Get your freak on: Halloween parties in the UAE
“Trick or treat. Smell my feet. Give me something good to eat.” OK, so thankfully we no longer have to go plodding door to door in search of sweets, apples and monkey nuts. Hell, no. Halloween is even more fun for grown-ups. Venture to the dark side at the scariest Halloween parties in the region.
THE MONSTER HALLOWEEN PARTY
Where: Zero Gravity
Address: Skydive Dubai Dropzone, Dubai Marina
Date: Thursday, October 29
Music: Courtesy of Tim Cheddar, Soulninja, Jon Besant and Chris Wright from the bat-shaped DJ booth. Who wants to bet that Tim will play Chic’s Le Freak?
Trick or treat: Giant inflatable skulls, a graveyard, skeletons and spooky visuals from VJ Cold Fusion should have you biting your nails down to the quick in fear. Keep an eye out for the shipwrecked crew throughout the night too.
Freak out: There’s a prize pot of Dhs50,000 to be divvied up across several categories for best fancy dress. If you’ve made the effort, be sure to get your picture taken by the team of photographers roaming around the event. A panel of judges will announce the winners next week.
Door tax: Ladies free and gents Dhs50 before 9pm, Dhs100 after.
More info: Tel (04) 3990009
*More: Halloween events Part I*
360VISI°N PRESENTS THE HAUNTED HOUSE
Where: 360°
Address: Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
Date: Thursday, October 29
Music: Soulful and chunky house from DJs Jack Woodcock, Dan Chadwick and Tom Chubb
Trick or treat: Crazy 3D floor art will make your brain melt while you watch where you step.
Freak out: Get creative with your look and win the prize for best fancy dress. If you win the prize and haven’t made a conscious effort to scare people, it might be time for a new look.
Door tax: Free
More info: Tel (04) 4323232 or facebook.com/360Dubai
PROPAGANDA HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
Where: The Act Dubai
Address: Shangri La Hotel, Dubai
Date: Thursday, October 29
Music: DJ Kayper is the man in charge playing hits across the genres from hip-hop to reggae, funk, rock and more.
Trick or treat: There are mind-boggling horror acts, blood-curdling cocktails, flamboyant illusions and crazy stunts to twist your melons on the menu tonight.
Freak out: Fancy dress is essential. No party poopers allowed.
Door tax: Free guestlist
More info: Tel (04) 3551116
NASIMI ON ELM STREET
Where: Nasimi Beach
Address: Atlantis The Palm, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai
Date: Thursday, October 29
Music: French DJ Michael Calfan headlines, with David De Luca, DJ Bliss and Skinny Loop all setting the mood for the spooktacular.
Trick or treat: Think it’s impossible to make this beautiful beachside venue scary? Think again. A bloody experience awaits. Freddie Kruger would be proud.
Freak out: Dare to scare in your freakiest costume to win a prize. Do note though, sharp and dangerous costume accessories will not be allowed so leave your blood-encrusted scythe at home.
Door tax: Ladies free before 8pm, Dhs100
More info: Tel (055) 2004321 or facebook.com/NasimiBeach
THE WALKING DEAD WEEKEND
Where: VIP Room Dubai
Address: JW Marriot Marquis Hotel, Business Bay, Dubai
Date: Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30
Music: Resident DJ Chuck Wonderland takes it to the dark side
Trick or treat: “It has come to our attention that you have had direct contact with the walking dead and you are now permanently infected,” says the club, to put the frighteners on you.
Freak out: VIP Room will be set up as a quarantine station, but will it be safer indoors?
Door tax: Free guestlist
More info: Tel (052) 8818888
HALLOWEEN HEAVY METAL NIGHT
Where: The Music Room
Address: Majestic Hotel, Mankhool Road, Bur Dubai
Date: Friday, October 30
Music: Belgian death metal band Aborted, supported by Svengali and Coat of Arms
Trick or treat: The Music Room will be decked out in freaky Halloween decorations for the heaviest metal show in town.
Freak out: It’s Aborted’s first performance in the UAE. Energetic and dynamic, expect a relentless ghoulish show that’ll make every monster in the crowd moving. Dubai’s Svengali will be playing favourites from their Theory of Mind album, with local band Coat of Arms kicking off the night with some tracks from their latest album, A Shade of Red.
