Halloween Loop is dead, but these 28 Delaware bars & breweries are having 37 spooky events
If you've been hoping Wilmington's Halloween Loop would rise from the dead like a zombie, you're out of luck.
It's just as lifeless as a Michel Myers victim.
The popular bar crawl, which bussed partygoers from city bar to bar for most of its 40-year run, apparently will not be held this year.
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When asked over email if there would be a Halloween Loop, the organizer at Out & About magazine gave a five-word response: "The City Loop series is ..." They then listed the three remaining events of the series, including an Ugly Sweater Santa Crawl, Mardi Gras Loop and St. Patrick’s Day Loop.
After a man shot a gun on the patio of Kelly's Logan House patio during the Halloween Loop in 2018, the event never came back in the same form. The 40th anniversary Loop in 2019 was transformed into a nostalgia-filled costume ball with old-school bands at The Queen ― not the same magnet for younger revelers.
Five months later COVID-19 struck and the Halloween Loop, once the premier bar event in the city each year, started to become a fading memory.
While the Loop may be dead, the holiday lives on — and bars and breweries across the state have loaded up their schedules with their own events ranging from costume parties, drag shows and movie screenings to trick-or-treats, murder mysteries and burlesque shows.
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We raided their calendars and found 37 eerie events at 28 spots statewide. So get your costume ready, make some plans and don't dare complain that there's nothing to do.
Friday, Oct. 13
The Queen, Two Girls One Ghost Podcast, 8 p.m. Corinne Vien and Sabrina Deana-Roga of the paranormal comedy podcast perform. $23-$33. 500 N. Market St., Wilmington.
Talleyville Frame Shoppe & Gallery, The Coffin Ball Art Show, 6 p.m. The annual Coffin Ball will once again feature coffin-shaped work in a wide variety of creative styles and media. In addition to new works, there also will be a retrospective of coffin art from past years. The show runs through Halloween. Free. 3625 Silverside Road, Talleyville.
Saturday, Oct. 14
Constitution Yards, Halloween Costume Party, 3 p.m. The outdoor beer garden on the Christina River will host an event for the dogs ― literally. Delaware's Humane Animal Partners, formerly the Delaware Humane Association and Delaware SPCA, will be on site with adoptable dogs that will be dressed in costume for the holiday. There will be seasonal drink specials at the 2-hour party. Free. 308 Justison St., Wilmington.
Dogfish Head, Punkin Ale Fest, 11 a.m. The family-friendly event, which runs until 4 p.m., will celebrate the brewery's popular annual pumpkin-themed beer release. There will be live music, beer (duh), a canned cocktail bar and more, including live band karaoke from 2 to 4 p.m. A pair of exclusive Dogfish releases are on tap: a 5% ABV beer collaboration with Burnish Beer Co. called Nashi Raga and a whiskey spirit collaboration with Camden-Wyoming's Fifer's Orchards called Delatucky Julep. There will also be 11 vendors on site, along with eight food trucks: Agape Creamery, Chesapeake & Maine, Cup R Cone Ice Cream, Fiona’s Fish & Chips, Mom Mom’s Cheesecakes, Smash Burgers, Taco Reho and Uncle B’s Kitchen. A punk rock afterparty runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the tasting room. Free. 6 Cannery Village Center, Milton.
Sunday, Oct. 22
Trolley Tap House, Boo & Brew, 3 p.m. This three-hour ticketed event will include a pumpkin to carve or paint and fall seasonal beer tastings. For the kids, the ticket includes a children's meal instead of the brews. There will be face painting, treats and prizes for the best pumpkins. $25. 1616 Delaware Ave., Wilmington.
Thursday, Oct. 19
Makers Alley, Our Night Out Halloween Party, 6 p.m. The Wilmington LGBTQ+ social group Our Night Out will takeover the beer garden for a party with Halloween costumes encouraged. Free. 804 Orange St., Wilmington.
Friday, Oct. 20
Bar XIII, Skalloween: A Burlesque & Comedy Cabaret, 9 p.m. Get your costume ready for a dance hall Halloween cabaret featuring nine burlesque performers set to the soundtrack of "spooky ska," along with stand-up comedy. $20. 1705 Philadelphia Pike, Holly Oak.
Dew Point Brewing Co., Halloween Murder Mystery, 7 p.m. This ticketed, interactive murder mystery event makes all attendees characters for this party by Off Center Events. "This is a fun flowing event, no specific lines or intense skills needed to play along," organizers say. "You choose your Halloween costume for the event and then will be assigned a specific character role at the event. Put thought into your costume props as they may be what you depend on to help solve the mystery or keep you alive!" The $50 ticket includes entry and your first drink. 2878 Creek Rd., Yorklyn.
