The Houston Food Finder Guide To Halloween & Dia De Los Muertos 2017—Updated

For some, the end of October and beginning of November is the most wonderful time of the year. Whether it’s the costumes, candy or the long-awaited sweet relief of cooler temperatures, Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos celebrations offer convivial atmospheres with few expectations other than having a good time—and that always involves great food and drink. While some look for the spooky factor and high entertainment value, others prefer a spot with good deals or the opportunity to give back. You can find all of that starting this weekend until November 1.

Saturday, October 28

Heights Fright Night Halloween Bar Crawl, various bars: The popular bar crawl is back for the third year in a row. Costumed revelers will make their ways to popular neighborhood bars from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Participating bars include Big Star Bar, D & T Drive Inn, Johnny’s Gold Brick, Lei Low Bar, Presidio, Southern Goods and Town In City Brewing Company. There are no cover charges and free shuttles will run throughout the night. In case you’re worried: the Astros game will be on at Presidio, so you can watch the World Series and drink in celebration—or misery—depending on the outcome.

Le Colonial, 4444 Westheimer: The upscale Vietnamese restaurant is hosting a late-night Halloween celebration on Saturday, October 28. Starting at 10 p.m., the party will feature “otherworldly” food and drink specials, a costume contest and go-go dancers. Prior to the festivities, from 5 until 9 p.m., an extended happy hour menu will be available along with specialty drinks dubbed “elixirs” and “potions.” Guests are encouraged to wear costumes. To make a table reservation, call (713) 629-4444.

Eight Row Flint hosts a dog costume contest for charity on the patio Halloween weekend. Photo by Joshua Black Wilkins.

Sunday, October 29

Eight Row Flint, 1039 Yale: Halloween is always more fun when people dress up their pets, and at Eight Row Flint’s Dog Costume Contest, it’s for a good cause. This Sunday, October 29, from 6 to 8 p.m., the whiskey bar will hold the contest on their patio, with proceeds benefitting the Rescued Pets Movement. Owners enter by donating pet food. The first-place winner will receive an impressive Eight Row Flint Gift basket that includes a hat, T-shirt, sticker, $100 Gift Certificate and bottle of bourbon. Second place receives a $50 gift certificate.

Monday, October 30

Axelrad, 1517 Alabama: Some bars are content with one Halloween event, but Axelrad is really going the distance this year. From now until October 31, the beer garden is offering a haunted house tour—including a beer—for $10 starting at 8 p.m. daily. Then, the night before Halloween, Monday’s movie night takes on a spooky flavor with Hocus Pocus at 7:30 p.m., followed by Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho at 10:30 p.m.

El Big Bad, 419 Travis: The Mezclados Monday night dance party at El Big Bad goes Halloween-style this week. Cumbia and dancing will be accompanied by patrons in costume, enjoying half off Halloween edition margaritas featuring Monster-rita bowls (you’ll need help to drink these, as they serve four). The dancing starts at 7 p.m., with food served until 10 p.m.

Tuesday, October 31

If you can’t make the chocolate skull decorating event at Cacao and Cardamom, pick up spooky treats for Halloween. Photo by Jay Marroquin.

Cacao & Cardamom, 5000 Westheimer, Suite 602: Local chocolate boutique Cacao & Cardamom celebrates with a family-friendly Dia de los Muertos and Halloween party ideal for younger trick or treaters. On Tuesday, October 31 from 5 to 7 p.m., guests can decorate a chocolate skull with edible glitter, frosting and sprinkles for $20 a “head,” with or without a costume. Walk-ins are welcome while supplies last, but spots can be secured for the Dia de los Muertos chocolate party by calling (281) 501-3567 or purchasing tickets through Eventbrite.

The Dunlavy, 3422 Allen Parkway: The Dunlavy is celebrating Halloween and kicking off Dia De Los Muertos starting with happy hour on Tuesday, October 31 from 2 to 8 p.m. Special bar bites and drinks will be on hand throughout the evening, and Loteria, sometimes referred to as Mexican Bingo, will start at 6 p.m. Games are complimentary and winners will win prizes from Clark Cooper Concepts. Halloween costumes and Dia de los Muertos masks are welcome, and best costume will win a special prize.

