'Hocus Pocus'-inspired pop-up bar comes to Farmingdale this Halloween

A pop-up experience that'll have you feeling as if you've stepped inside the Sanderson sisters' spooky world has made its debut in Farmingdale. After selling out dates through Halloween, extra shows have been added in November.

The pop-up experience includes décor, drinks and food inspired by the 1993 Halloween flick "Hocus Pocus," which stars Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker.

"Being a big movie fan, there's always that one favorite movie during a specific time of year," says Mike Marra, president of the Unique Social Events company and creator of the "Witch Craft" Halloween pop-up bar. "During Halloween, almost everyone loves the movie ‘Hocus Pocus.’ "

The event takes place Oct. 28 to Nov. 1, with several seating times each day. Additional dates have been added Nov. 6 and 7. Each seating is two hours in length (for parties as large as eight people), with capacity being purposely limited. Taking place indoors, Marra adds, "our first and foremost priority is the health of our customers and staff. Tables will be spread apart with everyone required to wear masks, other than when seated to eat. Hand sanitizers will be provided at all tables."

The menu will include a selection of seasonal small plate options — such as Pumpkin Risotto Balls (creamy risotto with roasted pumpkin purée) and Fall Crostini (crostini topped with brie cheese, locally grown apples and honey) — plus witchcraft-themed cocktails and mocktails, some of which will mist like a bubbling caldron.

As for the décor, the room will be widely covered with Halloween decorations and props related to the movie, which stars Midler, Parker and Kathy Najimy as the Sanderson sisters, a trio of Salem witches who are accidentally resurrected. Guests who come to the Friday and Saturday editions of the pop-up will be entertained by a trio of performing "Sanderson witches."

"I've been looking for something seasonal and spooky to do with my girlfriend -- October is her month. It's been very difficult to coordinate fun and unique things to do this year," says Seth Komito, 30 , of Patchogue, who attended the event on Oct. 22. "Finding out that there was a 'Hocus Pocus' pop-up that followed CDC guidelines made all of the difference. We were so pumped. We drank every type of drink on the menu. It was amazing. I will absolutely be going back a second time before it's over."

Marra says the response to the event has exceeded expectations. "With the success of this one, we definitely have a Christmas-themed pop-up on our calendar."