Is it preferable to have a drink before heading to a haunted house, or is it better to wait until afterwards?
If you start your evening with a corpse reviver, you might find yourself gliding through the eerie corridors alongside 24 spooky entities that you’ll mistakenly think are Casper the Friendly Ghost.
On the other hand, if you indulge in some cosmos after your adventure, you may conveniently forget about the $49 ticket price and the way you hollered as if you were rebounding at Sky Zone when a bloodied ham bone plummeted from the ceiling in the “butcher’s room.”
No matter which option you prefer, one thing is certain: alcohol and zombies are a match made in heaven, much like peanut butter and chocolate. So, as Halloween approaches, I’m here to simplify your choices.
Here are five spots to enjoy eerie cocktails near haunted attractions in North Jersey.
Just a couple of miles apart, the Brighton Asylum in Passaic and Barrow House in Clifton offer a perfect way to celebrate Halloween at multiple venues. The Brighton Asylum is themed around a defunct psychiatric hospital from the 1950s and claims to be “the scariest haunted house in the state,” while Barrow House is part of a hospitality group renowned for its beautifully decorated restaurants during the holiday season. Experience both locations in one night and feel as if you’ve stepped into a world that blends Hocus Pocus with The Shining.
This autumn, The Barrow House is presenting a cocktail menu infused with seasonal flavors that you won’t want to overlook. Schedule your spooky outing between October 24-27 to enjoy a special Halloween-inspired drink selection.
Location: Brighton Asylum is situated at 2 Brighton Ave., Passaic. The Barrow House can be found at 1296 Van Houten Ave., Clifton. To learn more about the haunted house, visit brightonasylum.com. For additional details about the restaurant, go to thebarrowhouse.com.
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Get ready for “two floors of fear” at 13th Hour, a vast scare factory located in Morris County. With three distinct haunted house experiences (including an exciting new “darkside” attraction where visitors must navigate through complete darkness filled with live actors and animatronics), this eerie warehouse attracts plenty of thrill-seekers every October.
However, I can’t promise that everyone will make it out unscathed.
If you do manage to escape, I suggest making your way to Noches de Colombia in Randolph, where you can celebrate your survival with a seasonal cocktail.
Join the celebration on October 25 at the restaurant’s famous Halloween party, where delightful themed cocktails will keep the spooky spirit alive throughout the night.
Location: 13th Hour Haunted House can be found at 105 W Dewey Ave. (Suite 5), Wharton. Noches de Colombia is situated at 140 Route 10, Randolph. For additional details about the haunted house, check out 13thhour.com. To learn more about the restaurant, visit nochesdecolombiarandolph.com.
Pure Terror Scream Park may be just 25 minutes beyond the New York border, but as the Guinness World Record holder for the “longest haunted attraction in the world,” this Monroe-based Halloween hotspot is a journey worth making. Boasting 13 haunted houses all in one location, this celebrated zombie park is a top choice for thrill-seekers eager for a thrilling scare.
However, keep in mind that visiting the park involves quite a bit of walking (with multiple attractions to explore, it adds up), so you might want to plan for more than just a drink on your way back.
Fortunately, just a short distance from the Jersey border is Sam’s Bar and Grill, a vibrant spot that serves delightful fall beverages alongside hearty comfort dishes. Celebrate Oktoberfest with their beer-infused mac and cheese, or warm up with a delicious serving of loaded tater tots.
Location: Pure Terror is situated at 1010 Route 17 M in Monroe, NY. Meanwhile, Sam’s Bar and Grill can be found at 15 Greenwood Lake Tpke., Ringwood. For additional information on the haunted house, check pureterror.com. For details about the restaurant, visit instagram.com/sams_barandgrill_.
River of Beer in Bloomingdale has become a staple craft beer bar over its eight years of operation, embodying the essence of fall with its inviting wooden decor. IPAs flow freely from the taps, creating a festive atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional celebration. While giant pretzels may not grace the menu, patrons can enjoy maple-glazed burgers and spaghetti squash. In past years, guests had the opportunity to buy DIY s’mores kits to roast by the outdoor fire pit.
With such a charming ambiance, it’s no surprise that Halloween becomes a significant celebration at the bar, and according to the staff, it truly is. Each October, visitors can savor special cocktails and partake in a costume party held in the rustic dining area.
When you order the gin-based Bloody Corpse, which features Lillet Blanc, dry Curaçao, lemon, and a dash of absinthe, you’re in for a drink that embodies the eerie vibe of Darlington Park’s haunted Pantophobia trail.
Location: Pantophobia is situated at 600 Darlington Ave., Mahwah, while River of Beer can be found at 133 Main St., Bloomingdale. To learn more about the haunted attraction, check out app.hauntpay.com/events/pantophobia-2024. For details on the restaurant, visit riverofbeer.com.
If you’re looking to combine a fright with a sip, Tierney’s Tavern is the perfect spot.
Because in this locale, where some individuals might not have made it out, the presence of ghosts is a constant companion in the corridors.
Location: 138 Valley Road, Montclair. For additional information about the bar, visit tierneystavern.com.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. When she’s not exploring the best dining spots in Jersey, you can find her racing through mountain trails. Follow her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and see her work in the North Jersey Eats newsletter.
This article first appeared on NorthJersey.com: Halloween cocktails and restaurants near haunted houses in NJ
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