Cocktails in a ‘blood’ bag and other Halloween events at 20+ Pierce County spots

Tacoma-area bars, bookstores and even whole neighborhoods are celebrating spooky season all month long.

A couple of spots have transformed into haunted havens with drink specials, themed evenings and more. Others will host special trivia nights, pumpkin carvings and costume contests. While many options are 21-and-up, several offer family-friendly activities.

You also can catch a special screening of cult-favorite films including “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” “Scream” and “Halloween.”

Here’s a look at events around Tacoma, Puyallup and Gig Harbor to celebrate Halloween, leading up to and on Oct. 31, which conveniently falls on a Friday this year.

Busy Body!

• 2717 6th Ave., Tacoma, busybodytacoma.com
• A Haunting on 6th Ave.: Oct. 14-Nov. 1
• Halloween Trivia: Oct. 23, 8 p.m.
• Shake Rattle & Rot: Oct. 17, 7 p.m. - DJ Phaedra
• Monster Ball: Oct. 31, live DJs and costume contest

Tacoma’s rock ’n’ roll bar decorates to the max for a Christmas-themed takeover, and the Halloween event goes equally all-in — the bar closed for two days to set ‘er up! Specialty cocktails include the Espresso Martini Week feature, the Basic Witch with pumpkin-spice vodka, Irish cream liqueur, Borghetti and the Wickerman with malt whiskey, rosemary, tobacco bitters and smoke. You can even drink a bright-red, berry-lime-rum number straight out of a “blood” bag, or skip the alcohol with the Blood Bath (lime, coconut, grenadine and soda). The kitchen will continue to serve its flagship burger, chop cheese and snacks of popcorn chicken, elote dip and lumpia. Even the house dessert fits the theme: nice and green matcha cheesecake with strawberry, sesame and toffee.

The Coaster

• 120 S. Meridian, Puyallup, 253-697-9963, sipthecoaster.com
• Carnevil: Oct. 2-31
• Witches Night Out: Oct. 23, 5-8 p.m.

The Coaster in downtown Puyallup always has some pretty cute themed cocktails with playful accoutrements. All month long, try a few spooky specials, including NA options, such as the Poison (Apple) For Two (two shots of vodka shaken with fresh apple cider and caramel); the Black Cat (a smoky mix of mezcal, mango, citrus, black salt and charcoal); and the Killer Coaster (white rum with melon, kiwi, lime and Pop Rocks. On Oct. 23, grab a ticket ($32 via Eventbrite, limited availability) for Witches Night — entry starts you off with one drink (cocktail, mocktail or soda) and a dish from the Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles truck, which will be parked outside. Partake in karaoke, get a flash tattoo from Pesky Birds or just hang out — costumes encouraged. Tickets available via Eventbrite.

Incline Cider House

• 2115 S. C St., Tacoma, 253-327-1923, inclinecider.com
• Candy & Cider Pairing: Oct. 16-19
• Bingo & Makers Market: Oct. 25, 1-5 p.m.
• Scary Movie Night: Oct. 27
• Halloween Trivia: Oct. 30, 7 p.m.

The cider house at Brewery Blocks has a full lineup of fall-centric and spook-tastic events in October, starting with a cider and candy pairing available for four nights. Try a poison-apple cider slushie, too. Then swing by for bingo and a market Oct. 25, scary film screenings with free popcorn on Oct. 27 and finally trivia on Oct. 30.

Tacoma Halloween Parade

• Proctor District, N Proctor St. from 26th to 28th
• Halloween Parade & Street Fair: Oct. 18, 4-9 p.m.

The Tacoma Halloween Parade returns for its second season, this time in the Proctor District. The street fair, made possible in part through support from Blue Mouse Theatre, starts at 4 p.m. with local vendors, food, drinks and a stage with live music. Neighborhood shops, bars and restaurants will be open, too. The parade tees off at 7:30 p.m. down Proctor Street. Costumes are encouraged at this free, family-friendly event. Check instagram.com/tacoma_halloween_parade for updates.

Haunted Farmers Market

• Outside The Church Cantina, South Tacoma Way and South 54th Street, hauntedfarmersmarket.com
• Upcoming Dates: Oct. 19 and 26, Nov. 2

Crowds descend monthly to this corner of South Tacoma Way, and for spooky season, Tacoma’s own haunted market runs every Sunday through Day of the Dead. You’ll find coffee, snacks, food trucks and treats with crafts, trinkets and more that in some way or another are “strange or unusual.” Free and family-friendly.

The Camp Bar

• 1310 Tacoma Ave. S, Tacoma, 253-267-5075, thecampbar.com
• Spooky Sip & Carve: Oct. 22, 7 p.m.
• Karaoke & Costume Contest: Oct. 31, 9 p.m.

