Kick off Idle Hands Craft Ales' Oktoberfest weekend with an outdoor celebration featuring a comedy show, local bookstores, and great beer!

Tickets available here

Join us to kick off Idle Hands Craft Ales' Oktoberfest weekend with an outdoor celebration featuring live comedy, local booksellers, and magnificent beer. New Normal returns with a lineup of comedians (with some drag and magic along the way)!

Food by The Kitchen (featuring smash burgers).

The lineup:

- Ana Karina
- Sarah May
- Courtney Reynolds
- Amma Marfo
- Steph Dalwin
- Caroline Moore
- Shelby Lecuyer

An individual ticket gets you:

1) Entry into the comedy show

2) A complimentary drink token (redeemable for either a non-alcoholic or alcoholic beverage at Idle Hands)

3) FREE entry to Idle Hands' Oktoberfest the next day!

You’ll also be able to browse diverse books and bookish merch from local pop-up bookshops.

Tickets available here

It’s time to celebrate.

Celebrate 15 years of Idle Hands at Oktoberfest! Happening Saturday, September 12th!

Featuring food by The Scott Brothers BBQ, Lionheart Confections and AL’s Pickles. Coffee and Tea by Cafe Reynard.

A local vendors market hosted by Gallery@57

Classic Oktoberfest music from The Beer Hall Boys and The Electric Heaters.

A charity dunk tank raising money for Housing Families and so much more!

Dunk tank featuring Idle Hands staff, including Founder and President, Chris Tkach. Other dunkees include DJ of The Great Malden Outdoors, Kate from Lionheart Confections, Terra from Cafe Reynard, Joe from Mystic Station, Adam from Leading Edge Reality, Dave from Black Label Barber Shop and more!

This is an event you do not want to miss.

Upgrade your Oktoberfest by pre-ordering a limited edition 15th anniversary Oktoberfest mug! Click here to order.

Due to the set up, parking will be extremely limited at the brewery for Oktoberfest. Please utilize the free public lot at the corner of Charles and Pearl Street (Across from Pisa Pizza) or one of the parking garages on Exchange Street.

We will be closed Sunday, September 13th so our staff can enjoy a day off after Oktoberfest.

An Unconventional Approach to Bird ID

THURS, Sept 17, 2026 • 7:00 pm -9:00 pm

Join us at Idle Hands for craft brews and birding skills.

We'll share some unconventional ways to approach birding that will build your bird ID confidence and creative thinking! Bird ID should not be painful or complicated. Let's look at birds over beers and learn some new approaches. 21+ only.

Register here

At Bono Appetit, we specialize in catering that makes healthy living easy—without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re planning a private party, a corporate lunch, or a public gathering, we bring the good food and good vibes to you!

We’re a family-run business with a passion for fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and making your event unforgettable. From customizable catering menus to our fully equipped food truck, we offer flexible options to fit your style, size, and setting.

Tickets available here

Ready to meet local singles face-to-face? Join us for a fun, low-pressure evening of meaningful connections!

Ditch the swiping. Come meet real, local singles in person.
This is your excuse to get out, look good, grab a drink, and actually connect with people face to face. No more endless texting and never meeting in-person, no more guessing.. just a fun, social night where you can talk, laugh, flirt, and see what happens.

Our speed dating events are designed to feel natural and effortless. It’s everything you wish dating apps felt like… but in real life.

Note on Age Range: While this event is geared toward the age range listed in the title, it’s not a strict rule. If you feel like you’d vibe with this crowd, you’re welcome to join. Our goal is always to create a well-balanced group where connections actually make sense.

🎟️ Ticket Pricing

Reserve your spot early! Ticket prices increase once the first 20 tickets have been sold.

Our events are intentionally kept at a comfortable size to ensure everyone has enough time to meet each participant. As events fill up, ticket prices increase, so we recommend reserving your spot early to lock in the best price.

Don’t wait. Secure your ticket before the first 20 spots are gone!

⸻

How the Night Works

Start with a Social Mixer
Kick things off with a relaxed mingle. Grab a drink (not included, but highly encouraged), settle in, and get comfortable before the rounds begin.

Easy, Guided Conversations
We keep things flowing so you don’t have to overthink it. Each round includes a fun icebreaker, and our host guides the room so everything feels smooth, upbeat, and never awkward.

Quick, Real Connections
You’ll spend a few minutes with each person, just enough time to catch a vibe before rotating. It’s light, fun, and way more natural than sitting through a full date.

Match the Ones You’re Into
After each round, you’ll mark “friend,” “date,” or “none” on our simple matching system. If it’s mutual, we’ll send you each other’s info the next day.

The Salty Shucker is bringing their oyster bar to Idle Hands!

A Themed Interactive Bar Crawl with Puzzles, Powers, and Poor Decisions hosted by Incantrix Productions. Tickets available here.

Grab a drink. Choose a class. Save the day.

This is no boring pub crawl, this is a fully interactive, narrative-driven Dungeons & Dragons–inspired tavern crawl where you are the heroes on your own personal adventure.

