Halloween never clocks out in Orlando.
Cocktails & Screams doesn’t flirt with spooky vibes—it commits, shuts the doors, and lets the candles burn low all year long.
Tucked along Church Street, the bar oozes old-school gothic mood.
Velvet shadows, stained-glass glow, creaking details.
It feels like a haunted parlor that serves spirits in more ways than one.
The menu reads like a spell book.
Blood-red martinis, smoky pours, jet-black glassware, names pulled from classic horror lore.
Each drink arrives with theater, mischief, and just enough menace to make you grin.
This isn’t a seasonal stunt or kitschy scare.
It’s a full-time shrine to Halloween, built for night lovers who crave darkness, drama, and cocktails with bite.
Atmosphere: old-school gothic immersion
Walk through the doors and the world drops a few shades darker, in the best possible way. The room glows with candlelit pools, dripping red over velvet drapes and weathered wood.
Every corner hides a flourish, from ravens and skulls to antique portraits that feel like they are watching, daring you to look back. You do, of course, because this place rewards curiosity with delightful little scares and sly humor.
You will hear rock and alternative threading through the air, sometimes giving way to pop or themed nights that shift the vibe without breaking it. There is no food, so come prepared, but the drinks steal the show anyway.
Smoke curls from glassware while bartenders play ringmaster with fire, glitter, and inky hues. If you love Halloween, this is not a gimmick.
It is a year-round mood.
Details matter here: crooked candlesticks, witchy neon, and a stage ready for drag, burlesque, or a live band. Come early on Sundays or weekdays for space to breathe, or lean into peak chaos on weekends.
Either way, the decor keeps you exploring. Your photos will look like stills from a cult-classic film.
Signature cocktails that smoke and shimmer
Order a drink here and you are summoning a character, not just a cocktail. Expect plumes of theatrical fog, edible glitter, glowing ice, and cheeky names pulled from horror lore.
The bartenders lean into presentation without letting flavor fall flat, balancing sweet, tart, and boozy notes so your eyes and taste buds both win. Reviewers rave that multiple drinks hit, not just one.
Yes, prices can climb, but you are buying a mini performance in a glass. Think fall spices, smoky mezcal, inky rum, or herbaceous gin layered with citrus and syrups.
Staff help you steer based on what you actually like, not just what looks cool. Ask for something adventurous and you might get a little table-side magic, too.
Some cocktails skew sweet, so if you prefer spirit-forward, say it upfront. Seasonal specials appear around October, when they really go all out.
Happy surprises: discounted shots and themed specials on select nights. No food means flavors do not compete, just intensify.
You will leave with a favorite, whether it is witchy, pirate, or pure goth glamour.
The Craft speakeasy inside
Ask about The Craft and watch the staff’s grin give everything away. Tucked behind the main haunt, this speakeasy narrows the spotlight onto bespoke cocktails and conversation.
The bartender might build a drink from your childhood memory, a favorite pet, or even a nightmare, translating feelings into flavor. It is theatrical, sure, but the technique is serious and the results are often startlingly on point.
You do not need a reservation, but weekends can mean a short wait. Once inside, the vibe gets intimate, like a séance for your taste buds.
Shelves resemble an apothecary: tinctures, bitters, and curios that turn mixology into ritual. Do yourself a favor and be honest about what you like.
They will meet you halfway with something clever.
If the main bar is a rock concert, The Craft is the acoustic set. Lighting hums low, conversation flows, and the glassware feels chosen just for you.
This is where you slow down and savor layers you might miss otherwise. Tip well, ask questions, and enjoy the small reveal when a memory becomes a sip.
Live entertainment: drag, burlesque, DJs, and bands
Energy spikes when the lights tilt red and the stage ignites. One night it is a hocus pocus drag spectacle, the next a burlesque tease, then a live band or DJ riding the crowd.
You will catch emo nights, rock anthems, and themed playlists that morph as the room fills. The vibe stays inclusive and playful, with scare actors who lean friendly more than frightening.
DJs like SHDW and Eric get shoutouts for reading the room without locking into one genre. That means you can sway to goth hits, then grin through throwback pop without killing the spell.
