Something wicked this way comes! Halloween has become one of the biggest events to celebrate in the UAE, such that it's often hard to decide what to do. With that in mind, here's our round-up to help you choose
Dubai
1980s horror night at Sho Cho
What: I love 80s Halloween Special with in-house artists who will help you transform into your favourite character, with DJ Monoi and DJ Elie Abi spinning spooky tunes.
Where: Dubai Marine Beach Resort & Spa
When: October 26 from 6pm; happy hour between 6pm and 9pm. For bookings, call 04 346 1111
Ruth's Chris Steak House
What: A Murder Mystery night. Dress up in 1960s attire to solve a murder mystery over your four courses from the Marina venue's classic menu. Ruth's Chris will allocate characters and clues to each table, and it is up to the guests to discover who at the table committed the fatal felony.
Where: Address Dubai Marina
When: October 31 from 6pm to 1am, for Dh450 per person. Tables can be booked for between 6 and 12 people. For reservations, email Marina@ruthschris.ae or call 04 454 9538
Lucky Voice Dubai
What: The popular karaoke bar is bringing characters from some of the most horrifying movies to life: expect to see Samara from The Ring, Pennywise from IT, Leatherface from The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Annabelle, the evil Raggedy Ann doll. There will be a flash-mob dance-off to Michael Jackson's Thriller at the stroke of midnight, and a complimentary Glam Bar service to help with your ghoulish look. Ladies will get free drinks and 20 per cent off on food, and there will also be 30 minutes complimentary in the private karaoke pods.
Where: Grand Millennium Hotel, Barsha Heights
When: October 31 from 8pm to 1am; free entry. For reservations, email Reservations@LuckyVoice.ae or call 800 58259 (LUCKY)
Tribeca Chainsaw Massacre
What: Join the Tribeca Chainsaw Massacre this Halloween, where the bar will be transformed into a spooky dungeon. There are free drinks for ladies and prizes for the best-dressed.
Where: JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR
When: October 31 from 8pm to 11.30pm; free entry. For reservations, call 050 345 6067 or email info@tribeca.ae
Drink a Pint of Blood at MAXX Music Bar
What: The venue has a lot of terrifying tricks and treats lined up for a full 10 days. There will be a best-dressed competition each evening with the winner announced on the final night. The Drink a Pint of Blood with your Date package is for Dh199 and comes with eight drinks and a platter.
Where: CityMax Hotel Al Barsha
When: October 21 to 31 from 9pm to 11pm
Witches Night at Cielo Sky Lounge
What: A night celebrating all things Wiccan. Break out your provocative pagan costumes and make your way to the recently reopened rooftop bar. Ladies enjoy free-flowing ruby-hued drinks.
Where: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club
When: October 31 from 9pm to 1am. Call 04 416 1800
Blue Marlin's Burning Beach
What: Blue Marlin Ibiza's beach will be transformed into a "dystopian playground", taking its inspiration from the desert festival Burning Man. Enjoy a day at the beach and then change into your Halloween attire, or come along later. DJs Hosh and Lehar, Frederick Stone, Jixo & Danz, Jean B and Aidin Karami will entertain throughout.
Where: Ghantoot
When: October 27 from 1pm to 11pm; entrance is free but reservations are essential. Call 056 113 3400 or email reservation@bluemarlinibiza-uae.com
Crowne Plaza
What: Family-friendly Halloween brunch: dress up and enjoy the live entertainment, with a chance to win prizes. The soft drinks package is from Dh299, house drinks for Dh399, and the sparkling package comes in at Dh599.
Where: Sheikh Zayed Road
When: October 27, from 1pm to 4pm. For reservations call 0430568443 or email fbreservations.cpdubai@ihg.com
Desert Palm Dubai
What: The Desert Palm is celebrating a two-day Halloween over the weekend. On October 26, there will be a Halloween-themed Cheese and Tipples night priced at Dh150. A kid-friendly Halloween brunch on October 27, is Dh195 for the soft drinks package, Dh295 for the house beverage package and Dh595 with a bottle of sparkling French grape.
Where: Al Awir Road
When: Cheese and Tipples night on October 26 from 7.30pm to11pm; Halloween brunch from 12:30pm to 4pm on October 27. Call 04 323 8888 or email info@desertpalm.ae
Spice & Ice
What: Halloween-themed Friday brunch for Dh199, with unlimited food and house beverages, a DJ and a prize for the best-dressed. Plus, a ladies night with free drinks and 20 per cent off food.
Where: Cluster A, JLT
When: Brunch on October 27 from 12 noon to 4pm. Ladies night on October 31 from 7pm to 1am. Call 04 421 1356 / 050 552 9686 or email reservation@spiceandiceuae.com
Cirque le Soir's Mental Hospital
What: Cirque le Soir will be extending its celebrations from October 30 to November 3, and the theme is "Mental Hospital". Expect some frights and much insanity with crazy doctors and patients galore. Music will be provided by Brooklyn, Junior J, Scottie B, DJ Stylez, Timothy Knight and DJ Pepelz. Entrance is free and fancy dress is advised.
