Halloween Dining, Drinking, Snacking Guide
STK: Newly opened steakhouse, STK, hones in on the "treats" portion of the Halloween equation with a notable drink and dessert. The Green Goblin cocktail is a medley of Absolut Elyx, fresh lime, jalapeño, and basil. For dessert, try the housemade candy bar, which is made with peanut butter mousse, caramel, and chocolate swirl ice cream. Halloween is a time for spooky revelry, pumpkin-flavored everything, fun-sized candy, and hokey costumes. But since we're all adults, it's also about booze. And food that didn't come out of the grocery store candy aisle. Celebrate accordingly at one of these Chicago restaurants or bars this Halloween:
Fat Rice: Inspired by Kill Bill, that famous Tarantino kung-flu film starring a vengeful Uma Thurman, Fat Rice is serving up "Kill Grill" for Halloween, transforming into a "haunted izakaya" for the holiday. The crux of the occasion is a five-course tasting menu, each course themed around the five kills the Bride character played by Thurman commits throughout the film in the name of revenge. There will also be Kill Bill-inspired cocktails and frozen margaritas as an ode to Tarantino. The cost for dinner is $80 per person. Two seatings are offered at 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. Call the restaurant or visit the website for tickets and further info.
STK: Newly opened steakhouse, STK, hones in on the "treats" portion of the Halloween equation with a notable drink and dessert. The Green Goblin cocktail is a medley of Absolut Elyx, fresh lime, jalapeño, and basil. For dessert, try the housemade candy bar, which is made with peanut butter mousse, caramel, and chocolate swirl ice cream.
Celeste: While Fat Rice borrows inspiration from Kill Bill, Celeste is falling down the rabbit hole for an Alice in Wonderland-themed affair on October 31. Dubbed "Fall Down the Rabbit Hole," the event features Wonderland-themed decor and cocktails, with late night food served into the wee hours until 4:30 a.m. Music comes via DJs Gordon Bramli and M. Sylvia. For reservations, call Celeste or visit their website.
CH Distillery: In other theme news, CH Distillery is embracing its inner Willy Wonka for an adult-friendly Halloween event this year. "Willy Wonka & The CH Vodka Factory" takes place from 5:00 p.m. until midnight, featuring themed cocktails like the Everlasting Gobstopper (sour blueberry-infused CH Key Gin, lime juice, Sour Lifesaver Gummies) and Brandy is Dandy (CH Cherry Eau de Vie, CH Key Gin, Nerds). It's free to attend with no cover, and the evening will also include games in the distillery, a costume contest, and a Golden Ticket raffle using candy bars doled out to attendees.
DMK Burger Bar and Fish Bar: Lakeview sister spots DMK and Fish Bar are both getting into the Halloween spirit in their own ways. For DMK, there will be a large pumpkin in the restaurant, for guests to guess the weight for the chance to win beer. The restaurant will also be playing Halloween movies throughout the day, including scary classics like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Next door, Fish Bar celebrates its nautical roots be awarding prizes to customers who come dressed as Gilligan's Island characters. For instance, the first person to come dressed as Gilligan receives a dozen pies, the first Skipper gets an unlimited night of beer with their "first mate" and an Uber ride home, the first Ginger gets two free movie passes and a bottle of Prosecco, the Professor gets a cooking class with chef Michael Kornick, Mary-Ann gets two tickets to a spring farm dinner at Fish Bar, and the Millionaire and his wife get bottomless oysters and beer for two.
The Whistler: Getting in on the Halloween action early, The Whistler hosts They: Live! on October 29 at 9:00 p.m. The band performs live renditions of songs from classic John Carpenter horror films, such as The Thing, Halloween, and Escape from New York. They'll also be covering music from Goblin, an Italian band that scored '70's horror films like Deep Red and Zombi.
The Violet Hour: It's a veritable freak show this year at The Violet Hour, as the esteemed bar prepares to host "Blind Tiger: A Circus of Horrors, A Carnival of Curiosities." The special festival serves to celebrate freaks of nature, complete with magicians and mystics in attendance. There will also be spooky cocktail specials on hand, naturally. Tickets for this private party are $100 per person and can be reserved by emailing Aubrey Howard at aubrey@theviolethour.com. The event takes place from 10:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. on October 31.
- Matt Kirouac