It’s October, and you know what that means: the one night of the year when adults can dress up and let loose is approaching. Whether you’re planning on hamming it up or paring it back on 31 October, prepare yourself for a thrilling time at some of the most ghoulish events happening on Halloween in London.

Grimm’s Tales at Thin White Duke, Soho

Theatrical Soho cocktail bar Thin White Duke will immerse guests into the bewitching world of Grimm’s Tales this Halloween while the bar transforms a dark forest of enchantment and delight. Taking place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 October, the evenings will see revellers entertained with burlesque performances from Miss Betsy Rose, live storytelling and an enchanted feast of fairytale desserts.

Beguiling cocktail creations are courtesy of mixologist Dav Eames and inspired by the world of Grimm’s Tales, including Once Upon a Time – a complex combination of Konik’s Tail vodka, sloe gin and stone fruits inspired by the German forests once traversed by the Brothers Grimm – and the Snow White, combining tarragon, apple, toffee and almond syrup, absinthe and rum. The soundtrack for the night will feature entrancing music from a live cellist and a DJ playing late into the night, ranging from haunting classic melodies to gothic folk songs. 

From 27-28 October 2023 at 22b Great Windmill Street, W1D 7LD. Visit thethinwhiteduke.london

Halloween party at Sky Garden, The City

The Walkie-Talkie’s top-floor restaurant is a favourite among Londoners – Instagrammers vying for the perfect selfie are a staple at this altitudinous institution. Sky Garden throws an annual Halloween bash and this year it promises to be bigger and better than ever. On 27 October from 8pm until late, Sky Garden will undergo a spooky makeover before inviting guests for a night of live entertainment by ALR Music, late-night dancing with its resident DJ, and delicious themed cocktails 35 floors above The City. Tickets start from £65 per person with a welcome cocktail – dressing up strongly encouraged.

27 October 2023 at 1 Sky Garden Walk, EC3M 8AF, visit skygarden.london

Jack The Ripper Tour At Discount Suit Company, Aldgate

Mark Halloween in a truly spine-tingling way by retracing the streets stalked by grisly serial killer Jack the Ripper. Expert tour guide Simon Whitehouse has partnered with East London cocktail bar Discount Suit Company to offer special Ripper tours on 31 October. They start outside the bar (with a complimentary cocktail) before winding through the back allies of Whitechapel and Spitalfields and concluding back at Discount Suit Company for post-walk libations. Stick around after the tour to enjoy the bar’s new inventive cocktail list at a 20 per cent discount. The new menu features eight new delicious concoctions, including Drugstore Cowboy with Quiquiriquí mezcal and Ocho Blanco tequila, to create a punchy cocktail and as well as the refreshing Slippery Mistress which consists of the mad march hare Poitín, aquavit, grapefruit, cucumber and greek mountain tea.

31 October 2023 at 29A Wentworth Street, E1 7TB. Visit theumbrellaproject.co.uk

Halloween at Gaucho

Gaucho has curated a series of spooktacular events to keep us all on the edge of our seats this month, from wine tastings fit for witches and wizards to twisted tango brunches. On 28 October, Gaucho Piccadilly will host a spooky bottomless brunch featuring pumping DJs, terrifyingly good tango dancers and South American dishes in collaboration with tequila brand Casamigos. Elsewhere, 31 October will see Gaucho’s Sour Grapes series return to its Charlotte Street restaurant. Whether you consider yourself a wine wizard or not, enjoy the Which Wine Is Witch special guaranteed to trick or treat guests to an evening of blind tastings. Pick your perfect poison by sampling four glasses of wine paired with delicious small plates. Plus, for any lost souls out there, a tarot reader will be on hand to answer life’s big questions.

