Where to Celebrate Halloween in Austin With Food, Drinks, and Parties

October is Halloween season in Austin. And soon enough, and there will be many costumes to don and drinks and treats to be had. The city gets into the spooky scary spirit through parties, dinners, movie screenings, and plenty of contests.

Since October 31st lands on a Tuesday this year, there are plenty of festivities leading up to All Hallows Evening. To help everyone sort through the numerous offerings, here is Eater’s guide to the best Halloween (which, again, takes place on Tuesday, October 31).

Scope out Austin’s best Halloween pop-up bars too, and then check out Eater’s guide to Día de los Muertos.

Throughout October

• Congress bar Higher Ground is bringing back its deadly sins-themed cocktail menu for the month, such as the Greed (rye, amaro, cherry heering, turbinado syrup, bitters) and Envy (vodka, green apple liqueur, lemon, simple syrup, and an apple slice). The bar will also host a series of events later on this month, such as a drag party/costume contest on Thursday, October 26; and dollar oysters on Halloween day. (720 Congress Avenue, Downtown)
• Brewery Meanwhile Brewing is throwing several Halloween events this month. First is a puppy costume contest on Wednesday, October 25, benefitting the Happy Hearts Dog Rescue and judged by judge/social media star Chupie, the cat who doesn’t give a meow (RSVP online; it runs from 5 to 9 p.m.). Then there’s a screening of horror silent film L’Inferno with a live musical score performance on Friday, October 27, presented with the Austin Public Library (tickets are $15; it runs from 8 to 10 p.m.) And then finally, the brewery is hosting a Halloween drag show with Eileen Dover’s BrewPaul’s Drag Show on Saturday, October 28 (RSVP online; it runs from 9 to 11 p.m.), and guests are encouraged to dress up and enter the costume contest. (3901 Promontory Point Drive, McKinney)
• Neighborhood bar and restaurant Haymaker is throwing two Halloween events this month. First is a pumpkin-carving contest on Wednesday, October 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. The second is its Halloween costume contest on Friday, October 27. (2310 Manor Road, Cherrywood)
• Downtown shuffleboard bar Electric Shuffle is offering fall and Halloween-themed cocktails like pumpkin spice espresso martinis and blood orange margaritas throughout the month. It’s also hosting a Halloween drag brunch on Sunday, October 29 with costume contests. (91 Red River Street, Suite 102, Downtown)

• Historic space Pioneer Farms is hosting Pumpkin Nights, which features lots of areas with lit-up pumpkin decor, plus daily activities, performances, and food. Weekday tickets are $20 for people 13 years and older, $15 for children between the ages of four and 12, and free for kids three years and younger; weekend prices are $28, $20, and free respectively. There are timed entries. (10621 Pioneer Farms Drive, near Woodcliff)
• Cheese shop Antonelli’s is offering a bunch of Halloween-themed boards. There’s the candy and cheese course, with cheese and candy pairings. Orders can be placed now for shipping on Tuesday, October 24. Then there are two punnily named Char-boo-terie meat and cheese boards available for pickup and local deliveries from Friday, October 27 through Tuesday, October 31. (4220 Duval Street, Hyde Park)
• Hotel restaurant Diner Bar is offering a bunch of Halloween cocktails for the month, including the Jack-o-Lantern Flip with a pumpkin spice syrup, dark rum, and cognac; the Zombies’ Delight with Midori and absinthe; and the Dracula’s Fang with beetroot and vodka. (500 San Jacinto Boulevard, Downtown).
• Sibling bars Revelry on the Boulevard, Corner Bar, and Revelry Kitchen and Bar are mixing up Halloween-themed cocktails for the month. This includes a vanilla pumpkin espresso martini; the Witches Brew with gin, curacao, and sparkling lemonade, and the Spooky Margarita. (multiple locations)
• Walton’s is offering Halloween sweets throughout the month, including macarons, cupcakes, and others. (609 West Sixth Street, Downtown)

Friday, October 27, Saturday, October 28, and Tuesday, October 31

• Brewery Vacancy Brewing is hosting a themed karaoke party. For Scaryoke, people are encouraged to dress up like the performers whose songs they’re going to sing, there’s a costume contest,, as well as beers and beer floats. It runs from 7 to 11 p.m. (415 East Saint Elmo Road, East Congress)

Friday, October 27; Saturday, October 28; and Tuesday, October 31

• Karaoke bar Ego’s is hosting three days of midnight costume contests for Halloween weekend, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. each day with prizes for the winners. (510 South Congress Avenue, Bouldin Creek)

Saturday, October 28 through Tuesday, October 31

• All locations of San Antonio-based Bakery Lorraine (which includes Austin) are doing its usual Halloween-themed treats, which includes a black cat tart with chocolate mousse exterior and a white chocolate mousse filling; a ghost moonpie; and white chocolate mummy tart. Orders can be placed in person. Also the first 30 children that come to the bakery on Halloween day will get a free macaron. (11600 Rock Rose Avenue, Suite 100, Domain Northside)

Bakery Lorraine

Saturday, October 28 through Sunday, October 29

• Bakery Abby Jane Bakeshop will offer Halloween-themed sweets, wood-fired pizza, and a treat for people who dress up. 16604 Fitzhugh Road, Dripping Springs)