El Big Bad, 419 Travis: The Halloween Bash at El Big Bad is more than just a costume contest. It’s the official launch of “Taco House Tuesday,” featuring house music from DJs Chris Luera, Tal Tager and Zad. Buy one get one tacos will be on offer, and anyone that dresses as a taco will unlock a special prize.

La Grange, 2517 Ralph Street: The patio bar is celebrating Halloween with an El Jimador tequila tasting, which includes a welcome cocktail, light bites, and a sugar skull T-shirt while seats last. Face painters will be also available from 5 to 8 p.m. Cost is $20 and seating is limited; contact matt@lagrangehouston for more details.

Molina’s Cantina staff in festive get-ups for Halloween fun. Photo by Kimberly Park.

Molina’s Cantina, 7901 Westheimer and 3801 Bellaire Boulevard: The time-honored Tex-Mex brand is celebrating Halloween with festive get-ups and—perhaps more importantly for the grownups—a $5 all-day special on their Molina’s Margaritas, made with 100-percent agave tequila, Triple Sec and fresh lime juice. Those with plans or parties later in the evening can drop by during happy hour for free chips and queso at the bar at both the Bellaire and Westheimer locations.

Under the Radar Brewery, 1506 Truxillo: Teaming up with Bayou City Outdoors and #HTXoutdoors, Under the Radar will open exclusively for Boos, Brews and Bridges attendees on Halloween night, from 6 to 9 p.m. The evening, which benefits Pup Squad Animal Rescue, will begin with a “haunted” walk to the glowing black and orange Montrose District bridges, leaving the brewery at 6:45 p.m. and returning approximately an hour later. Guests are welcome to wear costumes and bring their dogs to the event (costumed or not), but should be prepared for the two-mile walk with comfortable shoes. RSVP online to attend.

November 1

El Big Bad, 419 Travis: El Big Bad honors lost loved ones on “el Dia de los innocentes,” with a focus on lost children (though anyone can be remembered). At 7 p.m., a Toast with Ghosts will be held, followed by a
guided meditation with Jackeline Vélez at sundown.

Xochi, 1777 Walker Street: This Day of The Dead, James Beard Award-winning chef Hugo Ortega honors his heritage with a benefit dinner to raise money for earthquake relief in Mexico. Starting at 7 p.m., the night will feature a reception to start, followed by four courses paired with an array of Mexican wines, Mezcal and Sotol. For $100 per person, plus tax and gratuity, guests can expect dishes like Pato en Mole Negro, a slow-roasted duck leg with quelites, cauliflower puree, and black mole; and Day of the Dead Bread Pudding with Mezcal Vago-infused ice cream, dried pepper-rubbed apricots and Oaxacan cheese. For reservations, call (713) 400-3330.

November 2

El Big Bad, 419 Travis: On the final Day of the Dead celebration, the tequila bar will feature Don Julio cocktails and drink specials starting at 4 p.m., in addition to photo opportunities with the Don Julio 1942 Truck. A face painter will provide guests with Dia de los Muertos Catrina makeup to pay respect to the dead, wrapping up the celebration at 7 p.m. with a Toast with Ghosts and the cutting of a sugar skull cake at the altar.

Picos, 3601 Kirby: Celebrate the Day of the Dead with a Dia De Los Muertos Tequila Dinner and cocktail hour at Picos. Small bites and craft margarita cocktails featuring Patrón Tequila will be served on the lounge patio at 6 p.m., with dinner to follow. Executive chef Arnaldo Richards will dish out an authentic four-course Mexican meal with Beverage Director, Monica Richards, overseeing the drink menu. Guests are encouraged to dress up, as there will be a costume contest for best Day of the Dead attire. Tickets are all-inclusive for $120 per person, and reservations can be made by calling (832) 831-9940.

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