Get Your Spook on at These NYC Bars
The queer high holy day of Halloween is quickly descending upon us and there is no better city in the world to mark the occasion than New York! Besides the massive Village Halloween Parade, every gay bar is sure to do a costume party/ drag show to celebrate the occasion, but Vacationers need not feel limited to the gay bars exclusively. The whole city gets in on the act. The following is a round-up of must-see bars and restaurants to get you into the Spooky Day Spirit.
Beetle House
Beetle House is a year-round celebration of Halloween with an artistic and thematic atmosphere inspired by horror culture, magic, and the artistic, literary, and cinematic works of Tim Burton, Alfred Hitchcock, Bram Stoker, Washington Irving, Edgar Allen Poe, and many many more. To understand the vibe imagine an adult Halloween party with a Burtonesque feel, curated by Alfred Hitchcock, with a 90s goth band on stage where everyone is in weird costumes. And queer patrons can rest assured that Beetle House is a safe place where every goth, punk, freak, weirdo, artist, and visitor is welcomed and celebrated.
Coctelería de los Muertos
The Garret Coctelería has converted itself into Coctelería de Los Muertos in honor of the Mexican holiday Dia de Los Muertos. This immersive pop-up experience will be in effect until November 19 and features gorgeous, colorful décor inspired by the beloved holiday and feature a menu to match. Reservations are highly encouraged.
The Flying Fox Tavern
The Flying Fox Tavern is a new spook house haunting Ridgewood, Queens. Featuring vampire bat wallpaper and horror movie posters on the walls, the macabre is embraced and celebrated here 365 days a year. In addition to signature cocktails like the Vampira and Lugosi, this bar also puts on events like Buffy Bingo and has scary movie nights hosted by NYC-based horror host Unkle Spooky.
Madame X
No, we’re not talking about Madonna. Madame X is an upcoming hotspot in downtown Manhattan featuring a red bordello-style décor and a sultry atmosphere. Touted as the ‘sexiest bar in NYC’, any creature of the night would feel right at home here. They too have specialty cocktails such as the” Pussy Galore” and “Hot Lips” concoctions.
Lorely’s Haunted Beer Garden
Loreley is the first-of-its-kind Biergarten in New York City. Modeled after the “Brauhaus” in Cologne (Köln) and decorated to enjoy the beauty of every season, Loreley is the largest heated outdoor beer garden in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. Specialty cocktails are crafted seasonally in conjunction with the over-the-top décor. Be sure to catch it while it’s still decked out for Halloween and Oktoberfest.
