During the spooky season, some drinkers may trade lite beers and shandies as seasons change for pumpkin ales and stouts. Others may swap a spiked lemonade for a hard cider. For those looking to put flavors like watermelon, pineapple, and blueberry back on their shelves, this article will direct toward those Autumn flavors all have come to love. Read on for more about some spooky spirits and autumn-themed drinks in the North Jersey area.
Ava’s Kitchen + Bar | 1 N21st Street, Kenilworth
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Ava’s Kitchen + Bar does an excellent job of listing all its autumn-themed cocktails on its Instagram page. There are three different categories to order beverages: refreshers, for those who may still hang onto the end of summer; highballs, for lovers of brandy and bourbon; and stirred, for those who want a mixed drink with an extra fall feeling. Unique items on the stirred menu, like Sho Nuff, feature flavors like mushroom with Matsui, Suntory Toki whiskey, and umami bitters. The Brass Monkey, under the highball menu, showcases flavors of lime, cinnamon, and passionfruit paired with Aperol, and apple brandy.
Read More: Where to Find the Most Creative Pumpkin Dishes + Drinks
Avenue Bistro Verona | 558 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
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Avenue Bistro in Verona is a local restaurant and bar that serves up casual food, drinks, and a relaxed vibe, per the website. For the fall, customers can find all sorts of apple butter, fig, pumpkin, and cider-based cocktails.
The Brookdale | 1099 Broad Street, Bloomfield
Photo credit: The Brookdale
The Brookdale is a lively restaurant in Bloomfield that has brunch, lunch, dinner, cocktails, beer, and an entire gluten-free section on the menu. The spot is serving up the “We Go Down Together” for the fall, complete with Absolut Pear Vodka, St. Germain, orange, ginger beer, pomegranate seeds, and a thyme garnish.
Halcyon | 114 Walnut Street, Montclair
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This popular restaurant is a go-to for seafood, creative cocktails, and a killer brunch — a comfortable and welcoming spot for a regular weeknight dinner or a celebratory night out. For the fall, Halcyon has a full menu of spooky cocktails. Try out the Hocus Pocus (hibiscus-infused vodka, Cointreau, ginger, + lemon), the Pomedy of Errors (Don Julio Blanco, pomegranate, jalapeno, lime + agave), or the Grimmlet (Deep Eddy Grapefruit Vodka, agave, + lime), among others. Find the full fall cocktail menu here.
Homestead Bar + Kitchen | 10 Dehart Street, Morristown
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Currently, Homestead’s house cocktail menu features all flavors and pairings of the autumn variety. Grab a favorite fall sweater or football jersey, get cozy on its porch, and join the fun inside where there are televisions galore. Whether patron’s teams are winning or losing, they’ll have the opportunity to watch with a Fall Fashioned in hand, complete with Maker’s Mark, apple cider, and bitters. Other options include the Spiced Pear complete with Malibu or Tito’s vodka, pear, and cinnamon. Wrap up dessert with a Chocolate Espresso Martini including Mr. Black coffee liquor, Baileys, Kahlua, Tito’s Vodka, and chocolate.
Dulce Patria | 913 Main Street, Paterson
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This restaurant located about a mile and a half down the road from the Center City Mall is an Asian-Latin fusion restaurant serving dishes like Grilled Octopus and Chicken Teriyaki Empanadas. It also has a sushi menu. If looking for something on the sweeter side, try the Cinnamonroe with Patron Reposado, Triple Sec, Maple Syrup, Lemon Juice, Ginger Syrup, and Cinnamon. This drink has many classic fall vibes poured into just one glass.
Horseshoe Tavern | 36 Speedwell Avenue, Morristown
Located near the Morristown Green, Horseshoe Tavern is a Morristown hot spot for locals. Whether customers are watching a game, or participating in Bingo Nights or Pong Tournaments, there’s plenty of atmosphere to get warm with fall favorites. Sip on a Cranberry Orange Whiskey Sour (Jack Daniels, ginger beer, cranberry juice, simple syrup, splash of orange juice, + a splash of sour) while munching on a 17 oz. soft pretzel or a french fry skillet with friends. A refreshing Autumn’s Mule ( Titos, apple cider, processo, ginger beer, lime juice, + a cinnamon stick) will pair nicely with the Avocado + Shrimp Salad. For dessert, try the Horseshoe Spiked Mr. Black Cold Brew (regular, vanilla, or pumpkin spice flavored with Mr. Black Coffee Liquor, Stoli, + whipped cream) with the chocolate lava cake, or have a Pumpkin Pie Martini (Stoli Vanilla, pumpkin liquor, splash of Bailey’s, + pumpkin spice mix) all on its own.
