'Hocus Pocus,' 'Nightmare Before Christmas' Halloween pop-up bars return to Long Island
Sip on candy corn martinis, bite into spell book brownies and taste red wine-infused black spaghetti when you secure one of Long Island's hottest Halloween reservations. Immersive pop-up bar experiences channeling the "Hocus Pocus" and "The Nightmare Before Christmas" are back. Here's the rundown on three.
Jack's Nightmare Halloween Pop Up
Alibi Lounge, 230 Main St., Farmingdale
Inspired by the 1993 Tim Burton film, "The Nightmare Before Christmas," Jack’s Nightmare Halloween Pop Up at Alibi Lounge in Farmingdale is focused on the king of Halloween Town, Jack Skellington.
Jack Skellington performs songs from the film and sticks around for photos Credit: Unique Social Events
"This is a classic movie that has been passed down through the generations," says Michael Marra, president of Unique Social Events. "It intertwines Halloween with a sprinkle of Christmas when Jack discovers other holidays beyond Halloween."
A majority of the decor will be Halloween-themed with depictions of movie scenes such as the chalkboard with the equation that Jack uses to figure out what Christmas is and the moonlit hill where he sings his opening song. There will also be touches of holiday lights, Santa hats and Christmas trees.
Jack performs songs from the film as well as Halloween songs and sticks around for photos with guests in front of a festive backdrop.
Because of the lounge style setting, the menu focuses on small plate items like Jack’s Caviar Dip (hummus spread with a chickpea and black bean base served with tortilla chips or pita bread; $18), pulled pork sliders with crispy fried onions ($14) and a charcuterie board featuring prosciutto, fig jam, olives and a sliced baguette ($18).
Take a photo with villain Oogie Boogie at Jack's Nightmare Halloween Pop Up. Credit: Unique Social Events
Themed cocktails include the Candy Corn Martini (whipped cream, vodka, pineapple, grenadine — $15), Jack’s Pumpkin-O-Fashion (bourbon with pumpkin syrup, vanilla syrup and Angostura bitters — $15) and a sharable called Halloween Town Punch for two people (white rum, spiced rum, coconut rum, Amaretto, orange, apple and cranberry juice) in a Jack Skellington head ($45).
Desserts like pumpkin cheesecake ($9), fried Oreos ($12) and the s’mores sundae (vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup, toasted marshmallow and graham crackers; $15) round out the menu.
Attendees must be 18 and older for evening seatings; day seatings are open to all ages. Guests leave with a color-changing souvenir cup.
WHEN 90-minute seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays; Oct. 8-12, 15-19, 22-26, 29-31, Nov. 1-2
COST $25-$30 per person (does not include food or drinks)
Witchcraft Halloween Pop Up
The Edgewood on the Green, 600 Long Island Ave., Brentwood
Based on the 1993 Disney film "Hocus Pocus," Witchcraft Halloween Pop Up brings to life the trio of witches dubbed the "Salem sisters" at The Edgewood on the Green in Brentwood.
Witchcraft Halloween Pop Up comes to The Edgewood on the Green in Brentwood through Nov. 2. Credit: Unique Social Events
"There will be movie replica props on display that can double as a backdrop for guests such as a Hollywood replica of the spell book with the big eyeball, the hanging prisoner cages, a Gothic style book shelf with glass potion bottles and spell ingredients plus a 3-foot green illuminated bubbling cauldron that smokes where guests can conjure up their own spells," Marra says.
The witches will perform songs from the film such as "The Witches are Back" and "I Put a Spell on You" on stage with a backdrop of Old Burial Hill Cemetery behind them. Guests will also get a chance to take selfies with all three characters in the decorative setting.
A dinner menu is offered starting off with appetizers like cranberry barbecue chicken wings topped with hot honey ($17), roasted Brussels sprouts with bacon bits and maple syrup ($16) and risotto balls infused with mozzarella cheese plus Parmesan cream sauce ($16).
The Salem sisters might put a spell on you at the Witchcraft Halloween Pop Up in Brentwood. Credit: Unique Social Events
For entrees, try pumpkin ravioli in a butter sage sauce and walnuts ($28), chicken alla vodka served over rigatoni ($33) or skirt steak with cream spinach and garlic mashed potatoes ($42).
Desserts include apple cider doughnuts ($10), the Spell Book Brownie ($14) and apple pie with vanilla ice cream ($12).
