Are you ready for a frighteningly good time this Halloween in Chicago? The city is filled with spine-chilling pop-up experiences, haunted events, and eerily good drink specials to celebrate the spookiest time of year. From a lavish Halloween party at a haunted hotel to a bar transformed into a classic haunted house to plenty of festive photo opps, there are Halloween treats (and tricks) for everyone in Chicago.

Chicago Halloween bars and pop-ups

Nightmare on Clark Street at Bamboo Club
Open through Oct. 31
Located in the heart of Wrigleyville, Nightmare on Clark Street transforms a bar into a multi-floor haunted house. Bring your ghoul-friends for Halloween cocktails, jello shot syringes, Instagrammable photo opps, and plenty of screams. Tickets are $20 for GA and $30 for VIP, which includes a cocktail and express entry to the haunted house.

Black Lagoon Pop Up at Homestead on the Roof
Oct. 3 – Oct. 31
A Halloween pop-up with plenty of boos! Black Lagoon is an immersive Halloween pop-up that is taking over Homestead on the Roof in West Town. First held at The Dungeon in New Orleans, this traveling pop-up transforms bars all over the country into themed experiences. Enjoy their signature creepy cocktails and decor.

Black Lagoon pop-up

Scooby-Doo! At the Haunted Arcade at Replay Lincoln Park
Open through Oct. 31
Ruh roh! Get ready to hop into the Mystery Machine and spend an evening with Scooby-Doo and the gang at the Haunted Arcade. Check out fun photo ops, drink a Scooby-themed cocktail, participate in costume contests, and play free arcade games. There is no cover and walk-ins are welcome; free reservations can be made online in advance. 

Sweet Dreams Halloween at Rizzo’s Bar and Inn
Open through Oct. 31
In Wrigleyville, this massive indoor/outdoor Halloween experience is a fanciful nightmare that awakens 20 of your favorite classic horror movies. From Nightmare on Elm Street to Silent Hill, this immersive pop-up recreates iconic scenes and movie moments. Tickets start at $10 and include a complimentary beverage.  

Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up
Open through Oct. 31
Welcome to the largest outdoor Halloween experience in Chicago. Jack’s Pumpkin Pop Up is more than just your average pumpkin patch. Enjoy a corn maze, more than 1,000 pumpkins, a full bar, fortune tellers, awe throwing, carnival games, and food trucks serving up everyone’s favorite fall fare. Come for the pumpkin pictures, stay for the cider donuts. Ghouls and goblins of all ages are welcome.

Garden of Decay at Navy Pier
Open through Oct. 31
Halloween is back at Navy Pier with a brand-new theatrical experience. Follow the journey of a botanist’s desperate quest for resurrection, told through art installations and audio narration. After your spooky adventure, enjoy interactive art, themed vendors, botanical cocktails, and late-night entertainment. VIP upgrades includes two drinks, a commemorative photo, and a ticket for the botanical DIY activation Make & Take.

More Halloween pop-ups in Chicago

Chicago Halloween parties and events

Nightmare on Wacker Drive
Oct. 28
Experience a lavish Halloween at LondonHouse Chicago’s Nightmare on Wacker Drive. You’ll find premium bars and live DJs spread between the indoor lounge, ballroom, and rooftop space. Make sure to stick around until midnight for the costume contest. The first-place winner will receive an overnight stay at the hotel and two tickets to the upcoming New Year’s Eve party. 

Murder on the 22nd Floor
Oct. 28
For one night only, VU Rooftop will be haunted by ghostly hotel employees during this interactive Halloween experience. Guests will be challenged to uncover the mystery of the ghosts’ past, while enjoying an open bar, dance floor, and DJs.

Afro Fusion Halloween Party at The Promontory
Oct. 28
This Hyde Park establishment will host their annual Halloween bash, with international DJs fusing multiple genres and a Halloween costume content. Other Halloweekend events at The Promontory include a family-friendly daytime event and a live Thriller experience. 

A cocktail at After
A cocktail at After

Adults Night Out at Lincoln Park Zoo
Oct. 28
Get ready for a “fang”-tastic time at Lincoln Park Zoo’s Howl-o-ween. Guests can enjoy an evening stroll with a beer, cider, or glass of wine in hand at adults-only event. Ticket holders will also find a live DJ, lawn games, and free rides on the Endangered Species Carousel. 

Haunted Halloween Ball
Oct. 28
Experience a thrilling night at “one of the most haunted hotels in the world”. The Congress Hotel’s Haunted Halloween Ball is back for a ghoulishly good time. The hotel’s ballroom will transform into an abandoned hotel overrun by vampire bellmen, zombie cocktail servers, and costumed go-go dancers. Tickets (21+) and VIP tables are now on sale.

Chicago Vampire Ball
Oct. 13
Vampires from across the Midwest, you’re invited to Tip Top Tap at the Warwick Allerton Hotel for a wild Halloween event. This Vampire Queen Pageant will include burlesque entertainment, unique photo ops, plus bar service and dinner menu options available. There will be a prize for best dressed vampire. 

After Halloween Bash
Oct. 28

Dress to impress and head to the After Halloween Bash for a chic night of spooky fun. Tickets include themed cocktails and small plates by Michelin-starred chef Curtis Duffy. The event includes a costume contest, where the winner will enjoy a delicious dinner for two at Ever. Optional VIP experiences are available to upgrade your evening. 

More Halloween parties and events in Chicago: