Long Beach’s Port City Tavern converts to ‘Dead Man’s Cove’ for Halloween

Port City Tavern is sticking to its nautical roots for the Halloween season. Diving right into their “Dead Man’s Cove” pop-up, they use pirate imagery and horror as the perfect combination for a distinctly unique spooky season outing in a city that is slowly becoming Halloween pop-up central.

“After seeing the success of our annual Nauti or Nice holiday pop-up, we wanted to bring that same immersive energy to the season,” said Port City owner Dylan Davis. “With Port City’s nautical roots, a pirate-inspired Halloween theme felt like the perfect fit—thus Dead Man’s Cove was born. What truly sets the experience apart is the level of detail and originality in our space.

“Much of our decor is handmade in-house, so guests are surrounded by one-of-a-kind pieces they won’t find anywhere else. The same care went into our bar program: every cocktail was developed from scratch by our team, complete with creative garnishes and unique drinkware that tie into the pirate theme.”

Equal parts neighborhood refuge and late-night confessional, it’s where industry folks unwind after a shift, where locals drift in for one drink and stay for three, and where the unpretentious charm of the city itself seems distilled into every glass behind the bar.

Port City Tavern is rather perfect for a pirate-gone-horror theme.

There’s something delightfully natural about a nautical bar leaning into pirate horror for Halloween. If one were to wax poetic, it as if the shores of Long Beach itself invited the darkness aboard. The creak of old wood and the gleam of brass portholes—especially when aboard the people-swear-it’s-haunted Queen Mary—have always carried the whispers of the macabre.

So when Port City draped itself in ghostly nets, flickering lanterns, and skeletal sailors, the atmosphere transforms effortlessly. Pirate lore has always danced on the edge of the supernatural—cursed gold, haunted ships, the endless pull of the deep are all noted in Port City—and in a bar setting, that blend of seafaring grit and ghostly mystery becomes outright charming.

It’s a match made in maritime hell, where instead of a rum-soaked candle fighting for life, you get, well, actual rum.

Port City Tavern’s 2025 Halloween cocktail offerings for Dead Man’s Cove.

Approachable with some outright poundable, these easy-to-drink cocktails from bar manager Kody Hill will cure any fear.

Calypso’s Curse: Gin | Fig | Strega | Activated Charcoal | Lemon

Jolly Roger: Bourbon | Pear | Maple | Lapsang Tea Tincture | Lemon

Bloody Pirate: Beet-infused Mezcal | Blanco Tequila | Ginger Agave | Lemon | Mug available for purchase for $10

Salty Buccaneer: Blanco Tequila | Cucumber | Agave | Black Lava Salt | Lime

24 Carrot Gold: Jamaican Rum | White Rum | Carrot | Orange | Coconut Cream | Ginger | Lime

Basic Wench: Vodka | Pumpkin Spice | Coffee Concentrate | Borghetti Espresso Liqueur | Mandarine Napoleon

Liar’s Dice: Rye Whiskey | Chai Spice Turbinado | Angostura Bitters

Pick Your Poison: Vodka or Jameson | Peach Liqueur | Simple Syrup | Lemon | Glows in the dark and comes with a souvenir shot glass

Port City Tavern is located at 4306 E. Anaheim St.