I’m one of those people who will literally PLAN how I can best snack and sip around Halloween Horror Nights, all while visiting multiple houses within a night. Buuut, this year is looking a bit different as Universal Orlando brings back elements from the now-canceled event during the day.

As we dare to experience the haunts over at Universal’s two daytime haunted houses today, sometimes it’s important to give your mortal heart a rest in between scares. Even though Pizza Fries and a whole line-up of Halloween Horror Nights goodies at the Tribute Store have returned, there are also NEW spots to snack and sip while your heart rate goes down! 👻

And, I wouldn’t be the HHN Queen if I didn’t take you on a tour of them ALL, now would I?? 😉

Skeleton Bar

I’m a huge advocate for the RIP Tours at Halloween Horror Nights. If you’ve ever gotten the chance to go on one, you’ll recognize that the Skeleton Bar is located at the previous starting point for the tours!

While Cafe La Bamba used to be the pre-tour hub where people would be able to grab drinks and food before exploring HHN, Universal guests are now able to try sips that may or may not be good enough to give them hot and cold running chills (whoops, sorry — wrong park pun!).

And, it looks like Universal is REALLY going all out with the decorations this year because the Skeleton Bar was almost like a mini house!

As you entered the restaurant, you could admire different spooky-themed posters on the walls…

…before heading into the next room to order your food first.

Just looking at the stretched buffet line (that wasn’t in use at this time) made us think about our past RIP Tours and miss them dearly!

Although the Skeleton Bar was serving up eats and sips like the Incantation Shrimp Cocktail, Vegan Jack’dup Mac, and Bloody Charred Tandori Skewer, the Screaming for S’mores Fries and non-alcoholic Frozen Candy Corn had our names ALL over them (because what’s HHN without a good drink and some sort of amped-up fries??).

Buuut, we’ll have to get back to them because we also wanted to grab some sips on our way through the spooky space! The Skeleton Bar was structured so guests have to walk through the decorated space…

…complete with plenty of vines, blacklights…

…and even a few terrifying props that reminded us of the scare zones we would see during the regular event!

However, once we made it to the drink section, we were able to take a look at the house specialties! The Circus Peanut, Mango Inferno, and Loup-Garou all come in 14 oz cups for $12.50 each.

Okay, but now that we’ve given you a FULL look at the Skeleton Bar, we’re diving into our mini Halloween Horror Nights feast!

The Screaming for S’mores Fries were sweet potato fries (interesting choice, Universal) with marshmallow, dark chocolate chips, and crumbled graham crackers on top for $6.99.

It seems like Universal just has a special touch for making their loaded fries absolutely WONDERFUL. Although the Pizza Fries are more savory, we loved the sweet companion with the S’mores Fries. The sweet potato fries were perfectly crisp (a rare feat with sweet potatoes!), which went super well with the crunch from the graham crackers. Plus, the gooey toasted marshmallow and rich chocolate only made it all the more heavenly (but mega filling).

Guests of all ages can sip on the Frozen Candy Corn, mixed up with whipped cream and sprinkles on top for $5.50.

The orange part of the drink is candy corn flavored, while the yellow had more of a marshmallow taste! But, be warned — this drink might even be sweeter than Butterbeer! This is super Instagrammable but also a total sugar bomb!

But, Halloween Horror Nights drinks are pretty iconic. So, the grown-ups practically HAVE to indulge in a few sips to get the full event experience! We tried the Mango Inferno made with El Jimador Blanco, Mango Juice, Yellow Curry Powder, Lime Juice, Agave Nectar, and Salt.

Honestly, the first sip had us hooked. This is a spicy marg done really well. The balance between sweet and heat was SO wonderful in this drink. After the Frozen Candy Corn, the spiciness from the Mango Inferno was definitely welcomed (and we want another already).

We also noticed that the Circus Peanut on the menu sounded like a…well, interesting batch of flavors. So, in the name of science, we decided to do some research!

Buckle up for this ingredient list guys: the drink was mixed with Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey, Bols Crème de Banana, Campari, and Orange Juice. And, yes… that IS a circus peanut on top.

All we have to say is that the flavors in this one weren’t our favorite (even though we’ll give Universal an A+ for creativity)! It wasn’t BAD, and it was actually on the much less sweet side of things, if you’re looking for something less sugar-packed.

BTW, did you know circus peanuts candy are orange colored but are actually banana flavored? Now you know where the banana flavor comes in!

Halloween Horror Nights Food Truck

There are two Universal Food Trucks out and about in the parks for guests to grab more spooky goodies.

Along with beer, water, and soda, guests can test how daring they can be with the Electrofied Skin and Guts and Franken Fried Chicken and Funnel Brains.

We couldn’t pass up the opportunity for a funnel cake so we got our Frankenstein-themed snack for $7.99! As the name implies, the Franken Fried Chicken and Funnel Brains was a funnel cake topped with fried chicken. But, there was maple aioli and strawberry glaze to give it some sweetness and a hint of berry flavor too (AKA…blood and guts goo).

Although we do have to say that the portion was pretty small for the cost, the ingredients were fresh and crispy! We definitely could have chowed down a giant plate by ourselves with all that strawberry sauce and powdered sugar goodness.

Along with Pizza Fries, Twisted Taters are an HHN treat that you basically HAVE to have during the event. And, Universal knows us so well because they’ve brought them back at the Food Trucks outside!

Fans were lined up outside of the truck to grab the crispy treat that we’ve all missed the past year.

The Twisted Taters came in three flavors with sour cream and onion, salt and vinegar, or garlic parmesan seasoning options for $7.99.

But, you can also indulge with some blood and guts topping (or chili cheese, in this case) as well as the Twisted Frank-N-Coils, which is just the taters wrapped around a hot dog.

We went with the sour cream and onion option, and it did NOT disappoint!

The flavors were similar to sour cream and onion chips, but a hot and crispy ring of fries instead. If you head to Universal Orlando soon, this is an AWESOME snack that we could have over and over again (even if it’s not spooky season).

Oh, Universal — we could shed a few more tears over how happy we are that Halloween Horror Nights is back in some capacity… BUT, we’ll go scream our way through one of the houses instead. And, then eat some more food as soon as we’ve escaped the clutch of the Bride of Frankenstein and the Tooth Fairy! ;D We’ll keep you updated with the other Halloween Horror Nights festivities we spot throughout the day!

Here’s everything you need to know about the two daytime Halloween Horror Nights Houses!

What’s been your all-time favorite snack or drink at Halloween Horror Nights? Let us know in the comments below!

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