The best Halloween bars in NYC

This is one of the oldest bars in New York, and it has the antique furnishings, creaky floorboards and aged wood to prove it. But there are spookier aspects of this downtown watering hole than just cobwebs and dust. Fraunces, a national historic landmark, is frequently included on lists of the most haunted buildings in New York. 

What might at once appear to be a standard storefront is, in fact, a eulogy to he who shall not be named (It’s Beetlejuice), plus a couple of other characters who might be familiar from some of cinema’s more lighthearted frights. Inside the boozy nod to all things Tim Burton, a narrow barroom is splashed with iconic black and white stripes, Corpse Bride art, and portraits of the Pumpkin King himself, Mr. Jack Skellington. 

Enter a dodgy-looking doorway on MacDougal Street to reach this rabbit hole. Inside you'll find dark woods and leather, eccentric prints and a bathroom that can only be seen to be believed. The downstairs speakeasy has been known to throw down for Halloween, including their rabbit (duh) themed party. 

Paradise Lost is loosely themed around the epic poem by the same name, and, accordingly, self-billed as a "tropical hellscape" any time of year. Get into the season with Lilith’s Bacchanal blended with buzzbutton, a unique flower that stimulates the tongue and your senses.

From October 16, Loreley Beer Garden gets haunted with Halloween-themed cocktails and pumpkin kegs filled with pumpkin ale from Southern Tier Brewing Company. If beer isn't your sipper of choice, the garden has plenty of mezmerizing cocktails like the Magic Potion Margarita that's served in two potion bottles for a color-changing drink.

One of Bushwick's most magical hangs is the Witching Hour. A neighborhood haunt (literally), the bar brings the spooky vibe all year long with bramble framing the doorway and cocktails that lean into the theme, such as the Practical Magic and The Ritual. 

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This year-round fright fest, Flying Fox Tavern is flush with old-timey movie posters and neon bats that give a red aura. Even off-peak, the full-service restaurant and bar hosts events like Goth prom, spooky screenings and horror-themed drag brunches. 

Stephanie and Diego Castillo's locale in Ridgewood is part bar, part curiousity store. Packed with goodies from Stephanie's travels around the world, drink among taxidermied animal heads, Greek-style statues and chandeliers althroughout. Grab a church pew near the stage for live tunes or go solo at the bar and have a staring match with the copper sculpture of a lion. 

Boldly asserting itself as "the sexiest bar in NYC," Madame X is definitely where vampires would gather. Its awash in dim crimson light cascading over sumptuous red velvet and animal print sofas. The art and the lampshades are suggestive (yeah, you're like, what, suggestive lampshades? but try to picture it . . . yep, that's the one!) and cocktails like the Goodnight Kiss (cherry vodka, pineapple, blackberry syrup) seal the deal. 

This moody Crown Heights bar brings the vibes with dark woods, candelabras and bar that perpetually glows orange. Here, the martini is worshiped, be it dry, dirty or even disco. 

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The inside of this subterranean metal dive glows like the burning flames of hell; but don’t worry, it’s just the eerie illumination of red twinkle lights. Sidle up to a resident skeleton, tip back a PBR, play some Cannibal Corpse on the jukebox, and toast the undead.

Dangling chandeliers, pressed-tin ceilings and a fireplace decorate this Victorian-inspired spot that could masquerade as a haunted house. Cozy up with a date on the red velvet couches or chat with pals over rounds of draft beers and mixed drinks.