Los Angeles does Halloween like it’s a civic duty. You get endless monsters of all shapes and sizes, foggy landscapes and spooky ambiance, and at least three people in line who swear they “don’t scare easy” and then scream like teakettles.
The term “pop up” has absolutely exploded in the past few years, become an entire red-hot industry, and become ubiquitous with the Los Angeles landscape. If you’re into themed bars, and Halloween vibes, this time of year is for you.
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Pop-Up Bars
- Black Lagoon
Dates: Oct 1 – Nov 2 2025
Where: rotating across Melrose Umbrella Co. (Melrose), The Corner Door (Culver City), and The Ordinarie (Long Beach)
Why you go: Goth tiki cocktails, heavy decorate vibes, and glassware you want to steal but won’t because we live in a society. These guys are absolute legends, for real, seriously good vibes at Black Lagoon popups. - Frankenstein’s Mad Scientist Cocktail Lab
Dates: Sep 18 – Nov 7, 2025
Where: Hollywood
Why you go: It’s a Monster Mash of immersive sets, themed drinks, spooky photo ops, and a challenge to help the mad scientists complete their secret formulas. - Haunted Soirée: Vampire
Dates: October 3–November 1, 2025
Where: The Nocturne Theatre, Glendale
Why you go: A cocktail party and theatrical experience, where there will be performances, live music, and surprises around each corner. Attendees are encouraged to dress in Victorian finery, vampiric opulence, gothic romance or timeless Halloween glamour. - Queen Mary Dark Harbor: Secret Speakeasies
Dates: Select nights September 20–November 2, 2025
Where: The Queen Mary, Long Beach
Why you go: This year, at Dark Harbor, there will be several speakeasies at different points around the grounds – including inside one of the mazes. No signs, nobody pointing you towards them. At Spectra, we highly recommend Dark Harbor, and this is one of the reasons why. - “Spookeasy” at Night of the Jack
Dates: October 3–November 2, 2025
Where: King Gillette Ranch, Calabasas
Why you go: Night of the Jack, one of LA’s classic immersive light walkthroughs, features a “Spookeasy” you can visit, in between the absolutely mind blowing light setups and steep Halloween vibes.
Bonus permanent bars you can hit anytime
- The Obscure: Distillery & Cocktail Experience — Year-round, 1356 Palmetto St, Arts District. Guided cocktail tasting with lore and pretty lights. It’s moody in the good way.\
- Beetle House — An openly Tim Burton themed bar and at this point, a Hollywood legend. They describe themselves as a year round celebration of Halloween. Reservations required.
- The 4th Horseman — Year-round, 121 W 4th St, Long Beach. Horror pizza, metal, and a tap list that pairs well with apocalyptic décor.
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