Name: The Fright Crawl | Chicago Halloween Bar Crawl 2026 | Thursday, October 29
Start: 2026-10-29T19:30:00-05:00
End: 2026-10-30T02:00:00-05:00
Location: HQ Beercade

Kickoff night of Chicago's Halloween weekend. One wristband, 4+ River North bars, a host, a live map and no cover. Thu, Oct 29. 21+
About this Event
https://vimeo.com/1219059959

🎃🕸️ CHICAGO HALLOWEEN FRIGHT CRAWL 2026 🕸️🎃

One wristband. 4+ of River North's best bars. No cover at any of them. The Fright Crawl kicks off Halloween weekend in Chicago on Thursday, October 29th, 2026: a host who runs the night, a live crawl map that always knows where the party is, and up to 800 people in costume moving through the city together. Thursday is the warm-up, the easiest crawl to get into, and the one your Friday self will thank you for.

📍 Crawl Stops: HQ Beercade, Fado Irish Pub and City Nikki's.

🕙 Kickoff: Doors open at 7:30 PM. Wristbands must be picked up by 10:00 PM. The crawl runs until 2:00 AM.

🎶 Music: Live DJs spinning the biggest hits and Halloween classics all night.

🗺️ Live Crawl Map: frightcrawl.com/map/fright-crawl/chicago. Every stop, every time, updated live on the night.

🎟 Tickets: Prices climb as tiers sell, and the launch tier is capped at a handful of tickets that always go first, so grab yours early. Doing more than one night? The Weekend Pass in the ticket menu covers all four Chicago crawls for less than buying them separately.

Throw on your wildest costume and crawl the city with a crowd that is all in costume. Creepy, cute, or covered in fake blood, this is the crawl to be a part of this Halloween weekend. 🧟‍♀️

⭐ Over 10,000 crawlers joined The Fright Crawl last Halloween.

💬 "Honestly just made planning Halloween way less annoying. Bought the ticket, showed up with my friends and didn't really have to think about anything else." Josh C., 2025 crawler

💬 "We were visiting for the weekend and didn't know any of the bars, so this was perfect for us. Definitely saved us from randomly walking around trying to find somewhere busy 😭" Jordan M., 2025 crawler

🚨 This event is limited to 800 attendees, so grab your tickets early before they sell out! Kickoff night is where the weekend starts, and the crews doing all three nights lock this one in first. Secure your spot before it's too late.

👉

How It Works

1. Grab your ticket here. The early tiers go first.

2. On the night, show your QR code at the wristband venue between 7:30 PM and 10:00 PM and get your wristband.

3. Follow your host from bar to bar, with the live crawl map showing every stop. No cover anywhere.

4. Everyone ends up at the final venue for one big party.

What's Included in Your Ticket:

🎟️ One wristband, 4+ bars. No cover at any participating venue.
🎤 An on-site Fright Crawl host. Checks you in, hands you your wristband and leads the group to every venue.
🗺️ The interactive crawl map. Every stop, address and time on your phone, with live updates as the night moves.
🟢 Live venue status. See where the crowd is right now and which stop is peaking.
💬 Live online support all night. Ask FrightCrawl on the map, from doors to the last venue, and a real person from the crew when you need one.
📲 Crawl texts. Opt in on the map and you are always in the loop when the group moves.
🏆 Costume contest, judged on the night.
🍹 Drink specials at participating venues.
🎵 Live DJs spinning Halloween hits and party anthems.
🎃 Up to 800 crawlers in the craziest costumes you will see all year. Come with a group or come alone, you will not be alone for long.
🛂 Your Digital Halloween Passport. Stamp every stop as you hit it, straight from the map.
🌿 The Wishing Willow. One wish, made before the crawl. It comes with every ticket, and so does the link.
🎬 Your personalised Crawl Wrapped. When the night ends, the map builds your recap card from your passport, ready to post.
🎧 The official Fright Crawl Halloween playlist. Fifty tracks to get ready to, yours with the ticket.
📱 Your own "you're in" page after you book: your crawl card to post, your nights, and a link to bring your people.
🕺 A massive final party at the last venue, everyone together.

👻 Costume up and crawl your way through Chicago's hottest bars. Expect eerie drink specials, electric energy, and a Halloween you won't forget!

CANCELLATION REFUND GUARANTEE

👌 If a crawl is canceled and not rescheduled, every ticket is refunded automatically. No vouchers, no credits.

🔁 Plans might change? Add the Flexible Ticket at checkout and you can cancel for any reason up to the cutoff shown on this listing.

WRISTBAND PICKUP INSTRUCTIONS & POLICY

Where and When to Pick Up Wristbands

WRISTBAND VENUE:

HQ Beercade

🕒 7:30PM-10:30PM

📍 213 W Institute Pl, Chicago, IL 60610, United States

Details: Please arrive at our first stop to scan your ticket and collect your wristband. You have from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM to arrive and pick up your wristband for the night. Your host leads the group on from this venue at 10:00PM.

