‘Hocus Pocus’ Themed Rooftop Pop-Up Bar to Debut in West Town

Chicago’s storied drinking scene boasts a grand tradition of pop culture pop-up bars, and this Halloween, staff at bar and restaurant Homestead on the Roof aims to entertain, even during a pandemic. Fifty/50 Restaurant Group on Saturday will debut I Put a Spell On You, a bar themed after ’90s comedy cult classic Hocus Pocus, starring Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy as the witchy Sanderson sisters.

Fifty/50’s pop-up team, which was also behind the Die Hard-inspired Yippee Ki-Yay, Princess Bride-themed As You Wish, and most recently, Honey, I Shrunk The Pop-Up, have a track record of attention to detail. Their new menu is a case in point, with 13 special cocktails such as Black Flame Candle (spiced rum, overproof rum, mango, pineapple, lime, angostura, fire) and California Laid Back Tie Dye Point Of View (vodka, Cointreau, passion fruit, cranberry, lime, “tie dye sparkles”), which is served in a bong.

Sarah Zelman/Homestead on the Roof

Food offerings are also ample: referentially-named options include I Wanna See Her Turn to Dust (tempura-fried maitake mushrooms, ramp dust, togarashi dust, Asian green goddess sauce) and the Devil Himself sandwich (Nashville hot fried chicken thigh, pickled red onions, romaine, mayo, red brioche bun, fries). Executive pastry chef Chris Teixeira customized special black potato buns and bright red brioche buns with black sesame seeds just for the occasion.

Sarah Zelman/Homestead on the Roof

Sarah Zelman/Homestead on the Roof

I Put a Spell on You will run from Saturday through November 8 with themed events including pumpkin carving for families, a special brunch menu on weekends, and socially distanced spots to take pictures, like the Sandersons’ spooky cabin, equipped with a cauldron and spell book. Hocus Pocus superfans can find winks, nods, and Easter eggs on Homestead’s 1,000 square-foot rooftop garden at 1924 W Chicago Avenue. Reservations are required, and can be booked online.