September 28, 2023 — Halloween is just around the corner, and so are Philadelphia’s most enchanting and over-the-top seasonal drink specials, limited-time-only offerings, and spooky-themed events. From fall fest pop-ups, to witch themed drag brunches, all types of Halloween enthusiasts can grab their most chilling costumes and explore what the city has to offer on East Passyunk Avenue, and at Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Dock Street Brewing Company, Panorama, Royal Boucherie, Stratus Rooftop Lounge, The Twisted Tail, and Xfinity Live!.
_
Assembly Rooftop Lounge, Center City’s swanky rooftop bar with panoramic views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, City Hall, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, is offering an unparalleled immersion into scary season with its second installment of Haunted Heights at Assembly, from Monday, October 16 through Tuesday, October 31. This Halloween-themed pop-up will feature spirited décor, fire pits, scary movies on TVs throughout the venue, spooky libations, chef-curated Halloween-focused fare, and more.
1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway | 215.783.4171 | www.assemblyrooftop.com
_
Dock Street Brewing Company, Philadelphia’s award-winning woman-owned and operated original craft brewery founded in 1985, is calling all witches and warlocks to celebrate Halloween with Witch Please! Drag Brunch, a spook-tacular tribute to Hocus Pocus and other famous witches, at the South Philadelphia location. On Saturday, October 28 from 11 am – 2 pm don your capes, broomsticks, and hats so tall, for a morning of enchantment, that can’t be missed at all! Dock Street’s award-winning pizza and beer will be available for purchase while enjoying the excitement. Doors open at 11 am, show begins at 12 pm. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased here.
2118 Washington Ave | 215-337-3130 | www.dockstreetbeer.com
_
East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District (EPABID), home to more than 160 independently-owned businesses in South Philadelphia, is celebrating the autumn season and Halloween weekend with the return of Fall Fest & Spooky Saturday, this year slated for Saturday, October 28 from 11am – 4pm. In addition to costumed fun, trick or treating and sidewalk sales at various locales, mini grab-and-go pumpkins, 80+ craft vendors, square dancing lessons, live music, and more, older attendees can get excited for spirited fare and boo-zy libation specials at bars and restaurants.
More grownup fall fun will hit the Avenue days prior with the return of the spooky-season fan-favorite bar crawl, this year dubbed the Witches of East Passyunk Bar Crawl, slated for Wednesday, October 25 from 5:30 – 9:30pm. Folks are invited to meet at Pistola’s Del Sur in witch hats or full-on costumes, and then make their way to a number of participating restaurants and bars offering themed food and drink specials including Cartesian Brewing, Ray’s Happy Birthday Bar, The Dutch, and more.
For more information about East Passyunk Avenue Business Improvement District, visitwww.visiteastpassyunk.com or follow EPABID at www.facebook.com/eastpassyunk | Instagram: @eastpassyunk | Twitter: @EPassyunkAve
_
Panorama, Philadelphia’s premier wine bar with a Guinness World Record winekeeper boasting over 120 wines on tap and 30 flights, paired with authentic Italian cuisine, is celebrating spooky season with a Festa dei Morti (“Day of the Dead”) dinner on Thursday, November 2. Guests will dine by candlelight and enjoy à la carte specials from Executive Chef Anthony DiSabato, themed cocktails and a “fright flight” hand chosen by General Manager and Wine Director, William Eccleston. Reservations can be made via OpenTable.
14 N Front St | 215.922.7800 | www.pennsviewhotel.com/panorama
_
Royal Boucherie, the buzzing French-inspired lively neighborhood bistro in Old City, is gearing up for an unforgettable Haunted Happy Hour hostedon Halloween, Tuesday, October 31, featuring an extended happy hour service at the bar area, from 5 – 8pm. Those looking to partake in the fang-tastic festivities can look forward to a bevy of ghostly, holiday-themed cocktail and food specials (think: blood-colored cocktail served out of IV bags), and other frightful fun. Haunted Happy Hour is open to the public with no reservations required, and operates on a first come, first served basis.
PHOTO: Royal Boucherie Bar (Credit: Gab Bonghi)
Hours of operation: Monday and Tuesday 4pm – 10pm; Wednesday and Thursday 11am – 10pm; Friday 11am – 11pm; Saturday 10am – 11pm; Sunday 10am – 9pm; Happy Hour is Monday through Friday 4pm – 6pm
52 S 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 267-606-6313 | WebsiteInstagramTwitterFacebook
_
Stratus Rooftop Lounge, the chic rooftop venue on the 11th floor of the Kimpton Hotel Monaco in Old City, invites any who dare to a Friday The 13-themed Halloween Party on Saturday, October 28 from 8pm – 2am, complete with spirited craft cocktails and small bites, live entertainment, and more. Costumed guests can compete in several costume competitions over the course of the evening, with a Grand Prize worth over $1000 on the line. Additionally, a live DJ set will begin at 9:30pm courtesy of DJ TONKA. Reservations are available online HERE, and walk-ins are welcome.
Hours of operation: Thursday 5pm – 12pm, Friday 5pm – 2am, Saturday 5pm – 2am
433 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 | 215.925.2889 | Website Instagram Facebook
_
The Twisted Tail, the restaurant, bar and live music venue on Headhouse Square in Society Hill, is celebrating Halloween with a little… pink sparkle. Introducing Haunted Barbie Halloween Party, an annual Halloween party on Saturday, October 28 with live music starting at 8 pm hosted the The Mikey Junior Band. The Twisted Tail will be offering Barbie-themed Witching Hour Drink Specials, an ice luge, a Haunted Barbie photo booth, and a costume competition with prizes awarded at the end of the night. (Zombie Barbie, anyone?!)
The Witching Hour Drink Specials will be presented in quick succession, with each concoction priced at a mere $6:
- From 11:00 to 11:15 pm, the enchanting Malibu Barbie
- From 11:15 to 11:30 pm, the mysterious Blackout Barbie
- From 11:30 to 11:45 pm, the vengeful Barbie’s Revenge
- From 11:45 to 12:00 am, the radiant Disco Barbie
A Haunted Barbie photo booth will be on-site for those looking to capture the experience, complete with a delightful array of props. Guests are encouraged to prepare their most enchanting attire and engage in a lively costume competition, where prizes await the most imaginative interpretations of Barbie, Ken, and dynamic couples. To top it all off, an ice luge will be presented for fans of extra frosty refreshments.
General admission is free, and a 32-seat VIP section with dedicated servers will also be available for a minimum spend of $75 per guest (exclusive of tax and gratuity). To secure these reservations, please send your inquiries to codi@thetwistedtail.com. The Twisted Tail will be posting additional details about the event here.
509 S 2nd. St | 215.558.2471 | www.thetwistedtail.com
_
Xfinity Live!, the one-of-a-kind dining and entertainment district located in the heart of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex, is thrilled to announce the return of its annual Halloweekend, featuring two back-to-back masquerades: Screams in the Stadium District, on Friday October 27th from 8pm – 2 am, and A Haunting on Pattison Ave., on Saturday October 28th from 8pm – 2 am. Both fright nights will include costume contests with over $1,500 in cash prizes, alongside a bevy of fang-tastic entertainment such as live music, DJ sets, silent disco, karaoke, bull riding, and more. Tickets are $10 for each event and available for purchase now: Night 1, Night 2. Tickets are $15 at the door.
1100 Pattison Ave | 267.534.4264 | www.xfinitylive.com
_
-Eleni Sterious, PR Assistant