The best Halloween bars in NYC this year are the ones that treat October like a season-long commitment, with fake cobwebs on the ceiling, cocktails that arrive smoking, and a bartender who is, frankly, into it.
New York does spooky season better than anywhere. Some of the best Halloween bars in NYC are pop-ups that vanish on November 1, so this is a use-it-or-lose-it situation. A few are standing haunts that go all out every October. Either way, you want to book a table before the weekend of the 31st (a Saturday this year, which means every costume in the five boroughs is already looking for a barstool).
Here are five spots serving some of the best Halloween bars in NYC, whether you’re after a date night, a group outing, or a Tim Burton fever dream.
Oscar Wilde – 🏆 Bowery Beat Editor Top Choice
Address: 45 W 27th St, New York, NY 10001
Phone: (212) 213-3066
Style: Victorian-style bar and restaurant in NoMad, decked out for Halloween
Vibe: Over-the-top, photo-friendly, dressed-up
Price: $$$
If one place owns Halloween in Manhattan, it’s Oscar Wilde. The NoMad bar swaps its usual Victorian elegance for skeletons, spiderwebs and spooky photo ops in every corner, and it’s been the star of a lot of TikTok feeds this month.
It’s also known for throwing big Halloween parties, so if you’re planning a night out on the 31st, call early. Reservations open about 30 days ahead, according to local creators.
Wear a costume. You’ll fit right in, and you’ll want the pictures.
The Haunting on 9th Street at The Cabinet
Address: 649 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009
Style: Halloween cocktail pop-up inside a mezcal bar
Vibe: Creepy-cute, East Village date night
Dates: Through the end of October (check the bar for exact dates)
The Haunting is the first Halloween pop-up from the team behind the Miracle and Sippin’ Santa Christmas bars, and The Cabinet is its East Village home. Expect the same maximalist decor treatment those holiday bars are famous for, just with more cobwebs.
The cocktail menu reportedly includes drinks with names like Clown Pear-anoia, Widow’s Whisper and Liquid Lobotomy. We’re not sure what’s in a Liquid Lobotomy, but we’re curious.
Reservations are recommended. Pop-ups like this one tend to fill up fast on weekends.
The Haunting at Vacations Bar & Rooftop
Address: 48 Cypress Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11237
Style: Halloween cocktail pop-up with a rooftop
Vibe: Bushwick-adjacent, laid back, themed
Dates: Through the end of October (check the bar for exact dates)
The Brooklyn half of The Haunting lands at Vacations, which already has a tropical, tiki-adjacent personality. Watching it turn into a haunted house is part of the fun.
If you’re making a night of it, this is a good pick to pair with our guide to the best bars in Bushwick, since the neighborhood is just down the street.
Black Lagoon at Someday Bar
Address: 364 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
Style: Immersive Halloween cocktail pop-up
Vibe: Horror-movie kitsch, Boerum Hill
Dates: October 1 to November 1 (some sources say November 2)
Website: blacklagoonpopup.com
Black Lagoon is the traveling creature-feature pop-up that returns to Brooklyn each year, and this season it takes over Someday Bar on Atlantic Avenue for roughly a month.
Think monster-movie decor, themed drinks and a crowd that actually dressed for it. The 2026 cocktail list hadn’t been announced at press time, so check the site before you go.
Beetle House
Address: 308 E 6th St, New York, NY 10003
Style: Tim Burton-themed bar and restaurant
Vibe: Gothic, whimsical, always a little Halloween
Price: $$
Unlike the pop-ups, Beetle House is in the East Village year-round, and its permanent Tim Burton aesthetic makes it one of the most reliable Halloween bars in NYC even in July.
It’s the move if you want spooky without the pop-up scramble. Hours vary by listing, so confirm before heading out.
So, What Are the Best Halloween Bars in NYC?
Finding the best Halloween bars in NYC really depends on what you’re in the mood for.
If you want the full costume-party spectacle, Oscar Wilde delivers.
If you want a date-night pop-up in Manhattan, The Haunting on 9th Street is your spot.
If you want a Brooklyn rooftop, head to Vacations.
If you want monster-movie camp, Black Lagoon has it.
If you want spooky any day of the year, Beetle House is always there.
There isn’t one single answer, and that’s kind of the point.
Pick a night, grab a costume, and book ahead. For more bar ideas, browse our Nightlife guides, and happy haunting.
