Halloween-themed Bars in Charlotte

These Halloween-themed pop-up bars in Charlotte are sure to get you into the spooky spirit (pun intended).

Billy Sunday Murder Mystery Pop Up

Optimist Hall

Billy Sunday celebrates spooky season by transforming the inside of the bar into a crime scene. This murder mystery pop-up bar invites imbibers to solve a whodunit using clues and in-depth character descriptions. While the murder mystery element is only available on Saturdays, you can still enjoy the crime-themed cocktails and snacks any day of the week.

The Pick Your Poison, a tart and slightly sweet cocktail made with Bacardi, was my personal favorite. Get your phones ready to record the bartender pouring a bottle of “poison” into the glass that changes the cocktail from pale yellow to lavender.

Served in a blood bag, the What’s Your Type? cocktail gets its deep red hue from a combination of Deep Eddy vodka with mixed berry and red wine. For a real show-stopping drink, order the Smoking Gun, presented in a coffin-like box filled with smoke.

Of course, you can’t solve a murder on an empty stomach. This pop-up bar also offers new food items like devious deviled eggs, mysterious meatballs and two options of chilling cheesecake – chocolate chip or strawberry.

Billy Sunday’s Murder Mystery Pop Up runs from Oct. 13-31. Billy-Sunday.com

Haunted by Black Lagoon at BackStage Lounge

South End

You’ll need the password to get into this speakeasy-style bar in South End. Once you say it into the phone, you’ll be able to enter this haunted pop-up bar. Halloween decorations fill the room, with fake spider webs on the ceiling, an Instagram-worthy coffin on one wall and scenes from classic horror films playing on every TV.

Make your way to the bar to order one of the eight Black Lagoon cocktails. I recommend the Death Rattle, a gin-based drink that boasts a Caribbean-spice flavor that’s perfect for fall. In addition to cocktails, BackStage Lounge’s menu also includes spooky shooters, zero-proof drinks and a shareable food.

BackStage Lounge’s Black Lagoon pop-up bar runs from Oct. 4-31. EatSouthBound.com

Morehead Haunted Tavern

Uptown

On select dates in October, Morehead Tavern becomes Morehead Haunted Tavern, a combination pop-up bar and haunted house. In addition to a themed-drink menu, the tavern also features a DJ once the sun goes down.

Inside the bar, themed cocktails get a dose of “bubble bubble toil and trouble” thanks to dry ice. Sip your spooky spirit while you wait to enter the adjacent haunted house. Purchase your $20 ticket in advance, and make sure you sign the waiver, to make your way through the house filled with themed rooms. A ghoulish guide will lead you upstairs. Along the way, you’ll encounter spookers who are ready to give you a fright, a séance room, a bedroom with demonic-looking dolls and more.

While Morehead Tavern gives you some tricks, you can give someone else a treat. The tavern has partnered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Carolina and will be accepting toys, games and crafts for donation.

Morehead Haunted Tavern runs every Thursday – Saturday in October. MoreheadHauntedTavern.com

The Vintage Halloween Pop Up

Dilworth

Even if you aren’t a cigar smoker, you won’t want to miss the Halloween-themed cocktails at The Vintage Whiskey & Cigar Bar. Costumed bartenders mix up thoughtfully curated cocktails, as Michael Myers makes his way around the lounge and outdoor patio outfitted with firepits perfect for these chilly fall evenings. Be sure to check The Vintage’s social media for additional events like a cocktail class and costume party.

The Halloween menu features two drinks, a shooter and four cocktails inspired by the iconic Hogwarts houses from Harry Potter. I started with the Death Becomes Her, a prosecco-based beverage made with tequila and a syringe filled with cherry “blood” to inject into your drink. The Sorting Hat cocktails offer a ton of variety, whether you like whiskey, gin or vodka. The Slytherin was a refreshing sipper made with Bombay Sapphire, melon, citrus and egg white, but the Hufflepuff earned a spot on my list of the best cocktails I’ve ever had. Wild Turkey is combined with passion fruit, mango, citrus and Caribbean spices to make a perfectly balanced drink that combines all of my favorite flavors.

The Vintage Halloween Pop Up runs from Oct. 17-31. Entry is $10 for non members. TheVintageCLT.com