37th Halloween Loop set for Saturday, Oct. 29
We joke around the Out & About offices that the Halloween Loop could be cancelled and people in costume would still show up in Trolley Square looking for a party. Truth is, they would.
Hey, nothing wrong with tradition.
On Saturday, Oct. 29, Wilmington’s grandest nightlife tradition continues as 12 clubs join forces to host this citywide costumed pub crawl. Everyone 21 years or older is invited. The official start is 8 p.m.
“In terms of annual nightlife events in Wilmington, nothing really compares to the Halloween Loop,” says Jim Miller of Out & About Magazine, the presenting sponsor of the event. “Three things make it such a supremely successful series: longevity, draw, and spectacle.”
This year’s Loop lineup includes Anejo, Catherine Rooney’s, Chelsea Tavern, Dead Presidents, Ernest & Scott Taproom, FireStone, Gallucio’s Café, Grotto Pizza, Kelly’s Logan House, Lavish, Timothy’s Riverfront and Trolley Tap House. A one-time $10 cover gains you admission to all participating Loop venues. Attendees will receive a wristband upon paying the cover.
As always, dress to impress. By that we mean creativity is king when it comes to a costume. So don’t come as a cowboy, a Philadelphia Eagle or a Playmate. Think shamed politician, pop culture icon, dead rock star….
There is no official starting point to the Loop. You simply select the nightspot you’d like to visit first, pay the cover charge, and receive a wristband that gains you admission to all other Loop venues without paying another cover. The wristband must be presented to ride the complimentary Loop shuttle buses. Shuttle service begins at 8 p.m.
Here are a few other Halloween Loop tips:
- Costumes are strongly recommended. This is a costumed bar crawl. Many venues have prizes. In fact, the Loop Patrol will be awarding on-the-spot prizes for costumes that catch their eye.
- The buses stop running regular routes at 12:45 a.m. and begin making last-visit stops at 1 a.m. Buses stop running at 1:30 a.m., so be at the last venue you plan to visit by 12:30 a.m.
- Wear a comfortable costume. Make sure it allows you to see where you are walking and use the rest room with ease. And make sure it doesn’t cause you to become overheated (Venues get very crowded on the Loop).
- Get there early. Lines begin forming by 9 p.m.
- Designate a sober driver or plan to stay in the city for the evening at a friend’s place or one of the city’s five hotels. There are also several complimentary Last Call Lots where you can leave your car overnight and pick it up the next day.
For a list of venues, Last Call Lots, and updates on the Halloween Loop, visit outandaboutnow.com