WEEKENDER: The best Halloween parties and events in town

It’s close to midnight and something evil’s lurking in the dark… yes, it’s that time of year where ghouls, ghosties and all things gruesome turn out in force (and no, that’s not the same as every night out in LKF!). We’ve rounded up some of the scariest Halloween happenings around town – and don’t forget to check the Sassy Mama Halloween Guide for some spine-tingling costume, movie and soundtrack inspiration too!

Let your inner RED devil out…
It’s that time of the year when Hong Kong’s bars are filled with witches, devils and zombies – and top of our list (quite literally – it’s on a rooftop!) for the Halloween madness is one of our favourite alfresco spots, RED Bar, and their spooktacular Tricks for Treats night. Conveniently located in the middle of town with a stunning moonlit view of the harbour, this is a great option for a night of Halloween fun! Come dressed in your scariest costume with a group of ghoulish friends and you’ll get a complimentary shot, along with $50 drinks all night long! It’s bound to be one hair-raising evening…

When: 31 October, 6pm onwards
Where: RED bar, 4/F IFC mall, 8 Finance Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry; call 8129 8882 for more info

Things that go bump…
If you’re looking to seriously party on this freakishly fun weekend, then Zuma’s Dead Not Alive Halloween Party is the place to be! One of the biggest events in the Hong Kong party scene (now in its sixth year), expect a night of true revelry for dead-icated Halloween party-goers (and a few celebs too!) at Zuma’s brand new bar and lounge on the sixth floor. Not only will you have the chance to check out Zuma’s new look, but this year is also going Korean krazy with two special acts straight from Seoul. Korean DJ (and former model) Lip2Shot and dance sensation Waveya are set to perform, along with a host of other DJs who are sure to rock the house! Remember, costumes are essential (you won’t get in without one) and snap up some tickets before they sell out, as this is sure to be one of Hong Kong’s hottest hell-raisers!

If you wanna party it up on Halloween night itself (and aren’t scared of the Fridaymorning hangover that comes after!), then come join Cirque du PLAY for their carnival of Hollywood Horrors! Get ready for a night of twisted terror as circus performers, pole dancers, wild acrobats and an evil Ring Master come out from the dark side – with hot LA DJ, Borgeous, on the decks too. Again, costumes are essential, with some tempting Moët champagne prizes for best dressed. It’ll be a party to die for…

When: Zuma 26 October, 11pm ‘til late; PLAY 31 October, 10.30pm ‘til late
Where: Zuma, The Landmark 5 & 6/F, 15 Queens Road, Central (party entry via 2/F Lobby); PLAY, 1/F On Hing Building, On Hing Terrace, Central
How much: Zuma $600 including 2 free drinks or $300 after 2am including 1 free drink, table packages also available (see more info and buy online here); PLAY $200 for ladies and $300 for gents, including 1 free drink

Teatime terror
For a more sophisticated Halloween celebration, Nordic restaurant and bar FINDS has prepared an afternoon tea with a Halloween twist! If you want to join in the frightening festivities but don’t want to get lost in the Halloween madness of Lan Kwai Fong, this tea set full of ghoulish treats is a gruesomely good alternative. Try the pumpkin custard tart (in the shape of a coffin!), the seriously sinful Guinness cheesecake or the brain-like caramelised chestnuts in rum… if you dare! And how about a Halloween cocktail to top it all off? Their special Only For Your Eye tipple looks like a staring eye made of rose jelly – it’s sure to give you some goosebumps and giggles!

When: Until 3 November, 3-5pm
Where: FINDS, 1/F The Luxe Manor, 30 Kimberley Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
How much: Tea set $288 for two people, cocktail $80

A hip Halloween
Fancy seeing in spooky season at some of Hong Kong’s coolest restos? One of our fave Mexican hangouts, Brickhouse, has upped the ante on all things scary – with Freddy Krueger and chainsaw-wielding masked men taking over the joint! Get your best B-grade horror movie character outfit ready and you’ll be in with a chance of winning free tequila shots all night long. Don’t forget to try their special Halloween cocktail Quema de Calabaza, made with Hana gin, pumpkin and spicy syrup for a real kick, alongside their Halloween taco platter… devilishly delicious!

Meanwhile, NYC favourite Fatty Crab will be transforming into “Dungeon 13” for this horrifying holiday, in an ode to the old prison opposite… spooky! With heavy smoke, a DJ spinning dark tunes and some seriously strong absinthe cocktails, this is another creepy cool destination for some Halloween antics!

When: Both 31 October, 6pm ‘til late
Where: Brickhouse, G/F, 20A D’Aguilar Street, Lan Kwai Fong, Central; Fatty Crab, 11-13 Old Bailey Street, Central, Hong Kong
How much: Free entry!

Thunderbolts and lightening, very very frightening!
Two events that have made Hong Kong the Halloween capital of Asia are back again this year – at the two biggest theme parks in town! For a Halloween extravaganza, head over to Ocean Park’s Halloween Fest or Disneyland’s Haunted Halloween… or hit up both! Both are jam-packed with fun Halloween-themed thrills, parades, food, costumes and scream-tastic rides; even bigger and better than previous years, there will be spooky activities aplenty that range in scariness levels – so you’re sure to find something that suits everyone! From “Little Spooky Surprises” to “Intensive Scares” at Ocean Park (including a Murder Factory, Pumpkin Laboratory and Night Of The Living Dolls show), to Mystic Manor, the Sideshow Carnival Extraordinaire and the glow-in-the-dark parade at Disneyland, there’s a huge choice here if you’re looking to go all out for a hauntingly good Halloween. Get ready to scream, girls!

When: Until 31 October (Disneyland’s Haunted Halloween Thursdays to Sundays only)
Where: Ocean Park, 180 Wong Chuk Hang Road, Aberdeen; Disneyland Hong Kong, Lantau Island, Hong Kong
How much: Ocean Park $320 ($272 for Hong Kong residents) or $628 for Halloween Fest Premium ticket (see more details here); Disneyland $450 or $299 for night ticket (see more details here)

Fab spa treatments at the all-new Sense of Touch Medi-Spa
Has Hong Kong city dwelling or too much partying been taking its toll on your skin? If you’re in need of some serious TLC, then we have some great news. These Sassy Sale deals will get you a gorgeous HydraFacial and/or a session of VASERShape at Sense of Touch’s first medical aesthetic spa in Central. So what are you waiting for? Your skin needs this… Snap yours up now!

Got an event you’d like us to feature in The Weekender, or have a top tip for us? Email us the deets at [email protected].