Door tax: Dhs125
More info: Facebook.com/musicroomdubai
HALOFTEEN POOL PARTY
Where: Fifth floor pool, Aloft Hotel, Abu Dhabi
Address: Adnec Exhibition Centre, Abu Dhabi
Date: Friday, October 30
Music: Courtesy of DJs Chadphunk, Natalie Brogan and Stew Magoo
Trick or treat: Billed as ‘Halloween in the rain’, Aloft’s splash pool will become a simmering cauldron of zombies, ghosts and costumed freaks, with themed performers adding the extra fear factor.
Freak out: For the last three years, Aloft’s Halloween pool party has attracted over 1,000 party animals all getting their freak on.
Door tax: Free for ladies, Dhs150 for gents.
More info: Tel (02) 6545115 or facebook.com/AloftAbuDhabi
AUDIO TONIC’S FRIGHT NIGHT FRIDAY
Where: 360°
Address: Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
Date: Friday, October 30
Music: From Italy’s Luigi Rocca and local devils JC Pinto and Jordan Sweeting
Trick or treat: A favourite haunt any time of the season, the venue will be dressed to scarily impress. Do likewise to nab a prize.
Freak out: With his Abracadabra EP due out in November, 303 Lovers and Hotfingers boss Luigi Rocca will be brewing up some special Halloween magic tonight, following his label’s recent showcase at Amsterdam Dance Event.
Door tax: Free
More info: Tel (04) 4323232 or facebook.com/360Dubai
*More: Halloween events Part I*
CARGO HALLOWEEN PARTY
Where: Cargo
Address: Third floor, Pier 7, Marina Mall, Dubai
Date: Friday, October 30
Music: Supplied all night long by DJ Mark McGreer
Trick or treat: Like an extra Dhs1,500 in your purse or wallet? Then pull out the fancy dress stops and scoop the prize money for the best costume.
Freak out: Enjoy special Halloween-themed cocktails, ‘horror’ canapés and other nasty but nice surprises.
Door tax: Free
More info: Tel (04) 3618129 or facebook.com/cargodubai
BURNING BEACH
Where: Blue Marlin Ibiza UAE
Address: Ghantoot Al Jazira Hotel, Dubai
Date: Friday, October 30
Music: It’s a big one with Detroit legends Kevin Saunderson and Stacey Pullen joined by Germany’s Timo Maas
Trick or treat: Hommage to the legendary and extremist Burning Man festival in the Nevada Desert, with a nod to Mad Max, Burning Beach attracts those who share the same sense of community and spiritual energy. Outlandish desert outfits encouraged.
Freak out: Burning Beach aims to transport its guests to a new psychedelic galaxy where imagination can run wild and creativity has no limits.
Door tax: Free guestlist
More info: Tel (056) 1133400
X-LOCO 2
Where: Candypants Halloween ScareFest at XL Dubai
Address: Habtoor Grand Beach Resort & Spa, Dubai Marina
Date: Friday, October 30
Music: Toolroom Records boss Mark Knight guests at this 14-hour marathon session, with Adam Graca, DJ Will, Mark Shakedown, Michael Mandall, Simon B, Andy Swift and Michka all putting in appearances.
Trick or treat: The spookathon begins with brunch from 1pm to 4pm, before ramping up for the after-party that’ll keep the bats unsettled until 3am.
Freak out: Fancy dress is compulsory so make an effort. The more effort you put in, the greater the chance of winning a prize.
Door tax: Brunch Dhs350, after-party free before 9pm, Dhs150 in advance or Dhs175 on the door
More info: Tel (052) 6341040 or facebook.com/xldubai
SKANK-LLOWEEN
Where: Deep Crates Cartel presents Red Hammour Ghantout
Address: Baccanal Lounge and Grill, Golden Tulip Hotel, Ghantoot Marina
Date: Friday, October 30
Music: Reggae, dub, soul, funk, hip-hop, dancehall, digital, d ‘n’ b and bass from Lobito Brigante, Dubijad, Sya One, Frezidante, Mckie Alvarez and Ben Echo
Trick or treat: Something fishy? Well, the red hammour does tend to be sweeter than others. One for all Sunny Vibe Up fans, the Deep Crates Cartel crew are throwing a Skank-lloween bash out at Ghantoot Marina, and kind hearted fun-loving chaps that they are, they’re putting on an hourly shuttle bus from Dubai’s Media City to the venue.
