Halloween isn’t just for haunted houses. Universal Orlando’s hotels each bring the spooky season to life with their own themed lobbies and bars, making them an unforgettable spot for a date night. This year, Cabana Bay Beach Resort, Hard Rock Hotel Orlando, and Loews Portofino Bay are standing out with festive flair.
These three standout among the top Halloween Bars in Orlando. Universal Orlando invited us out to experience some of this year's spooktacular hotel bar offerings. Each of the Universal Orlando Resort hotels has at least a few pieces of Halloween Horror Nights decor.
Then the spirits are lifted even higher at select Universal Orlando hotels with full-on Halloween themed pop-ups.
Halloween Themed Bars at Universal Orlando Hotels
Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Swizzle Lounge’s Pumpkin Overload
Cabana Bay’s Swizzle Lounge is glowing with pumpkins from floor to ceiling. The “curse of Carver’s Pumpkin Patch” has taken over with jack-o’-lanterns, creeping vines, and autumnal displays. It’s playful, cozy, and a little mischievous, making it the perfect place for couples to sip cocktails under the warm orange glow.
It can get a tad noisy here in this busy lobby, but there are jack o' lanterns around the entire area so you can still feel the spirits if you need to be a little bit away from the bar itself.
The hit drink here is the Jack-o-Rita with Reposado tequila, Chile liqueur, Lime juice, Pumpkin puree, and tajin seasoning. I ordered this without the spirits, and it still worked great!
Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – Thirsty Fish Bar
The Thirsty Fish has been transformed into a ghostly fishing vessel frozen in time. Icy nets drape the space, a shattered mast looms overhead, and a chilling blue glow sets the stage for a hauntingly immersive experience. It’s a date night backdrop that feels mysterious and dramatic, ideal for couples who want elegance with just the right amount of eerie.
You have GOT to take the time to peer at every single corner and capture all the details of this space. Pay attention to everything! Some pictures change, and there are multiple nods to a beloved Halloween Horror Nights house from years past.
I loved the Infected – N/A Cocktail made with Orange non-alcoholic Spirit, Vanilla Syrup, Orange Juice, Blue Curacao, and lemon-lime soda. The blue color matches the Thirsty Fish Bar's icy tones. I did have a few sips of the Haunted Harvest made with Sake, Pumpkin Puree, Brown Sugar Simple Syrup, and topped with pumpkin spice.
The absolute hit of the entire night of our hosted media Halloween bar crawl is the Into The Fog cocktail with Bourbon, Peach Puree, Lemon Juice, and Pinot Noir Float. I broke my streak of abstaining and drank half of this specialty cocktail. It's a well-balanced drink with a hint of sweetness, tartness, and a smidge of smokiness.
Hard Rock Hotel – Night of the Living Shred
The Hard Rock Hotel brings a rock-and-roll edge to spooky season with its “Night of the Living Shred.” Picture dim lighting, guitars and music-themed touches, and cocktails that keep the energy high. This spot is great for a date night with a little edge, blending romance with that iconic Hard Rock atmosphere.
| Hotel | Theme & Feel | Date-Night Ideal For… |
|---|---|---|
| Cabana Bay | Pumpkin patch takeover, glowing jack-o’-lanterns | Playful, cozy, Instagram-savvy couples |
| Hard Rock Hotel | Rock-inspired “Night of the Living Shred” | Energetic, music-loving duos |
| Portofino Bay | Ghostly fishing vessel | Mysterious, eerie, seafaring |
Find Creepy Cocktails at These Universal Orlando Hotels
- Universal Cabana Bay Beach Resort – Swizzle Lounge
- Universal Endless Summer Resort – Dockside Inn and Suites – Sunset Lounge, Wave Maker’s Pool Bar, and The Oasis Beach Bar
- Universal Endless Summer Resort – Surfside Inn and Suites – Sand Bar
- Universal Aventura Hotel – barVentura and Bar 17 Bistro
- Loews Portofino Bay Hotel – The Thirsty Fish and Splendido Bar & Grill
- Hard Rock Hotel – Velvet Bar
- Loews Royal Pacific Resort – Bula Bar & Grille, Jake’s American Bar, and Orchid Court Lounge & Sushi Bar
- Loews Sapphire Falls Resort – Drhum Club Kantine, Amatista Cookhouse, and Strong Water Tavern
Tips for a Perfect Hotel Bar Date Night
- Start with atmosphere. Choose a hotel that matches your vibe: playful pumpkins, edgy rock, or elegant Venetian.
- Lean into the theme. Order a seasonal cocktail or pose for a festive photo in the decorated lobby.
- Keep it cozy. Linger in the lounge, people-watch, and enjoy the mood before heading out or back to your room.
- Make it memorable. Snap a keepsake photo together under the décor, whether that’s pumpkins, guitars, or frozen naughtical elements.
How to Visit Without Staying Overnight
Although I highly recommend an overnight stay at one of the Universal Orlando hotels, if it is not in the cards for you, you can still visit the Halloween bars. Each location overs validated self parking!
The Thirsty Fish at Portofino Bay as well as Velvet Bar at Hard Rock Hotel is $40 in order to get validated self parking. For Swizzle Lounge at Cabana Bay Beach Resort, and barVentura at Aventura Hotel the minimum spend is $25 for validated self-parking.
