What to Eat & Drink for Halloween 2020 in Houston

Picture of the Haunted Graveyard cocktail at Brennan's of Houston. It's dark amber with a skull on top of an orange for garnish.

The costumes! The candy! The Great Pumpkin! Halloween is upon us. At least one poll finds that one in 10 Americans call Halloween their favorite holiday. (Just FYI: the favorite Halloween candy, in the same poll, is the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup.) While this bizarre year means celebrations and social gatherings are going to be different than what is typical for many, we did uncover several food-and-drink finds in Houston to mark the day.

No matter how festive the gathering sounds, please note that the State of Texas still requires that groups stay six feet away from other groups and must not exceed 10 people. With new cases of COVID again on the rise, it’s important to adhere to the guidelines. Wear a mask when not eating or drinking (an appropriate mask or face covering, not just your costume mask) and keep your fellow patrons safe.

Trick or treat!

Cinco Ranch

Photo of The Pumpkin Patch dessert, arranged on a black round plate.
Trick or treat! The Pumpkin Patch dessert at Tobiuo’s Sushi & Bar is available through Nov. 1. Photo by Ashley Castro.

Tobiuo Sushi and Bar, 23501 Cinco Ranch Blvd: The restaurant is augmenting its menu with two special Halloween treats. The Pumpkin Patch dessert is made with a tasty combination of kabocha Bavarian cream, clove anglaise, cocoa crumb, honey-butter pumpkin seeds and horchata ice cream. Those in need of an adult sipper should pay attention to the Frankenstein cocktail, a ghoulish blend of gin, Midori, lemon, lemongrass and crème de banana. It’s garnished with lychee and a black lava salt rim.

Galleria Area/Highland Village

Photo of the bar at Loch Bar
Loch Bar in Highland Village gets into the Halloween spirit with its first-ever Loch Ness Monster Ball, featuring drink specials, music and a costume contest. Courtesy photo.

Loch Bar, 4444 Westheimer: The clubby Highland Village spot is throwing The Loch Ness Monster Ball on October 31 from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., the first of what is intended to become an annual tradition. The party includes a live rock-and-roll band and a roaming snake charmer, among other surprises. Bloody Frosé, Fright Flights and additional Halloween-themed libations are available all night. There’s a costume contest and guests can turn up in their most over-the-top garb to win prizes. Reservations are strongly encouraged.  

Ouzo Bay, 4444 Westheimer: Loch Bar’s sister spot, located next door, is throwing an ancient-Greece-inspired bash, the Halloween Toga Soiree. In addition to food and drink specials and live music, diners are encouraged to show off their best ancient Greek costumes for a chance to win prizes. The party starts at 9 p.m. on Halloween.

Midtown

The Brass Tap, 922 Holman: This casual Midtown bar, known for its extensive beer selection, has paired Halloween candy with cocktails. Caramel lovers will go for Twix, paired with the Brass Tap’s Lavender Lemonade, a refreshing libation made with butterfly pea flower-infused Drumshanbo Gin, lavender house-made simple syrup, Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violettes and fresh lemon juice. Into sweet and sour? Then get a glass of Pinot Grigio served with Sour Patch Kids candy. Those into the taste of toffee will want a Butterfingers bar paired with one of the hoppy ales.

Picture of the Haunted Graveyard cocktail at Brennan's of Houston. It's dark amber with a skull on top of an orange for garnish.
Brennan’s of Houston has multiple Halloween-themed cocktails, including The Haunted Graveyard. Courtesy photo.

Brennan’s of Houston, 3300 Smith: From October 27 through November 1, this legendary Houston restaurant is offering a special Boos + Booze cocktail menu to get sippers into the spooky spirit. Try The Haunted Graveyard, a blend of Maker’s Mark, housemade sweet potato simple syrup, Cynar and a dash of sweet potato tincture.  The Jack O’Lantern combines Jack Daniels, Kahlua and Sambuca Black, and is topped with orange juice, then garnished with black licorice. Those looking for something sweeter should consider the Candy Corn Martini, a blend of vodka, heavy cream, and pineapple juice with a candy corn rim. There’s also The Pumpkin Patch (vodka, Kahlua, house pumpkin cream and pumpkin spice) and the Dawn Till Dusk (Teremana Reposado Tequila, PAMA pomegranate liqueur and orange juice, garnished with a quarter-moon slice of orange).

Montrose

Hugo’s, 1600 Westheimer: The Montrose Mexican favorite has celebrated Dia de los Muertos since its opening in 2002. This year, the restaurant marks the traditional festival with decorations, altars and a special menu, available October 30 and 31, and November 1.  Get a special, three-course dinner for $49, which includes appetizers such as Tamal de Puerco en Adobo (slow roasted pork in adobe sauce with picked onion) or Ensalada de la Calabaza, made with greens, roasted butternut squash, blood orange, pomegranate, blue cheese and walnuts; entrees such as Tlacoyo (wood-grilled masa stuffed with bayo beans, crema, queso fresco, guajillo sauce and greens) and Pozole Verde de Puerco (hominy corn soup, pork, radish, Napa cabbage, onion, oregano, tostadas); and desserts such as Pan de Muerto, the traditional baked Day of the Dead sweet roll with vanilla mousse and guava atole. For an extra $27 per person, add on a tequila pairing. See the full menu online. The offering is available for dine-in and to-go orders, and similar Dia des Los Muertos pre-fixe options are available at Hugo’s sister restaurants Xochi and Caracol. Updated Oct. 25, 2020, 1:09 p.m.

