This fall, the award-winning Halloween pop-up transforms 34 celebrated bars across the US and Canada into immersive sanctuaries of artisanal cocktails, eerie decor, and spirited seasonal enchantment.
THE DARKNESS RETURNS
The creepy-as-hell cocktail experience, Black Lagoon, created by industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, returns this fall to transform 34 acclaimed bars across North America into eerie Halloween destinations. Beginning in select cities in late September and rolling out throughout the season, each multi-week activation invites participating venues to trade their everyday identities to become captivating Halloween wonderlands—blending immersive decor, cinematic lighting, chilling soundscapes, collectible glassware, and an all-new cocktail menu.
What began as a one-time pop-up has evolved into one of the most anticipated Spooky Season bar traditions, pairing next-level mixology with cinematic storytelling to create a haunted house meets cocktail bar experience unlike any other. “Every year, we look for new ways to expand the world of Black Lagoon and create a spooky attraction that goes beyond a traditional Halloween pop-up,” says Co-Founders Hayes and Ramage. “Black Lagoon has always been a place where Halloween fans, cocktail enthusiasts and everyone in between can come together, and we’re excited to continue building that world through new venues, new creations and unexpected surprises this season.”
HAUNTING A CITY NEAR YOU
This year’s lineup comes to life inside North America’s most respected cocktail destinations, including bars recognized by the James Beard Awards, Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Award winners, StarChefs
The full list of venues for this year’s Black Lagoon pop-ups include:
- Ann Arbor, Michigan: Hunã
- Atlanta, Georgia: Barrel Proof
- Austin, Texas: King Bee
- Bentonville, Arkansas: Butterscotch Bakery & Bar
- Brooklyn, New York: Someday Bar
- Charlotte, North Carolina: Deepcuts HiFi
- Chicago, Illinois: Albion Manor
- Columbus, Ohio: The Citizens Trust
- Denver, Colorado: Lady Jane
- Detroit, Michigan: The Skip
- Fort Mitchell, Kentucky: Braxton Barrel House
- Fort Wayne, Indiana: Night Train
- Fort Worth, Texas: Nickel City FTW
- Galveston, Texas: Daiquiri Time Out
- Gilbert, Arizona: Undertow
- Houston, Texas: Nickel City HTX
- Indianapolis, Indiana: Almost Famous
- Las Vegas, Nevada: Jammyland
- Long Beach, California: Midnight Oil
- Los Angeles, California: Melrose Umbrella Co.
- Miami, Florida: The Sylvester
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Lost Whale
- Minneapolis, Minnesota: Meteor
- Nashville, Tennessee: Barrel Proof
- New Orleans, Louisiana: Anna’s
- Omaha, Nebraska: Nite Owl
- Phoenix, Arizona: Undertow
- Sacramento, California: The Snug
- San Antonio, Texas: Three Star Bar
- San Francisco, California: The Sea Star
- Seattle, Washington: Rob Roy
- St. Louis, Missouri: Platypus
- Toronto, Ontario: The Drake Hotel
- Winston-Salem, North Carolina: Kimpton Cardinal Hotel
POTIONS OF THE DAMNED
At the center of every Black Lagoon season is a world-class cocktail menu created exclusively for the annual event, pairing theatrical presentations with balanced, ingredient-driven recipes inspired by the spirit of the season. While the full 2026 menu remains buried beneath the Black Lagoon, a few select potions have been unearthed to reveal what’s to come, including:
- Abyssa’s Obsession featuring Pumpkin Infused Kraken Black & Gold Spiced Rums, Lustau Oloroso Sherry, coconut, pineapple, lime, and Bitter Queens Tobacco Bitters for a spooky season take on the classic piña colada.
- Bone Temple featuring Teremana Blanco Tequila, Lustau Amontillado Sherry, tart cherry, spiced oat orgeat, lime, vanilla honey, absinthe, and Bitter Queens Tobacco Bitters, the team’s fall-inspired margarita
- Moon Shadow spotlighting nutmeg-infused vodka, Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur, Giffard Banane du Brésil, Lustau Fino Sherry, and cold brew coffee for an eerie take on an espresso martini.
Guests can also take a piece of the Black Lagoon universe home with its collection of limited-edition glassware available for purchase at pop-up locations and online. Highlights include custom-designed glassware by artist Kisira Hill and the brand-new Abyssa the Octo-Witch Mug created in collaboration with Tiki Farm.
These spine-chilling experiences are brought to life with the support of a premier roster of beverage partners, each helping to elevate the series’ craft cocktail lineup. Black Lagoon is proud to partner with industry-leading brands including Kraken Rum and Teremana Tequila, complemented by premium modifiers from Lustau Sherry, Giffard, and Mr. Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur. Finishing each potion with artisanal flair, the cocktail menu features custom craft bitters from Bitter Queens.
SPOOKY SAVANTS
Created by beverage veterans and horror aficionados Hayes and Ramage, Black Lagoon began as a one-night post-pandemic pop-up in Toronto before growing into one of North America’s most anticipated annual cocktail events. Along the way, the duo has redefined ‘spooky season’ as a year-round celebration rather than being bound to Halloween, expanding beyond October with cult-favorite seasonal spin-offs like Krampus’ Cove and Bad Witch Events.
Additional details about Black Lagoon’s 2026 pop-ups, including official activation dates. potential new venue additions, the full cocktail menu, and more will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.blacklagoonpopup.com or follow @blacklagoonpopup.
