Spooky season is taking over Columbus, and this year, it comes with a twist of nostalgia and hometown pride. Just in time for Halloween, local businesses and attractions are celebrating the legendary children’s horror author and Columbus native, R.L. Stine, with Goosebumps-themed, eerie eats and drinks.
Throughout the fall, immerse yourself in the world of R.L. Stine with these Goosebumps-inspired food and beverages in Columbus.
"The Beast" specialty cocktail from Stories on High. Source: Hilton Columbus Downtown.
Try “The Beast” at Stories on High
Situated on top of the Hilton Columbus Downtown, Stories on High is offering a specialty cocktail in honor of Halloween. If you dare, try “The Beast” featuring fig-infused whiskey, herbal liqueurs, lemon juice and bitters. Stop by throughout October to say cheers to spooky season.
“Written by R.L. Stine, The Beast is a great story about a couple of kids who want one last ride on the rollercoaster after the park closes and end up being transported back in time,” says Beverage Director Rustun Nichols. “We hope that you don't have such a perilous journey when enjoying this at Stories on High!”
Source: Law Bird
Sip on the Goosebumps-inspired Cocktail Menu at Law Bird
James Beard-nominated bar, Law Bird, celebrates Columbus’s connection to the master of fright, R.L. Stine, with a special Goosebumps-inspired menu. Available starting in mid-October, the menu will be inspired by the beloved books and characters, and $1 from every cocktail will be donated to the charity of Stine’s choice.
Source: Littleton's Market
Take a Bite Out of the "Monster Blood Croissant" at Littleton's Market Bakery
Visit Littleton's Market Bakery inside the North Market downtown weekends in October to try the Monster Blood Croissant - a circle croissant with purple ube pastry cream filling, green pandan ooze, and white chocolate teeth.
Source: Land-Grant Brewing Company
Experience Nightmare on Town Street with Land-Grant Brewing Co.
Something spooky is brewing at Land-Grant Brewing Company. Beginning Oct. 1, the taproom will transform into Nightmare on Town Street—a Halloween bar experience packed with frightful fun, eerie décor and a lineup of themed events for creatures of all ages. By day or by night, guests can immerse themselves in a fully-decked decor—dripping in cobwebs, cauldrons and over-the-top spooky scenes.
Belly up to the bar for signature creepy cocktails like the green slime slushie, topped with sour worms inspired by Columbus’ R. L. Stine’s Goosebumps series, or grab a pint of returning seasonal favorites like Patch Pumpkin Ale, Skull Session Vienna Lager and Bierzelt Oktoberfest.
"Monster Blood" at Budd Dairy Food Hall. Source: Experience Columbus
Taste “Monster Blood” at Budd Dairy Food Hall
Head to Budd Dairy Food Hall to taste “Monster Blood”. Inspired by the eerie ooze from the Goosebumps classic, this creepy concoction available throughout October blends honey vanilla vodka, sour apple, fresh lemon juice and honey water with a dash of black lemon bitters. Served with a sugar rim and a gummy garnish, Monster Blood is tangy, sweet, and just the right amount of twisted.
Spooky Eyes Brownie Bruffles. Source: Brownie Points.
Set Your Sights on the Spooky Eyes Brownie Bruffles from Brownie Points
It always feels like somebody's watching me. Locally founded Brownie Points decorates their Brownie Bruffles like spooky eyes for the Halloween season. Brownie Bruffles are fudgy Brownies rolled with ganache, cream cheese and wrapped in a rich chocolate shell. Order yours beginning Sept. 1.
"Vampire Breath" at Lincoln Social. Source: Experience Columbus.
Take in “Vampire Breath” at Lincoln Social
Inspired by the book Vampire Breath by R.L. Stine, Lincoln Social Rooftop is offering a specialty cocktail throughout October that features tarragon-infused gin, mint and honey simple syrup, lime juice, green chartreuse and soda water.
"The Goosebumps" cocktail from Homage Bar inside The Graduate Hotel. Source: The Graduate Columbus
Sip the Goosebumps Cocktail from Homage Bar inside The Graduate Columbus
At Homage Bar inside the Graduate Hotel, you'll be transported to a spooky tropical landscape with the "Goosebumps Cocktail". This island-inspired daiquiri with notes of tropical punch is topped with an atomic cherry and full of flavor. After grabbing your cocktail, make your way into the hotel lobby from Oct. 24-31, where you can join in on a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt in exchange for a Graduate-themed gift. A variety of spiders, vampire teeth, and ghosts will be scattered. May the best ghoul win!
Source: Hofbrauhaus Columbus
Sip the Frank 'n Stein at Hofbräuhaus Columbus
Stop by Hofbräuhaus Columbus to enjoy their Halloween specials. "Frank'n Stein For $9.99" features a frank (or wurst) and a 1/2 liter of bier for just $9.99. While there, try their "Blood-y Orange Weizen," one of their most popular flavored bier options.
From spine-tingling cocktails and after-dark ziplining adventures, Columbus is embracing the spirit of the season with creative nods to its hometown horror hero, R.L. Stine. Whether you're revisiting your favorite Goosebumps tales or discovering them for the first time, these events and offerings are a perfect way to celebrate Halloween with a local twist. So gather your ghouls, don your costume and get ready to make some hair-raising memories all season long.
Find more Goosebumps in Columbus and share your memories with us using #yesColumbus.