You and your group will embark on a 2-hour quest across four themed locations, each run by live actors portraying important Guild members with problems they are looking to solve with your help. There are no wrong answers—only consequences, alliances, and chaos.

These adventures are designed by award-winning game and puzzle designers (and not AI) and a ton of real production experience with backgrounds from Disney, WB Games, and more! (No Willy Wonka disasters here!)

🧙 HOW IT WORKS

Groups start every 20 minutes. Each group receives:

• Character cards

• A one-time-use class power

At each new location, you will meet fascinating NPCs who will present you with interesting dilemmas.

You’ll solve puzzles, make choices, drink potions, argue philosophy, and possibly die.

Yes. Die.

(Calm down death is not the end… or is it?!)

You do not need to have a single previous experience with Dungeons or Dragons in order to fully enjoy this experience. You do not need a certificate in rules lawyering, there will be very few rules, and lots and lots of bawdy fun.

🧑‍🎭 CHOOSE YOUR CLASS

• Spellcaster (think; Wizard, Sorcerer, Hedge Mage)

• Fighter (think; Barbarian, Fighter)

• Rogue (think; uh.. ROGUE, duh)

• Accolyte (think; Cleric, Monk)

• Naturalist (think; Ranger, Druid, not nudity)

• Artificer (think; Mechanic, Engineer, Alchemist, but magic)

• Bard (think; Performer, Musician, Actor, Troubadour)

• Healer (think; Herbalist, Medieval surgeon, Doctor)

🗺️ TAVERN LOCATIONS

IRL Locations:

• Idle Hands Brewing Co.

• Pearl Street Station

• Faces Brewing Co.

• Hugh O'Neill's

Tickets available here.

📅 DATES

• April 25

• May 23

• June 20

• July 18

• August 15

• September 26

Register here

Nebula's spooky season book club!

Join us as we read & discuss Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery over craft beers at the Idle Hands taproom (non-alcoholic options available).

A paid ticket includes a BRAND NEW copy of the book, or you can register for free and bring your own (if you prefer a non-physical format, you can support us by purchasing through our affiliate links on Bookshop.org or libro.fm)!

Meetings will be held on 9/30, 10/14, and 10/28. Copies of the book will be distributed at the first meeting; if you're not able to make that session, contact us to set up an alternate pickup time.

Register here

Book description:

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.

Connecticut, 1666: An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector. The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil. To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help. Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan – one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bloodshed in their wake.

This terrifying tale of bewitchery features more than two dozen of Brom’s haunting full-color paintings and brilliant endpapers, fully immersing readers in this wild and unforgiving world.

Tickets available here

Learn how to paint with watercolor as a beginner and make some fun greeting cards to bring home!

Join us in person for a fun and relaxed beginner's watercolor workshop where you'll learn basic watercolor techniques and put them to use in making autumn-themed greeting cards! Perfect for beginners, for craft-lovers and for anyone who just wants a chill Thursday night making art.

No experience needed – just good vibes and a love for making!

At Bono Appetit, we specialize in catering that makes healthy living easy—without sacrificing flavor. Whether you’re planning a private party, a corporate lunch, or a public gathering, we bring the good food and good vibes to you!

We’re a family-run business with a passion for fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and making your event unforgettable. From customizable catering menus to our fully equipped food truck, we offer flexible options to fit your style, size, and setting.

Register here

Nebula's spooky season book club!

Join us as we read & discuss Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery over craft beers at the Idle Hands taproom (non-alcoholic options available).

A paid ticket includes a BRAND NEW copy of the book, or you can register for free and bring your own (if you prefer a non-physical format, you can support us by purchasing through our affiliate links on Bookshop.org or libro.fm)!

Meetings will be held on 9/30, 10/14, and 10/28. Copies of the book will be distributed at the first meeting; if you're not able to make that session, contact us to set up an alternate pickup time.

Register here

Book description:

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.

Connecticut, 1666: An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector. The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil. To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help. Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan – one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bloodshed in their wake.

This terrifying tale of bewitchery features more than two dozen of Brom’s haunting full-color paintings and brilliant endpapers, fully immersing readers in this wild and unforgiving world.

The Kitchen brings their famous Smash Burgers to Idle Hands.

JUST ADDED! A NEW DATE IN OCTOBER!

A Themed Interactive Bar Crawl with Puzzles, Powers, and Poor Decisions hosted by Incantrix Productions. Tickets available here.

Grab a drink. Choose a class. Save the day.

This is no boring pub crawl, this is a fully interactive, narrative-driven Dungeons & Dragons–inspired tavern crawl where you are the heroes on your own personal adventure.

You and your group will embark on a 2-hour quest across four themed locations, each run by live actors portraying important Guild members with problems they are looking to solve with your help. There are no wrong answers—only consequences, alliances, and chaos.

These adventures are designed by award-winning game and puzzle designers (and not AI) and a ton of real production experience with backgrounds from Disney, WB Games, and more! (No Willy Wonka disasters here!)