The Camp Bar hosts regular karaoke, but on Halloween night, costumes are encouraged and cash prizes will be on-deck, as well as themed drink specials. Before then, on Oct. 22, pick out a pumpkin to paint or carve and check out the cookie-decorating table — tickets are $20 and costumes are encouraged, with prizes available.

The Beer Vault & Wine Bar

• 14004 Purdy Dr. NW, Gig Harbor, 253-514-8426, thebeervault.net
• Witches Night Out: Oct 22, 5-8p

This beer bar on the eastern side of the Purdy Bridge will have drink specials and special snacks on Oct. 22, as well as a local makers market. Instead of just costumes of any kind, “witch attire” is encouraged.

Grit City Books

• 3116 6th Ave., Tacoma, gritcitybooks.com
• The Witching Hour: Oct. 23, 6-8 p.m.

Swing by this Central Tacoma bookstore (same block as Balcon Express and Trapper’s Sushi) on Oct. 23 for a family-friendly event — $10 ticket, available online. Expect tarot readings, a “spooky” photo booth, a hair tinsel pro, and local vendors with unique wares. With help from Cute Story Events, the shop will also offer free mocktails and a costume contest.

Central Co-op

• 4502 . Pearl St., Tacoma, 253-888-4288, centralcoop.coop
• Boo-nanza: Oct. 24, 4-7 p.m.

Looking for a low-key outing with the kids? Swing by this local market on Pearl Street in Tacoma for a casual family-friendly event, including special treats, pumpkin painting and a costume contest.

Bob’s Java Jive

• 2102 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-475-9843, bobsjavajive.com
• “Early” Karaoke: Oct. 24 and Oct. 31, 7 p.m.-1:40 a.m.
• 6 Nights of Halloween: Oct. 26-Nov. 1

This iconic dive is a karaoke mainstay, but the songs will start a little early on Friday, Oct. 24 and Halloween night in Tacoma. Costumes are encouraged. The theme will run all week, starting on Monday with horror movie trivia, Tuesday with open mic, Wednesday with bar-game Olympics, and Thursday with a Halloween drawing competition. After karaoke on Friday, the “recovery party” on Saturday will offer special cocktails, syringe shots and another costume contest.

Grit City Made

• 2209 N 30th St., Tacoma, gritcitymade.com
• Ghouls Night Out: Oct. 24, 5-8 p.m.

Full of local art, Grit City Made welcomes all ages to the shop for a few hours of craftmaking, custom jewelry from the “charm bar,” tarot readings and discounts on select retail items. Sip complimentary hot cider and cocoa, too. Free and family-friendly.

Wilkeson & Simple Goodness Soda Shop

• 533 Church St., Wilkeson, simplegoodnesssodashop.com
• Bonfire Night: Oct. 18, 5-7 p.m.
• Wilkeson Spookeasy: Oct. 25, 6-10 p.m.
• Car Cruise & Pumpkin Painting: Oct. 26, 10 a.m.

Simple Goodness Soda Shop, a family-friendly bar and a great excuse to visit Wilkeson, hosts frequent events. On Saturday, Oct. 18, grab a cocktail or a soda and make a free s’more around the bonfire (all ages). The following Saturday, Church Street will morph into a prohibition-era speakeasy with stops throughout the town — 1920s-era garb encouraged (21+, $12 tickets online, plus cash/card bar). All proceeds will support Wilkeson’s Way Forward, a grassroots advocacy group formed this year in reaction to the state’s closure of the Fairfax Bridge. The town will awake again on Saturday, Oct. 26 for a car cruise, a last-Sunday-of-the-month tradition that started this summer. While sipping on a house soda, cocktail or sandwich, the kids can color pumpkins at the Soda Shop — reserve a gourd for free online ($3 each at pickup). Tickets for the Spookeasy also available via Eventbrite and simplegoodnesssodashop.com/events.

Off Camber Brewing

• 6506 114th Ave. Ct. E, Puyallup, 253-312-8796, offcamberbrewing.com
• Halloween Party: Oct. 25, 4-8 p.m.

This iykyk brewery in Puyallup (neighbors to Cockrell Cider) will offer free pumpkin carvings on Oct. 25 for kids — with adult supervision, of course, as well as a costume contest for both the little ones and their elders. Kitty Smash Burgers will be parked outside, and the taps will be flowing. Seating is mostly covered but outside with heaters. Free, all ages.

Fermentation Initiative

• 2626 South Tacoma Way, Tacoma, 253-302-4935, fermentationinitiative.com
• Pokémon Potluck: Oct. 25, 5-7 p.m.

Swing by this brewing supply store that’s also a brewery Oct. 25 if you love Pokémon! Bring the whole family, whether you’re dressed as your favorite character or not, and a dish to share. The shop/brewery is also open standard hours, 12-8 p.m.

