Phoenix Halloween pop-up bar serves spirited delights

A spooky skeleton greets Black Lagoon customers. Photo: Jessica Boehm/Axios

Sunny's Lounge on Phoenix's east side is even more spirited than usual this month.

The big picture: The Black Lagoon, a nationwide Halloween pop-up bar , has taken over the refined dive, offering absinthe-laced cocktails, impeccable mood lighting and an all-around spooky vibe.

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State of play: I gathered my coven for an evening of mischief and was greeted by a lime green, 12-foot skeleton perched atop the entryway to Sunny's .

• Inside, a fog machine filled the room with a terrifying haze and smaller skeletons lurked in every corner. My Halloween-loving self felt seen.

The Nightmare Fuel, Hex Appeal and Siren's Song. Photo: Jessica Boehm/Axios

What to order: There are six spookily crafted cocktails, two creepy mocktails and two potent shooters on the specialty menu — each with its own tantalizing name.

• Hex Appeal: A delightfully tart combination of honeydew, lemon, seltzer, gin, vermouth and absinthe.
• Nightmare Fuel: Tequila, mango liqueur, matcha, lime and Thai spice bitters come together for a refreshing sipper served in a creepy sea creature mug.
• Siren's Song: Whiskey, rum and sherry join pineapple, lime and Caribbean bitters for a spooky island effect.

The bottom line: Unlike many Christmas pop-up bars I've been to, the drinks at the Black Lagoon were top-notch and the decor vibed with Sunny's already moody aesthetic.

• Though I didn't see (or feel) her, Sunny's allegedly has a resident ghost named Loretta. Tell her I said hello if she appears to you!