{"id":26338,"date":"2025-10-30T09:36:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T09:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/26338\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T09:36:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T09:36:10","slug":"witch-you-had-halloween-plans-consider-these-orlando-haunts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/26338\/","title":{"rendered":"Witch you had Halloween plans? Consider these Orlando haunts"},"content":{"rendered":"

Halloween\u2019s on a Friday this year, so if you\u2019re anything like me (drinking in the driveway, handing out candy, delighting and occasionally terrifying neighborhood children with your vampire fangs), years may have gone by since you\u2019ve actually taken your costumed act on the road for the holiday.<\/p>\n

Fear not, planless Orlandoans, for I bring ideas.<\/p>\n

From the Enzian\u2019s annual party at Eden Bar<\/a> (stellar, and my choice for many consecutive Halloweens in the way-back) to less formal, unticketed options like The Courtesy Bar<\/a>\u2018s spooky courtyard or the Oviedo Mall\u2019s Sip or Treat: Witch\u2019s Ball<\/a> for early birds who prefer air conditioning, options abound.<\/p>\n

You might even consider Disney Springs<\/a>, where multiple venues, including Raglan Road<\/a>, have all kinds of spooky specials.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve been getting into the Halloween spirit for the past few years now, and each year we\u2019ve tried to push the creativity a little further,\u201d says Rachael Conroy, Raglan\u2019s general manager.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt started small, just some festive decor and a themed drink or two, but over time it\u2019s grown into something we all really look forward to. This year, we\u2019ve added a fun Halloween number performed three times nightly by our Irish dancers. Think traditional steps, fun costumes and a haunting twist to the classic Irish sound. It brings a whole new energy to the celebration.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Samhain, the harvest holiday from whence our more modern Halloween came, is Irish, Raglan seems a fitting place to celebrate.<\/p>\n

\"TheThe Irish Pumpkin Shake at Raglan Road melds the traditions of Ireland and America in one creamy concoction. (Courtesy Raglan Road)<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Irish believed that during Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, so people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off the spirits,\u201d she explains. \u201cInstead of pumpkins, they carved spooky faces into turnips and gourds.\u201d<\/p>\n

When immigrants brought Samhain from Ireland to America, they found that pumpkins were bigger, softer and easier to carve.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat simple swap helped shape the modern Halloween aesthetic,\u201d says Conroy.<\/p>\n

Zymarium Meadery is popping up for Halloween<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s an aesthetic that\u2019s heartily embraced at The Courtesy Bar in Winter Park, where the 8th annual Nightmare on Orange is underway.<\/p>\n

Those who know the popular, nationwide \u201cMiracle Bar\u201d program, which runs during Christmastime, know that The Courtesy has long been a participant. And it was on this celebration\u2019s success that the Courtesy-crafted Halloween version was founded.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe resounding positive feedback from Miracle was the impetus,\u201d says Courtesy co-owner Gene Zimmerman. \u201c[Nightmare is] pretty darn close in terms of popularity to Miracle, so much so that each year we have added more time to the takeover.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DiaDia de los Muertos figures into the mix at The Courtesy Bar’s Nightmare on Orange, as well. This is La Ofrenda, featuring Mexican corn whisky, mezcal, fernet, sherry and chipotle cacao. (Courtesy The Courtesy Bar)<\/p>\n

It has served them well. I attended this year\u2019s Nightmare and had to grab my reservation at 4 p.m., as spots (for parties of four or more) were gone almost as soon as they\u2019d opened. As such, this makes a great option for early walk-ups, and the party\u2019s going to be on, outside in the bar\u2019s courtyard area, throughout Halloween weekend, serving the same spooky Nightmare sips.<\/p>\n

La Ofrenda (it\u2019s a boozy one!) was one of my favorites of the crop this year, though no fun tiki mug to go with. For those looking at glass-based photo-ops, and \u201cScream\u201d fans, the Ghostface\u2019d Phoenician Scream is a winner with hints of both pumpkin and spice amid the ice, but the Lacrime Dei Morti was also a favorite, with its raisin-box garnish and fruity, nutty notes.<\/p>\n

\"TheyThey are never without humor here in Thornton Park, where, for a few more days, this neighborhood bar goes by “The Night Before the Reindeer Room.” (Courtesy The Reindeer Room)<\/p>\n

\u201cHalloween night is always a little extra, and this year, with it falling on a Friday, things will certainly be ramped up,\u201d says Zimmerman. \u201cCostumes are not obligatory, but expect patrons and staff alike to be donned in some pretty special Halloween regalia.\u201d<\/p>\n

Same goes on Halloween for the folks at The Reindeer Room in Thornton Park, though right now this versatile bar goes by The Nightmare Before The Reindeer Room (<\/a>facebook.com\/reindeerroomorlando)!<\/p>\n

\"SmokeSmoke ’em if you got ’em! Server Kiara Nieves shows off two Grateful Dead cocktails in their souvenir cup at “Nightmare Before the Reindeer Room.” (Courtesy The Reindeer Room)<\/p>\n

They\u2019ll be participating in the Thornton Park District Halloween Street Party<\/a> (see below for details), but the Halloween theme is already up and running if you want to drop everything and head over there right now.<\/p>\n

\u201cGuests are loving the Halloween Bar,\u201d says owner Wendy Connor. \u201cWe feature themed drinks, Halloween decor and Halloween movies to get people immersed into the holiday. Outside of trick-or-treating, Halloween is truly an adult holiday, and we\u2019ve found our guests love to celebrate all things scary.\u201d<\/p>\n

