10 Ideas How to Decorate Your Restaurant for Halloween

Halloween presents a unique chance to infuse some magic and mystery into your restaurant's atmosphere. Here are 10 enchanting ideas to elevate the dining experience without giving your customers the creeps.

1. Enchanting Entrance

Set the tone right from the entrance with friendly pumpkins, autumn leaves, and magical fairy lights.

Materials Needed:

• Pumpkins or faux pumpkins
• Autumn leaves (real or faux)
• Fairy lights

Steps:

1. Place pumpkins near the entrance or along the walkway.
2. Scatter autumn leaves around for a seasonal touch.
3. Use fairy lights above the entrance or wrapped around nearby foliage for a warm, welcoming glow.

2. Magical Bar Area

Turn your bar into a wizard's lab with colored liquids in clear jars, and a menu of mysterious Halloween-themed cocktails.

Materials Needed:

• Colored water or juices in clear jars
• Halloween-themed cocktail signs

Steps:

1. Arrange jars filled with 'potions' on the bar.
2. Display Halloween cocktail signs with imaginative names like "Witch's Elixir" or "Goblin Goblet."

3. Floating Candles

Create an ethereal atmosphere with faux floating candles suspended from the ceiling.

Materials Needed:

• Battery-operated LED candles
• Fishing line
• Transparent hooks

Steps:

1. Attach fishing line to each LED candle.
2. Suspend them from the ceiling at different heights using transparent hooks.

4. Autumnal Dining Area

Incorporate autumn colors like orange, yellow, and brown for your table settings to give the dining area a warm, festive feel.

Materials Needed:

• Orange, yellow, and brown tablecloths or placemats
• Autumn leaves or mini pumpkins as centerpieces

Steps:

1. Use tablecloths or placemats in autumnal hues.
2. Place mini pumpkins or autumn leaves as centerpieces.

5. Themed Menu Boards

Revamp your menu boards to fit the Halloween spirit using seasonal colors and playful fonts.

Materials Needed:

• Chalkboard or digital display
• Orange and black chalk or markers

Steps:

1. Rewrite the menu using Halloween-inspired fonts.
2. Use playful Halloween icons like pumpkins, black cats, or candy corn to add some flair.

6. Whimsical Playlist

Compile a playlist of light-hearted, Halloween-inspired tunes that maintain a cozy dining atmosphere.

What You Needed:

• Halloween-inspired playlist like this one:
  • "Spooky, Scary Skeletons" – Andrew Gold
  • "Witch Doctor" – David Seville
  • "I Put a Spell on You" – Nina Simone
  • "Monster Mash" – Bobby "Boris" Pickett
  • "Somebody's Watching Me" – Rockwell
  • "Thriller" – Michael Jackson
  • "Purple People Eater" – Sheb Wooley
  • "Ghostbusters" – Ray Parker Jr.
  • "Superstition" – Stevie Wonder
  • "Witchy Woman" – Eagles
  • "Black Magic Woman" – Santana
  • "Love Potion No. 9" – The Clovers
  • "Time Warp" – Rocky Horror Picture Show Cast
  • "Devil Woman" – Cliff Richard
  • "Ghost Riders in the Sky" – Johnny Cash
  • "Little Ghost" – The White Stripes
  • "Werewolves of London" – Warren Zevon
  • "Demons" – Imagine Dragons
  • "Season of the Witch" – Donovan
  • "Evil Woman" – Electric Light Orchestra
• Sound system

Steps:

1. Create a playlist that blends well with the restaurant setting, focusing on more whimsical tunes.
2. Play the playlist at a comfortable volume throughout the restaurant.

7. Seasonal Serveware

Swap out your regular serveware for items that have a Halloween flair, such as orange or black plates, or themed straws.

Materials Needed:

• Seasonal serveware
• Optional: Halloween-themed straws or napkins

Steps:

1. Replace your current serveware with seasonally appropriate items.
2. Optionally, include themed straws or napkins for a fun touch.

8. Festive Staff Accessories

Invite staff to wear fun but functional Halloween accessories to contribute to the festive atmosphere.

Materials Needed:

• Halloween-themed accessories like pins, headbands, or scarves

Steps:

1. Ensure the accessories are appropriate for the work environment.
2. Encourage staff to incorporate them into their uniforms for the day.

9. Family-Friendly Photo Corner

Designate a corner for fun, family-friendly photos with Halloween props.

Materials Needed:

• Backdrop
• Fun props like wizard hats, broomsticks, or oversized candy

Steps:

1. Install a backdrop in a corner of the restaurant.
2. Offer a selection of props for guests to use in their photo ops.

10. Halloween Specials Menu

Roll out a limited-time menu featuring seasonal ingredients, and promote these special offerings on social media.

Materials Needed:

• Special ingredients for new dishes or drinks
• Menu cards or table tents
• Social media for promotion

Steps:

1. Create unique dishes or drinks using seasonal ingredients like pumpkin or apple.
2. Print menu cards or table tents to inform customers about these special offerings.
3. Use social media platforms to create buzz and attract more patrons.

 

 

Where To Buy Halloween Decorations?

 

If you're looking for stores that specialize primarily in decorations or crafting supplies, consider the following:

1. Party City
2. Oriental Trading
3. Michaels
4. Hobby Lobby
5. Spirit Halloween
6. Halloween Express

By implementing these ideas, you're sure to create a charming and magical Halloween experience that complements the ambiance of your restaurant. Always remember that while decorations should enhance the atmosphere, they should never detract from the quality of service or food. Happy decorating!