Thompson Island Brewing Co., Under the Stars Movie Night, 8 p.m. The 1993 PG-rated cult favorite "Hocus Pocus" will be screened outdoors at the brewery with free popcorn and a $50 gift certificate for the best costume. Bring your own beach chair. Free. 30133 Veterans Way, near Rehoboth Beach.
Saturday, Oct. 21
Liquid Alchemy Beverages, Halloween Candy Pairing, 2 p.m. The craft meadery will offer four different Halloween candies to be paired with two house-made meads and two ciders. The Cousins Maine Lobster food truck will be there starting at 4 p.m. and will leave at the end of the event at 8 p.m. Free. 28 Brookside Dr., near Elsmere.
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Twisted Irons Craft Brewing Co., Halloween Party, 7 p.m. A 21-and-older bash with costumes encouraged. Free. 303 Ruthar Dr., Ogletown.
Wednesday, Oct. 25
Sonora Restaurant & Bar, Harry Potter Potions Pairing, 6:30 p.m. In its fifth year, a five-course "Harry Potter"-themed Halloween dinner pairs "tasty wizard food" including "galaxy soup," "magic noodles," and "house elf beef dumpling stew" with "potions" aka cocktails. Tickets are $75 by calling (302) 525-6010 or e-mailing outlandishtruck@gmail.com. 3 Chesmar Plaza, near Newark.
Thursday, Oct. 26
Bar XIII, Magic & Monsters: A High Fantasy Halloween Costume Ball, 9 p.m. This Halloween event is inspired by fantasy role-playing games, featuring performances by Saga the Mighty and Stygian the Stupendous. Come dressed as your favorite "adventurer class and species or terrify as the dark denizen of a dungeon" for a pair of costume contests. $13. 1705 Philadelphia Pike, Holly Oak.
Bellefonte Brewing Co., Bellefonte Pumpkin Carving, 7 p.m. This ticketed event will provide pumpkins and kits for everyone as they carve to the sound of Kris V. and Richie D. performing acoustic sets of cover tunes. Food will be sold by The Stand, a Wilmington-based food truck. The $25 ticket includes event and first beer. 3605 Old Capitol Trail, Prices Corner.
The Gap Pub & Grill, Oldies Halloween Party, 4:30 p.m. DJ Shubie will play "all your monstrous favs" and more during this four-hour bash. Expect dancing, along with food and drink specials. Free. 1804 Newport Gap Pike, Prices Corner.
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Liquid Alchemy Beverages, HallowQueen Drag Bingo & Trivia, 7 p.m. A drag bingo and trivia show is paired with a costume contest with prizes for the best dressed. The Koi on the Go food truck will be on site 5 to 8 p.m. and Philadelphia's 8213 Desserts from 4 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $15 with a two drink minimum. 28 Brookside Dr., near Elsmere.
Friday, Oct. 27
Bellefonte Brewing Co., Bellefonte Brewing Halloween Party, 7 p.m. The brewery's annual Halloween party encourages costumes for a night of music with the Sheehan Brothers with the Blue Hen BBQ food truck on site for snacks and dinner. Free. 3605 Old Capitol Trail, Prices Corner.
Halftime Sports Bar & Music Venue, HallowScream 6, 8 p.m. Five metal rock acts (Lost Continent, STAT, Temple Of Ellora, Eyes Of The Living and Black Sun Marauders) join together for one spooky show. Costumes encouraged with prizes for the top three dressed. $10. 618 Plaza Dr., Glasgow.
The Monday Club, Halloween Happy Hour, 6 p.m. Costumes are encouraged for both the happy hour (6 to 8 p.m.) and the 8 p.m. performance by Best Kept Soul. $10. 4020 New Castle Ave., New Castle.
Schellville, Spooktacular Kid Zone, 5 p.m. The family festival will include trick-or-treating, a pumpkin carving contest, games, hair braiding, balloon-making, face painting, bouncy houses, music, train rides and sledding. Free with reservations needed. 36470 Seaside Outlet Dr., near Rehoboth Beach.
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Screening Room at 1313 and Penn Cinema Riverfront, Movies on Tap: A creature Double-Feature, 7 p.m. The Wilmington movie series benefitting different non-profits is getting ghoulish with "Poltergeist" at Screening Room 1313 on Oct. 27 and then "Rocky Horror Picture Show" at Penn Cinema Riverfront on Oct. 28. "Rocky Horror" will include a live shadow cast option or a regular screening with both held at the same time. Stitch House Brewing beers will be paired with "Poltergeist" and Bellefonte Brewing Co. with "Rocky Horror." Pours begin at 6:30 p.m. each night. All screenings benefit City Theater Company. Tickets, $25-$30, include entry, two drink tickets and popcorn. Screening Room 1313 is located at 1313 N. Market St. and Penn Cinema Riverfront is at 401 S. Madison St., Wilmington.
