HOUSTON – One of Houston’s most beloved Halloween pop-ups is here to stay, and it’s brewing up something even bigger this year.
The Cursed Cauldron, an immersive Halloween cocktail experience that first launched in 2023, has found its forever home inside Botonica, a lush new bar in the River Oaks area.
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The experience is the brainchild of co-founders Alexis Mijares, owner of Botonica, and Angelique Cook-Cavazos, artistic director and co-creator of Cursed Cauldron.
Originally a pop-up that changed locations, the Cursed Cauldron now fully transforms Botonica into a three-part witch’s realm, complete with mystical cocktails, interactive experiences, and moody, photo-worthy decor. Guests begin their journey in The Apotheca Room, pass through the Nightshade Parlor, and end upstairs in The Coven’s Haunt — a bar-turned-spookeasy where dark magic and seasonal vibes take over completely.
This year’s spooky season runs from Oct. 3 through Nov. 2, and if past years were magical, this one’s next level.
Highlights this year include:
- Pumpkin Paint & Sip Movie Nights (Sundays)
- Tarot Tuesdays (mini readings with a drink purchase)
- Bewitched Burlesque (Wednesdays)
- Witch-craft classes (Saturdays)
- Resident tattoo artists offering flash ink on Sunday evenings
And of course, there’s a cocktail menu that leans full apothecary by featuring potions like Coven’s Calling, Lilith’s Lullaby, and the Harvest Moon Punch, alongside fall-themed bites like the Char-BOO-terie Board and Paranormal Pizza.
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The creators say the permanent move into Botonica gives them room to grow the experience every year, layering in surprises and seasonal magic for guests who want a full-on Halloween escape.
“We’re taking everything our guests loved about previous years and expanding on it exponentially,” Cook-Cavazos said. “From intricate apothecary details to entirely new layers of thoughtful design, we’ve raised the bar and curated a transformation that honors Cursed Cauldrons’ magical DNA while pushing creative boundaries.”
“The Cursed Cauldron was always designed to feel magical, otherworldly, and unlike anything else in Houston,” Mijares added. “Now that it has a permanent home at Botonica, we can build upon the bar’s existing framework rather than starting from scratch in a new space. This allows us to dream even bigger and give guests an immersive experience that grows every Halloween season.”
Reservations are encouraged (if you dare), and you can do so by visiting Botonica’s website. You can also purchase event tickets for The Cursed Cauldron by clicking here.