Contests and surprise moments keep the evening moving, and when performers work the crowd, the whole place becomes a stage. It is impossible not to clap along.
Cover charges pop up for special events and around Halloween, so bring cash or be ready to tap. Arrive early if you want rail space and clean sightlines.
The sound is punchy but not brutal, great for singing along. Bring your crew, or fly solo and make new friends under the strobes.
You will leave buzzing.
Tips for timing, lines, and cover
Plan smarter and the night flows smoother. Weeknights and early evenings, especially Sundays, can feel like a private tour, giving you time to wander and shoot photos.
Fridays crank up late, sometimes running until 5 AM, so pace yourself and hydrate. Expect a line near Halloween and during special shows.
A small cover is common then, sometimes cheaper in cash.
No food is served, so eat beforehand. Downtown parking can be pricey, and nearby garages often post eye-widening hourly rates, so consider rideshare.
If you want The Craft, ask a staff member early to gauge the wait. Most nights, patience pays off with a quieter, curated experience.
Dress code welcomes creativity: goth, witchy, pirate, or just casual with a spooky twist. Bring an ID, tip generously, and keep an eye on the event calendar for theme nights and discounts.
If you crave elbow room, arrive right at open. If you crave chaos, roll in late and let the crowd lift you.
Either way, you are set.
What to order if you dislike sweet drinks
Sweet-forward cocktails are popular here, but you have options. Tell the bartender you want spirit-forward, dry, or smoky, and watch the menu flip in your favor.
Ask for mezcal with citrus and saline, a stirred whiskey number with bitters and a whisper of absinthe, or a crisp gin build with herbal backbone. The team knows how to dial down syrups without losing spectacle.
If you see smoke, do not assume sugar bomb. Many presentations are pure theater layered over balanced recipes.
Request less sweet and they will adjust ratios or swap components. The Craft is perfect for this, translating your preferences into a custom pour that drinks like a spell, not a candy shop.
Trust their questions and answer honestly.
Pro tip: order a highball riff, like tequila with soda, lime, and a spooky garnish for visuals without syrup overload. Or try a classic with a gothic twist, maybe a black walnut Manhattan or a corpse-reviver nod with darker edges.
You still get the mood, minus the cloying finish. Your palate, your rules.
Photo ops and hidden details
Bring a charged phone because this place is a scavenger hunt of eerie beauty. Start with the neon witch signs, then find the skull clusters grinning in candlelight.
Look up for chandeliers and down for little altar-like groupings on ledges. The portraits smolder as if alive, and mirrors catch fog for ghostly selfies.
Every angle looks like a movie still.
Ask staff about the back room and any seasonal decor changes. October unlocks turbo mode, with fresh props and wilder flourishes.
If you prefer an empty backdrop, come early and work quickly before the dance floor fills. The red lights are dramatic, so steady your shots or switch to night mode to cut blur.
Do not miss the stage curtain textures, the odd jars behind the bar, or the secretive nods to cult classics. Compose with hands, cocktails, and glints of glass to tell a story.
A quick walk-through reveals new Easter eggs every time. Your feed will thank you, and so will your inner goth.
Know before you go: practical notes
Hours shift by day, with a 7 PM open most nights and marathon Fridays that stretch to 5 AM. Sundays open mid-day to midnight for an easier, roomier visit.
Expect a cover for big events and late October. Staff are friendly and happy to guide you, but lines happen, so patience helps. Bring an ID and cash just in case.
Parking downtown can sting, so rideshare is the stress-free move.
The bar sits just off the action at 39 W Pine St, Orlando, FL 32801. There is no food, so fuel up first or plan a late-night bite elsewhere.
Restrooms can get messy during peak hours, a familiar nightlife pain point, so go early and often. If music variety matters, check socials for theme nights so you land the soundtrack you want.
Most importantly, lean into the fantasy. This is not a typical tavern. It is a year-round Halloween haunt fueled by creative cocktails, live shows, and lovingly extra decor.
Whether you are goth-curious or fully committed to the dark side, you will find your sweet spot. One visit usually turns into a ritual.