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Where to Celebrate Halloween in Detroit

Show off at a karaoke costume party, sip cocktails and watch campy vampire movies, and more

A stock photo of a bunch of carved jack-o-lanterns on a dark night Shutterstock/Teri Virbickis
Brenna Houck is a Cities Manager for the Eater network. She previously edited Eater Detroit and reported for Eater. You can follow her on the internet at @brennahouck.

Halloween always inspires a season of excellent events in Detroit. While kids get the luxury of roaming door to door (or in some cases trunk to trunk) trick or treating, adults get to let loose with candy, cocktails, and food at some impressive parties that put every other holiday to shame. From cocktail lounges with ghostly decor to costume karaoke with pizza and beer, here’s where to celebrate Halloween in metro Detroit.

Scaryoke with Cole Davis at Pizzaplex

Karaoke MC Cole Davis regularly hosts Haireoke at Pizzaplex in Southwest Detroit and is kicking things up a notch from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, October 31 with amateur singing and a costume contest. There’s no cover and $6 deals on beers and shots, plus Pizzaplex’s Neapolitan pizzas served until midnight. More info.

The Keep becomes the Crypt

Downtown Detroit’s underground cocktail bar the Keep is all dressed up for Halloween with nowhere to go, so go visit it. Expect drink specials featuring Don Q Rum and treats for people who come in costume. More info.

Drinks and a campy vampire movie at the Film Lab

Hamtramck microcinema and bar the Film Lab has been unofficially celebrating Halloween since opening earlier this month. The theater will cap off October with a screening of The Hunger, a 1980s vampire movie featuring David Bowie, Susan Sarandon, and Catherine Deneuve. Tickets are $8 for the 7 p.m. showing on October 31 and patrons can purchase drinks and popcorn at the bar. More info.

Gold Cash Gold becomes Ghould Ca$h Ghould

Corktown restaurant Gold Cash Gold is hosting a Halloween “soiree” from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Thursday, October 31 for industry folks and the general public. Costumes are encouraged and the restaurant will be serving themed snacks and Witches Brew. Expect music from DJ Isaac Prieto and Nick Speed. More info.

Ghost Shack at Grey Ghost

There’s still a few seatings left at Grey Ghost for All Hallows Eve. The restaurant is transforming into a chicken and oyster shack for the night with beer and cocktail accompaniments and brown paper tablecloths. More info.

Costume contest at the Brakeman

Downtown beer hall the Brakeman is hosting a costume contest from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursday, October 31 for customers 21 and up. First place winners in the contest receive a $1,000 prize and second place wins a $500 prize. The party will also feature black and white horror movies and live DJs. Tickets range from $15 to $90 on a sliding scale, depending on whether customers want all-you-can drink booze. More info.

Halloween at the Pink Flamingo food truck

The Pink Flamingo may be open year-round at its brick-and-mortar restaurant, but the beloved Corktown food truck is winding down for the season. Drop in from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on its last night of the year for a family-friendly Halloween party with food, games, hayrides, music, and a costume contest. More info.

Old horror film screenings and cover concert at Outer Limits Lounge

Trippy Hamtramck bar and music venue Outer Limits Lounge is planning two nights of Halloween events. On Wednesday, October 30 drop in from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for drinks and classic silent horror films played to a range of music. On Thursday, October 31, pay a $4 cover to listen to cover bands play music from The Go, Grand Funk Railroad, and more. More info.

Boos, Brews, n’ Booze at Checker Bar

Stop by downtown’s Checker Bar from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Halloween for drink specials, karaoke, live DJ sets, and a costume contest with cash prizes. There’s no cover. More info.

Halloween at Eastern Market Brewing Co.

Eastern Market Brewing Co. is hosting two consecutive nights of Halloween celebrations. On at 7 p.m. Thursday, October 31 drop in for a screening of The Shining, plus beer and food from the Hero or Villain food truck. On Friday, November 1, there’s an encore Halloween party with music, food from the Elephant Shack, all night happy hour, and a costume contest from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. More info.

Halloween at Lost River

Expect spooky music and decorations, Halloween-themed tropical cocktails, and food from pop-up Gajiza Dumplins at Lost River on Thursday, October 31. More info.

Spooky music and bowling at Bowlero Lanes & Lounge

Head to Royal Oak for bowling, cocktails, and live music by ghoulish monster rock by The 3-D Invisibles at retro bowling alley Bowlero Lanes & Lounge. Costumes are strongly encouraged and there’s no cover. The show starts at 9 p.m. More info.

Freaks, Frills, and Thrills at Willis Show Bar

Cass Corridor cabaret Willis Show Bar is hosting a Halloween party on Thursday, October 31. Expect two burlesque performances, a food pop-up by Tempura Detroit, and music from the Dapper DJ and CoveLove. The cost is $15 in advance or $20 at the door. No cover after 11:30 p.m. More info.

Costume contest at Urbanrest Brewing Company

Join Ferndale’s Urbanrest Brewing Company for some beers and an encore Halloween party on Friday, November 1. Where a costume and enter into the contest for a chance to win gift cards and swag. The event runs from 7 p.m. to midnight with judging starting at 10 p.m. Matt & Mo’s will be onsite serving food. More info.

All Holiday Coverage [ED]

Willis Show Bar

4156 3rd Avenue, , MI 48201 (313) 788-7469 Visit Website

PizzaPlex

4458 Vernor Highway, , MI 48209 (313) 757-4992 Visit Website

The Brakeman

22 John R Street, , MI 48226 Visit Website

The Film Lab

3105 Holbrook Avenue, , MI 48212 Visit Website

Pink Flamingo

2746 Vermont Street, , MI 48216 (313) 801-4423 Visit Website

Gold Cash Gold

2100 Michigan Avenue, , MI 48216 (313) 242-0770 Visit Website

THE KEEP

140 Cadillac Square, , MI 48226 (313) 223-2626

Lost River

15421 Mack Avenue, , MI 48224 (313) 720-0673 Visit Website

Checker Bar

124 Cadillac Sq, Detroit, MI 48226 (313) 961-9249

Urbanrest Brewing Company

2615 Wolcott Street, , MI 48220 (313) 389-6439 Visit Website

Grey Ghost

47 E Watson Street, , MI 48201 (313) 262-6534 Visit Website

Eastern Market Brewing Co

2515 Riopelle Street, , MI 48207 (313) 513-2200 Visit Website

Outer Limits Lounge

5507 Caniff Street, , MI 48212 (313) 826-0456 Visit Website