It’s that time of year again when Craftsman Row Saloon launches its Halloween pop-up, and Philadelphians can see what this Jeweler’s Row hotspot has to offer now through Oct. 31.
On top of the decorations throughout the space—which spans witch hats, ghosts, twinkling lights, spider webs, pumpkins, black ravens and more—the venue has also debuted a themed menu, and it’s all based on a popular Tim Burton film.
The Nightmare Before Christmas Halloween Pop-up Experience will feature both sweet and savory additions to Craftsman Row Saloon’s expansive menu, with decked-out milkshakes, cocktails, new sandwiches and apps, and even brunch items added to the roster.
“We love sharing our energy for the Halloween spirit and creating our food, cocktails and shakes for the spooky season,” said co-owner George Tsiouris.
“It brings a smile to our faces as we watch our offerings being enjoyed. Anytime we think of Halloween, we think of fun moments and of course, candy. One of our over-the-top shakes has the best of the best with a keepsake and is sure to bring smiles to people’s faces and bellies. We are looking forward to bringing our Nightmare Before Christmas theme back again this year with even more spookiness.”
The new items were thought up by George and his sister/co-owner, Vasiliki, while the themed space was designed and conceptualized by George’s wife, Annette. Sticking to the theme, visitors will also find characters from the movie such as Jack Skellington, Sally and the Boogie Man.
Food and drinks-wise, however, Craftsman Row Saloon’s Halloween menu will feature butternut squash bisque, an Autumn salad, “haunted” mac and cheese (made with pumpkin, pumpkin seeds and bread crumbs), “spooghetti” and meatballs, the spooky birthday French toast, plus some handhelds like the mummy stromboli, all hallow’s eve chicken sandwich and monster burger.
Sweets-wise, the new milkshake offerings will span the “This is Halloween”, $18, made with local chocolate ice cream with a blended sugar cookie, house-made Jack cookies, black rock candy, plus black and white sprinkles, and then the “Halloween Basket”, $19, made with local vanilla ice cream with blended Kit Kats, Reese’s-twix-chocolate candy toppings, sugar candy wedges, rope candy, Halloween sprinkles and a keepsake pumpkin basket.
There’s also an adult menu added to the pop-up, the “Apple Pickin’”, $17, made with local vanilla ice cream, Fireball, Buttershots, apple, caramel and a graham crumble topping.
And as a release states, all of the above will be available on the full larger menu of comfort food staples from the restaurant that includes Dorito coated mozzarella sticks, award-winning burgers, and fiery buffalo mac-n-cheese. George recommends also trying the donut fried chicken with bacon, American cheese, maple syrup, plus the Mac Daddy burger, made with smashed patties and mac and cheese on a Martin’s potato roll.
For those really looking to imbibe, there will be a large assortment of cocktails all themed for the occasion like the Trick or Treat Martini ($15 peanut butter whiskey, chocolate liqueur, bailey’s and a Reese’s garnish,) the Oogie Boogie Mule ($14, tequila, pear and lime ginger beer), and the Corpse Reviver ($14, gin, elderflower, cointreau, absinthe and lemon) with plenty of other options to try.
All the spooky fun will continue through Oct. 31, and afterwards, the two owners will then quickly begin working on their award-winning Christmas pop-up that debuts in early November.
Hours are Wednesday from 4 to 10 p.m., Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from noon to 11 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday hours will start Oct. 1. Reservations are now available on Opentable, and this pop-up is family friendly when children are accompanied by a parent or legal guardian 21 or up. For more information on Craftsman Row Saloon (112 S 8th St.), visit craftsmanrowsaloon.com