🧙 HOW IT WORKS

Groups start every 20 minutes. Each group receives:

• Character cards

• A one-time-use class power

At each new location, you will meet fascinating NPCs who will present you with interesting dilemmas.

You’ll solve puzzles, make choices, drink potions, argue philosophy, and possibly die.

Yes. Die.

(Calm down death is not the end… or is it?!)

You do not need to have a single previous experience with Dungeons or Dragons in order to fully enjoy this experience. You do not need a certificate in rules lawyering, there will be very few rules, and lots and lots of bawdy fun.

🧑‍🎭 CHOOSE YOUR CLASS

• Spellcaster (think; Wizard, Sorcerer, Hedge Mage)

• Fighter (think; Barbarian, Fighter)

• Rogue (think; uh.. ROGUE, duh)

• Accolyte (think; Cleric, Monk)

• Naturalist (think; Ranger, Druid, not nudity)

• Artificer (think; Mechanic, Engineer, Alchemist, but magic)

• Bard (think; Performer, Musician, Actor, Troubadour)

• Healer (think; Herbalist, Medieval surgeon, Doctor)

🗺️ TAVERN LOCATIONS

IRL Locations:

• Idle Hands Brewing Co.

• Pearl Street Station

• Faces Brewing Co.

• Hugh O'Neill's

Tickets available here.

📅 DATES

• September 26

• October 17

Tropican Fork - Afro Caribbean fusion

Tickets available here

A drag show celebrating myths, monsters, and more!

👻 Get ready for a Halloween drag show of legendary proportions! 🎃

Join us at Idle Hands Craft Ales in Malden for The Stuff of Legend, a wickedly entertaining night of drag inspired by myths, monsters, folklore, and the creatures that haunt our wildest imaginations.

Expect jaw-dropping performances, spooky surprises, big costumes, and plenty of Halloween magic—all paired with your favorite craft beers from Idle Hands.

Come dressed to impress, get into the Halloween spirit, and prepare to meet the stuff of legends! 🧛‍♀️🧟‍♂️🧙‍♀️

Tickets available here

Register here

Nebula's spooky season book club!

Join us as we read & discuss Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery over craft beers at the Idle Hands taproom (non-alcoholic options available).

A paid ticket includes a BRAND NEW copy of the book, or you can register for free and bring your own (if you prefer a non-physical format, you can support us by purchasing through our affiliate links on Bookshop.org or libro.fm)!

Meetings will be held on 9/30, 10/14, and 10/28. Copies of the book will be distributed at the first meeting; if you're not able to make that session, contact us to set up an alternate pickup time.

Register here

Book description:

A USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

Set in Colonial New England, Slewfoot is a tale of magic and mystery, of triumph and terror as only dark fantasist Brom can tell it.

Connecticut, 1666: An ancient spirit awakens in a dark wood. The wildfolk call him Father, slayer, protector. The colonists call him Slewfoot, demon, devil. To Abitha, a recently widowed outcast, alone and vulnerable in her pious village, he is the only one she can turn to for help. Together, they ignite a battle between pagan and Puritan – one that threatens to destroy the entire village, leaving nothing but ashes and bloodshed in their wake.

This terrifying tale of bewitchery features more than two dozen of Brom’s haunting full-color paintings and brilliant endpapers, fully immersing readers in this wild and unforgiving world.

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

Children of the night, assemble! You are summoned by your elders to pass their vampire tests and prove yourself worth to survive Halloween.

You are newly turned. Freshly fanged. Tragically immortal. And before dawn, you must pass trials administered by the most unhinged elders the undead world has to offer. You and your coterie have until dawn to prove yourself worthy of the ancient vampire council — four locations, each with trials and elders who have survived plagues and empires and are somehow most annoyed by you specifically.

Tonight, Halloween Night, the city belongs to the undead. No one will look twice at your fangs. No one will question the cape. You'll move through the All Hallows Eve crowds like the apex predators you are... just try not to get caught by hunters or werewolves!

Blood Hunt is a comedic vampire bar crawl across Malden MA on Halloween night — built for groups who want an actual story to their evening, not just a bar list.

Four stops. Many ridiculous vampire characters. One ridiculous, beautiful, undead night.

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🧛 What to Expect
In terms of vibe, expect What We Do in the Shadows, mixed with the classic tropes of vampire personalities we all know and love. These experiences are designed by award-winning game and puzzle designers (and not AI, wohoo) who have a ton of real production experience with backgrounds from Disney, WB Games, and more! (No Willy Wonka disasters here!)
Our ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ ratings don't lie!

---

🦇 How it Works
Groups of up to 8 vamps leave every 15-20 minutes, setting out on their quest. Each group gets some interesting items and one-time-use vampire powers. Along the way you may encounter roaming NPC's who are hunting you. Careful not to get staked!

The crawl takes approx. 2~2.5 hours runtime, and time slots start between 5pm thru 8pm

TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE

🍷 Locations
All are located in Malden Center, Malden, MA:

• Idle Hands Brewing Co.

• Pearl Street Station

• City Hall Plaza

• Hugh O'Neill's