There are pop-up bars—and then there’s Halloween Town, an over-the-top immersive pop-up bar inspired by Tim Burton’s iconic movie The Nightmare Before Christmas. Taking over Tree House Chicago in River North at 149 W. Kinzie Ave., Halloween Town is the ultimate Halloween bar in the city. Through November 16, Tree House has been transformed into a spooky sanctuary filled with larger-than-life props, eerie lighting, devilish decor and creepy creatures who roam around at night.
Yes, you can get a photo with Jack Skellington, Sally and Oogie Boogie, and there are plenty of other extravagant photo ops, including a set with the movie’s iconic spiral hill. Twinkling lights, cobwebs, pumpkins and a concoction of elaborate decor set the scene for a terrifingly fun night.
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The drink menu, dubbed Spirits of the Season, offers highlights like the Salted Scream (vodka, Kahlua, cold brew, caramel and simple syrup), Sally’s Sweet Escape (tequila, grenadine, lime juice, Sprite and simple syrup) and Oogie Boogie Man (Malibu, Midori, sour apple pucker, pineapple juice and simple syrup). If you’re going in on drinks with a group, we recommend ordering a Tower of Terror, which is equivalent to four margaritas for $65. Not drinking? You can still get in on the fun with zero-proof sips like Dr. Finkelstein’s Formula, a cherry Jell-O syringe.
Even the food seems like it’s been plucked from Tim Burton’s brain: expect dishes like Sally’s Sinister Spaghetti, Spiral Hill Sliders, Frog’s Breath Dip and The Pumpkin King’s Pie. Shareable options like Pumpkin King Pies, a trio of Neapolitan pizzas, and the Haunted Hunger Tower, a three-course feast that serves two or four, give you more bang for your buck.
The best part? Halloween Town is open to guests of all ages. Until 8pm, anyone under 21 is welcome—preferably in costume. After that, little ones must head home before the real madness ensues.
Tickets are available on the pop-up's site. For a table reservation, book through OpenTable to ensure you get the best seat in Halloween Town.