Upper Kirby

A’bouzy, 2300 Westheimer: On Saturday, October 31, kick up weekend brunch with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot Yellow Label Brut NV for $49 a bottle. The offer is good from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Costumes are strongly encouraged, and reservations are required. Call (713) 722-6899 to reserve a table. Updated Oct. 25, 2020, 12:55 p.m.

Washington Ave/Rice Military

B&B Butchers
B&B Butchers in Houston. Photo by Fulton Davenport.

B&B Butchers, 1814 Washington: From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 31, dress up in a Day of the Dead or Halloween costume and head on over to B&B’s Day of the Dead Brunch. The restaurant’s regular, extensive brunch menu is available, along with some Mexico City-themed sips and bites. DJ G-Funk is spinning tunes and there’s also face painting, Código 1530 Tequila cocktails and a mariachi band. Space is limited, so reservations are highly encouraged. Call (713) 862-1814 or reserve on Open Table.

Sticky’s Chicken, 2311 Edwards: Guests who show up in costume on Halloween and get 10 percent off their orders. Bonus: anyone who comes in wearing a chicken costume gets a free order of wings. Updated Oct. 25, 2020 12:32 p.m.

The Woodlands

Fielding’s Local, 26400 Kuykendahl:  This spot in Creekside Village Park Center is holding its annual Halloween bash with music from Duane Dulane and a costume contest judged by owner Cary Attar on October 31. However, the party menu is available for an extended period: from October 29 through November 4. It includes goodies such as Spicy Bat Wings with bleu cheese sauce and Day of the Dead Lobster Enchiladas served with red mole and dirty rice.

Despite it being called a “bash” a representative for the restaurant says that social distancing guidelines are still being followed. Tables of different groups will be separated, booth have partitions and (sadly), dancing isn’t happening this year.

Fielding’s Wood Grill, 1699 Research Forest: The original Fielding’s restaurant is also offering frightfully fun Halloween specials from October 29 to November 4, including Dracula Delight Salad, made with arugula, beet root, apples and red onions, topped with blood orange vinaigrette and toasted pumpkin seeds, and the Death by Pumpkin Spice Cake, with pecans, chocolate icing and Oreo “dirt.”

Photo of a plate of Buffalo chicken meatballs accompanied by celery and carrots and dip
Morton’s Grill has a special Halloween pre-fixe menu. Among the offers are appetizers such as the Buffalo chicken meatballs. Courtesy photo.

Morton’s Grille, 25 Waterway: The signature restaurant in the The Woodlands Waterway Marriott offers a “Spooktacular” three-course, pre-fixe menu from October 30 through November 1. Select a starter, entrée and dessert for $39, with selections such as Buffalo Chicken Meatballs, chicken piccata, the favorite 10-ounce Bistro Filet and key lime pie. Add on a bottle of Veuve-Clicquot Yellow Label for $59 or Stokes Ghost Petite Sirah for $49.

Multiple Locations

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: On October 31, any kids under 12 who show up in costume eat for free. Adults who want a little Halloween treat will like that the restaurant is offering $5 off a Family Pack order of $25 or more, also available on Oct. 31. The offer is good for curbside pickup or carryout at all Dickey’s locations.

Jax Grill: On Halloween day, Oct. 31, purchase any entree and get one of equal or lesser value for free. The offer is good at all Jax Grill locations on dine-in orders only. Updated Oct. 25, 2020 12:27 p.m.

Michael’s Cookie Jar: Anyone who needs some treats to feed a crowd should consider the Halloween Fancy Pack, which includes 16, bite-sized, holiday-themed cookies arranged in sets of four each: gingerbread pumpkins, sugar cookie pumpkins, iced ghost cookies and “candy corn” shortbread. It’s available for $15.95, and can be ordered online or for pickup at any of the sweet shop’s location. Need it delivered? No problem. Just let the store know.

Photo of the black and orange margarita on a Tacos a Go Go placemat
Halloween offerings at Tacos A Go Go include the Black and Orange Margarita. Photo by Mallory Buford.

Tacos A Go Go: On October 31 from open to close, the restaurant serves Black and Orange Margaritas, made with activated charcoal. Guests who come in costume receive a free order of chips and queso, and there’s Halloween candy for the kids. Updated Oct. 25, 2020 12:35 p.m.

The Union Kitchen: On October 31, order any entrée and get one of equal or lesser value for free. The offer is good at all of the restaurant’s locations on dine-in orders only. Updated Oct. 25, 2020 12:37 p.m.

 

Disclosure: We are grateful for Michael’s Cookie Jar’s financial sponsorship of our weekly Top Stories newsletter. Want to also support our work and get recognition for doing so? Email us and request a copy of our Sponsor Guide.  

Comments (0)

Share Your Thoughts on This Article