Cork City | 239 Bloomfield Avenue, Hoboken
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Known as Hoboken’s craft beer speakeasy, Cork City has the biggest variety of autumn-themed beers on this list. Whatever kind of beer patrons favor, they’ll find their fall fix here. The spice of an Oktoberfest can be found in the October Surprise. The dark yet subtle flavors of a porter can be found in the Trick or Treat pumpkin porter. A new take on a cider might be found in the Maple Vanilla. MG Pro Tip: Customers who are looking for pumpkin pie in a glass should order the Schlafly Pumpkin beer. Beer advocate ratings are also found on Cork City’s drinking menu, as ordering may be a tough decision.
Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen | 398 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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Whether you’re looking for the best spot to go pre-show for a Wellmont Theater gathering, a delicious modern and contemporary cocktail, or to participate in some of the coolest events in the area — look no further than Pharmacie Bar + Kitchen. This Montclair staple is serving up a few themed drinks for spooky season, including the Paul’s Boutique (pictured above) — which is a smokey mezcal NY sour. Other drinks include the Party All the Tyme (similar to an old-fashioned with black walnut bitters), the Voodoo Child (Crown Royal Whiskey, Gosling’s Black Seal Rum, St. George Spiced Pear, Ramazotti, demerara, + lime), and a Misunderstood Ginger Whiskey drink called the “Saturn” where customers can choose their own spirit.
The Oakley Kitchen + Cocktails | 789 Bloomfield Avenue, Nutley
If the vibe of the evening is cozy meets elegant, look no further than The Oakley. Named after the legendary sharpshooter Annie Oakley, this place is open for breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner. There is also a special menu for game days. If passing by for a cocktail, try the Fig Blossom (Figenza Fig Vodka, grapefruit juice, + elderflower) with the Pan Seared Citrus Salmon. For beer and bubbly lovers, try the Downeast Strawberry cider for a sweeter side, or the Breckenridge Vanilla Porter for a richer taste with vanilla undertones.
The Brookdale | 1099 Broad Street, Bloomfield
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This restaurant is located on one of Bloomfield’s main drags. The Brookdale serves plates for brunch, lunch, and dinner. We Go Down Together, from the cocktail menu, contains Absolut pear vodka, St-Germain, orange, and ginger beer. Pair it with the Zucchini + Fava Bruschetta to start and the Thai Cali Shrimp for the main course. The Brookdale also has a special gluten-free menu. If looking to share spooky spirits with friends, fill out this form to inquire about special events.
Faubourg | 544 Bloomfield Avenue, Montclair
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One of the most popular costumes this time of year is the Elvis Presley. So stop by Faubourg’s in Montclair in your best Elvis Presley while sipping on an Elvis Parsley. Featuring Prairie Vodka, Watermelon, Parsley, Cucumber, and lime, it perfectly captures those late summer/early fall feels. Faubourg is located in the heart of Montclair Center, and it was created to be a modern French brasserie. This establishment is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. There is also a plant-based menu option available.
See More: A Guide to Pumpkin Spice Lattes + Other Fall Drinks in Hoboken
Suspenders Restaurant + Pub | 1131 Magie Avenue, Union
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Suspenders Restaurant + Pub sits less than a mile away from Kean University. Suspenders have served the patrons of Union County for just over 20 years. Nailing traditional pub classics like burgers and wings, this place serves great pub food both indoors and outdoors (weather permitting). Known to have a different game on every television, Suspenders is ready for customers on game day. Sit back and relax for an early game, because Suspenders captures its autumn vibes into Moscow Mules. With options like orange, cranberry, and apple cider, there’s bound to be a fall favorite for everyone.
Verona Inn Tavern | 624 Bloomfield Avenue, Verona
Photo credit: Verona Inn Tavern
Verona Inn is a longstanding Essex County tavern that serves up weekly dinner specials and an extensive beer and wine list (38 rotating beers on tap to be exact). For the fall, there is an entire menu of spooky sips. Customers can choose from a variety of Tito’s-based cocktails in addition to other drinks — like the Pumpkin Espresso Martini or St. Pear Margarita. Find the full fall menu in the photo above. This spot is also known for showing every NFL game each Sunday, so customers can pair one of these spooky cocktails with watching their favorite team play on the TVs.