Volunteer Brewing Co., Boos & Brews Costume Party & Contest, 7 p.m. The fifth annual party, which runs until 10 p.m., will feature live music by Middle8 and food from Middletown's own Out of the Ordinary food truck. Prizes for funniest, best duo/group and best overall costumes. Free. 116 W Main St., Middletown.
Saturday, Oct. 28
Crimson Moon, Halloween Party and It's Just a Bunch of Hocus Pocus Show, 9 p.m. The LGBTQ+ bar's official Halloween party will feature Miss Troy and Cherry St. Cartier's "Hocus Pocus"-themed drag show, along with a costume contest. DJ Shadylady will provide the music. $5. 1909 W. Sixth St., Wilmington.
Docklands Riverfront, Docklands Divas Drag Brunch, 1 p.m. The riverfront restaurant once again welcomes back its queens for a spooky-themed brunch inside at the bar. $15. 110 S. West St., Wilmington.
Gus's Crab Shack, Halloween Party, 7 p.m. The on-the-water restaurant's annual party and costume party will run for three hours with Bucks County-based band Springbrooke on stage. Prizes for the top three individuals ($300-$100) are up for grabs. There are also prizes for couple/groups: best ($300), funniest ($100) and scariest ($100). Free. 29 W. Market St., Port Penn.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW Welcome to our 👻Halloween 2023 guide🎃, one-stop for a perfect Delaware holiday season
Halftime Sports Bar & Music Venue, Halftime Boo's & Booze Halloween Bash, 8 p.m. A double bill of rock tribute act Conspiracy Theory and Harness. Costumes encouraged with prizes for the top three dressed. $10. 618 Plaza Dr., Glasgow.
MadMacs, Halloween Goes Out of this World, 7 p.m. The restaurant and bar known for its macaroni and cheese creations hosts its annual Halloween party with music, drink specials, giveaways and a costume contest with prizes. Free. 801 S. College Ave., Newark.
The Monday Club, Halloween Party, 7 p.m. Costumes are encouraged for the party, which DJ Big Ant will keep hoppin'. $5. 4020 New Castle Ave., New Castle.
Schellville, Wicked Brew Bash, 5 p.m. Unlimited tastes of local and regional craft beers and wine will be offered at this ticketed three-hour event with food trucks and vendors. The roller rink will be closed, but the sledding hill and train rides will be open. Hot Sauce performs from 6 to 8 p.m. $40. 36470 Seaside Outlet Dr., near Rehoboth Beach.
School of Rock Hockessin, A Haunted Costume Party, 5 p.m. Check out some pint-sized rockers as several area house bands play sets of "scary-good songs." Costumes are encouraged and candy will be provided. $5. 138 Lantana Dr., Hockessin.
Sunday, Oct. 29
The Chancery Market Food Hall & Bar, Halloween Family Day, 12 p.m. A family-friendly Halloween party with a face painter and games with costumes encouraged. Free. 1313 N. Market St., Wilmington.
Deer Park Tavern, Halloween Party, 10 p.m. The historic bar's annual Halloween gathering features Chorduroy playing covers. Free. 108 W Main St., Newark.
Trolley Tap House, Live Band Karaoke Halloween Costume Contest, 10 p.m. The popular weekly live band karaoke featuring It's All Good will include a Halloween costume contest with prizes for the best. Free. 1616 Delaware Ave., Wilmington.
Twisted Irons Craft Brewing Co., Trunk or Treat, 1 p.m. A family-friendly all-age party with patrons (and their dogs) encouraged to dress in costume and decorate their cars. Free. 303 Ruthar Dr., Ogletown.
Volunteer Brewing Co., Howl-O-Ween Paw-ty, 12 p.m. A costume party for your doggies with prizes in categories including scariest, cutest, funniest and best couple. The contest ends at 2 p.m. Free. 116 W Main St., Middletown.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
Over the Border Tacos & Cantina, Halloween Costume Party, 7 p.m. When Taco Tuesday collides with Halloween you get both a holiday party and cheap tacos. DJ Megaskills will get the party started with a costume contest and giveaways. Also, $3 tacos and $4.50 quesabirria tacos. 125 N. Market St., Wilmington.
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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware-bars-breweries-restaurants-host-spooky-things-to-do
