HUDSON, Ohio — Hudson's Restaurant has been a staple in downtown Hudson for nearly 20 years.
Owned by brothers J. J. and Kevin Altomare, the pair then opened the first edition of Blizten's -- a holiday pop up bar.
An instant success, the brothers spread holiday cheer for five years before the experience led them to their next holiday venture: Halloween. The Altomare brothers brought Nightmare before Blitzen's to life for the first time in 2022.
But this year, they're taking thing to new frights. Now through Oct. 31, things inside the family run business take a spooky turn.
"As soon as stores start dropping Halloween stuff where they're looking for it," said Kevin. "We are decorated from the front door to the back door. "
The decorations are sourced from traditional stores, social media and even garage sales, but the owners say the design isn’t an exact science.
"Everybody asks, 'Where's this go? Where's that go?' And it's, 'I don't know, just put it up and then [if] it's not right, we'll move it right,'" Kevin said.
The fun doesn’t stop at the decorations as the food is ghoulishly good as well. The special Halloween-themed menu includes Grim Reaper Wings, Beetle Juice's bow tie pasta and Freddie's Double smashed brain burger, just to name a few. And you can't do food without drink. The menu features I-V bag cocktails, bloody lemonade and a witch's brew.
If you dare, you can even sweeten things up with their dessert shots.
"So once you do the shot, go ahead and eat the cookie. Alcohol and a little bit of dessert all in one," said Kevin.
And for those who are looking for a real scare. Nightmare before Blitzen's has a partnership with Hudson Haunted House, another community staple.
"They actually do all of our staff's makeup and stuff a few nights," explained Kevin. "And the haunted house has some actors come up here in full costume and stuff, walking around the dining room, talking to tables."
And at Nightmare before Blizten’s there’s no such thing as quitting time.
"We're open until the spirits arise. So we don't have a true closing time right now. As long as it's busy, we stay open."
Hudson's Bar and Restaurant is located at 80 N. Main Street. For more information, you can visit their site HERE.
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