There are cobwebs in the corners of the Blackbird taproom and Bird’s Nest lounge, but don’t worry, the staff hasn’t been neglecting cleaning duties. Spooky season is simply upon us. October is here, and along with the shift in weather towards fall, we have tons of fun events happening leading to the grand finale of Halloween weekend. Your favorite weeknight drink specials await, and the classic Blackbird events you know and love are rolling along each evening. Prepare for new menus, new offerings, and plenty of parties at Blackbird and Bird’s Nest.
No Tricks, All Treats (AKA Beer)
Forget the tricks! We’re serving up treats and only treats at the taproom. We have plenty of brews that are sure to bewitch you. We’ve raised a few beers from the dead and are returning some favorites from last fall to our menu. Plus, we have a couple of new concoctions that are sure to delight, not fright.
Crystal Lake – American IPA
There’s a legend around here. A killer buried, but not dead. A curse on Crystal Lake, a death curse. They say it died as an IPA, but it keeps coming back. It’s an old-school recipe that’s returned with even better ingredients, hop quality, and brewing process than ever before. Dry hopped with lots of Simcoe T90 and Cryo, El Dorado Cryo, and CTZ. Available Now!
Nightflight to Venus – Milk Stout
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome aboard the starship Boney M for our first passenger flight to Venus. Brewed with a variety of the smoothest roasted malts we can find and lactose, then cool-fermented with Scottish yeast, resulting in a creamy, soft, sweet stout. All systems are go, the sky is aglow. Available Now!
Munich Dunkel – Amber Lager
Dunkels are a staple on any Bavarian beer menu. Malty but with great drinkability, it’s designed to be consumed by the liter. Getting the majority of its color from higher-kilned Munich-style malt, this single-decocted brew was patiently lagered and weighs in at an approachable 4.7% ABV. Available Now!
Shützengiggles – Dunkles Bock
The White Street Brewers Guild Homebrew Club won the 2026 Triangle Cup and got to pick a brewery to brew with. They picked us! We chose to bring back a historic beer style, the Dunkles Bock. Potentially dating back to the 14th century and resurrected in Germany in the 17th century, this lager was brewed entirely with darker Munich malts and no pale malts as they didn’t exist until the early 20th century. The Bock is double-decoction mashed, which was the standard before steam-heating technology simplified the brewing process. The result is a deep and rich brown lager with toasty, chocolatey, and subtle dark fruit notes. Available Now!
Nightman – Black IPA
Nightman, sneaky and mean, spider inside my dreams, I think I love you. Brewed with a blend of dehusked roasted malts and a roasted malt syrup. This is to limit the roast bite while achieving our desired color and flavor. Hopped with Citra, Simcoe, and CTZ. As a themed counterpart, to our It’s Always Sunny in Motueka Hazy IPA will be returning soon as well. Coming Soon!
The Fall Menu at Bird’s Nest
Fall has officially arrived at Bird’s Nest, and our bartenders have been busy dreaming up a cocktail menu that captures both the cozy comforts and darker delights of the season. Our brand-new Fall Menu brings together rich autumn flavors, creative seasonal ingredients, and a few wickedly clever concoctions just in time for Halloween. Best of all, every cocktail on the new Fall Menu is only $12, creating the perfect excuse to sip your way through the new season.
