Do You Dare?
London has an almighty Halloween line-up in store for us this year, and we’ve been let in on the very best events. DesignMyNight have rounded up 10 of London’s top locations for scares, spectacles and sinister sips, featuring a terrifying hot tub boat tour, an immersive dining experience on a deadly train carriage and ballroom parties… where guests have returned from the dead.
In partnership with Veuve Clicquot, swish new botanical bar Rockwell is bringing an air of sophistication to our Halloween celebrations. You’ll be welcomed into this swanky spot, boasting dramatic tropical fixtures and plush furnishings, with a bespoke sip to match your status as a self-proclaimed saint or sinner. And if you’re not already put into an immediate trance by the overwhelming interiors? A mystifying illusionist will be on hand to make your night otherworldly.
Part ways with your spooky costumes, bring along your favourite beverages and heat up your Halloween antics this October with Skuna Boats. This unique experience will see you soaking up incredible views as the boat’s guide talks you through the eerie tales of the East London Docklands. Hear all about hangings, ghost sightings and more, taking the edge off with whatever booze you’ve lugged along with you.
Looking for more thrills than you’d get at your average circus? Then The Dark Circus Party is your kind of show. Immerse yourself in all things spooky and spectacular as you marvel at jaw-dropping performances from aerialists, trapeze acts and sideshow misfits. Sword-swallowing and fire-breathing are also on the death-defying agenda, as well as playful cocktails featuring a fizzy elderflower number and a fruity mix of rum, pineapple and pomegranate.
As the only 1950s ballroom left in London, this opulent space is the perfect place for an eerie night at the pictures. Rivoli Ballroom are always on point with their year-round line-up of seasonal screenings, and Halloween is no different. From disturbing psychological thrillers to the all-singing, all-dancing Rocky Horror Picture Show, pair your viewing with the usual cinema snacks and one of their ghoulish themed cocktails.
Take a risk this Halloween and climb aboard The Murdér Express for one very unpredictable train ride. Passengers on this luxury carriage will be served a three-course gourmet dinner curated by MasterChef The Professionals finalist Louisa Ellis; just don’t be too alarmed when your meal is interrupted by the twists and turns of a dark and untold fairytale. The characters will be seeking your help on their quest for redemption against the Dark One, and while it may not be a smooth ride, it’s sure to be one you won’t forget.
The Vaults are throwing a gothic masquerade ball full of mystery, madness and merriment this Halloween, and it’s set in a sinister castle. Run into fairytale villains from the days of your childhood, get lost down ghostly corridors but make sure you trust no one in this immersive realm… An enchanting orchestra will be playing throughout the night, and devilish cocktails will be on-hand to calm your nerves if necessary…
Enter the Jazz Age by attending The Candlelight Club’s 1920s Halloween ball. This swinging shindig will have a whole host of live entertainment including gothic burlesque, horror movie soundtracks played by a creepy quartet alongside spell-binding circus acts. You can stick to dancing and drinking or go all out with a three-course sit down dinner, but whichever you choose, you can guarantee this candlelit affair will get you into the spooky spirit.
Gain access to a private members’ club this Halloween, as the vintage showgirls of Gin-House Burlesque take over the secret party palace. Leave your inhibitions behind and embrace the glitz, glamour and wild hedonism of the roaring Prohibition era as this speakeasy seduces you with captivating performances from burlesque queens, daring fire-eaters and snake-charming vixens.
To celebrate the 200th anniversary of John Polidori’s 1819 publication The Vampyre, A Curious Invitation are hosting a blood-curdling Halloween ball. Make like a bat and flit up to this Soho roof garden for vampire cabaret performances with some bite, all before you descend into the dungeon to sell your soul, preserve beetles for your journey to the afterlife and attend your own funeral at the mausoleum.
The ballroom is haunted, cocktails have turned into poison and ghosts and ghouls are roaming free. The London Cabaret Club’s exclusive Halloween showcase is not to be missed. Thrill-seekers are invited to walk cautiously through The Tunnel Of Fear, where only the bravest souls will make it to the other side. Guests will then be treated to a spine-chilling performance and an unparalleled three to five-course meal before the DJ takes to the decks to deliver a killer set.
For more information on Halloween events in London and across the UK, visit DesignMyNight and follow them on Instagram and Facebook; @DesignMyNight.