Monster Mash Bloody Mary Challenge Returns Bigger Than Ever to Northern Liberties

The event runs Saturdays and Sundays, October 17–18 and 24–25. Guests can visit as many spots as they like on a pay-as-you-go basis, ordering Halloween-themed Bloody Marys (or classic versions) indoors or at outdoor dining setups. Patrons vote in categories for spice/heat, taste, vibe, and spooky factor; an overall winner will be crowned. Reigning champion Anejo will try to defend its title.

The Northern Liberties Business Improvement District organizes the light-hearted neighborhood contest, highlighting the area's strong brunch scene and outdoor dining options along North Second Street and nearby streets. Participating spots include longtime favorites and several newcomers.

Here are the competing restaurants and bars, with available drink details:

• Amina (1102 Germantown Ave.) – New participant; details TBA
• Bar1010 (701 N. 2nd St.) – "Mike's Revenge," a traditional Bloody Mary with a modern sweet-and-spicy twist using Mike’s hot honey and house spices
• Bourbon and Branch (705 N. 2nd St.) – "The Misfire,” a clarified Bloody Mary martini with vodka and clarified tomato, served up with a pimento vegan cheese-stuffed olive ($15)
• Cantina Dos Segundos (931 N. 2nd St.) – "Chupacabra's Blood" with El Guel mezcal, house Bloody Mary mix, zarandeado shrimp skewer, and smoky pepper rim ($18); "The Bruja’s Potion” with black garlic-infused tequila, activated charcoal, and Tajín rim ($16)
• El Camino Real (1040 N. 2nd St.) – Smokey BBQ Bloody Mary with smoked tomato and serrano pepper mix, smoked brisket, spare rib, candied bacon, pickled vegetables, celery, and crushed bacon rim ($14)
• Luna Marre (1001 N. 2nd St.) – New participant; details TBA
• Mamajuana Cafe Philly (1000 Frankford Ave.) – New; "La Diabla Bloody Maria” with blanco tequila, tomato juice, lime, Worcestershire, jalapeño, Tabasco, and spices, served in a skull goblet with Tajín rim and dramatic smoky presentation ($18)
• Tailgate Sports Bar (1033 N. 2nd St.) – New participant; details TBA
• Jerry’s Bar (129 W. Laurel St.) – "The Picked Witch," a tomatillo-based mix with pickle vodka and brines, garnished with blue cheese olives, gherkin, and black pickle salt ($15)
• Newsroom Philly (aka Pumpkin Press, 1102 Germantown Ave.) – New; “The Meaty Mary” with vodka, tomato sauce, horseradish, Worcestershire, hot sauce, spices, bacon, shrimp, and celery ($19)
• North 3rd (801 N. 3rd St.) – Details TBA
• North Bowl (909 N. 2nd St.) – "Spice Ghoul,” a deconstructed version featuring a spicy pickle dirty martini topped with a frozen spicy Bloody Mary skull, pickled veggies, and Tajín rim ($13)
• Ortliebs (847 N. 3rd St.) – "Haunted Hot Dog Bloody Mary" ($16)
• Silk City (435 Spring Garden St.) – “Trick or Treat," a classic with spiced rim and multiple trick-or-treating garnishes ($14)
• Standard Tap (901 N. 2nd St.) – “Jersey Devil" with bacon-infused vodka, deviled egg, hot cornichons, candied bacon, and hellish peppers
• Terra Grill (1099 Germantown Ave.) – New; “The First Bite,” garnished with a prime beef slider, peppadew "fangs,” spicy sriracha "blood,” and mozzarella pearl eyes ($16)
• Urban Village (1001 N. 2nd St.) – "Ghost of Mary Past,” milk-washed clear cocktail with vodka, bacon-fat-washed mezcal, tomato, celery, black lemon tea, and caper brine, garnished with an olive-flavored skull gummy
• Yards Brewing (500 Spring Garden St.) – New; "The Vampire Slayer," a classic armed with house-pickled garlic, a wooden stake, and “vampire fangs" ($13)

Organizers encourage pairing drinks with food and note that many spots also serve dinner. Full details, updates, and information on nearby retail are available at explorenorthernliberties.org.

The Northern Liberties Business Improvement District, formed in 2018, works to keep the commercial district safe, clean, and vibrant for residents, businesses, and visitors.