Local bars and restaurants love leaning into Halloween themes, but a few spots are taking it to another level by transforming their establishments into entire alter egos. Some of these are perennial activations, while others are brand new for this year. Below, we’ve got four spots that are transporting guests to different worlds with their immersive and festive costumes.
Hole in the Wall as The Black Lodge
If you’ve always wanted to sip a beer while trapped between dimensions in a state of confusion and terror, now’s your chance. Austin’s campus-area dive bar Hole in the Wall has morphed into the Black Lodge from the cult classic TV show Twin Peaks. The space is decked out in red drapes, black and white zig-zag flooring, and cutouts of agent Dale Cooper and the iconic stone statue. They’ve even got episodes of Twin Peaks playing on a TV set next to the bar. The bar hosts a David Lynch–themed trivia on Oct. 29 and a Twin Peaks–themed party on Halloween night with a soundtrack tribute from Pedal Steel Noah. And don’t worry—no one is going to make you eat garmonbozia while you’re there! instagram.com/hitwatx
Holiday as Trudy’s
Real Austinites remember Trudy’s as one of the city’s most beloved tex-mex spots, famed for their fajitas and shaker-sized Mexican martinis (which had an order limit of two due to their potency). East Austin bar Holiday is bringing the restaurant back from the dead Oct. 27 through Nov. 1. Hang out on the pet-friendly patio and take in the idyllic fall weather while you enjoy a special menu of sizzlin’ fajitas, ice-cold Mex-Marts, stuffed avocados, and chips and queso. This is the second year that Holiday has done this activation, and we are hoping that it will stick around for years to come. instagram.com/holidayon7th
Nickel City as Moe’s
Posing as one of the most iconic TV bars of all time times some guts, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Nickel City. Rebranded as Moe’s from The Simpsons, this East Austin hangout has a big purple sign with its temporary name, and if you go at the right time, you’ll even spot Duffman working the door. Inside, you’ll find tons of Simpsons memorabilia along with special menu offerings like Krusty Burgers and a custom canned Nickel City beer that looks like Duff and is made in collaboration with Meawhile Brewing. instagram.com/nickelcitybar
Photo courtesy Bucketlisters.
Wanderlust as Frankenstein’s Lab
When it comes to Halloween creatures, none are more iconic than Frankenstein’s monster. Both the Eastside and downtown locations of wine hangout Wanderlust are transforming into the fabled lab where the experiment first took place. The activation runs through Halloween night and is a ticketed event that comes with an interactive welcome cocktail and a 90-minute reservation. You might find an eyeball floating in your drink or pour your cocktail from a blood bag as you explore this chamber of glowing blacklight decorations, cobwebs, and flickering lights. It’s alive! instagram.com/wanderlustwineco