October Guide 2023: 10 Halloween Events in LondonBy Alicia Grimshaw
BOO! Sorry to scare you, but spooky season is well and truly upon us here at AT HQ. The pumpkins are out, our Netflix recommendations are pure horror, and we’re deep into prepping our costume for the big night. Luckily, we’re not the only ones in London feeling the love for Halloween, with tons of suitably spooky events happening in bars and restaurants across the capital. No tricks here, we’ve rounded up the best treats for you this month…
1. For a Halloween Extravaganza: The Mansion
What: On October 28th, step into the enigmatic world of The Mansion in Central London, for an unforgettable Halloween soirée.
The Lowdown: With a lineup of London’s elite DJs like Amin Sane and Fabrizia, and enthralling acts like the enigmatic Praecantrix, dancers, a tarot reader, and lots more surprises, The Mansion beckons all to experience a Halloween night like no other.
Where: Secret – Central London, near Holborn. Located shared 48 hours prior to the event.
2. For a ‘Sketch & Spritz’ Event: The Standard, London
What: Get into the spirit of Halloween at The Standard, London, with a one-time-only spooky edition of the favourite Sunday pastime ‘Sketch & Spritz’.
The Lowdown: On 29th October, from 3pm to 5pm, Isla, The Standard, London’s chic ground floor restaurant, will be transformed into a mystical haven, with eerie and mysterious florals from renowned artist Hattie Fox. During the afternoon, talented visual artist and illustrator, Lucy Mahon, will guide guests through valuable creative tips and tricks as they draw inspiration from the enchanting surrounding florals or illustrate your fears and fantasies.
Where: 10 Argyle St, London WC1H 8EG
Tickets are £20 include a supernatural welcome spritz from Fever Tree and all drawing materials. Buy here.
3. For the Ultimate Fright Fest: Between The Bridges
What: Get ready for spooky season: Between The Bridges is hosting the ultimate fright fest from Wednesday 25th October to Saturday 28th October. With the best in street food and incredible events Dress (up) to kill and bring your scariest self to the South Bank’s go-to destination for a scarily good time…
The Lowdown: On Wednesday 25th & Thursday 26th October is the Monster Brunch, a free family-friendly four-hour extravaganza of shows, talks, face painting, dance classes, singalongs, drawing games. Expect bottomless bubbles (of the blowing variety) and more Halloween-based nonsense hosted by The Grand’s DreamTeam Productions. On Saturday 28th October it’s time to shantay away to the spookiest drag brunch in London for a morning Drag Show Brunch HallowQueen Special with London’s finest drag stars Black Peppa & Elektra Fence.
Where: Queen’s Walk, South Bank, London SE1
Tickets for the drag brunch are available here.
4. For a Spooky Brunch: M Restaurants
What: A love letter to the world’s largest metropolis, M’s Tokyo Brunch is having a spooky makeover with a Halloween party to remember. On Saturday 28th October M will be trick and treating guests to a scarily good time, featuring a live DJ, spooky décor and prizes for the best dressed.
The Lowdown: Enjoy Japanese-inspired sharing starters like dim sum, wagyu beef & tofu bao buns and pork belly yakitori followed by mains including chicken ramen and kimchi fried rice. Room for more? Top things off with a boozy Matcha Tiramisu, all for £70 per person.
Where: 60 Threadneedle St, London EC2R 8HG
Book now here.
5. For a Late-Night Party: 12th Knot
What: This Halloween, enjoy the spooktacular ambience of 12th Knot with an evening filled with mischief and mayhem. Taking place on Saturday 28th October, from 7pm until late, 12thKnot will be transformed into an unforgettable Halloween playground.
The Lowdown: Offering spine-chilling cocktails and mesmerising music from DJ Andy Purnell and Just Yaz, set to the breathtaking backdrop of the London skyline and the stylish vibrant atmosphere that the 12th Knot is renowned for. Guests are encouraged to wear their finest Halloween costumes, with a £100 bar tab awarded to the best-dressed individual who tags 12th Knot on social media.
