Best Thing We Drank Last Night: Halloween Punch at Cole's, Seven Grand, More

Day of the Dead punch at Las Perlas

By Lesley Balla

The bars behind the 213 Nightlife group - Caña Rum Bar, Golden Gopher, Las Perlas, Casey's Irish Pub, Seven Grand, Cole's and Tony's Saloon - really get into the Halloween spirit every year, and even compete against each other in a punch and costume throwdown. We were invited check out all the spots last night to judge whose cocktails and spooky themes reign supreme - hey, someone has to do it - a whirlwind trip through some of Downtown LA's more popular bars. Thankfully, a shuttle was on hand.

Bloody prom scenes seem to be a trend this year. Cole's has been transfromed into a haunted 50s dance where a couple went on a bloody killing spree, complete with Enchantment of the Sea decor and knives sticking out of bow-tied teens. The punch bowl, filled with a classic 50s Champagne punch, has gummy worms and eyeballs floating in it for good measure. Cana went full-on Carrie with evil sayings written in blood all over the joint, even in the bathroom. Golden Gopher has a scary bordello thing going for it, and Tony's is a haunted trucker stop. There are creepy clown masks everywhere at Casey's for the carnival theme; we like the games (pin the tail on the drunken donkey, etc.) with prizes for winners. One of our favorites is definitely Seven Grand's Ghostbusters theme, where Stay Puff Marshmallow Man floats above you both inside and out, and bartenders had Proton Packs strapped to their backs.

Each place created a special punch that will be served all weekend through Halloween night and is only $6 a glass at each location on Saturday (Oct. 27). Our personal favorites: the smoky mezcal and spice punch with apricot foam at Las Perlas, Cana's clove-spiked bourbon punch, and the warm chocolatey thing topped with marshmallows (Stay Puff!) at Seven Grand. Take a look at the slide show below for some of the revelry from the night, and to see what you're in for this weekend.