Patrons tend to dress up for all the bar\u2019s themes (which run from St. Patrick\u2019s Day to Mardi Gras and more as the year rolls on), but on Halloween, they go all out, as do the folks behind the bar.<\/p>\n

\"AsAs usual, the team at Nightmare Before the Reindeer Room has lots of photo-ops ready. This one should delight “Stranger Things” fans. (Courtesy The Reindeer Room)<\/p>\n

Popular cocktails this season include the Peanut Butter Poltergeist (with peanut butter whiskey and creme de cacao), the American Psycho (with honey whiskey and peach liqueur) and the Grateful Dead with souvenir skull cup (a Long Island iced tea with black raspberry liqueur).<\/p>\n

Twisted traditions are en vogue during the twisted season. Case in point: the addition of ube to several items on Raglan\u2019s menu, like the Spooky Spud cocktail.<\/p>\n

\"SaySay “Sl\u00e1inte!” with the smoky Spooky Spud cocktail featuring Repo Cazadores, house-made ube syrup, pineapple juice and Rockey’s Botanical Liquor. (Courtesy Raglan Road)<\/p>\n

\u201cUbe is a type of purple yam \u2018spud,\u2019 which makes it a fun and oddly fitting ingredient to feature at an Irish spot,\u201d says Conroy.<\/p>\n

Potatoes are an iconic element of Irish cuisine, and so using the Filipino ube is our way of honoring tradition with a twist.\u201d<\/p>\n

Though American Halloween traditions are etched firmly in place, it could be said that they\u2019re a twist on tradition, as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt has developed into the massic celebration we know today,\u201d says Conroy, \u201cbut at its core, Halloween still carries that Celtic spirit of mystery, mischief and honoring the shift in seasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Find me on Facebook, TikTok, Twitter or Instagram\u00a0@amydroo<\/a>\u00a0or on the OSFoodie Instagram account\u00a0@orlando.foodie<\/a>. Email:\u00a0amthompson@orlandosentinel.com<\/a>, For more foodie fun, join the\u00a0Let\u2019s Eat, Orlando Facebook group<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Spooky Awards 2025: 20 of Orlando\u2019s best-dressed Halloween homes frighten, delight<\/a><\/p>\n

Other ideas for last-minute Halloween hijinx<\/p>\n

Boxi Park: Their 21+ Halloween party runs from 6 p.m. to midnight with music from DJ John Campisano and \u201980s Thriller Band, Fancy Reagan<\/a>. Dress up in your scariest costume and enjoy a night of music, drinks and dancing with friends, along with Beetlejuice photo-ops. A welcome drink is included in the $13.32 ticket price. More info: eventbrite.com\/e\/halloween-night-21-party-at-boxi-park-tickets-1787690663899<\/a><\/p>\n

The Courtesy Bar\/Nightmare on Orange: Now through Nov.2, experience the spooky-spectacular theming of The Courtesy\u2019s Nightmare on Orange. Inside reservations are sold out at press time (cancellations happen, walk-ins always welcome), but they\u2019ll be serving up spooky cocktails in the courtyard every night, as well! More info: thecourtesybar.com\/nightmareonorange<\/a><\/p>\n

Eden Bar Halloween Party: Dress to impress in your best costume and party with your friends until the lights go out. Tickets ($10) include entry into the Enzian Theater\u2019s carnival-themed party, the Costume Contest, and plenty of scares to remember! Food and drinks are available for purchase. Party starts at 8 and the night ends with a screening of John Carpenter\u2019s Halloween (1978) at 11:59 p.m.; movie tickets sold separately. More info: enzian.org\/films\/special-programs\/eden-bars-halloween-party<\/a><\/p>\n

IceBar Orlando: Fright Nights at IceBar runs through the whole Halloween weekend (Oct. 31- Nov. 1), featuring hauntingly good fun, electrifying music and spooky themed cocktails. $6 syringe Jell-O shots await, as do a roster of costume contests. Doors open at 5 p.m.; live DJ starts at 9 p.m. VIP reservations, tickets and event info: 407-426-7555; icebarorlando.com\/buy-tickets<\/a><\/p>\n

Oviedo Mall Sip or Treat: Witch\u2019s Ball: It\u2019s the fourth year for this popular mall event, which asks the question: What if trick-or-treating were for adults?! On Oct. 30, from 5:30-8 p.m., grownups are welcome to trade candy bags for wine glasses, and they sip, shop and stroll. Food and wine samples (and special shopping discounts) abound, along with a Halloween Marketplace featuring local artisan vendors. Guests 21+ can check in at the mall\u2019s North Entrance for a wristband allowing for complimentary beer and wine pours. Non-alcoholic options are available, as well. Admission and parking are free. Oviedo Mall is located at 1700 Oviedo Mall Blvd. in Oviedo.<\/p>\n

Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant: Special menu items and spooky themed dance show runs through Oct. 31. More info: raglanroad.com<\/a><\/p>\n

Thornton Park\u2019s Halloween Block Party: It\u2019s the 12th Annual \u201cget wicked on Washington Street\u201d soiree. Street performers, drink specials outside the bars, costume contest and more. Oct. 31 from 8 p.m.-2 a.m. on Nov. 1. Presale tickets are $23.18, $33.85 day of. More info: eventbrite.com\/e\/thornton-parks-halloween-block-party-tickets-1648381285799<\/a><\/p>\n

Zymarium Meadery: Their Dark Ritual Halloween Celebration<\/a> has been rolling all month long in Orlando\u2019s Mills 50 neighborhood and continues through October\u2019s end with will spooky decor, seasonal releases and other holiday-themed fun. More info: zymarium.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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