In the regular world, Halloween is when children dress up in costumes and beg for candy. In the adult world, Halloween is the one night of the year when you can dress like a total fool and no one can say a thing about it.
Now cue me, pulling out my jack-o’-lantern crewneck sweater. Definitely not the How I Met Your Mother version of a sexy little pumpkin, but the same one I’ve been rocking every year since I became a mom 11 years ago.
Pre-kids, my Halloween plans looked a little different. And I probably would have quoted that first paragraph a little differently, too. But 11 years later, Halloween is still one of my favorite holidays.
This year, Halloween falls on a Saturday, and daylight saving time ends that night. The college version of me would have been jumping for joy for entirely different reasons. Halloween on a Saturday meant I could spend all day getting ready, enjoy a night out, and wake up Sunday with an extra hour to recover. Naturally, recovery would involve a BTB grilled chicken quesadilla and a spot on my couch.
This year, though, I'm excited for a different set of reasons. As a parent, Halloween on a Saturday means we can watch the Michigan verse Rutgers football game, get the kids ready without rushing because there's no school the next morning, and head out trick-or-treating without worrying about bedtime or a morning candy hangover.
Although, let's be honest, my recovery plan probably hasn't changed all that much. A BTB quesadilla still hits every time, and I'm definitely not cooking after coming down from my own Halloween candy hangover.
But if I were back in college, or found myself kid-free for Halloween, here's exactly how I'd spend a Saturday night in downtown Ann Arbor. Between the costume parties, seasonal cocktails, great restaurants, and late-night food, there's no shortage of ways to celebrate.
1. Find a Costume That Can Take You from Dinner to Drinks
First things first: you need a costume that can make it through dinner, drinks, and whatever the night has planned.
Honestly, there's no wrong answer here. It's Saturday, it's Halloween, and no one is going to care if you show up to dinner dressed as a giant traffic cone. In fact, I'd probably appreciate the commitment.
If you're looking for a last-minute costume, I'd start at The Getup for vintage finds. Think western, disco, '80s, or something completely unexpected. They have plenty of options and accessories that you can wear long after Halloween is over.
Or, if you're more of a low-effort, high-impact costume person like me, grab an orange sweater from Sam’s Store and call yourself a jack-o'-lantern. It works every year.
2. Make a Dinner Reservation (and Don't Forget to Eat!)
Next, find a dinner spot. My advice? Pick somewhere with good food, a fun atmosphere, and something substantial enough to give you a little staying power for the evening.
A few downtown Ann Arbor restaurants I'd have on my radar:
Black Pearl – I'd start here, especially with their seasonal cocktail menu. Grab a couple of fresh sushi rolls to share. They're great as a starter or even a late-night snack, so maybe save a little room.
Slow's Bar BQ – For something hearty before a long night out.
Grizzly Peak – A classic downtown gathering spot for food and drinks.
Aventura – Perfect for sharing tapas and getting the evening started.
TAQ – A fun option if you're in the mood for tacos and cocktails.
Peridot – A great choice for creative food and a cocktail-forward evening.
Maybe you're less interested in making a big production out of dinner and would rather throw on a black dress, grab a table, and people-watch while everyone shows off their costumes. I get that, too.
In that case, I'd put these spots on your list:
There's something fun about settling in for dinner and watching downtown fill up with Halloween costumes as the night goes on.
3. Find a Halloween Costume Party
Now we're getting to the good stuff.
On Halloween night, chances are you'll find something happening at just about every bar downtown. But if I were making the rounds, these are a few places I'd keep on my radar:
Whether you're looking for a full-blown costume party, a packed bar, or just somewhere to show off the costume you spent way too much time putting together, downtown Ann Arbor has plenty of options.
4. Keep the Night Going
After you've thoroughly enjoyed several hours of Halloween fun, a nightcap might be in order. Or maybe a dance floor. I'm not here to judge.
If you're ready to dance, I'd check out LIVE, Cirq Bar, or The Rabbit Hole.
If you'd rather settle in for one more drink and enjoy the atmosphere, consider Nightcap, Hidden King, or Blue Llama.
At this point, the costume may be getting a little uncomfortable, your feet might be starting to hurt, and you're probably wondering how you got talked into wearing that wig. But we're not calling it a night just yet.
5. Finish Strong: Late-Night Food Is a Must
And probably the most important step of all: figure out your late-night food situation before you need it.
Trust me, your future self will thank you.
Grab a slice of pizza from Stubborn Brothers, or, if you're feeling a little fancier (and still hungry), head to Eat Thai. Their kitchen serves as late as 4 AM on select nights, making it a pretty great option for a post-Halloween meal.
My only other piece of advice? Order your Uber at the same time you order your food. A little planning goes a long way.
However You Celebrate, Make It a Halloween to Remember
Whether your Halloween plans involve trick-or-treating with the kids, a cozy night in, dinner and drinks with friends, or making your way through every costume party downtown, Ann Arbor has plenty of ways to celebrate.
So put on the costume, support a few local businesses, enjoy the extra hour, and make a night of it.
And if you see someone in an orange pumpkin sweatshirt, there's a decent chance it's me.
Happy Halloween, Ann Arbor!