Saturday, October 28

• Brewery St. Elmo Brewing Company is hosting a daytime family-friendly and then night-time adults only party for Halloween. The first half is from noon to 6 p.m. with trick or treating, candy, face-painting, and general kid-friendly activities; the latter half also has a costume contest, karaoke, horror movie screenings, Jell-O shots, and drinks. Expect beer all day long though. It runs from noon to 11 p.m. (440 East Saint Elmo Road, East Congress)
• Along with hotel rooftop bar Upstairs at Caroline’s month-long pop-up, it’s hosting a Halloween party with cocktails, costumes, and a DJ from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. (109 East Seventh Street, Downtown)
• Both locations of entertainment restaurant/bar chain Punch Bowl Social are hosting Halloween parties with costume contests, DJs, themed punch drinks, and more. It runs from 9 p.m. until the bars close. RSVP online for free for the downtown and Domain locations. (522 Congress Avenue, Downtown; 11310 Domain Drive, Domain)
• Restaurant/bar/music venue Lucky Rabbit is hosting an all-ages Halloween party. On deck will be live music, costume contests (including kids and dogs), Jell-O shots, and more. It runs from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. (18626 Ranch Road 1431, Jonestown)
• Sour beer brewery Blue Owl Brewing is hosting a costume contest party while also serving themed frozen beer slushies, its new beer Candy Boss, and more. The contest is from 6 to 7 p.m. (2400 East Cesar Chavez Street, Holly)
• As part of Nickel City’s ongoing Simpsons pop-up, the bar is hosting a related costume contest and dance party where people are encouraged to dress up like the show, plus there are prizes, a DJ, and whiskey specials. It starts at 9 p.m. (1133 East 11th Street, Central East Austin)
• Newer cocktail bar Saturn is hosting what it’s calling HallowEmo with the Texas Emo Club, with no cover, costume contest, drinks, and more. It runs from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. (906 Congress Avenue, Downtown)
• Casual bar Frazier’s is hosting a dog costume contest with prizes from 2 to 4 p.m. (2538 Elmont Drive, Riverside)
• Also newer bar Seven Spirits is hosting a Halloween party called Nightmare on Onion St., with live music and drinks. It runs from 9:30 p.m. to 2 a.m. (1411 East Seventh Street, East Austin)

Sunday, October 29

• Jo’s Coffee’s Red River location is hosting its regular ugly dog costume contest with lots of activities and hot dogs. All money raised from costume entries ($10) and voting ($2) will go toward the Austin Humane Society. It runs from noon to 3 p.m. (1000 East 41st Street, Hancock)
• Historic hotel the Driskill is hosting a Halloween-themed tea service, called A Truly Terrible Tea, with themed pastries and desserts, a la carte drinks, live performances featuring villainous characters, and trivia. It runs from 2 to 4 p.m.; tickets are $75 for people 12 years old and younger; and $125 for people 13 years old and older. (604 Brazos Street, Downtown)
• Brewery and restaurant Vista Brewing is hosting a family-friendly Halloween brunch focused on hoppy beers, candy for kids who are dressed up, and live music. RSVP online, and it runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. (13551 Ranch to Market Road 150, Driftwood)
• Hotel the Commodore Perry Estate is hosting a family-friendly Halloween party with a garden scavenger hunt, costumes, trick or treating, pumpkin decorating, s’mores, tacos, and more. Tickets are $35 for adults and $25 for children 12 years old or younger with drinks available a la carte. It runs from 4 to 7 p.m. (4100 Red River Street, Hancock)
• For a family-friendly event, food truck park Littlefield’s is hosting an early evening carnival, with pumpkin decorating, face painting, sno cones, and cookies from on-site truck Cookie Rich. Tickets are $25 and it runs from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. (2401 Winsted Lane, Tarrytown)

Devil May Care

Tuesday, October 31

• Sports-ish bar Skinny’s Off Track is hosting a Halloween puppy costume contest. (1806 East 12th Street, Central East Austin)
• Lounge Devil May Care is throwing its annual Surrealist Ball for Halloween again. With a black-tie dress code, there will be cocktails, passed bites, and music. Tickets are $55 (with additional cocktails available at charge). It runs from 7 to 10 p.m. (500 West Sixth Street, Suite 100, Downtown)
• South Austin bar Little Drinks Lounge is throwing a Halloween prom-themed party for the holiday. There will be drinks, a DJ, prom photos, and maybe Carrie blood. (3801 South Congress Avenue Suite 116, St. Edwards)
• King Bee is doing a whole multi-layered thing for Halloween: it’s already hosting national Halloween cocktail pop-up Black Lagoon, and then it’s also hosting Bad Larry Burger Club for a smash burger pop-up on Halloween. It’s $10 to enter at the door.
• Cheer Up Charlie’s Halloween party is also the five-year anniversary party for Austin production and zine company Sister Fisters.. There will be drag performances, DJ sets, live music, and more. Tickets are $10, and it starts at 9 p.m. (900 Red River Street, Downtown)

Already happened

Sunday, October 8

• The W Hotel is hosting a Halloween drag brunch within its ballroom. People can book either general admission tickets for $25 or table seats for $40 which comes with a food buffet. People can also dress up for the change to win a bottle of sparkling wine. It runs from noon to 2:30 p.m. (200 Lavaca Street, Downtown)

Friday, October 13

• The Hotel Van Zandt is hosting a Tattoos, Tarot, and Tequila party with flash tattoos by Tiny Tats ATX, free tarot card readings, and cocktails by Patron Tequila. It runs from 4 to 8 p.m. in the lobby. (605 Davis Street, Downtown)

Thursday, October 26

• Hotel the Moxy Austin is hosting a Halloween party with tequila and Jagermeister tastings, themed cocktails, tarot card readings, costumes, puppies, and screenings of Scream 1 and Scream 2. There are free RSVPs online and it runs from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. (2552 Guadalupe Street, West Campus)

Update, October 27: This guide, originally published on October 4, has been updated to include additional events.