Spook factor pops up downtown at Daily Pressed for Halloween

Kerry Clawson, Akron Beacon Journal
Updated ·3 min read
Chris Sedlock, owner of The Daily Pressed, (center rear) takes in the comedy show in the spooky ambience of a Halloween pop-up bar at The Daily Pressed.
Chris Sedlock, owner of The Daily Pressed, (center rear) takes in the comedy show in the spooky ambience of a Halloween pop-up bar at The Daily Pressed.

The Daily Pressed in downtown Akron has been transformed into "Sinister Spirits," a spooktacular Halloween pop-up bar that will run through October.

Owner Chris Sedlock enlisted the help of friend Lea McDonald to design an immersive experience that combines eerie decor, themed cocktails and live entertainment to get everyone into the Halloween spirit. The cafe and bar, located at 323 S. Main St., is now a Halloween wonderland featuring a black and purple color scheme with purple lights.

"It's a classy spooky," Sedlock said of the Halloween decor.

Halloween decorations create a spooky ambience for the Halloween-themed cocktails at The Daily Pressed, which has created a Halloween pop-up bar.
Halloween decorations create a spooky ambience for the Halloween-themed cocktails at The Daily Pressed, which has created a Halloween pop-up bar.
The S'mores Martini, made with Godiva chocolate liqueur, marshmallow vodka, heavy cream, Hershey's chocolate syrup and topped with toasted marshmallows, is one of the Halloween-themed cocktails at The Daily Pressed, which has created a Halloween pop-up bar.
The S'mores Martini, made with Godiva chocolate liqueur, marshmallow vodka, heavy cream, Hershey's chocolate syrup and topped with toasted marshmallows, is one of the Halloween-themed cocktails at The Daily Pressed, which has created a Halloween pop-up bar.

Kicking things off will be the eerie beats and chilling tunes of a Halloween DJ Party Friday, which just happens to be Friday the 13th. The fun will run from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m. for this Halloween costume party.

On Saturday, the live band DT and the Shakes will perform.

The Wednesday Adams cocktail, which features black currant liqueur, vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur and ginger beer, is one of the Halloween-themed cocktails at The Daily Pressed, which has created a Halloween pop-up bar.
The Wednesday Adams cocktail, which features black currant liqueur, vodka, Kahlua coffee liqueur and ginger beer, is one of the Halloween-themed cocktails at The Daily Pressed, which has created a Halloween pop-up bar.

Another Halloween bash with more surprises will run Oct. 28, and the Halloween fun will wrap up Oct. 31 with a spine-tingling Spooky Comedy Show to tickle guests' funny bone.

All events are free and open to the public.

The Halloween drink menu includes the S'mores Martini, a blend of chocolate and marshmallow that's garnished with a toasted marshmallow on a tiny broomstick. Other frightful cocktails are the Vampire Blood blend of gin and vodka; Cinnamon Serial Killer with butterscotch schnapps and cinnamon syrup; the Zombie Spider, a green cocktail featuring Midori and Cointreau; and the Wednesday Addams, which combines black currant liqueur with vodka, coffee-flavored Kahlua and more.

While you're in the mood for spooky, here are some more local Halloween pop-up bars to check out.

Nightmare Before Blitzen's

In Hudson, Hudson's Restaurant claims Nightmare Before Blitzen's as the town's only Halloween pop-up bar, at 80 N. Main St. Fifteen devilish Halloween cocktails created just for October range from the Bloody IV Bag to Candy Corn Old Fashioned.

Special menus are available 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Saturday. Call 330-650-1955 for more information.

Nightmare on the Lake

Upper Deck is hosting Nightmare on the Lake at its PLX Pop Up Bar for the rest of the month at 357 W. Turkeyfoot Lake Road, New Franklin. Check out the spooky decor and special Halloween cocktails, including Witches Brew, White Pumpkin, Zombie Smash and more.

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A special event starting Friday the 13th will include signature cocktails, a pop-up bar menu and costume contests. The band Island Troy will play from 6 to 9 p.m. and a DJ will follow.

Keep checking Upper Deck's social media for information on more Halloween festivities. Upper Deck hours are 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. daily. Call 234-706-5958 for more information.

That Halloween Bar

That Halloween Bar, dubbed Canton's only pop-up themed cocktail bar, is offering some spooktacular Halloween fun through Oct. 31 at 1649 N. Main St., Canton. The bar promises an over-the-top decorated atmosphere and creatively spooky cocktails including Spooky Sangria, Pumpkin Bomb shots and non-alcoholic options hot apple cider and Wizard Beer. Appetizers and a limited food menu also are offered.

Drag Queen Bingo will be Oct. 24. Tickets cost $17.50

Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and 4 p.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday. Call 330-305-9680 for more information.

Arts and restaurant writer Kerry Clawson may be reached at 330-996-3527 or kclawson@thebeaconjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Daily Pressed offers frights, fun at downtown Halloween pop-up