Zombie parties!
Split-Rail, 2500 W. Chicago Ave., revives the 1990s with its “Zombie Prom” from 7 to 11 p.m. on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31. On tap for the evening: an á la carte snacks menu, a few spooky cocktails and karaoke hosted by Mary Mac Karaoke; the singing kicks off at 8 p.m. Guests also can purchase from the regular beverage menu. There’s no cover charge, but RSVPs are encouraged. RSVP on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1777850182326452/
Z Bar, the rooftop lounge at The Peninsula Chicago, has planned not one but two days of “Z is for Zombie” festivities, Friday and Saturday, Oct. 26 and 27. DJ and producer Alyson Calagna, who curated the bar’s global playlists, will spin from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Oct. 26, followed the next night by Chicago DJ Cloudstomper. The night wouldn’t be complete without the Zombie cocktail ($13) featuring overproof rum, grenadine, cinnamon, falernum and a lime-candy “eyeball” garnish. There is no cover charge and there will be complimentary face painting. More details on the costume contest and prizes can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/events/251416168854871/
Funky jams!
Yacht rock in all its groovy, sunscreen-scented glory is the focus of the Yacht Rock Halloween Extravaganza at Bar Biscay, 1450 W. Chicago Ave., on Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31. Fins Up, Chicago’s preeminent yacht rock DJ duo, will play from 10 p.m. into the wee hours (last call at 1:30 a.m.). To add to the fun, try out the new house-infused vermouth fortified with Malort; shots are just $1 to celebrate the announcement of Malort returning to Chicago!
In the heart of Wells Street in Old Town, LG’s Bar is throwing a good ole’ fashioned dance party and costume contest Saturday, October 27. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes and DJ Jay Marcus will begin spinning at 9 p.m.
Pumpkin donuts!
The Lil Pumpkin Donut ($2.75) at Stan’s Donuts & Coffee is big on charm. It’s a cake donut decorated to look like a jack o’ lantern. Find it at all 10 Stan’s locations from Monday, Oct. 22 through Halloween, Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Pumpkin dumplings!
The Halloween dumplings at urbanbelly, 2400 Damen Ave, sport an orange-colored filling, thanks to pumpkin and sweet potato. Served with green papaya, they’re $1.75 a piece and available Monday, Oct. 29 through Saturday, Nov. 3.
Pitch-black food!
At The Chow Brothers in Wells St. Market, 205 W. Wacker Dr., the Halloween pierogi hide a sweet potato cheesecake filling inside black-hued dough. They’re on offer starting Oct. 15.
Also at the Loop food hall, Furious Spoon’s Dread Bowl ($14.95) features chili-infused noodles swimming in a black squid-ink vegetable broth. It’s topped with neon-green seaweed salad, wood ear mushrooms, calamari and the pièce de resistance—a fried chicken foot. Those who dare slurp the soup special are in for an extra treat. If they post a photo to Instagram with #FuriousDreadBowl, they’ll be entered to win four tickets to the Rock the Yacht Midnight Halloween Party at Navy Pier.