Where: Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
When: October 30 to November 3. For reservations, call 050 995 5400 or email reservations@cirquelesoirdubai.com
Cavalli
What: Vudu Ladies Night is being taken over this Halloween by creepy clowns and faux bodies hanging from the ceiling. There will be a special Halloween brunch, for Dh299, where guests can enjoy unlimited starters and desserts, and one main. The night will continue in the club, where women get in free and men can enjoy the open bar for Dh500.
Where: Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
When: October 31 from 8pm. Email reservations@cavalliclubdubai.com or call 04 332 9260
Billionaires Mansion's Candyland
What: Candyland, a nightmare take on the world of Willy Wonka, will be in session for three nights. Live shows, scary candy girls, giant doughnuts and candied treats. Ladies drink free on October 31; November 2 will be Urban Night and November 3 will feature another ladies night. On each of the nights, there will be a best-dressed competition with vouchers from OntheGo.
Where: Taj Hotel, Burj Khalifa Boulevard
When: October 31, November 2 and 3. For reservations, email reservations@billionairemansiondubai.com or call 04 510 3100
Nezesaussi Grill's A Night of Fright
What: The sports hub is transforming into a Halloween spot for the night with prizes for the best-dressed. Food and beverages will be Halloween-themed, with special prices promised on selected food and beverages. Ladies get two free drinks.
Where: Address Dubai Marina
When: October 31 from 7pm to 11pm; free entry. Call 04 436 7777 or email dine.tammh@theaddress.com
Generation Creation Brunch at Mazina
What: This kid-friendly brunch will give you the chance to learn a new skill: pumpkin carving. As well as international cuisine there is a bouncy castle, Wii stations, face-painting, a magician and more. The brunch costs Dh315 per person with soft beverages, Dh440 with house beverages, and Dh595 with house beverages and bubbly. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 enjoy 50 per cent discount, and children who are 5 years and below dine for free.
Where: Address Dubai Marina
When: October 27 and 28 from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. For reservations, call 04 888 3444 or email dine@emaar.com
Halloween at Feast
What: Feast restaurant will be transformed completely with decorations including carved pumpkin heads. Pumpkins will also feature on the menu – roasted as soup and in sweet pumpkin pie. The meal costs Dh199 with soft drinks and Dh249 with house beverages.
Where: Sheraton Grand Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road
When: October 31 from 6pm to 11pm, with beverage service until 1am. For reservations, call 04 503 4444 or email 03731.feast@sheraton.com or visit www.feastrestaurantdubai.com
Abu Dhabi
Hilton Halloween
What: Hemmingways is having a Halloween-themed menu put together by executive chef Walter Miculan. A mixologist will be on hand with an exclusive drinks menu. The Jazz Bar will also join in the Halloween fun with a night of live music. The set menu is available for Dh130.
Where: Hilton Abu Dhabi, Corniche
When: October 31 from 7pm. For reservations, call 02 692 4247
Coya Abu Dhabi
What: Latin restaurant Coya, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, is turning up the voodoo this year, at a "Yelloween" party brought to you by Veuve Clicquot. Guests should wear voodoo-inspired costumes and expect to enter ghoulish voodoo temples.
Where: Four Seasons Hotel, The Galleria, Abu Dhabi, and Four Seasons Resort Jumeirah Beach Road, Dubai
When: October 31. For reservations, call 02 306 7000 our email reservations.ad@coyarestaurant.ae
McGettigan's
What: A Halloween brunch with live music from chart-topping Irish band Hermitage Green. Unlimited house drinks and food for Dh199 with a post-brunch drinks package for Dhs149. Expect spooky dishes and cocktails. Dress code: scary. McGettigan's will also be hosting a Halloween ladies night on October 27. Girls get five free house drinks from 6pm to 10pm and 50 per cent off main courses, with entertainment and Halloween party hits from the resident DJ.
Where: McGettigan's, Al Raha Hotel and Resort
When: October 31 from 12 noon to 4pm, with post-drinks from 5pm to 8pm. For reservations, call 04 378 0800
Halloween at The Village featuring Yalla Laughs
What: The Village at Le Meridien promises a haunted Halloween party with Yalla Laughs performing live on stage at NRG. BBQ burgers will be freshly prepared at The Village centre garden as resident band Once Duo perform live. Those in fancy dress can enjoy happy-hour drink prices in The Captain's Arms and NRG. There will be a prize for the best-dressed.
Where: Le Meridien Abu Dhabi, Tourist Club Area
When: October 31 from 7pm. Yalla Laughs start their live performance at NRG from 8pm. For reservations, call 02 644 6666 or email 01899fnb@starwoodhotels.com
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