MIDDLE STOPS:

Fado Irish Pub

🕒 8:30PM-11:30PM

📍 100 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Details: This is a middle stop. Your host leads the group here between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM. The live crawl map shows every stop and its time window.

Hubbard Inn

🕒 8:30PM-11:30PM

📍 110 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Details: This is a middle stop. Your host leads the group here between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM. The live crawl map shows every stop and its time window.

Chalet

🕒 8:30PM-11:30PM

📍 228 W Chicago Ave

Details: This is a middle stop. Your host leads the group here between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM. The live crawl map shows every stop and its time window.

Joy District

🕒 8:30PM-11:30PM

📍 112 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654

Details: This is a middle stop. Your host leads the group here between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM. The live crawl map shows every stop and its time window.

FINAL VENUE:

City Nikki's

🕒 11:30PM-2:00AM

📍 605 N Wells St, Chicago, IL 60654, USA

Details: This is the final stop! Everyone should meet at this final venue at 11:30PM for a massive final Halloween party!

Wristband Policy

This is a hosted crawl with an open format. You must start at the first venue to collect your wristband. Once you have it, you can follow your host, or visit any participating venue labeled as a "Middle Stop" at your convenience between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM, or stay at the wristband venue until 10:00 PM. After 11:30 PM everyone meets at the final venue for the final party.

Please remember that you need to collect your wristband at the first stop (wristband venue), as it is required for entry into all venues except the first one. Wristbands are no longer available after 10:00 PM at the first venue. No refunds will be given if you show up late and miss the wristband pick-up window!

This is a walking bar crawl. All venues are within walking distance of each other. Please plan accordingly for transportation and your walking schedule.

Wristbands for entry will be provided by event staff only. To pick up your wristband, please check in with the event staff at the front reception or host stand.

2026 CRAWL MAP:

Bookmark it now. On the night it is your guide: every stop and time, live venue status, your Digital Halloween Passport, crawl texts and live support all live there.

🎟️ General Admission

Everything above: the wristband, the host, the live map, the contest, the passport and the playlist. No frills, just the fun.

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👑 VIP Ticket

Includes everything in GA, plus a VIP kit emailed to you after you book and the VIP-only experiences unlocked on your page:

🔮 A collectible Fright Crawl tarot card, one per order
🃏 A full tarot reading for your night, VIP only
🪞 The Haunted Mirror, VIP only
🕯️ The Digital Ouija Board, VIP only
🔎 The Halloween scavenger hunt game
🍸 The Spooky Cocktails ebook
🎲 The Halloween Games ebook
🚀 First dibs on future crawl drops and pre-sales

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🤯 Ultra VIP

For the dangerously curious. Includes everything in VIP, plus what only Ultra gets:

📜 A personalised Certified Crawl Legend certificate in your name
🏆 Your name on the Crawl Wall of Fame on the live Chicago crawl map, for everyone on the crawl to see
❓ A mystery bonus item we legally can't describe 👀

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👯 Coming as a crew? Look for the Group Discount tiers in the ticket menu (minimum 2 per order). Groups are who this was built for: one plan, one wristband each, nobody stuck organising.

🎫 Doing more than one night? The Weekend Pass in the ticket menu covers all four Chicago crawls, Thursday through Halloween night, for less than buying them separately. Or see the Weekend Pass listing.

WHY THE FRIGHT CRAWL BEATS ONE BAR

One bar means one cover, one room and one vibe for the whole night. The Fright Crawl gives you River North's best bars on a single wristband, a host who moves the crowd so nobody has to organise anything, and a finale where every crawler ends up in the same room at the last venue.

THURSDAY IS WHERE THE WEEKEND STARTS

River North on a Thursday in October is already busy. On kickoff night it is busy and in costume. You get the same bars, the same host, the same map and the same finale as Halloween night, with the easiest door of the weekend. The crews doing all three nights start here. 🧛‍♀️

WHO THIS IS FOR

Groups who don't want to be the one planning. Visitors who don't know the bars. Birthdays that land on Halloween weekend. Solo crawlers who want a built-in crowd. Anyone whose costume deserves more than one room.

💬 "Got our tickets the day before and had no idea if it was going to be worth it. Ended up staying out way later than we planned lol 😭" Chris T., 2025 crawler

💬 "Check-in was pretty straightforward. After that we just grabbed drinks and followed everyone to the next spots. Easy night." Ryan B., 2025 crawler

GET YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY VANISH!

Spots are filling fast, so now's the time to lock in your night. Round up your friends, pick your costume, and get ready to sip, dance, and crawl your way through the opening night of Chicago's Halloween weekend. Halloween only comes once a year. 🎟️

❓ Questions first? Read the FAQ or reach the crew at frightcrawl.com/support.