From 28-31 October 2023. Visit gauchorestaurants.com

Phantoms of the Deep Halloween Party at Sexy Fish, Mayfair

Never one to miss an opportunity for a party, Sexy Fish is pulling out all the stops with a wicked wonderland-themed Halloween party on 28 October. Limited edition cocktails will come from Patron El Cielo and Grey Goose (our pick is the Flora and Fauna made from Patron Silver, Tequila Falernum, ginger and hibiscus), while a series of resident DJs and special guest DJ Nikolina will take to the stage to ensure music is the beating heart of the exclusive extravaganza for one night only.

28 October 2023 at Berkeley Square House, W1J 6BR. Visit sexyfish.com

Halloween at The Piano Works

Clueless about what to do this Halloween? Be transported back to the '90s with the Piano Works, London's non-stop, live music venues in Farringdon and the West End. On 27-28 October 2023, you’ll be treated to a candy necklace and a Snap, Crackle and Pop shot to kickstart your evening, before dancing to the haunting melodies of the Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls and Oasis. Raise your cursed goblets to the ‘90s with sinister signatures including Buffy’s Bloodbath, crafted with El Jimador, Chambord and raspberry, and the Spicy Gals Skull Crusher, a spicy El Jimador Picante margarita. Attend dressed in your most diabolical '90s attire to be in with a chance of winning grand rewards and keep your eyes peeled for the ghastly apparitions of icons of the bygone era, as rumours swirl of an other-worldly performance by N'Sync… 

From 27-28 October 2023. Visit pianoworks.bar

Halloween at The Prince, Earl’s Court

Grab your guys and ghouls for a trip to The Prince this Halloween, which has teamed up with Southern Comfort for a spooktacular roster of events throughout October. First up, on 25 October, trick or treat yourselves to a hair-raising night of fun with Bongo’s Bingo where an exciting array of prizes are to be won. 27 October will see The Prince host its Halloween Warm Up Party with DJ Siân Owen, before the popular main event on 28 October. Having sold out for five years in a row, enjoy immersive entertainment, petrifying decorations, and devilish cocktails guaranteed to shock and amaze at one of the best Halloween parties in the capital. Also don’t miss the Bottomless Brunch of Horrors, pumpkin carving, quiz and Famous First Words, The Halloween Edition on 31 October with presenters Tim and Gendle, who will host an extra eerie edition of their popular music game. 

From 25-31 October 2023 at 14 Lillie Road, SW6 1TT. Visit theprincelondon.com

Halloween at Bagatelle London, Mayfair

From 26 October to 1 November, Bagatelle London will transform into a circus wonderland, bringing Bagat’hell to Mayfair. The restaurant’s entrance will undergo a metamorphosis into a terrifying clown, while diners who dare enter should be prepared for some surprise performers throughout the evening. To commemorate the occasion, head pastry chef Manon Santini will debut a limited-edition spiced pumpkin dessert with caramelised apples and mandarin sorbet, which will be available for one week only. 

From 26 October-1 November 2023 at 34 Dover Street, W1S 4NG. Visit bagatelle.com

Cupid’s Curse at Lío London, Leicester Square

Lío London will present the chilling Cupid's Curse: a Halloween extravaganza that promises to take guests on a spine-tingling journey through the twists and turns of unrequited love and the dark side of romance and seduction. Armed with fire and arrows, spectators are invited to dress in red as Cupid takes over Lío London for three spine-chilling nights from 26-28 October, with a performance from 7.30pm followed by late-night dancing alongside resident DJs.

From 26-28 October 2023 at 3-4 Coventry Street, W1D 6BL. Visit liolondon.co.uk

Halloween at Skylight Bars, across London

Take to two London rooftops and dance with devilish DJs to celebrate the most terrifying time of year. Whether you’re on a ghouls night out or looking for a freakish event with friends, Skylight Tobacco Dock and Peckham are putting on parties filled with no tricks, just treats. Kick-off celebrations with London’s fiercest (and now most fearsome) drag bottomless brunch in Peckham on 28 October, before a party from 7pm where DJ Annabel puts the decks and guests into a spooky spin. Elsewhere, Skylight Tobacco Dock will host the Creepy Carnival Halloween Party where guests are invited to don their most frightful fashion. Decked out with pumpkin patches and gruesome décor, expect an evening filled with eerie entertainers lurking around, special cocktails, thriller DJs and games like croquet, cornhole toss and ping pong. 

