Scott FeinblattThere’s more than one way to get your spooky treats fix this Halloween season. For those of us too old to go trick or treating — or without an available child to chaperone so we can take our fair cut of the kid’s candy as protection payment — there are a few places we can go to satisfy our cravings for Halloween-themed delectables. Plus, the environments in which these tasty comestibles and libations can be found are to die for! Here’s a sackful of ideas to get your spirits up.
Rated R Speakeasy ( Rebecca Crabb)
Let’s start with the basics. Say you find yourself at Universal’s annual Horror Nights haunted theme park, and you’re feeling a bit peckish. Well sir, or ma’am [or non-binary pronoun of your choice], Horror Nights has a number of food stands that sell horror-themed foods that are inspired by various horror films. Starting with Ghostbusters, Halloween Horror Bites can set you up with Slimer’s Dirty Water Dog. Sound appetizing? This hot dog may wind up giving you nightmares, but after a couple of Duff beers from the Simpsons-themed Duff Brewery Beer Garden, it may just hit the spot; it’s served dripping with green slime (cheese sauce) and pocked with red speckles (red peppers).
Next up: Killer Klowns from Outer Space food. If you amble on over to the Killer Snacks Cart, you can get yourself a Killer Klowns Cocoon Doughnut. This bad boy may look like a big ol’ lump of cotton candy, but — whoa, Nelly! — inside is a raspberry jam-filled donut with vanilla frosting. Not strange enough for you? I guess you need some Stranger Things. Yes, I went there, and so will you if you’d like to complete your geeking out over the show by indulging in decadent delicacies inspired by Netflix’s popular horror series. At Scoops Ahoy!, you can get Eleven’s Waffle Sundae, which consists of vanilla ice cream topped with strawberry syrup, jelly beans, Reese’s Pieces, chocolate chips, and, of course, mini sugar-coated waffles (I don’t know about you, but it gives me a sugar high just thinking about it). Also available at Scoops Ahoy! is the Mind Flayer’s Milkshake; this is a black chocolate shake with strawberry sauce, chocolate whipped cream, crushed Oreos, a black waffle cone, and black licorice tendrils. The Starcourt Mall also features The Upside Down Buger, which is prepared upside down (naturally),has cheddar cheese sauce, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, lettuce, tomato, and is served on a brioche bun. There’s actually quite a bit more, but if you don’t want to go to Universal Studios just to get your spooky food fix, then perhaps a haunted bar is more your speed. Try one of the following:
Drunken Devil (Shahin Ansari for Drunken Devil)
Rated R-Speakeasy (October 26)
Time is of the essence here. Although this pop-up bar has come and gone before, Rated-R Speakeasy is waiting for your soul on October 26 at the Santa Monica Pier Carousel House. Rated-R Speakeasy serves up cocktails and terror via aerial bartenders in a room steeped in horror imagery. They’ve got monsters; they’ve got horror films; they’ve got creepy environs. If you can’t make one of this weekend’s events, the Santa Monica event will include bonus features, such as a costume contest, special guests, horror giveaways, and more!
Witches Brew Los Angeles (Sept. 29)
Witches gotta drink too, right? Witches Brew will be popping up to provide a spooky atmosphere in which people can get their drink on. The event will take place at Boomtown Brewery, which will be turned in to a Wiccan themed den of vendors, artists, tarot card readers, and photo ops. Witches Brew promises a “magical selection of beers, food, and live entertainment.” All ages are welcome at this Witches’ Sabbath, and it is free, but VIP tickets are available for people who want early entry, a swag bag, and other treats!
Drunken Devil Events (October 5 & 19)
Concession, we’re triple-dipping with this one. Drunken Devil routinely produces horror and fantasy themed events, and they’ve got two of ‘em coming right up!
Next up is Drunken Devil’s “Bloody Brunch” (October 5). This one is inspired by campy horror TV specials of the ’60s and ’70s. Kick back at El Cid, and enjoy an array of themed cocktails and dishes as you are bewitched by the spectacles of horror-themed burlesque, magic shows, variety acts and more. Guests are encouraged to dress up, and, again, leave the little ‘uns at home for this show. This 21+ show has got blood, vulgarity, terror, partial nudity, and other life-affirming attributes.
Drunken Devil (Chris Blaski for Drunken Devil)
Finally, Drunken Devil presents “Black Magick” (October 19). Dress in your 20’s best for this sinister soirée. This immersive experience (at another secret location) includes a live jazz band; an open bar of magic-themed cocktails, beer, and wine; burlesque and magic acts; and an interactive storyline, which is laced with old Hollywood mysteries of an occult nature and, of course, terror. Need we remind you that this type of thing is for your pleasure — not for that of the children.
House of Spirits(October 11-November 2)
More secrets and goodies of an occult nature await your presence in the House of Spirits. Various two-hour sessions are available per evening for folks who sign up to venture into the haunted mansion (of a secret location). Once there, guests are welcome to explore the house in search of clues about the fate of the house’s missing owner. As you roam, you will have six miniature flights of cocktails, each themed after a different room of the house. Awaiting your tipsy presence, there will be séances, roaming ghosts, live music, tarot readings, hidden secret games, magical performances, giant Ouija boards, and more…
Not enough for you? Well there’s more out there for you to explore, such as the Los Angeles Haunted Booze Cruise(October 26) and the Trick or Drink: L.A. Halloween Pub Crawl(October 26, & 31), but, honestly, we’re getting thirsty, and it’s time for our Bloody Mary. Hopefully, one of the above sources for Halloween treats, drinks, and hi-jinks will satiate your needs until the next time the beast must feed.
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