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It’s the best time of the year in New England! The weather gets colder, the leaves start changing colors, and in just a few weeks, spooky season will be in full swing. Last year, I chose to spend my Halloween in Boston, and there was one place I knew I had to try: Shore Leave.

Shore Leave

Shore Leave is a popular cocktail bar in the South End, known for its tropical-inspired drinks and creative sushi menu. However, during Halloween, the vibe shifts from beachy to spooky in just a few weeks.

I discovered the cocktail bar through blogs while searching for the perfect place to enjoy a nightcap on Halloween, and it turned out I wasn’t the only one interested. Reservations were booked out for weeks, but luckily, someone canceled last minute, giving us a spot.

When we arrived, the line wrapped around the block, with a wait of over an hour for walk-ins. Fortunately, with our reservations, we cut the line and headed down the stairs.

Spooky Halloween Cocktails

As soon as we reached the bottom, we were greeted by Halloween decorations and eerie lighting, and of course, the cocktails!

My favorite part was the cups, which featured little pumpkins and spooky characters. They truly put so much effort into the holiday theme and we even came dressed up.

Their drinks were incredibly creative, handcrafted with rum and seasonal flavors, and their sushi was equally as tasty!

Do I Need Reservations For Shore Leave This Halloween?

Yes, secure a reservation as soon as possible if you plan to visit on Halloween. They release them a few weeks out, so I would bookmark Open Table and keep checking.

You can make reservations here.

Reservations Are Full. Now What?

If reservations are full sign up for Open Table alerts if someone cancels. That is how I landed a spot. You can also check back daily to see if someone cancels.

Does Shore Leave Accept Walk-ins?

Yes, they do, but like I said before the wait was over an hour, and even then, many did not even get in.

When Are They Open?

Shore Leave is open from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and until 12:00 AM the rest of the week.

Where Is Shore Leave?

You can find Shore Leave in Boston’s south end.

Want more of my favorite cocktail bars, check them out here!

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Don’t forget to check out A Local’s Guide To The Best Lobster Rolls In Maine!