Plenty of tomato juice, hot sauce and spooky creativity is heading to Northern Liberties this month — the Monster Mash: Bloody Mary challenge is officially back for its seventh year.
Set for Oct. 17-18 and 24-25, the roster for this go-around has nearly doubled in size with 18 competing bars and restaurants, all serving up Halloween-themed riffs on the early morning sipper.
“Northern Liberties is home to some of the city’s most creative bartenders, and we love seeing how they put their spin on this iconic cocktail,” said Sydney Rexroad, Executive Director of NLBID in a previous statement. “The Monster Mash: Bloody Mary Challenge is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween, the dedicated teams behind our dynamic bar and restaurant scene, and toast to the neighborhood’s community. Whether you’re craving a classic Bloody or a truly spirited creation, there’s something for everyone.”
Monster Mash is pay-as-you-go over the two weekends, giving Bloody Mary lovers a chance to try as many as they like. Patrons can rank their drinks in categories like spice/heat, taste, vibe and spooky factor, with an overall winner taking top honors.
What’s on the menu for 2026?
At Bar 1010 (701 N. 2nd St.) their submission dubbed 'Mike’s Revenge' gives the traditional Bloody Mary a modern makeover, combining Mike’s Hot Honey with a special blend of house spices. Just down the street, Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) is serving up 'The Misfire,' a clarified Bloody Mary martini made with vodka and clarified tomato served straight up with a pimento vegan cheese-stuffed olive as a garnish.
For those who like their drinks with a little smoke, Cantina Dos Segundos (931 N. 2nd St.) is serving two specialties. The first, 'Chupacabra’s Blood' features El Guel mezcal with housemade Bloody Mary mix, a zarandeado shrimp skewer and a smoky pepper rim. 'The Bruja’s Potion' on the other hand, features house-infused black garlic tequila, housemade Bloody Mary mix, activated charcoal and a Tajín rim.
Then at El Camino Real (1040 N. 2nd St.) the team is offering its 'Smokey BBQ Bloody Mary' for the occasion—the smoked tomato and serrano pepper mixed drink is topped with smoked brisket, a spare rib, candied bacon, pickled green beans, jalapeños and celery, with a crushed bacon rim.
Pickle lovers can head to Jerry’s Bar (129 W. Laurel St.) to try 'The Pickled Witch,' a homemade tomatillo-based Bloody Mary with pickle vodka, pickles, olives, pepperoncini brines, blue cheese olives, a gherkin and black pickle salt. Over at Mamajuana Cafe Philly (1000 Frankford Ave.), their 'La Diabla Bloody Maria' is mixed with blanco tequila, tomato juice, fresh lime, Worcestershire, jalapeño, Tabasco and savory spices. Served in a smoky skull goblet with a Tajín rim, the fiery cocktail comes garnished with celery, charred jalapeño and dehydrated citrus.
At Newsroom Philly, also known as Pumpkin Press throughout October (1102 Germantown Ave.), the space is bringing a classic 'Meaty Mary' to the competition alongside its seasonal pop-up menu. At North Bowl (909 N. 2nd St.), their 'Spice Ghoul' reimagines the Bloody Mary as a deconstructed cocktail. Served as a spicy pickle dirty martini, their creation is topped with a frozen spicy Bloody Mary skull served with pickled vegetable garnishes and a Tajín rim.
The competition spirit continues at Ortliebs (847 N. 3rd St.) with the 'Haunted Hot Dog Bloody Mary.' Then Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) is keeping things closer to tradition with its 'Trick or Treat,' a classic version dressed up with a spiced rim and an assortment of trick-or-treat-inspired garnishes.
At Standard Tap (901 N. 2nd St.), the 'Jersey Devil' delivers a combination of bacon-infused vodka, a deviled egg, spicy cornichons, candied bacon and peppers. And for those who love an extravagant topping, Terra Grill (1099 Germantown Ave.) is serving up 'The First Bite' its signature cocktail garnished with a prime beef slider, peppadew “fangs,” spicy sriracha “blood” and mozzarella pearl eyes.
Thirsty for more? At Urban Village (1001 N. 2nd St.), the 'Ghost of Mary Past' blends vodka, bacon-fat-washed mezcal, tomato, celery, black lemon tea and a touch of caper brine. The mixture is milk-washed until crystal clear, creating “a ghostly transparent cocktail” finished with an olive-flavored skull gummy. Yards Brewing (500 Spring Garden St.) is taking a more artistic approach with 'The Vampire Slayer' a classic Bloody Mary armed with house-pickled garlic, a wooden stake and fangs.
More creations are planned from Amina, Luna Marre, Tailgate Sports Bar and North 3rd, with their recipes still in the testing kitchen. For a full schedule and more information, visit explorenorthernliberties.org
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