Get your Boo-ze on at Downtown Arlington’s Halloween Bar Crawl

Calling all ghouls, goblins and creatures of the night! Halloween is creeping up, and there’s no better excuse to break out your best costume, gather your favorite boos and haunt the bars of Downtown Arlington.  

The annual Halloween Costume Bar Crawl returns Saturday, Oct. 17, bringing themed drink specials, a haunted house adventure and Halloween karaoke to downtown’s favorite hangouts. Whether you’re serving vampire chic, bringing your best ghost impression or throwing together a last-minute costume, there’s a place for you in this spooky squad.  

The crawl runs from 7 to 11 p.m., starting and ending at J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill. Best of all? It’s free to attend! Costumes are encouraged.  

Your Halloween night, stop by spooky stop  

Ready to haunt the town? Join the group for the scheduled crawl or explore downtown at your own pace. Here’s the lineup and frightfully good drink deals; keep in mind that the route and timing are subject to change the night of the event. 

7 p.m. | J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill  

Kick off the crawl with a spooky welcome drink and a chance to meet your fellow Halloween revelers. Fuel your night with these specials:  

• $4 Day of the Dead Jello Syringe shots 

• $4 Trick-or-Treat shots  

• $4 Trick o Treat shots  

• $4 Franken-rita Cocktails 

• $4 Joker Cocktails 

• $4 well drinks 

Save some vocal cords for later. Halloween karaoke awaits when the crawl returns to Gilligan’s at the end of the night!  

8:00 p.m. | Cheba Hut  

Keep the spirits flowing with some seriously good deals:  

• $4 Scream-sicle shot: Vanilla vodka and orange juice 

8:30 p.m. | Fuzzy’s Taco Shop  

No tricks, just tequila! Head to Fuzzy’s Taco Shop for a few treats along the crawl:

• $5 margaritas 

• $4 draft beer 

• $3 Mexican Candy shots 

9 p.m. | Chosen One Tattoo  

Think you can handle a little fright with your festivities? Make your way through the haunted house at Chosen One Tattoo. It’s the perfect chance to test your bravery before heading back out into the night. No costume required to scream. 

9:30 p.m. | Division Brewing  

Take a break from the scares and enjoy a local brew. Crawlers in costume can score $1 off draft beer. Consider it a little reward for committing to the Halloween look.  

10 p.m. | Hooligan’s Pub  

Keep the party going with discounted Halloween-themed drinks. Whether you’re a wicked witch, a movie monster or the life of the party, this stop is ready to keep the spooky vibes going.  

• $8 El Diablo: Milagro Reposado tequila, crème de cassis, ginger beer and fresh lime juice. 

• $7 Purple People Eater: Vodka, blue curaçao, grenadine, cranberry juice, fresh lime juice and lemon-lime soda. 

• $6 Mexican Candy Syringe Shot: Tequila, Watermelon Pucker, Tabasco and fresh lime juice, served in a shot syringe dipped in chili paste and Tajín. 

10:30 p.m. | Back to J. Gilligan’s  

Return to where it all began for one final round of drinks and Halloween karaoke. Grab the mic, belt out your favorite spooky anthem and give your costume one last chance to shine before the night comes to a close at 11 p.m.  

More spooky sips beyond the crawl

Looking for another haunt? Element Cocktail Lounge and Rodeo & Rye are serving up specials outside the scheduled crawl, perfect for making a few stops of your own.

Element Cocktail Lounge 

A little love potion for your Halloween look! Come in costume and enjoy the $9 Love Potion, made with St-Germain, raspberry liqueur, prosecco and edible glitter. 

Rodeo & Rye

Calling all cowboys, cowgirls and creatures of the night! Hit the pool table at Rodeo & Rye and keep the spirits flowing with two $8 cocktails:

• $8 Fallin’ For You: Absolut vodka, pumpkin syrup, Irish cream and espresso.
• $8 The Wranglers: Altos tequila, Borghetti, cardamom syrup, coconut milk and espresso.

The only thing missing is your costume  

The Halloween Costume Bar Crawl is your excuse to get creative with your costume, discover downtown favorites and make some memories with your favorite people.  

Whether you’re here for the drinks, the scares, the karaoke or the chance to show off your Halloween masterpiece, Downtown Arlington is ready to make your Saturday night a scream.  

Halloween Costume Bar Crawl: Event details 

• When: Saturday, Oct. 17, 7–11 p.m. 

• Where: Start and finish at J. Gilligan’s Bar & Grill, 400 E. Abram St., Arlington. 

• Cost: Free to attend; pay for your drinks. 

• What to wear: Your scariest, funniest or most creative costume. 

• Registration: RSVP for the Halloween Costume Bar Crawl here. 

Join the group or explore downtown at your own pace. The route and timing are subject to change the night of the event. 

Bar crawl attendees must be 21 or older. Drink responsibly and arrange a designated driver or rideshare. 

See you downtown, spooky friends. This night is going to be a graveyard smash! 

More Halloween fun downtown 

The crawl is just the beginning! Keep the spooky season going with a night market, Renaissance revelry, Shakespeare under the stars and Halloween parties downtown. 

October 17 | Spooky Night Market 

5:30–10 p.m. | City Hall parking lot 

Start your spooky Saturday with Small Business Mercado’s Spooky Night Market! Explore more than 60 vendors, enjoy a live rock band and axe throwing, and grab a bite from local food vendors. Little ghouls can join in trick-or-treating, coloring and pumpkin painting. Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly market. 

October 31 | Shakespeare LIVE! RenFest 

Noon–6 p.m. | Levitt Pavilion 

Spend Halloween afternoon at Levitt Pavilion for the inaugural Shakespeare LIVE! RenFest. This free, family-friendly festival brings together Renaissance faire festivities, Halloween and Día de los Muertos with an artisan marketplace, strolling musicians, live sword fight demonstrations, food and more. Costumes are encouraged, and yes, there will be turkey legs! 

Stick around for a performance of Macbeth at 7 p.m. Explore the RenFest details. 

October 31 | Haunted Prom at Division Brewing 

7–11:30 p.m. | 506 E. Main St. 

Who says prom only happens in spring? Dress to impress, or distress, at Division Brewing’s Haunted Prom Halloween party. Enjoy live bands, spooky drink specials and a costume contest with a $100 prize. For an extra scare, head next door to The Chosen One Tattoo Studio’s haunted house, where admission is a canned food donation. 

October 31 | Halloween at J. Gilligan’s 

400 E. Abram St. 

Give your costume another chance to shine! J. Gilligan’s is celebrating Halloween with a DJ and a costume contest featuring these prizes: 

• First place: $500 cash 

• Second place: $250 cash 

• Third place: $50 J. Gilligan’s gift card 

Bring your best Halloween look and get ready to haunt the dance floor. 

From the first round to the final curtain call, Downtown Arlington has plenty of treats in store this Halloween season. Pick your plans, perfect your costume and we’ll see you downtown!