HauntedBar at HandleBar

HandleBar is back in its Halloween skin this month, transforming into HauntedBar from October 9 through October 31. If you've been to the bicycle-themed spot in The Grove, you know it's usually a neighborhood hangout; for these few weeks, it turns into a full-blown pop-up. The whole thing comes from the staff's love for the holiday and the creative direction of general manager Erin Wiles, who’s been steering the ship on this one.

The decor is a deep dive into cult horror and supernatural cinema. You'll find nods to Killer Klowns from Outer Space, The Shining, Beetlejuice, and A Nightmare on Elm Street woven into the room, and the drinks menu follows suit with themed specials. It's the kind of place where you can spend an hour just spotting the references while you drink.

There's more to it than just the look, too. On weekend nights, the bar hosts burlesque performances by Sofie de Sade, so if you're looking for something to do on a Friday or Saturday, that's your anchor. The whole month builds toward Halloween night, when the takeover wraps up with a party.

If you want to catch the burlesque, stick to the weekends; if you're just in for the drinks and the decor, you've got until the 31st. HandleBar is at 4127 Manchester Ave in The Grove, and HauntedBar runs from October 9 through October 31.