Halloween-Themed Pop-Up Bar Opens Thursday In Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA — Back again for 2022 is Philadelphia's Halloween-themed pop-up bar, Nightmare Before Tinsel.

Nightmare Before Tinsel will open for the season at 4 p.m. Thursday at 116 S. 12th St. in Philadelphia.

The pop-up will run through Oct. 31.

Hours are 4 p.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday

The, starting the week of Sept. 26, hours will be 4 p.m. to midnight Monday through Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. Friday, 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. to midnight and Sunday.

Nightmare Before Tinsel is 21 and up only, and free to enter, except Friday and Saturday nights, when cover is $5 at 8 p.m. and after.

For the true-spirit seekers and adventurous, costumes are welcome and encouraged - but optional

For 2022, Nightmare Before Tinsel will debut its new season theme that takes visitors through an apocalyptic zombie-scape, into a vibrant haunted mansion festooned with pirate skeletons, hulking beasts, and famous monsters from across the decades, past macabre artifacts from our haunted and twisted past, and ultimately into the shocking depths of pure imaginations.

"Craft Concepts Group is ready to unleash your worst (and best) nightmare," said Teddy Sourias of Craft Concepts Group. "Nightmare Before Tinsel this year hopes to be our most thoughtful, provocative, and exciting Halloween experience yet. We are kicking off Spooky Season in Philadelphia earlier than ever before. Nightmare Before Tinsel will keep you scared for six weeks leading up to Halloween. We have been working away to bring you this beloved Halloween tradition unlike any other in the region. We also are trying to constantly think out of the box and have a little fun along the way. Our team has done some amazing work for this year to change things up in a big way - the attention to detail and artistry is next level."

"This year we proudly present an immersive fantasy and horror adventure, inspired by a variety of nostalgic horror and fantasy themes," said Artist and Interior Designer Scott Johnston.

For 2022, the former home of Simpson's Jewelry, and the home of Tinsel Christmas Bar, has been converted from top to bottom, left to right and everything in between with scenes, images and custom art that bring Philadelphia's Nightmare to life.

Exhibits, props, decorations and photo opportunities will range from scary and gory, to ironic and funny, the retro and vintage.

New features this year include 17 "living" screens, showing videos filmed by Scott "Count Scotchula" Johnston, lead designer and artist of Nightmare Before Tinsel, with surprises around every corner, as well as custom DJ playlists for each night of the week, curated by South Philly based DJ "The Touched" on loan from the Mahoning Drive In Theater.

The playlist for each night centers on specific eras and themes of horror cinema, interspersed with popular (and esoteric) music from their respective eras.

Nightmare has also added dozens of lifesize as well as "larger than life" fantasy and horror figures throughout the space, from fuzzy nostalgia to "knock your socks off scary," with hundreds of curious artifacts and custom artworks throughout the space.

Plus, crowd favorites from the past (scary babies, outside facade and other signature elements) will be back but in new ways.

The ever-popular throne room is back and full of surprises, including a mid-season switch.

Come for the spooky fun early in the season, but don't miss a twist or turn after October 1st when it gets a make-over for those that want to visit twice.

"Look for less quick passing thrills and much-more in depth, immersive and detailed scares in the new Hallloween galleries," said Project Manager Alex Bokulich. "The focus this year was about maximizing our space, adding more depth and on the story-telling. A lot of the things you will see in nightmare this year were not sourced, they were specifically crafted by original artists - this is the most original art and custom installations ever for Nightmare."Among the fiends lurking about in Nightmare, look for a smoking dragon, larger than life skeleton and zombie version of Philly favorites Gritty and the Phanatic. Additionally, Johnston, Bokulich and CCG has partnered with the Belasco Collection UK for an exhibit within the nightmare that they say is "Not for the screamish."

Nightmare Before Tinsel is 2,000 square feet of spooked-out space designed by interior designer and local artist Scott Johnston.

From eerie ambiance to quirky cocktails, look for a full selection of exclusive and spirited cocktails and witches brews.

Behind the bar, look for your favorite bartenders from BRU, Tradesman's, Blume Burger, Finn McCools, Tinsel and Uptown Beer Garden rustling about pouring potions and seasonal fall beers.

Nightmare Before Tinsel will carry a slew of seasonal draft beers and canned beers and seltzers.

Check out some of the themed cocktails for the opening menu:

Ecto Cooler Shot, $11
Comes in take-away Clear Skull Shot Glass — Crystal Head Vodka, Melon Liqueur, Pineapple Juice, Dry Ice

Blood Bar, $16
Comes in take-away "Blood Bag" — Union Forge Vodka, Peach Schnapps, Cranberry Juice

Vampire Shot, $12
Comes in take-away Onyx Black Skull Shot Glass — Corralejo Blanco, Orange Liqueur, Maple Cinnamon Syrup

Candyman Shot, $12
Comes in take-away Aurora Skull Shot Glass — Skrewball Whiskey, Raspberry Liqueur, Ginger Ale

Dark Jawn, $18
Comes in take-away Skeleton Hand Flute — Fosforo Tobala Mezcal, Luxardo, Amaretto, Chocolate Bitters, Vanilla Extract, Activated Charcoal

Hokum-Smokum, $15
Comes in take-away Black Wine Glass — Whitley Neil Quince Gin, Ginger Syrup, Champagne, Candy Corn, Edible Glitter

Bat, $17
Comes in take-away Skeleton Mug — Templeton Rye, Sour Apple Pucker, Cranberry, Caramel Drizzle

Jekyll and Hyde, $15
Comes in take-away Cauldron Mug — Agavales Reposado, Pumpkin Spice Liqueur, Ginger Beer

The Overlook $14
Comes in take-away Jack O Lantern Cup — Jameson, Cinnamon Simple, Apple Cider, Dash of Cinnamon Sugar and Fire

Maximum Overdrive, $14
Comes in take-away GhostCup — Vanilla Vodka, Dark Creme de Cacao, Cold Brew, Toasted Marshmallow and Graham Cracker Dust for garnish