and restaurants are leaning heavily into immersive seasonal environments. In River West, The Dandy Crown hosts its “Never Trust the Living” pop-up through Nov. 1, featuring themed cocktails like the Kettle Corn Old-Fashioned made with popcorn-infused bourbon. Meanwhile, The Albion Manor in Lincoln Park runs the “Black Lagoon” pop-up through Oct. 31, serving drinks in custom glassware such as the Bone Temple, which combines tequila, pomegranate, sherry, and vanilla honey.
Rooftop lounges are also transforming for the weekend. At I/O Godfrey Rooftop Lounge, the space turns into an abandoned summer camp complete with a haunted maze for an Oct. 31 bash priced between $66 and $77, running from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. at 127 W. Huron St. with a DJ, performers, and themed food and drinks like a skull-shaped frozen fruit granita and Campfire Cake Pops. Over in Wrigleyville, Stolen Saddle operates its “Nightmare on Clark Street” pop-up through Nov. 1, offering panoramic decor and drinks like the Monster Mash topped with an eyeball gummy.
Día de los Muertos Dinners and Drink Menus
Extending past Halloween night, several kitchens are marking Día de los Muertos with multi-course dinners and specialized spirits menus running through early November. Tzuco hosts a four-course dinner on Monday featuring tamal colado and teres major beef with optional wine pairings from Casa Madero.
Stk Steakhouse pairs with Espolòn Tequila to offer a dedicated agave menu, featuring a Marigold Margarita built with pumpkin purée and fresh lime. Toro Toro at the Fairmont Chicago features achiote-braised short ribs and saffron sours through Nov. 3. Clandestino at 535 N.
Costume Contests and Pet-Friendly Bashes
Festivities include numerous costume competitions for both humans and pets. Harry Caray’s Navy Pier offers a Harvest Mule made with Tito’s, ginger beer, cinnamon and lime juice ($14) with proceeds benefiting PAWS Chicago. Robert’s Pizza & Dough Co. holds its sixth annual Howl-o-Ween dog parade and costume contest from 2 to 4 p.m. at 465 N. McClurg Court. McClurg Court.
LondonHouse Chicago stages a “A Nightmare on Wacker Drive” Día de los Muertos bash ($150) spread across two floors from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. at 85 E. Upper Wacker Drive. Raised, An Urban Rooftop Bar hosts a Witching Hour bash ($85) from 7 to 10 p.m. at 1 W. Upper Wacker Drive where the mixology team unveils a new themed punch bowl every 30 minutes alongside a buffet, a candy bar, a DJ and a costume contest. The Alston at 750 N. Salon 61 at 61 W.
Additional Holiday Screenings and Teas
The Gwen at 521 N. Rush St. invites guests to catch a screening of “Practical Magic” on the hotel’s terrace from 6-8 p.m. Saturday ($50). Meanwhile, Petterino’s at 150 N. Dearborn St. offers a cocktail and pumpkin carving event at 7:30 p.m.
