It’s Halloween weekend, and Atlanta has plenty of treats in store for revelers, including a costume contest for your pup, a pub crawl through in Virginia-Highland, an “Emergency Drinking” event at Wild Heaven Craft Beer and a joint “horror story” circus-themed party hosted by sister bars Cypress Street and GRAIN in Midtown. End the holiday weekend with traditional Day of the Dead festivities for the whole family at No Mas Cantina. Not in the spooky spirit? Not to worry, we have you covered with a Big Green Egg Cook-Off, Yacht Rock at Venkman’s and the annual Sunday Supper South, plus anniversary celebrations for Oak Steakhouse and Seed Kitchen and Bar.
Thursday, Oct. 29
Big Green Egg Cook-Off to benefit The Farmer Fund. 6:00 p.m. Oct. 29. $60. The Big Green Egg Culinary Center, 3786 Dekalb Technology Pwky, Doraville. 770-938-9394. biggreenegg.com. Ten Atlanta-area Big Green Eggs fanatics (a.k.a. "eggers") face off in a cook-off benefiting The Farmer Fund, which supports farmers in the face of natural disaster. Ten Atlanta-area farms, including Serenbe Farms, Woodlands Garden and Riverview Farms, are providing ingredients for the contest. Guests can join judges Chef Kevin Gillespie (Gunshow, Revival) and Rusty Bowers (Pine Street Market) to taste and choose the winner, all while sipping on beer provided by Second Self Beer Company. The winning egger will take home a brand new Big Green Egg. Buy tickets.
Costumes on the Woof. 5:00 p.m. $20 in advance, $25 at the door. Loews Atlanta Hotel, 1065 Peachtree St. NE, Atlanta, 404-745-5745. loewshotels.com/atlanta-hotel. Dress up your pooch for a costume contest on the hotel's roof and mingle with fellow dog-lovers while enjoying complimentary cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, dog treats and more. Proceeds benefit Angels Among Us Pet Rescue of Atlanta. Don't miss out on the hotel's Halloween package, with trick-or-treating in the hotel, a $20 taxi credit and two complimentary Halloween cocktails.
Yacht Rock Weekend. 9:30 p.m. Oct. 29 and 30. $15-$40. Venkmans, 740 Ralph McGill Blvd NE, Atlanta. 470-225-6162. venkmans.com. You don't have to choose between great food and great music. You can get them both at Venkman's, which is hosting a weekend of Yacht Rock Revue in honor of the band's first show. Thursday night's show will feature the band's original set list from that first 2007 concert, and Friday's will feature what else for Halloween weekend? The music of Thriller. Booth and private dining options available. Call for dinner reservations and get your concert tickets at venkmans.com or ticketfly.com.
Friday, Oct. 30
Oak Steakhouse Anniversary Party. 5:00 p.m. Oct. 30. Oak Steakhouse, 950 3rd St, Alpharetta. 678-722-8333. oaksteakhouseatlanta.com. Help the restaurant celebrate its first year in Atlanta with complimentary passed appetizers from executive chef Eric Zizka, a never-before-seen cocktail menu and additional drink specials.
Saturday, Oct. 31
Halloween in the Highlands. 6:00 p.m. Oct. 31. $5-$20. Dark Horse Tavern, 816 N Highland Ave NE, Atlanta. 404-873-3607. atlantabartours.com. Celebrate Halloween weekend with a one-of-a-kind bar crawl through Virginia-Highland. One ticket gets you free entry into eleven bars, an all-night block party, food specials, $3/$2/$1 Halloween-themed drink offerings and three costume contests. Participating bars include Neighbor's Pub, Dark Horse Tavern, Illegal Food and more.
Wild Heaven Craft Beer's URGENT URGENT EMERGENCY Halloween Party. 7:00 p.m. Oct. 31. $18 in advance; $20 day of event. Wild Heaven, 135-B Maple St, Avondale Estates. 404-997-8589. wildheavencraftbeers.com. The local brewery hosts a Halloween extravaganza, complete with music by Atlanta DJ George Greenlee, prizes for the best emergency-inspired costumes and a new, collectible souvenir Emergency Drinking Beer glass. First responders (wearing a bit of their uniform) get in free!
Halloween Horror Story Circus. 8:00 p.m. Oct. 31. $20 in advance; $25 at the door. Cypress Street Pint & Plate, 817 W Peachtree St NW, Ste E-125, Atlanta. 404-815-9243. cypressbar.com. GRAIN, 845 Spring St NW Ste D1, Atlanta. 404-881-5377. grain-bar.com. Midtown hotspots Cypress Street Pint & Plate and GRAIN host joint Halloween festivities featuring the Imperial OPA Circus, including fortune tellers, fire throwers, magicians, aerialists, hand-to-hand duos and more. Enjoy complimentary appetizers and a complimentary Rouge Ale & Spirits Dead Guy draft beer at Cypress and a complimentary Dead Guy Whiskey cocktail at GRAIN while DJs set the spooky soundtrack for the evening. Purchase online at cypressbar.com.
Sunday, Nov. 1
Dia de los Muertos Fiesta. 2:00 p.m. Nov. 1. Free. No Mas Cantina, 180 Walker St SW, Atlanta. 404-574-5678. The Castleberry Hill restaurant honors the Mexican Day of the Dead tradition with Catrina face painting, fun giveaways, crafts for all ages, a personal psychic reading with Madam Butterfly and music Daniel Aguilera Trio. Those of age can imbibe in the flaming featured cocktail, the Beso de la Muerta.
Sunday Supper South. 5:30 p.m. Nov. 1. $250 for James Beard Members; $275 for non-members. Ponce City Market, 657 Ponce de Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, 404.365.0410 ext. 22, www.sundaysuppersouth.com. This annual event brings together the notable chefs of Ponce City Market's Central Food Hall -- Sean Brock, Linton Hopkins, and more -- with James Beard award-winning chefs, nominees and semifinalists from across the South to promote the vibrant culture of Southern cuisine. This year's supper pays homage to Tim Burton's classic film, Beetlejuice, transforming Ponce City Market's main courtyard into a whimsical and spooky setting. Event proceeds directly benefit the James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program as well as local and regional culinary nonprofits dedicated to promoting access to healthy food choices and furthering nutrition education.
Monday, Nov. 2
Seed Kitchen & Bar Fourth Birthday. 5:00 p.m. Nov. 2-7. $35. Seed Kitchen & Bar, 1311 Johnson Ferry Rd Ste-504, Marietta. 678-214-6888. eatatseed.com. The Marietta restaurant celebrates its fourth birthday with a special three-course menu available Nov. 2-7. A portion of proceeds will benefit Share Our Strength, a national nonprofit dedicated to eradicating childhood hunger.