Pumpkin Pie White Russian: Hackney Vodka, Caffè Borghetti Liqueur, Pumpkin Spice Cream, Five Farms Irish Cream, Biscoff Crumbs, Cinnamon Stick
Brown Butter Toffee Old Fashioned: Old Forester Rye, Walnut Bitters, Brown Butter Toffee Syrup
Cinnamon Bun Espresso Martini: Don Q Rum, Cinnamon Bun Syrup, Orgeat, Borghetti Coffee Liqueur, Espresso, Dash of Cinnamon
Caramel Apple Butter Whiskey Sour: Benchmark Small Batch Bourbon, Lemon Juice, Caramel Apple Butter Syrup, Egg White
Dial M for Mimosa: Crème de Cassis, Toso Brut, Sugar Rim
Bodega Blood Bay: Blackberry Liqueur, Cranberry Juice, Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, Edible Glitter
Bates Elixir: Midori Melon Liqueur, Green Apple Syrup, Pierre Ferrand Dry Curaçao
Blackbird After Dark (And Before)
Little Monsters Halloween Party | October 24 | 11am-4pm
Calling all little monsters! Blackbird Brewery is getting into the Halloween spirit with a full afternoon of family-friendly fun on Saturday, October 24. We’re opening early and kicking things off with the Dino Seeker Dinosaur Experience from 11am-12pm, bringing prehistoric fun to the brewery with an interactive dinosaur encounter. Then, Michael Douglas Comedy Magic takes over from 12:30pm-1:30pm with a family-friendly show full of laughs, surprises, and plenty of magic. The fun continues throughout the afternoon with a balloon artist from Kathi’s Klowns from 1pm-3pm and face painting from 1pm-4pm, giving your little monsters plenty of chances to transform into something colorful, creepy, silly, or completely their own.
Boos & Brews Halloween Party | October 30 | 6pm-11pm
Something wicked is brewing at Blackbird! Halloween weekend is almost here, and we’re celebrating with a frightfully fun night of live music, costumes, cold beer, and all the spooky season shenanigans you can handle. Our Boos & Brews Halloween Party is taking over the brewery on Friday, October 30, and we’re pulling out all the stops for a Halloween bash worth raising the dead for! We’re bringing the party to life with K-Bomb & The Kool Whips, taking the stage from 7pm-10pm. And of course, no Halloween party is complete without a little costume competition, so it’s time to get creative, get creepy, and go all out! Come dressed to kill. We’ll provide the boos and brews!
The Plot Thickens at Bird’s Nest
Cabaret Night w/ Miss Candice | October 24 | 7pm-9pm
Step into an evening of timeless elegance as Miss Candice graces the stage at Bird’s Nest for our October performance. A celebrated jazz chanteuse and cabaret performer, Miss Candice brings the golden age of jazz to life with an exquisite repertoire spanning the 1920s to the 1960s. Her enchanting vocals, paired with a visually captivating cabaret experience, create an unforgettable night of music, glamour, and sophistication. Add a carefully crafted cocktail to the mix and it’s the perfect Saturday night. Tables are almost completely booked now, but bar seating will be available on a first come, first serve basis!
Taco Tuesday | October 27 | 5pm-10pm
Tacos and margaritas? Now that’s a Tuesday we can get behind! We’re spicing things up at Bird’s Nest with a special Taco Tuesday celebration featuring delicious homemade tacos by Tylisha. Come hungry, grab a seat, and enjoy some of Tylisha’s cooking while sipping on your favorite Bird’s Nest cocktails.
Hitchcock Halloween | October 31 | 5pm-12am
Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. You’re invited to a Halloween night of suspense, spirits, and a little cinematic terror at Bird’s Nest!
This Halloween, we’re taking a page from the master of suspense himself, Alfred Hitchcock, for an evening inspired by the chilling classics of the silver screen. Join us for Hitchcock Halloween, where vintage Hollywood horror meets the dark, intimate atmosphere of Bird’s Nest for a Halloween celebration with a sinister twist.
We’ll be setting the scene with classic horror movies throughout the evening, bringing a little old-school suspense to the bar. Behind the scenes, our bartenders will be stirring up a selection of spooky specialty cocktails crafted especially for the occasion. Settle in with a cocktail, embrace the eerie atmosphere, and enjoy an evening where every sip comes with a little suspense.
Your Wake Forest Halloween *Final Destination*
Dust off your best costume and get ready to raise a little hell with us. There’s plenty of Halloween spirit haunting Blackbird and Bird’s Nest this October, and you’re invited to join us and the ghouls. With a few tricks up our sleeves and plenty of treats behind the bar, we’re ready for the many Halloween celebrations to come. Let’s end October with a smash! We’re just dying to see you.
