7 Spooky Ways to Celebrate Halloween in San Francisco

Now that the Bay Area’s pesky heatwave has finally cooled off, it’s time to get in the mood for spooky season. San Francisco bars and restaurants are readying their spaces with fake cobwebs and (in one case) Shining-themed decor, and all they’re waiting for is you. Here are seven ghoulish Halloween gatherings around town, whether you’re looking for a Rodeo Disco or Wicked-themed drinks.

Kona’s Street Market

If you haven’t yet dropped into Kona’s Street Market for their monthlong, annual Halloween takeover, head there now. Black Lagoon is back until October 31, and Kona’s decked out in spooky decor and serving strong cocktails, such as Nightmare Fuel, which mixes tequila with Giffard Mangue, absinthe, matcha, lime, and Bitter Queens Thai spice bitters, or the Psychosis shot, made of rye, miso falernum, and lemon.

Starlite

Vibe out on views of the glittering San Francisco skyline and daring Halloween costumes at Starlite’s “Rodeo Disco” costume party on Thursday, October 31. Wear western or space-themed outfits and enter the bar’s costume contest as you enjoy music and cocktails high above Union Square. Walk-ins are welcome, but reservations via OpenTable are recommended.

The Madrigal

The Madrigal’s annual MadriGHOUL celebration is back and running through Halloween, this time with a special nod to Wicked. The team has decorated the space for the occasion and created 12 very on-brand cocktails for the Broadway musical such as the Wicked Witch, a drink that combines pisco with pandan, green grape cordial, and lime, or Miss Gulch’s Garden, which pairs cucumber-infused vodka with clarified tomato water, basil, pepper, and cucumber-infused vodka.

Holey Moley Golf Club

The newly-opened Holey Moley Golf Club isn’t going to let Halloween pass without putting on a proper, spooky cocktail menu for the occasion. Much like its current cocktail menu, expect some over-the-top garnishes and drinks; work through a round of mini golf while sipping on cocktails such as the Dead Duck, featuring vodka mixed with pineapple, coconut cream, lime, and chamoy. The new menu runs from Monday, October 21 through Friday, November 1.

Rye

Rye is always impressive with its themed bar takeovers for Halloween, and this year the team brings back a classic. Experience the Geary Street bar dressed up as the Shining, where it’s all play and no work with themed cocktails, moody lighting, and creepy Shining decor.

Blind Pig Speakeasy

Polk Street bar Blind Pig Speakeasy is looking to video games for its latest cocktail menu themed for Halloween. The team worked up drinks around the Black Myth: Wukong game with cocktails “inspired by the Monkey King” — the namesake Monkey King drink merges rice baijiu with lychee, strawberries, orgeat, and citrus, while Ice Cold pairs bourbon with sweet sake, apricot black tea, peach, mint, and citrus — all milk-washed to a clarified drink and topped with ube foam. The special menu is here until Sunday, November 3.

Angler

If you’ve been looking for an upscale Halloween event to attend and the words “black tie costume attire required” sound like just what you’re looking for, Angler is here for all your needs. Along with performances and music, notably the Michelin-starred restaurant will have unlimited food and drink, with luxe ingredients like flowing Taittinger Champagne, live carving of Cinco Jotas Jamon Iberico de Bellota, a raw bar, and more. Tickets are $350 per person; festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 31, and tickets can be purchased via OpenTable.