Black Lagoon, the award-winning Halloween pop-up celebration from industry veterans Erin Hayes and Kelsey Ramage, has revealed its full cocktail lineup and official spirit partners for the 2025 season. Now in its fifth year, the darkly imaginative bar takeover expands to 38 cities across North America this October, offering fans more sinister sips and haunted thrills than ever before.
Conceived in 2019 at The Dungeon, a cult-favorite dive bar in New Orleans, founders Hayes and Ramage knew they were onto something wickedly unique and deliciously dark. Black Lagoon officially launched its first bar pop-up in 2021. Five years later, it has now cast its veil of darkness over major cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, expanding to 38 locations for the 2025 season.
“We wanted this year’s cocktails to push the boundaries of spooky creativity while also being approachable, fun and above all, delicious,” says co-founder Erin Hayes. “It’s important to us that every drink feels like an experience, whether you’re sipping tequila, rum, or even a zero-proof cocktail.”
This year’s cocktail menu features spine-chilling originals including:
- Griselda’s Revenge: Fords Gin, Lustau Vermut Blanco, Giffard Liqueur Mangue, tarragon, lemon, Bitter Queens Thai Spice, Soda
- Nocturna Colada: Kraken Black, Kraken Gold, Mr Black Liqueur, passionfruit, coconut, pineapple, Bitter Queens Coffee Cardamom Bitters
- Corpse Flower: Lalo Tequila Blanco, ube, Giffard Banane, lime, Lustau Amontillado Sherry
- Death’s Door (non-alcoholic): Spirit-free alternative, Giffard Pineapple, miso falernum, lime, soda
Black Lagoon’s 2025 cocktails are powered by Lalo Tequila, Fords Gin, Kraken Rum (Gold & Black), Mr Black Cold Brew Liqueur, Giffard Liqueurs, Lustau Sherry/Vermouth, and Bitter Queens, with Canadian partners including Absolut Vodka, and Lot 40 Rye.
“Partnering with some of the most exciting spirit brands out there makes the magic possible,” adds co-founder Kelsey Ramage. “Each sponsor brings a unique character that fits right into the Black Lagoon universe and flavors we bring to life each year.”
For its fifth season, Black Lagoon continues its reign as North America’s premier Halloween bar pop-up, transforming the following cities and venues, with dates varying by location:
United States
- Austin, TX: King Bee (October 1 – October 31)
- Baton Rouge, LA: Pelican To Mars (October 1 – October 31)
- Brooklyn, NY: Someday Bar (October 1 – November 2)
- Charlotte, NC: Backstage Lounge (October 1 – November 1)
- Chicago, IL: Albion Manor (October 1 – November 1)
- Cincinnati, OH: Highball Cincy (October 8 – November 2)
- Columbus, OH: Citizen’s Trust (October 1 – November 1)
- Denver, CO: Lady Jane (October 1 – November 1)
- Detroit, MI: The Skip (October 1 – November 2)
- Fort Wayne, IN: Night Train (October 6 – November 1)
- Fort Worth, TX: Nickel City (October 13 – November 1)
- Galveston, TX: Daiquiri Time Out (October 8 – November 1)
- Houston, TX: Nickel City (October 13 – November 3)
- Indianapolis, IN: Almost Famous (September 26 – November 2)
- Las Vegas, NV: Jammyland (October 1 – November 2)
- Long Beach, CA: Ordinarie (October 3 – November 2)
- Los Angeles, CA: Melrose Umbrella Co. (October 1 – November 2)
- Madison, WI: Public Parking (October 13 – November 1)
- Miami, FL: Better Days (October 1 – October 31)
- Milwaukee, WI: Lost Whale (October 6 – November 2)
- Minneapolis, MN: Meteor (October 2 – November 1)
- Nashville, TN: Barrel Proof (October 1 – October 31)
- New Orleans, LA: Anna’s (October 8 – November 2)
- Omaha, NE: Nite Owl (October 1 – November 2)
- Phoenix, AZ: Sunny’s (September 26 – November 3)
- Sacramento, CA: The Snug (October 1 – October 31)
- San Antonio, TX: Three Star (October 9 – November 2)
- San Francisco, CA: Sea Star (October 6 – November 2)
- Seattle, WA: Rob Roy (September 26 – November 2)
- St. Augustine, FL: Forgotten Tonic (October 1 – October 31)
- St. Louis, MO: Platypus (September 29 – November 2)
- Venice, CA: Corner Door (October 1 – November 2)
- Canada
- Calgary, AB: Charlie’s Watch Repair (October 1 – November 1)
- Edmonton, AB: Dolly’s Cocktails (October 1 – November 2)
- Ottawa, ON: The Standard Tavern (October 13 – October 31)
- Toronto, ON: The Walrus (October 1 – November 2)
- Vancouver, BC: Butcher & Bullock (October 1 – November 2)
- Whistler, BC: Raven Room (October 3 – November 2)
Guests will step into eerie, immersive worlds where haunted house-inspired décor comes to life—think skulls, coffins, and macabre details that embrace goth, horror, and the spirit of Halloween across every city. To explore the nightmarish world of Black Lagoon this Halloween season, please visit www.blacklagoonpopup.com and follow along on Instagram at @blacklagoonpopup.
About Black Lagoon
Black Lagoon is an immersive Halloween bar pop-up where mixology meets the macabre. Created by industry veterans Kelsey Ramage and Erin Hayes, Black Lagoon helps cocktail bars present a dark celebration for those who revel in the mysterious and bizarre, where guests can transport themselves to a world that blurs that line between reality and the supernatural. Black Lagoon was named Canada’s Best Pop-Up Bar by Canada’s 100 Best in 2022.