Where: 20 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PD
Tickets start from £20 (including a drink) and can be purchased via the link here.
6. For Live Music: Sky Garden
What: London’s best Halloween party returns to raise the roof of the iconic Sky Garden on Friday 27th October. As Sky Garden transforms itself into a spooktacular haunt, treat yourself to a night of fright-filled fun from 8pm onwards with terrifyingly good live music, bespoke cocktails, and late-night dancing.
The Lowdown: To celebrate the spooky season in all its spine-tingling glory, dressing up is encouraged. To keep glasses full, Sky Garden’s expert team of mixologists have curated a list of creepy concoctions, which are sure to tantalise tastebuds. To get the supernatural party started, a live band from renowned ALR Music will be belting out spellbinding tracks and tunes on the dancefloor before Sky Garden’s resident DJ takes to the decks for a hell-raising party through the dead of the night.
Where: 1 Sky Garden Walk, London EC3M 8AF
For further information and to book your ticket please visit here.
7. For a Week-Long Party: The Prince x Southern Comfort
What: Halloween at The Prince is back and bigger than ever. In collaboration with Southern Comfort, the West London hotspot has a thrilling roster of events to commemorate the macabre
The Lowdown: On Wednesday 25th October, Trick or treat yourselves to a hair-raising night of fun with Bongo’s Bingo where an exciting array of prizes are to be won. A Halloween Warm-Up Party on Friday 27th October will see reputable DJ Siân Owen take to the decks. The big Halloween bash, in partnership with Southern Comfort, will take place on Saturday 28th October. With jaw-dropping live and immersive entertainment, petrifying decorations, and devilish cocktails guaranteed to shock and amaze, it’ll be an outlandish night to remember.
Where: 14 Lillie Rd SW6 1TT
Tickets begin from £35 – purchase here
8. For a Carnival-Themese Party: Skylight Tobacco Dock
What: Don your most frightful fashion at Skylight Tobacco Dock’s creepy carnival-themed Halloween Party (28th October) complete with incredible views of the city.
The Lowdown: Decked out with pumpkin patches and gruesome décor, expect an evening filled with eery entertainers lurking around, special cocktails, thriller DJs and games like croquet, cornhole toss and ping pong. Taking place on the terrace and indoor bar, prizes will also be available for the best-dressed ghosts, ghouls, witches and zombies.
Where: Tobacco Dock, London E1W 2SF
Tickets are £15pp (£12 early bird) which includes entry and one cocktail per person on arrival. Buy here.
9. For a Jack The Ripper Tour: Discount Suit Company
What: Discount Suit Company has partnered with the award-winning London’s Walks for a Halloween edition of the infamous Jack The Ripper Tour – a spine-tingling tour with speciality Halloween cocktails on Tuesday 31st October.
The Lowdown: Guests will begin their evening outside Discount Suit Company, located on 29A Wentworth Street, where they will be offered a complimentary hot punch to warm the cockles before embarking down the backstreets of Jack the Ripper’s stalking grounds of Whitechapel and Spitalfields. Guests will learn about the notorious killer’s heinous crimes and the bungled investigations that ensued following the havoc wreaked on the streets of Whitechapel.
Where: 29A Wentworth Street, London, E1 7TB
Tickets are £25 Sterling, inclusive of the hot punch, 20% discount on your bar tab and the walking tour itself. Buy here.
10. For a Twisted Tango Brunch: Gaucho
What: Add a spooky spin to your traditional Halloween festivities at the Gaucho Twisted Tango Brunch, in partnership with Casamigos, with terrifyingly good tango dancers and DJs taking to the floor to fire up the party.
The Lowdown: On Saturday 28th October, enjoy bottomless South-American inspired starters, followed by your choice of main and dessert, accompanied by drinks aplenty, including a tempting tequila cocktail to toast the most terrifying time of year.
Where: 25 Swallow St, London W1B 4QR
£70 per person. Book here
