Looking forward to a bit of fancy dress this Halloween? We've rounded up some of the best events in London's bars and restaurants, and the odd Halloween special dish too...
Halloween events
Annabel's is never knowingly outdone on Halloween decor
Annabel's (Mayfair) - if you're looking for somewhere in town to take your Halloween Insta pics, you should probably swing by Annabel's on Berkeley Square which has gone for a Twisted Fairytales theme this year.
Astrid Bakery (Muswell Hill) - the North London bakery is having a pavement party on Saturday 31 October, from 8am to 3pm, offering complimentary treats for kids in Halloween costume.
Beavertown's The Unbecoming (Shoreditch, 30-31 Oct): Beavertown is turning a Shoreditch off-licence into Al's Bad News, which will be hiding a secret basement salon where you can get a Halloween makeover from the SFX artists at The Bone Works. There'll also be a photobooth, scratch cards and beers to take away. Transformation tickets cost £5.50, including two cans of Neck Oil (or a non-alcoholic alternative if you fancy).
Seven Sins Market at Seven Dials Market (Covent Garden, 23 Oct-1 Nov): The market is putting on ten days of limited-edition dishes, like an "Absolute Glutton Board" with 600g steak from Stakehaus, the Pepocalypse from Bad Boy Pizza with "monstrous amounts of Properoni pepperoni" and pumpkin fondue from Pick & Cheese. There'll also be £5 pints of Meantime Lager during daily Redemption Hour (7-8pm).
The Ivy West Street (Covent Garden, 31 Oct): The Ivy is hosting a one-night-only Midnight Masquerade, with masked characters, live entertainment and a three-course dinner. At that dinner, expect dishes like black truffle cheese soufflé, roasted venison and a dark chocolate torte served under a smoke-filled cloche. Tickets are £100, and it's a late start (and end), with the evening running from 9.30pm to 1am.
The Haunting on Russell Street (Covent Garden, 1 Oct-1 Nov): The team behind Miracle at Henrietta are getting into the Halloween spirit with a two-floor immersive bar packed with cobwebs, crows and creepy decorations. Cocktails include the Widow’s Whisper, with vodka, chocolate and absinthe, and Clown Pear-anoia, made with mezcal, pear and fennel.
MITSU (Shoreditch, 31 Oct): They're celebrating Halloween with a Heaven & Hell party, headlined by a DJ set from HE.SHE.THEY. Also on the line-up is Goldie Quaker with two spaces transformed into Heaven and Hell. The party runs from 7pm-2am, with Japanese-inspired food and drinks included until 11pm.
The Mandrake (Fitzrovia, 31 Oct): The hotel is going for a Dante's Inferno theme this year, with special installations, opera, live performances and theatrical encounters. DJs include Jacob Groening, Hen Yanni and headline act Oceanvs Orientalis, with the party running from 8.30pm until 3am. General admission tickets start at £150.
Rake at the Compton Arms (Islington, 31 Oct): Heading to the final days of their residency, Rake is celebrating Halloween with Allhallowtide, a menu of spooky specials inspired by Cornish folklore and the traditions of the season. Expect swede and pork trotter pressed potato, a chicken pot pie with chicken feet poking through the pastry in a nod to stargazy pie, and toffee apple ice cream.
Day of the Dead events
Savage Garden's Day of the Dead party menu
Bōkan 37 (Canary Wharf, 29 Oct) is celebrating Día de los Muertos with a Mexican-inspired dinner featuring live mariachi music, tequila cocktails and three special dishes, including king prawns with Mexican salsa and chilli jam, Tortellini de Los Muertos and Taco de Tentacion. Two courses cost £55 or three for £65 each, with the event kicking off at 7pm.
Savage Garden (City, 30 Oct) - the rooftop bar is having a Día de los Muertos rooftop party with live dancers, a Mariachi band and a Mexican food menu. The fun runs from 8.30pm to 2am and the best dressed guest will win a £150 Savage Garden voucher to spend on food and drinks on a future visit.
Los Mochis (Notting Hill and City of London, 30 Oct-1 Nov): Los Mochis has three days of DJs, live music and Mexican-inspired food and drink planned. Highlights include live mariachi bands at both restaurants on Sunday and a special cocktail menu, plus special dishes like a dark chocolate fondant with a spiced pumpkin centre.
Samhain events
Islington bar Homeboy has a load of fun events planned for their Samhain fortnight.
Homeboy (Islington, 19-31 Oct) is going all in for Samhain with a fortnight of activity. They're starting with a Glendalough x Homeboy Potion Masterclass on 19 Oct, then a Samhain wreath making on 20 Oct. There's the London launch of Oisín Davis's *The Irish Whiskey Cookbook on 21 Oct and a Samhain Sesh on 31 Oct.
Daffodil Mulligan (Old Street, 26-31 Oct): Richard Corrigan is celebrating Samhain, the ancient Irish festival that inspired Halloween, with a week of fire-cooked feasting. Expect whole suckling pig with pig head croquettes and smoked apple sauce, or a 1kg côte de boeuf with onion rings and horseradish butter. There'll also be barmbrack-inspired soft serve and pumpkin spice Irish coffee.
The Sun Tavern (Bethnal Green, 1 Nov) - are putting on a Samhain celebration with Bushmills Irish Whiskey. They will be offering an exclusive cocktail menu using Bushmills 10yr Irish Whiskey and are promising live music to get the party started from 8pm.
Special dishes
Noodle and Beer (Chinatown & Shoreditch) - Ink Black Menu
The Sichuan group is going back to black for Halloween with a special menu of Black Tide Fried Rice with squid-ink fried rice and a Black Coco Sour cocktail. Anyone ordering from 26 October onwards will get a free temporary tattoo transfers with their order to ink up.
Cakes and Bubbles (Piccadilly Circus) - Calaverita Cookies
Albert Adrià's dessert spot is marking Halloween with Calaverita Cookies (£15), sablé biscuits filled with yuzu chocolate and inspired by Mexico's Day of the Dead skulls. There's also a Pumpkin Spiced Latte (£12), made with allspice, vanilla, cinnamon and Spanish foam.
Honest Burgers (All locations) - The Halloween burger
For Halloween, Honest have teamed up with Heinz for the "Chilli Con Carnage", which features their homemade chilli con carne, pickled guindilla pepper, American cheese, tomato, white onion, pickles and the new limited edition Heinz Chilli Bite Ketchup.
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