28 October 2023. Visit skylightbars.com

Time to Tarot at the Kimpton Fitzroy London, Bloomsbury

Kimpton Fitzroy London is offering guests the opportunity to look into their futures by booking a one-to-one tarot reading with Bloomsbury’s Treadwell’s Bookshop occult expert, Dr Christina Oakley, this Halloween. Inspired by its 19th-century heritage and the Victorian fascination with the occult, the luxury hotel in Bloomsbury will launch its bespoke tarot service alongside a uniquely designed tarot deck, available for hotel guests to pre-book during their stay. Kimpton Fitzroy London’s mystical tarot deck has been created in collaboration with artist and tarot illustrator, Ari Wisner, who’s redesigned the cards to reference the hotel’s history. This experience comes as part of a package with an overnight stay including breakfast and one cocktail per person at Fitz’s Bar.  

1-8 Russell Square, WC1B 5BE. Visit kimptonfitzroylondon.com

Skullduggery at Tattu

This Halloween, Chinese fusion restaurant Tattu will present a new spooky Skullduggery menu inspired by the Tibetan belief that the human and ghost worlds overlap. From 27-31 October, Tattu’s trademark blossom trees will be recast in ghoulish green while the menu features pumpkin dumplings with shredded duck, hoisin and chilli, a wilting blossom dessert, where white chocolate meets cherry, and a toxic koi fish bowl of prosecco. Mixologists have concocted cocktails such as Deadly Dismay (Crystal Head, merlot, hibiscus and orange), and a Trick or Treat tipple served overflowing with dry ice.

From 27- 31 October 2023 at The Now Building Rooftop, Outernet, Denmark Street, WC2H 0LA. Visit tattu.co.uk

The Spirit of Mexico at Bluebird, Chelsea

Until 12 November, Bluebird is joining forces with tequila brand Casamigos to infuse the lively spirit of Mexico into the heart of Chelsea. The terrace is set to undergo an autumnal transformation, adorned with traditional marigolds and captivating skull decorations. Bluebird’s team of expert mixologists has carefully curated fearsome cocktails – think Los Muertos with Casamigos Blanco, condensed milk, fresh lime juice, fresh lime and chocolate, and Cinco de Cosmo featuring cranberry juice, jalapeno and grapefruit juice – alongside Mexican-inspired dishes such as tacos al pastor with slow cooked pork and tomato salsa, hot chorizo picante with honey, roja and avocado and crunchy corn tacos.

From 4 October-12 November 2023 at 350 King's Road, SW3 5UU. Visit bluebird-restaurant.co.uk

Theatre Royal Drury Lane Halloween Tour, Covent Garden

The Theatre Royal Drury Lane Halloween Tour is the ultimate spooky experience, unearthing hidden tales, scandal, conspiracy and ghost stories in the heart of London's Covent Garden. From 3-31 October, the late-night after-hours tour will start at 9.15pm with a special Halloween cocktail served in the Cecil Beaton Bar. Just be prepared for a sighting of the theatre's most famous ghost: The Man in Grey... 

Elsewhere, sample The Lane’s new Halloween afternoon tea from 16-31 October. Start with bitesize English crumpets topped with Earl Grey-infused cream cheese and smoked salmon, savoury madeleines with whipped English feta and a Coronation chicken pie with caramelised onion chutney before tucking into sweet treats of vanilla and passionfruit sponge with gingerbread tombstone, spooky sticky toffee pudding filled with a custard centre and delicious strawberry ice cream sandwich and warm fruit scones.

From 3-31 October 2023 at Catherine Street, WC2B 5JF. Visit thelane.co.uk

Read more: The best luxury hampers for Christmas 2023