News Summary
Santa Ana is gearing up for Halloween with two themed events at local restaurants. Darkroom will host a one-night-only celebration featuring a spooky atmosphere and themed menu, while Pete’s Sunset Grille offers a Halloween pop-up experience called Pete’s Spookeasy. Both establishments aim to immerse diners in festive spirits with special decorations, unique food and drink offerings, and engaging entertainment such as costume contests and live music. These events provide perfect opportunities for locals and visitors to enjoy a Halloween-themed dining experience.
Santa Ana is set to become a Halloween hotspot as two local restaurants unveil special themed events and menus. Darkroom will host a one-night-only Halloween celebration on Wednesday, October 29, while Pete’s Sunset Grille at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort is offering a Halloween pop-up known as Pete’s Spookeasy. Both events are designed to immerse diners in the spooky spirit of the holiday with unique decorations, themed menus, and engaging entertainment.
The Halloween event at Darkroom will run from 6 to 10 p.m. at 3751 South Harbor Blvd., suite C, Santa Ana. The venue will be transformed into “a spooky Goth church” for the occasion, creating an eerie ambiance for guests. Reservations for the event are available at Exploretock for a $21 fee, which will cover the costs of the DJ and decorations; food and drink will be charged separately. One of the main attractions will be a variety of small bites inspired by Halloween alongside some of Darkroom’s popular classic dishes. Highlights of the special menu include:
- Tuna tartare with radicchio and savory strawberry
- Smoked beet and pomegranate tart
- Sumac, Urfa, and ash chicken wings
- Baby back ribs with burnt apple and piquillo
- Pickled deviled eggs
- Potato jamon croquettes
Additionally, guests can sip on unique cocktail specials featuring spooky themes. The event will also include a live DJ playing dark wave and goth dance music, as well as a photo booth for capturing the Halloween spirit. A costume contest with prizes will take place at 8 p.m., encouraging guests to showcase their creativity and join in on the fun.
Meanwhile, just a short drive away in Huntington Beach, Pete’s Sunset Grille has transformed its atmosphere into the Halloween-themed speakeasy known as Pete’s Spookeasy. This pop-up bar and dining experience is open now through Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 21500 Pacific Coast Highway. The venue highlights a selection of Halloween-themed bites, which include:
- “Bugs” in Stinky Cheese (whipped goat cheese, dates, marzipan “grubs,” figs, hot honey served with Raincoast Crackers)
- Cauldron queso (pepper jack dip with ground beef, corn salsa, and micro cilantro)
- “Char-boo-terie” platter
- Pasta from the Black Lagoon (squid ink spaghetti with shrimp, lobster cream sauce, roasted tomato, and asparagus)
The themed menu does not stop at food; a variety of cocktails inspired by Halloween can also be found at Pete’s Spookeasy. They include:
- Hex on the Beach (Mt. Gay Black Barrel Rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, cream of coconut, and nutmeg)
- Witching Hour (pumpkin-washed Templeton Rye Whiskey, pumpkin pie spice syrup, and orange bitters)
- Creature of the Lime Lagoon (jalapeño-infused Don Julio Blanco Tequila, lime, lemon juices, agave nectar, Grand Marnier, and cucumber)
While reservations at Pete’s Sunset Grille are encouraged to ensure a spot, walk-ins are also welcome, extending a friendly invitation to those looking for a spontaneous Halloween outing. The pop-up bar and dining experience’s operational hours run from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the Halloween season, creating a space for both lunch and dinner celebrators.
This Halloween, both Darkroom and Pete’s Sunset Grille provide exciting and festive dining experiences filled with themed food, drinks, and events. With engaging activities like costume contests and lively music, these establishments are set to become prime destinations for locals and visitors seeking to embrace the Halloween spirit in Orange County.
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Additional Resources
- Time Out: Halloween Parties in London
- Wikipedia: Halloween
- Bright Wall/Dark Room: Hubie Halloween
- Google Search: Halloween Events
- CBR: MrBallen Horror Comic Interview
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Horror
- Adweek: IKEA Halloween Ads
- Google News: Halloween 2023
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
