It’s that time of year again, so dust the cobwebs off your broomstick and whip out the fake blood as Halloween is almost here.
This year, the capital is overflowing with spooky happenings, from creepy dog brunches to horror-themed discos.
Whether you live for the traditional blood and guts or prefer something a little quirkier, there are plenty of tricks and treats to be had this month.
A Bloody Long Week at Maggie’s Club
Supernatural happenings are taking place at Maggie’s Club from October 25- 30, as it hosts a series of scary movie nights. It's putting on a mega mash up of 80s horror films including American Werewolf in London and Gremlins, decking the venue out accordingly for each movie. For the ultimate dose of spooky 80s nostalgia, episodes of Strangers Things will also be playing on the screens behind the bar. A selection of songs from the decade will make up the evening's playlist and a number of killer cocktails will be available at the bar. If you can't make it out, settle in with our pick of the best Halloween films.
329 Fulham Rd, SW10 9QL, maggies-club.com
A Twisted Cabaret
The London Cabaret Club is putting on a twisted evening of cabaret in its haunted 1920s ballroom. During the show, diners can enjoy a three or five-course menu featuring the likes of pumpkin risotto and beef tartare. To get in the Halloween spirit, it will also be offering a selection of devilish cocktails including a Flaming Zombie made with passion fruit and rum, as well as a pumpkin vodka Martini. Delicious.
Victoria House Bloomsbury Square, WC1B 4DA, the-london-cabaret-club.designmynight.com
Dia de los Muertos at Pop Brixton
Halloween at Pop Brixton comes with a Latin American twist this year. The venue will be hosting a Mexican fiesta on the last Saturday of the month complete with chillingly good street food, mystic performers and free skull face painting. Music comes from New Orleans-inspired brass band The Brass Funkeys, and Brazilian DJ, Fabio Limao. As a tribute to the Day of the Dead, the mezcal-fuelled party will be decked out with flower garlands, sugar skulls and skeletons. Ideal if you fancy something a little less wicked and a little more spiritual.
49 Brixton Station Rd, SW9 8PQ, popbrixton.org
Halloween Oktoberfest
As October draws to a close, Halloween Oktoberfest seems like the perfect celebration to see the month out in style. This event is hosted by Radio 1Xtra DJ Charlie Sloth and will close the month-long celebrations at the German beer festival and the Bavarian beer hall will be transformed into a haunted gothic castle for the farewell finale. Expect a selection of rap, grime and club classics to see you through to the early hours.
Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, E20 2ZP, erdinger-oktoberfest.co.uk
Pirate Treasure Hunt on Regent’s Canal
For a limited time only, GoBoat will be hosting their very own pirate treasure hunt on Regent’s Canal, to celebrate Halloween. Shipmates will arrive at the pontoon at Merchant Square before embarking on a voyage to Camden Lock to find eight lost pieces of loot. Each team will have clues to solve to win points and organisers are offering bonuses for the best supernatural costumes. After the quest, budding sailors will be treated to a free round of drinks at Heist Bank.
Rocky Horror Show Twisted Disco
Celebrating the cult comedy horror classic The Rocky Horror Picture Show, this eerie event at Hoxton Square Bar & Kitchen has a disco twist. DJs will spin a selection of Halloween classics (think The Time Warp and Sweet Transvestite) alongside house and disco hits. Guests can also get their hands on ghoulish cocktails, which will come in the form of Mai Tais served in medicine bottles. As with all OUSE events, expect the décor to be on top form.
2-4 Hoxton Square, N1 6NU, hoxtonsquarebar.com
Halloween Party at Skylight
East London’s Skylight is hosting a two-day Halloween party as part of its HarvestFest season. On Friday night the theme will be 90s club classics while on Saturday, deep house and disco will be the focus. Across the weekend there will be a whole host of tricks and treats, including a costume parade at 9pm each night, with prizes for the most clever costume and best outfit, as well as seasonal cocktails like the Black Autumn Widow, made with tequila, lime, St Germain blackberries and agave syrup.
Tobacco Dock, E1W 2SF, skylightlondon.com
M Halloween Hounds Party
M Doggy Brunch is back for a frightful Halloween edition. The day will kick off at 11am with a creepily good ‘cook for your dog’ master-class with executive chef Michael Reid. Afterwards, owners and good boys alike can feast on a two-course brunch together. A Halloween fancy dress competition will run too with a bottle of Pawsecco on offer for the best dressed pooch and a bottle of Copper Dog Whiskey for the imaginative owner.
74 Victoria St, SW1E 6SQ, mrestaurants.co.uk
Heels of Hell
Kentish Town forum is hosting a huge Halloween extravaganza as some of the stars of RuPaul’s drag race will be serving up some serious spooky realness on stage. The queens on the line up include season four winner Sharon Needles, Latrice Royale, Willam, Jinkx Monsoon, Alaska and Ivy Winters. As with anything drag race related, the event will guarantee some serious shade and some photo-worthy outfits.
9-17 Highgate Rd, NW5 1JY, academymusicgroup.com
Silent Halloween Disco
Silent discos are creepily quiet — making them perfect for this time of year. At this noiseless party, guests will be invited to climb aboard the Dutch Master, a two-storey party boat, and a select their of music stations of choice, be it Halloween classics or house and disco hits. As the evening unfolds, party-goers will then journey along the Thames taking in all the nighttime sights on the dancefloor.
The Dutch Master, EC3N 4AB, designmynight.com
Halloween Drag Brunch
Cavitto will be putting on a special Halloween-themed edition of its drag brunch. The eerie event will take place in the Below Ground Bar and will be hosted by Crayola the Drag Queen. Crayola is know for her cartoon-like style, so expect lots of colour as well as some bloodcurdling lipsyncs.
207 Ferndale Rd, SW9 8BA, cattivobar.com
Thriller-themed party at The Ivy
The Ivy Soho Brassiere will come alive on Halloween night as it hosts a Thriller-themed evening of food, cocktails and entertainment. The restaurant will be decked out with a spooktacular decor and will offer exclusive Zombie cocktails. As the night goes on, guest will be treated to DJ sets and a number of surprise performances.
26-28 Broadwick St, Soho, W1F 8JB, theivysohobrasserie.com
