CHIGuide
19 Exciting Things To Do & Eat In Chicago This Halloween
Looking for something fun to do for Halloween in Chicago? You know, besides sitting on the couch in costume while eating pounds of candy you bought for trick-or-treaters that don’t exist. (That sounds fun too, by the way). Well, we have some suggestions. Here are some of the most fun and exciting events happening around the city.
The Spooky Things
On October 28th, Marvin’s Food & Fuel is throwing a party on their rooftop from 8pm-1am. The “Haunt and Flaunt” event will be hosted by _RuPaul’s Drag Race’s_Denali Foxx (@denalifoxx), who, by the way, is awesome. Along with Denali, there will be DJs, a complimentary cocktail upon entry, Halloween-themed movies, and a costume contest with prizes. Tickets are $40, and you can purchase them here.
Little Wild, the all-season rooftop bar on top of the Ace Hotel, is throwing a Halloween costume party. It’s called As Above, So Below, and will have illusions from vaudeville performers, burlesque dancers, tarot readings, a gong sound bath, and a costume contest. The event is ticketed, and there are three tiers: $25 for basic entry and a drink ticket, $75 for a table (which includes a tarot reading), and a $666 VIP table which has all of the above plus bottle service and a seat in front of the stage. Click here for tickets.
Time Out Market is throwing an ’80s Halloween Party on Saturday October 30th. There will be all sorts of retro things - like Pop Rocks cocktails, a DJ spinning ’80s music, a giant Lite Brite, and arcade games like Super Mario Bros. and Pac-Man. There’s also a costume contest where you can win a gift card to the food hall. The event is free, but you can RSVP here.
Kimski in Bridgeport is throwing their annual Halloween dance party on Saturday October 30th. It takes place at Maria’s Packaged Goods, the liquor store and bar that’s attached to the restaurant. This year’s theme is “Gravedigger Disco” and the party goes from 7pm to midnight. The event is free, but you need proof of vaccination to attend. Check here for more information.
We’re only here to report the facts, so if a Zodiac Killer escape room is something you want in your life, we’re going to tell you about it. From October 25-31st, Fox In A Box is hosting a Halloween special with scary themed rooms. If you wear your costume, you’ll get a $15 gift card for future use. There are also family-friendly versions designed for kids (or adults who had enough of being trapped last year). Head to their website for more details.
From October 29-31st, HideSeek, a nostalgic immersive pop-up, is hosting a trick-or-treat event for adults. The space consists of 15 multi-dimensional rooms where you can collect retro candy, take photos, and get prizes for the best costumes. General admission tickets are $35, and you can get them here.
Lottie’s Pub is hosting a Camp of Horrors pop-up where you rent a decorated “Tent of Terror”. They also have “Tent Flix & Thrill” movie nights, with Halloween films (like Friday the 13th, Scream, and Halloween) playing in a private heated tent. Movie nights run Tuesday and Wednesday through October 27th, from 5:30pm to 8pm. Lottie’s full food and drink menu will be available, and tents can be reserved by emailing lotties@pioneertaverngroup.com.
photo credit: Bar Roma
On October 30th, Bar Roma (a very good Italian spot in Andersonville) is hosting a costume contest at 8pm. First prize is a $100 gift card to the restaurant, second is a $50 gift card, and the third-place winner will receive a bottle of wine. And anyone who comes in a costume will get a free dessert. So you have a week to come up with something besides “contestant from Squid Game.”
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This giant West Loop bar will become the apocalyptic Las Vegas from Army of the Dead for a zombie-themed Halloween party they’re throwing on Friday Oct. 29th. There will be themed cocktails, food, and a costume contest with a $500 price. And to add to the zombie illusion, the employees will be dressed up as the undead. Tickets are $10 per person, and you can get them here.
Here’s something fun and pretty straightforward. Wear a costume to this great tapas restaurant in Lincoln Park on October 31st, and your table will get a free dessert. That’s it, that’s the deal. But considering that we like going to Cafe Ba Ba Reeba even without being bribed, this sounds like a good deal to us.
Here’s another uncomplicated way to celebrate the holiday. Venteux, the upscale French brasserie in the Loop, is having Halloween brunch on Sunday, October 31st. You can order things like a croque monsieur and duck and waffles, and if you wear a costume, you’ll get complimentary bottomless mimosas or rosé with the purchase of any entree. A fantastic option if you needed some liquid courage to wear your “sexy Gumby” costume during the daytime.
This West Loop bar and restaurant is hosting a Halloween bottomless brunch on October 31st from noon-3pm. You can get bottomless mimosas, Bloody Marys and Marias, and hard ciders, as well as dishes like French toast, BEC sandwiches, and omelettes. Each person gets a pumpkin (which you can decorate), and there will be tarot card readings and a costume contest. Tickets are $60, and you can reserve your spot here.
Little Goat has something going on almost every day of Halloween week. Like pumpkin carving with food and drinks on October 26th (best pumpkin gets a prize), a kid’s costume party on the 29th that includes pumpkin painting, arts and crafts, spooky apps and treats from Sugargoat, and a Halloween Happy Hour on the covered patio with drinks and snacks on the 30th. Reserve your spot via Tock.
This Minnesota Vikings bar in Wrigleyville is hosting a Vikings-themed Halloween party on Sunday, October 31 at 6pm. They’ll have the game against the Cowboys at 7:20pm, and guests who dress in a Viking costume will receive a free Skol Bomb. There will also be drinks and food specials, and a $200 gift card for the person with the best costume.
This River North club is throwing a “Howling 20s” party on October 28th and 29th. There will be three rooms full of contortionists, pole dancers, burlesque performers, and a DJ. Tickets start at $20, and more details are available here.
If you’ve always wanted to throw a murder mystery party but your friends are too lazy to participate, here’s your chance. Uvae, an Andersonville wine bar and restaurant is hosting a five-course murder mystery wine dinner on October 31st. You’ll eat a five-course dinner with wine pairings while you try and solve the murder. The show starts at 6pm, and tickets are $138 per person, which you can purchase here.
This rooftop bar has Beetlejuice-themed cabins you can rent throughout October. And on October 31st, they’re hosting a movie night. They’re playing Scary Movie and Halloween on their giant outdoor screen. Tickets are $15, and you get free popcorn, candy, and a Halloween cocktail. Click here to reserve your spot.
The whole river walk is having a fall festival from now until October 31st, and you can see the lineup of free and ticketed events here. Island Party Hut is hosting pumpkin carving, live music, games, and a hayride on the river, which we’re advocating as the premise for Jeepers Creepers 5. Tickets cost $10, and you can get them here.
While the past 18 months have frequently felt like a collective trip through a very long haunted house, maybe your appetite for terror can’t be sated. So we have a couple haunted houses for you. The first one is 13th Floor Chicago, which has a new location this year in Schiller Park and also features a carnival midway, food, and drinks. Tickets and more information are available on their website. The second haunted house to know about is the Old Joliet Haunted Prison. And yes, it is literally a haunted house in an abandoned prison in Joliet. You can buy tickets and get more info here.
