On Halloween night, the dead will be walking among the living in Ames’ highly anticipated Zombie Bar Crawl. The spooky experience transforms Welch Avenue into a haven for the undead on Oct. 31. 

Presented by the “Big 4,” the famous Zombie Bar Crawl is back this year featuring some of Campustown’s most popular bars: Outlaws, Sips, Paddy’s Irish Pub and Cy’s Roost. Starting at 8 p.m., grab your scariest zombie outfit and enjoy special drinks catered for the occasion. 

No registration is required to join the crawl; simply come dressed in your best zombie attire and make your way through the participating venues. Gather your friends, craft your costume and hit the bars!

Cy’s Roost kicks off the crawl at 8 p.m., followed by Paddy’s Irish Pub from 10 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sips from 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Outlaws from midnight to 1:45 a.m.  Expect live music from “The Punching Pandas” at Outlaws. Each participating bar is featuring a $3 shot special during their designated crawl time. Plus, look out for the new 2024 Zombie Bar Crawl mug at any of the Big 4 bars.

A large crowd of students is expected to be zombified and crawling down Welch Ave this year.

“It’s definitely a very big Halloween tradition,” Lauren Lucas, senior in public relations and bartender at Cy’s Roost, said. “It’s typically one of the busiest bar crawls of the year. We do a lot throughout the year but the zombie bar crawl is the most exciting to look out for.” 

Assemble your group of zombie walkers and hop over to Welch Ave for the Zombie Bar Crawl on Oct. 31: a night of fun to die for!