Ten Los Angeles bars built for Halloween night — costume-welcoming rooms, themed cocktails, no judgement at the door.
Halloween in Los Angeles is when the bar map changes shape. The rooms that lean into it run themed menus, dim the lights an extra half-stop, and welcome a costume without raising an eyebrow. The rooms that ignore it stay polite and slightly off-tempo. The ten venues below are the Los Angeles bars our editors send Halloween-night bookings to — the rooms that get the assignment.
Halloween-night picks, Los Angeles
The first six picks below are the editors' default — the rooms we send a friend to first when they ask. Each is followed by a recommendation we have ordered ourselves at least three times. Click any bar name to read the full review, signature drink notes, neighbourhood guide and how to book.
Good Housekeeping (in Highland Park) the gh highball arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. costume policy is liberal but they ask for 'no full face mask' — book early, the room sells out three weeks out. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Tiki-Ti (in Silver Lake) the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the lights drop another half-stop on October 31 and the floor staff lean into the night. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
The Varnish (in Downtown LA) the old fashioned arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. Halloween-night programming runs from late October — themed cocktails, costume welcome, full sound system. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Bar Henry (in Frogtown) the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. Halloween-night programming runs from late October — themed cocktails, costume welcome, full sound system. Editors' rating in our database: 4.7 of 5.
Thunderbolt (in Historic Filipinotown) the thunderbolt daiquiri arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. costume policy is liberal but they ask for 'no full face mask' — book early, the room sells out three weeks out. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
In West Hollywood, The Darkroom the darkroom negroni arrives in a coupe and the bar staff move at the right pace. Halloween-night programming runs from late October — themed cocktails, costume welcome, full sound system. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Order: Darkroom Negroni
The full Los Angeles guideEvery bar category, every neighbourhood. Our complete Los Angeles guide covers cocktail bars, rooftops, hidden gems and more across the city.
These last four are the editors' deeper-cut picks. Smaller rooms, more specific energy. If the first six feel obvious to you — meaning you have already been — start here.
The Blue Whale Jazz Club sits in Little Tokyo, and the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. costume policy is liberal but they ask for 'no full face mask' — book early, the room sells out three weeks out. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
The Dresden Room (in Los Feliz) the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. costume policy is liberal but they ask for 'no full face mask' — book early, the room sells out three weeks out. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
In Mid-City, Here & Now the room is what it should be — quiet without being precious, busy without being a queue. the lights drop another half-stop on October 31 and the floor staff lean into the night. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
In North Hollywood, Tonga Hut the door is unmarked enough to feel discovered and known enough to be reliable. the lights drop another half-stop on October 31 and the floor staff lean into the night. Editors' rating in our database: 4.6 of 5.
Order: Mai Tai
Weekly editorial
The bars worth going to, weekly.
One email per week. The bars our editors are recommending right now, across 72 cities worldwide.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
More Cocktail Bars in Los AngelesThe full editor-curated list of Cocktail Bars in Los Angeles, with neighbourhood notes and signature-drink picks.
Halloween bookings live or die on the door policy. Most rooms on this list welcome costumes; a small number ask for 'tasteful' (which usually means no full face mask). Call ahead and ask. And book early — Halloween Saturday in Los Angeles books out three weeks before.
Other seasonal Los Angeles guidesFrom New Year's Eve to Halloween - every annual Los Angeles occasion our editors cover, cross-linked.
Reach Los Angeles bar-goers when they are deciding.
Sponsored placements on this article, on the Los Angeles city guide, and across the barsforKings network. Contact us to put your bar in front of the right audience.