Drinks anyone? Movie-themed cocktails available will be Binx Black Cat (tequila, mescal, lime juice, black agave syrup with a black salt rim; $16), The Book (tequila, lime juice, triple sec, pumpkin puree and apple cider; $16) and The Billy (vodka, coffee liqueur, pumpkin puree, espresso plus cookie crumbles; $17).
This pop-up is open to all ages and everyone gets a 20-ounce plastic stadium cup with a mosaic pattern and colored silhouettes of the witches’ hairstyles to take home.
Event nights
Three "Hocus Pocus"-themed special events are scheduled for the weekend before Halloween at The Edgewood on the Green.
- The first two are called The Black Flame Halloween Bash, which takes place on Oct. 24 and 25 at 9 p.m. There will be a meet and greet with original cast members of the film, Jason Marsden (Binx), Vinessa Shaw (Allison Watts) and Omri Katz (Max Dennison) that includes a professional photo session. The witches will judge a Halloween costume contest with prizes. All guests get two cocktails, passed hors d’oeuvres and a swag bag to take home. Tickets are $207 per person.
- The third event, The Witching Hour, will be held Oct. 26 at 6 p.m. when the film, "Hocus Pocus" gets screened followed by a Q&A with Marsden, Shaw and Katz as well as a professional photo session. Each guest receives one cocktail, one appetizer and a swag bag. Tickets are $170 per person.
Take a photo with the witches in front of a backdrop of Old Burial Hill Cemetery, a scene from the film. Credit: Unique Social Events
Special deluxe versions of the pop-up experience ($50 person) take place on Oct. 24 at 6 p.m., Oct. 25 at 4 and 6 p.m. and Oct. 26 at noon and 2 p.m. These nights include a meet and greet with the original "Hocus Pocus" cast members.
Finally, tickets ($25 or five for $100) are being sold for an online raffle to win a two-night stay in Salem, Massachusetts Oct. 24-26. The winner will be drawn digitally on Oct. 13 at 8 p.m. and shared at witchcraftpopup.com where tickets can be purchased.
WHEN 90-minute seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. on Fridays (no 8 p.m. seating on Oct. 24 because of The Black Flame Halloween Bash event); noon, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays (no 8 p.m. seating on Oct. 25 because of The Black Flame Halloween Bash event); noon, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. on Sundays (no 6 p.m. seating on Oct. 26 because of The Witching Hour event); Oct. 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 and 31, Nov. 1-2
INFO witchcraftpopup.com
COST $28-$50, $170-$207 for special events
The Salem Sisters Halloween Pop Up
That Meetball Place, 54 W. Main St., Patchogue
A second "Hocus Pocus"-themed Halloween pop up dubbed The Salem Sisters comes to That Meetball Place in Patchogue. This is an annex from the original pop-up in Brentwood focusing on the witches Sarah, Mary and Winifred.
"The three witches will interact with the guests as well as perform throughout the space and on stage encompassing a variety of songs, skits and lines from the movie," Marra says. "The witches will even recite some spells with them."
The Salem Sisters Halloween Pop Up comes to That Meetball Place in Patchogue through Nov. 2. Credit: Unique Social Events
Enjoy some appetizers like the Salem Soft Pretzel (beer brushed then dusted with black salt served with a bubbling cheese cauldron; $15) or the Witch Figgin Flatbread (topped with mozzarella cheese, crispy, prosciutto and arugula with balsamic glaze; $16).
Entrees are served such as Winifred’s Black Spaghetti (red wine infused pasta with garlic shrimp, roasted tomatoes and Parmesan cheese; $27), Rest in Peace Short Rib (braised short rib over garlic mashed potatoes in a red wine reduction with crispy onions; $28) or the Hot Cauldron Chicken Sandwich (crispy chicken, hot chili oil sauce with Sriracha and pickles; $18).
Don’t forget dessert ($13) with choices like pumpkin cheesecake, blackberry crème brûlée or an apple cider doughnut with gelato.
Cocktails ($17) available are Black Magic Mojito (rum, mint and agave), Corpse Reviver (Hendricks gin, Cointreau, Lilet Blanc with a citrus twist) and Curse of the Cat (aged bourbon, bitters and an Amarena cherry).
Much like in Brentwood, this pop up is open to all ages and signature souvenir cups are distributed to everyone.
WHEN 90-minute seatings at 6 and 8 p.m. on Fridays, 2, 4, 6 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays, 2, 4 and 6 p.m. on Sundays; Oct. 10-12, 17-19, 24-26 and 31, Nov. 1-2
COST $25-$30
David J. Criblez is a reporter for Newsday's exploreLI, covering entertainment-related events from local music to stand-up comedy to festivals.
