Halloween lands on a Saturday this year, leaving plenty of time for more than handing out candy to costumed neighborhood kids. Across Orange County, restaurants and watering holes are trading their usual menus and decor for haunted steakhouses, gothic tea parties and a few peculiar cocktails. Here are several places getting into the spooktacular spirit, including a few starting the festivities a bit early.
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Pete’s Spookeasy (Huntington Beach)
Pete’s Sunset Grille, the Huntington Beach spot at the Hyatt Regency, is getting a spooky makeover through Nov. 2. Drinks include the blackberry-spiked Black Magic Margarita and a pumpkin-washed rye cocktail called Potion No. 13. Food includes Grill-Reaper Ribeye and Witches Brew Tiramisu. Free outdoor movies screening will be “Hocus Pocus” on Oct. 24, “Coco” on Oct. 30 and “Ghostbusters” on Oct. 31. Reservations required.
Find it: 21500 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; 714-845-4775, instagram.com/petesgrillehb
Enchanted Treehouse Halloween Party (Huntington Beach)
On Saturday, Oct. 24, Treehouse on PCH at Paséa Hotel and Spa will trade its rooftop surroundings for an enchanted forest replete with themed decor, photo opportunities and Halloween cocktails and bites. The party runs from 7 p.m. to midnight. Festive attire is, of course, encouraged. Groups of four to 10 can reserve cabanas or firepit seating with a shared punch bowl. The event is for guests 21 and over. Again, this is for Saturday, Oct. 24 only.
Find it: 21080 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; 714-698-6130, treehousehb.com
Haunted Steakhouse at Darkroom (Santa Ana)
For Halloween night, Darkroom will ditch its usual menu in favor of an old-school American steakhouse, featuring costumed servers to boot. Expect a litany of steakhouse-ish dishes, including wedge salad, oysters Rockefeller, prime rib, creamed spinach, hanger steak au poivre and — glory be — Baked Alaska. Everything will be a la carte with specialty cocktails also available. Dinner runs from 5 to 9 p.m. on Oct. 31. Reservations strongly encouraged.
Find it: 3751 S Harbor Blvd., Suite C, Santa Ana; 657-777-3275, wearedarkroom.com
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The Joker at Telefèric Barcelona (Newport Beach)
At this Spanish restaurant’s Fashion Island location, the Halloween trick comes in a glass. The Joker, as it’s called, combines wasabi-infused gin, sherry and parsley syrup with riboflavin (aka vitamin B2) lending the tipple an eerie green glow under ultraviolet light. A skeleton leaf provides the finishing flourish. Available through Oct. 31.
Find it: 311 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach; 657-325-8881, telefericbarcelona.com/newport-beach
Mesa Wonderland (Costa Mesa)
From Oct. 28 through Oct. 31, things get curiouser at Mesa, which will host four nights of “Alice in Wonderland”-inspired merriment. Expect Mad Tea Parties from 6 to 10 p.m. followed by DJs and late-night costume festivities. Halloween night carries a cover of $20 after 10 p.m. Dinner reservations are separate.
Find it: 725 Baker St., Costa Mesa; 714-557-6700, mesacostamesa.com/wonderland
Brides of Dracula at Story Bar + Kitchen (Anaheim Hills)
Afternoon tea takes a darker turn at Story where a “Brides of Dracula” experience pairs sweet and savory tea bites with gothic decor and cocktails. The setting will hone in on Victorian romance and vampire lore. The seasonal experience runs through Oct. 31. Reservations are recommended.
Find it: 8150 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim; 714-253-3413, storyanaheim.com
Selanne’s Haunted Steakhouse (Laguna Beach)
The historic 1934 home of Selanne Steak Tavern will welcome costumed guests, fog, music and cocktails on All Hallow’s Eve. starting at 9 p.m. Unlike Darkroom’s steakhouse event, this one is strictly for drinking and dancing; no food will be served. Costumes are required. Admission is $25.50.
Find it: 1464 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach; 949-715-9881, selannesteaktavern.com
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