Tacoma Boozaar

• Amer Trott State Farm (office), 3025 S Union Ave., Tacoma, everwildevents.com/tacoma-boozaar
• Community Halloween: Oct. 25, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Head to this all-day event for a marketplace with more than 30 vendors, from art and jewelry (including “permanent jewelry) to plushies, crochet goods and taxidermy. Look for free face painting and pumpkin painting, plus palm readings and flash tattoos. Food and drink vendors include Bean Hut Espresso, Dawg Eat Dogs, Delicieux Crepes, Leilani’s Bakery, Plaza de Jalisco, Sweetest Things and OMG Gyros. Free entry and family-friendly; RSVP requested via Eventbrite.

South Tacoma Way

• South Tacoma Way, South 52nd to South 56th streets
• Trick or Treat on the Way: Oct. 30, 4-7 p.m.

The South Tacoma Business District is hosting a free, family-friendly block party of sorts the day before Halloween. Swing by for candy, snacks, drinks and more — all while showing off your costume, including for your pets. A few spots will offer special activities, too. At Sober AF, enjoy Rocky Horror-themed mocktails while playing trivia and/or crafting, then stick around for a screening of the infamous film — Hecklevision, and costumes encouraged (details at instagram.com/soberaf253)

The Pantages Theatre

• 901 Boradway, Tacoma, 253-591-5894 (box office)
• Behind the Scream with David Arquette: Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m.

Tacoma City Theatres and The Pantages have drawn crowds to film screenings followed by talkbacks with one of the actors therein. On Oct. 30, watch “Scream” — as if you haven’t already seen it 100 times — among friends, and stay for a chat with David Arquette. It’s billed as an “a chilling night of film, stories, and surprises.” Tickets (starting around $41) available via tacomacitytheaters.org, by phone and in-person at the box office.

Spanish Ballroom

• 565 Broadway, Tacoma, 253-300-8744, mcmenamins.com
• Nite Wave ‘80s Halloween Dance Party: Oct. 30, 9 p.m. (doors at 8 p.m.)
• Halloween Costume Glow Ball with Tacoma Dance Flashback: Oct. 31, 8 p.m.-1 a.m.

Nite Wave will visit the Spanish Ballroom Oct. 30 with Whiplash Smile, a Billy Idol tribute band that will perform the Rebel Yell album in full. Then on Halloween night, Tacoma Dance Flashback, a semi-regular dance party, takes over the ballroom with music from the 90s and 2000s — costumes encouraged both nights. Tickets available online.

West End Pub

• 3840 6th Ave., Tacoma, 253-759-2896, westendtacoma.com
• Karaoke and Costume Contest: Oct. 31, 9 p.m.-1 a.m.

This spacious sports bar on Sixth Ave will host karaoke on Halloween night along with a costume contest — prizes for three winners.

The Grand Cinema

• 606 Fawcett Ave., Tacoma, 253-572-6062, grandcinema.com
• Weird Elephant: Oct. 31, 8 p.m.

Tacoma’s indie movie theater plays all kinds of films during its regular Weird Elephant series. Of course John Carpenter’s classic, “Halloween,” will run on Halloween. Advance tickets recommended.

Tacoma’s Antique Row

• Broadway from 7th to 9th streets
• Trick-or-Treat: Oct. 31, 4-6 p.m.

More than a dozen of the always-unique shops on Antique Row in downtown Tacoma will share candy and various other treats for “kids of all ages.” Free and family-friendly, costumes encouraged.

Lincoln District

• 3801 S Yakima Ave. (across from Vien Dong), instagram.com/lincolndistricttacoma
• Trick-or-Treat: Oct. 31, 3-6 p.m.

Tacoma’s Lincoln District and Tacoma Sunday Market host this family-friendly Halloween event with DJ Semaj playing “all the spooky classics,” games and activities, photobooths and free “harvest bags” packed with fresh fruits and veggies. Buddy’s Chicken and Waffles will have the food truck serving free meals for kids, too. Then journey through the neighorhood’s many shops and restaurants for the trick-or-treat portion of the afternoon. Of note: Fab Lab and PDK Martial Arts will offer some special activities in their storefronts. Free and all ages, costumes encouraged.

Dulce Cafe - Puyallup

• 333 S Meridian, Puyallup, instagram.com/dulcecafeofficial
• Dia de los Muertos: Nov. 1, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

New this year, Dulce Cafe serves Mexican-inspired coffee, conchas, croissant sandwiches and snacks like fresas con crema in downtown Puyallup. For Dia de los Muertos, the shop is hosting another cafetón, a daytime party with a DJ and coffee instead of alcoholic beverages. There will also be a contest for best catrinas, traditional garb for this annual celebration of life.

This story was originally published October 16, 2025 at 11:50 AM.