A guide to Halloween 2017 in Abu Dhabi and Dubai

From pumpkin-carving and horror-film characters to themes ranging from voodoo to mental hospitals, here's where the party is this Halloween

Where will you go this Halloween? Getty Images

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 [e-mail] 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 [e-mail] 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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail] 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 [e-mail] 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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail] 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 [e-mail]

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 [e-mail]

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