21+ EVENT / GOVERNMENT ISSUED ID REQUIRED

TIPS FOR OUR CRAWL

Pick Up Wristbands On Time: Collect your wristband during the designated check-in window at the wristband venue, before 10:00 PM. Late arrivals will not be accommodated. No wristband, no entry.
Assign a Proxy if Needed: Can't make check-in? Any friend with your ticket QR code can pick up your wristband for you.
Day-Of Updates: Check the live crawl map on the morning of the event for any last-minute changes or venue updates. It updates live during the night too.
Check Venue Schedule: Each venue's crawl time is listed on the crawl map. Wristbands and drink specials are valid only during these scheduled times.
Costumes: Non-negotiable. Nothing that looks like a weapon, nothing highly offensive, and you are good.
Getting Home: Every stop is walkable from the last, and the final venue is on the map, so book your ride from there.

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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMERS

Age Requirement: You must be 21+ years of age with a valid government-issued ID to participate in this event. No exceptions.
Wristbands: Your wristband is your key to entry. You must present your ticket or QR code at check-in to receive your wristband. Wristbands must be worn at all times to access participating bars and venues. Wristband pickup location and time are listed on the crawl map. If you do not pick up your wristband at the designated location and time, it may not be available, and you will not be able to access crawl venues. No wristband, no entry.
Ticket Policy: All sales are final. No refunds, exchanges, or transfers. If you added the Flexible Ticket at checkout, you may cancel for any reason up to the cutoff shown on this listing. In case of event cancellation without a rescheduled date, a refund (excluding fees) will be automatically issued. Event lineup, venues, and specials are subject to change without notice.
Admission & Venue Rights: Participating venues reserve the right to refuse service or entry to any attendee based on intoxication, dress code, inappropriate behaviour, or venue capacity. If refused entry at one venue, you may visit alternative crawl venues available at that time. No refunds will be given if you are denied entry for any of these reasons.
Capacity and Late Entry: Some venues may hit capacity during the event. If a venue reaches capacity or you arrive late, you may have to wait in line to gain entry. There is no guarantee of immediate access or entry to any specific venue once capacity is reached, and no refunds will be provided due to waiting times or access issues.
Hosted Crawl: Your crawl host checks you in, hands out wristbands, and leads the group from venue to venue. The live crawl map shows every stop, so you can find the group again if you get separated.
Venue Awareness: If bar staff are unaware of the crawl, message the crew through the live chat on the crawl map or contact the venue representative listed there. If you cannot reach anyone, consider that venue unavailable and proceed to an alternative crawl venue open at that time. Nightlife venues may reach capacity or close early, and not all staff members may be aware of the crawl.
Drink Specials: Drink specials are offered by participating venues and may be modified or discontinued at any time without notice.
Event Time Restrictions: Your ticket is valid only for crawl venues during the scheduled crawl times listed on the crawl map. It is not valid for entry outside these times. If you arrive late or at the wrong venue, refunds will not be issued.
Security Checks: Wristbands do not entitle you to skip venue security checks. All attendees must comply with security screening before entry.
Costume Policy: Do not wear costumes that include items which could be considered or used as weapons. Highly offensive costumes are not tolerated and may result in denial of entry without refund.
No Weapons or Costume Weapons: Weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited at every crawl venue, and that includes costume weapons: replica or toy guns, knives, swords, axes, bats, chainsaws and any similar prop. The fact that an item is fake makes no difference. Any attendee found in possession of a weapon or costume weapon will be immediately removed from the crawl without a refund.
Crawl Notifications: Sign up for crawl texts on the crawl map to receive updates about when to move to the next venue. Your host also calls out each move in person.
Respect & Conduct: Treat others and the event venues with respect. Disorderly conduct, inappropriate behaviour, or damage to the venues will result in removal from the event without a refund. The participating bars reserve the right to refuse entry or remove attendees for inappropriate behaviour at any time.
Liability Waiver: By purchasing a ticket and participating in the crawl, you understand and agree that you are attending entirely at your own risk. You voluntarily assume all risks and dangers incidental to this event, including but not limited to: personal injury, illness, disability, property loss, theft, damage, accidents, death, alcohol-related incidents, and actions of other participants, staff, or third parties. You, on behalf of yourself and your heirs, executors, and assigns, hereby fully release, waive, and discharge Events Per Se, its owners, officers, directors, employees, contractors, volunteers, affiliates, sponsors, participating venues, and their respective representatives from any and all liability, claims, demands, actions, or causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any loss, damage, injury, illness, or death, whether caused by negligence, gross negligence, breach of contract, or otherwise, that may occur before, during, or after the event. You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Events Per Se and all released parties from any claims, costs, or expenses (including legal fees) brought by you or on your behalf, or by any third party as a result of your actions during the event. You acknowledge that you have read and understood this waiver, that you are participating voluntarily, and that this waiver is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by applicable law.
Event Changes: Bars and venues may change, but the event will continue rain or shine. Always check the digital crawl map for the latest venue list and updates. Be sure to check your email for any last-minute updates.

*By purchasing a ticket, you confirm that you have read, understood, and agreed to all disclaimers, terms, and conditions stated above, and accept full responsibility for your participation in the event.