Halloween is just around the corner, and it’s one of my favorite holidays. Here in San Francisco we get the added bonus of Día de los Muertos too. There is a bunch of fun, scary, and delicious stuff to do this year.
On Sunday October 28th, over in Oakland, the fine folks at Jupiter Olympus will be throwing their second-annual creepy cocktail shindig, Cocktails from the Crypt, from 9pm-1:30am at Ye Olde Hut. There’s a costume contest, of course, so come in your Halloween finest. Cocktails will be mixed from sponsored liquors like Don Julio Tequila and Ketel One Vodka, and are $10. Admission is free, and punch is included. To RSVP, visit their Facebook page. 5515 College Ave. at Lawton, Oakland, 510-653-2565.
Here in the City, you can head to Bernal Heights’ ROCK BAR on Wednesday October 31st for special drinks like Ghouly Punch. They’ll also be screening a bunch of classic horror films and playing creepy, Halloween-themed music. Rock Bar will be keeping it spooky from 4pm-2am. 80 29th St. at Tiffany, 415-550-6664.
If you’ve got kids to amuse, try weaning them off the Snickers this year with a Hayes Valley Gourmet Halloween Sweets Tour on Sunday October 28th. You and the little ones can sample macarons and artisanal chocolates, instead of waxy, individually wrapped candies. The walk includes eight different samples, so bring a trick-or-treat bag! Costumes encouraged, of course. The walks begin at 11am or 2pm, and tickets are $38 per person.
If your Halloween taste runs a bit more vintage and refined, ~HEIRLOOM CAFÉ~ has you covered with their third-annual Vintage Ball, a five-course dinner with wine pairings on Wednesday October 31st. They’ll be keeping it ghostly with a Titanic theme, as 2012 is the hundredth anniversary of the legendarily doomed ship. There will be live Dixieland music, and dress from the era is admired but not required. The special menu will be available in addition to their regular menu, and reservations can be made for anytime they are open, from 5:45pm-10pm. You can check out the special five-course menu here.
On Thursday November 1st, head over to the Mission’s TACOLICIOUS for their Supper of the Souls dinner. The dinner features three courses of family-style Mexican dishes, and while you’re there you can check out a Día de los Muertos altar and art from local artists. The dinner costs $75, which includes one cocktail and three courses. Additional beverages, tax, and tip are separate, and $25 from each ticket will benefit the Mission Cultural Center and Mexican Museum. Reservations are available from 6pm-9:30pm, and can be made by calling the restaurant. 741 Valencia St. at 19th St, 415-626-1344.
If you’d rather cross a bridge, head up to Sausalito on Thursday November 1st for a special menu at COPITA. The restaurant will be decked out with an altar, marigolds, and chalk drawings outside. A special menu will be available all day long, so check it out. They’re open 11:30am-10pm, and reservations can be made by calling the restaurant. 739 Bridgeway at Spinnaker, Sausalito, 415-331-7400.
To prepare for your own Día de los Muertos feast, take a class from Luis Vazquez of Chaac-Mool on the sweet bread served during the traditional Mexican festival. On October 24th (that’s tomorrow—act fast!), he’ll be teaching a class on pan de muerto from 6:30pm-9pm at ~LA COCINA~. Tickets are $65, and include dinner and drinks too!
If your interest in the season skews more toward a harvest celebration, check out the Harvest Festival at the ~FERRY BUILDING~ on October 27th and 28th. On Saturday, during the market, there will be a bunch of cool, old-fashioned events and demos, like apple pressing, butter churning, and wool spinning. You can get a start on your fall harvest shopping while you’re at the market too. Then, on Sunday, take the kids (or just your own inner child) and check out live music, face painting, pumpkin decorating, and even a petting zoo. More details can be found here.
Photo from ExtremePumpkins.com.
Event Info
Wednesday Oct 24, 2012 – Thursday Nov 1, 2012