Freak out: DCC’s 6000W mega bassy custom-built reggae sound system should make your bits wobble.
Door tax: There’s an authentic Caribbean brunch from 2pm to 5pm that’ll set you back Dhs175. Free entry after 5pm
More info: Tel (052) 8247489 or dccpartybus@gmail.com to book the shuttle bus
INSANITARIUM
Where: WHITE Dubai
Address: Meydan Racecourse Grandstand Rooftop, Dubai
Date: Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31
Music: DJAD, Anthony Bassoulou and Devon Kosoko take charge of the decks, delivering deep house, EDM and commercial bangers
Trick or treat? You don’t have to be mad to club here – but it helps. In usual WHITE style, the crew behind the venue are going all out for their two-night Halloween bash, transforming the club into a full-on asylum complete with freaktastic show.
Freak out: “Those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.” F. Nietzsche
Door tax: Free
More info: Tel (050) 4430933
DEAD FAMOUS
Where: Cavalli Club
Address: Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Date: Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31
Music: Paris House Addict – DJ Chico Bos, Caroline Stenger on electro-violin and Fabrice Madsax on saxophone – guest on Friday, with DJs Enzo and Michka back at the helm on Saturday
Trick or treat: Think Hollywood glam – Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra, etc – but with a Halloween twist. Dinner guests will be serenaded by a Marilyn Monroe impersonator, and there are prizes for Best Group Outfit, Best Female, Best Male and Best Couple. There’s also an MC on call to toast throughout the night.
Freak out: Known for glamour and sophistication, Cavalli will be transformed to make guests feel like they’re part of an old Hollywood movie set, with black and white movies playing on the screen, and hostesses and staff dressed as recognisable Hollywood faces.
Door tax: Dinner tickets Dhs375, club entry Dhs200 for ladies and Dhs300 for gents
More info: Tel (04) 3325555 or (056) 9910400
DISTURBIA.
Where: Cirque Le Soir
Address: Fairmont Hotel, Sheikh Zayed Road, Dubai
Date: Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31
Music: Resident DJs will be doing their fang
Trick or treat: The Cirque performers are a freaky bunch at the best of times. Throw Halloween into the mix and you can bet your last dirham they’ll be going all out to disturb your sanity. The club says there will be something “lurking round every corner” so keep your wits about you at all times.
Freak out: Think of the most disturbing thing you’ve seen. Now multiply that by ten for an inkling of what to expect at Cirque this Halloween. Was that the hair on the back of your neck jumping to attention?
Door tax: Free
More info: Tel (050) 9955400
#SOCIAL HALLOWEEN SPECIAL
Where: 360°
Address: Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Dubai
Date: Saturday, 31 October
Music: Supplied by local monkey nuts Andy Buchan, David Craig and Rod Lee Winter
Trick or treat: With 360° decked out as a haunted house, and pumpkins galore adorning the bar area, round out the Halloween weekend in frightfully good style.
Freak out: There’s prizes for the best dressed. If you win for your Ronnie Woods impression, you know you’ve had a heavy weekend.
Door tax: Free
More info: Tel (04) 4323232 or facebook.com/360Dubai
TWISTED ANGELS
Where: Cielo
Address: Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club, Dubai Creek
Date: Saturday, October 31
Music: Resident DJs Michael Karrera and Consoul Trainin get their spook on.
Trick or treat: It’s a battle between good and evil tonight that’ll test your conscience. Which side will you end up on?
Freak out: Even if you’re far from angelic, there are prizes to be won for the best dressed twisted angels.
Door tax: Free
More info: Tel: (04) 4161800
HALLOWEEN NIGHT
Where: The Irish Village
Address: Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, Al Garhoud, Dubai
Date: Saturday, October 31
Music: Expect live music, as well as freaky tunes from DJ Marky Mark
Trick or treat: Halloween is a grave business at The Irish Village, which will be transformed into a graveyard for a day and night of spooky fun, with games for kids (allowed until 9.30pm) and adults alike.
Freak out: Let your inner child loose by bobbing for apples and eating pumpkin pie. Prizes in store for the best costumes.
Door tax: Free
More info: Tel (04) 2395000