The COVID-19 pandemic is indeed scary enough, but we’ve still put together a list of Halloween food and drink to add a touch of spooky to your palate.
Aqua
Does the name Joe Exotic ring a bell? If you became as addicted to the Netflix docuseries Tiger King as we did, you’ll be keen to check out Aqua’s aptly named Welcome to the Jungle Halloween party on Saturday, 31 October. The fun will start with a jungle edition of Aqua’s Because Brunch ($688/person) from 12pm, featuring Japanese and Italian menu faves alongside free-flow beer, champagne, cocktails and sake. After 3pm, things get really wild with the appearance of Joe Exotic and his nemesis, Carole Baskin, along with “tiger” performances and live music courtesy of Aqua’s resident DJ. A two-hour free-flow package ($198) of champagne, house spirits and beer can be added. Fancy dress is strongly encouraged – mullets at the ready!
29/F & 30/F, One Peking, 1 Peking Road, TST, 3427 2288, book brunch and drink packages online
Aqualuna
To us, a haunted boat is even more terrifying than a haunted house – there’s nowhere to escape besides the dark, open sea. For some serious spooks, we recommend booking red-sailed junk Aqualuna’s Haunted Harbour Cruise on Saturday the 31st (sailings from Central or Tsim Sha Tsui, 6:30–9:30pm). Classic Halloween tunes may drown out your screams, so get some Dutch courage with the free-flow package ($400 for 1 hour or $680 for 2 hours) that includes Prosecco, house wine and beer, soft drinks and juice. You’ll also get a fruity, vodka-based Evil Eye cocktail as part of this All Hallows’ Eve deal. Dining prizes will be up for grabs for the best dressed cruise-goers who post photos on social media.
The Dispensary
In recognition of the (equally frightening) lockdowns we’ve been experiencing around the world, The Dispensary’s Vault Lockdown Party from 7pm on Thursday, 29 October is inspired by cult Spanish Netflix series Money Heist. Staff will don the TV show’s iconic red jumpsuits and creepy Dali-esque masks will be handed out to guests. Mixologist Alberto Aldave will make a guest appearance as El Professor behind the bar, shaking up the special blood-red Dali vodka cocktail, pictured above (you can also win yourself this drink by taking part in a Money Heist quiz). Free entry if you wear your most haunting Halloween glad rags, with prizes for the most “dedicated” costumes.
Police Headquarters Block 01, Tai Kwun, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, 2848 3088, book Tapas & Cava package online
Gunpowder & Namo
Mayfare Restaurants’ modern Indian restaurant Gunpowder and contemporary Thai eatery Namo have whipped up some devilish dishes and creepy cocktails this year – from Gunpowder’s Teary Eyeballs ($138), or seared scallops with beetroot “eyeballs” on vindaloo sauce (pictured), and Viper's Venom ($128) to Namo’s Chop Chop Fingers ($128), or shrimp mousse “fingers” on Penang sauce, and Vampire’s Kiss ($128) gin martini. They’re up for ordering –if you dare – from 24–31 October.
Gunpowder Indian RestoBar: G/F, J Residence,18 Ship Street, Wanchai, 2827 7777
Namo Avant Thai: Shop G18, G/F, Empire Centre, 68 Mody Road, TST East, 2739 1133
Honbo
These little buns are so cute! From 26–31 October, home-grown burger bar Honbo is offering a Halloween slider ($48) – a mini version of its signature USDA Double Gold cheeseburger with all the fixings inside a bun crafted using carrot juice and activated charcoal.
Central: BaseHall, LG/F, Jardine House, 1 Connaught Place, Central, 3643 0865
Tsuen Wan: Shop 303, 3/F, The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, 2567 8616
Wanchai: 6–7 Sun Street, 2567 8970
LANDMARK EATO
The LANDMARK EATO promotion, offering a wide selection of F&B deals in the
LANDMARK vicinity of Central, has turned its attention to its #AllTreatsNoTricks Halloween campaign, with the varied outlets presenting Halloween-themed treats until the end of October. Highlights include this zombie eye cheesecake pop courtesy of Sweet Fashion House, a “bloody” shrimp cocktail at Café Landmark, organic iced Halloween cookies by The Cakery and lots more goodies.
For all participating outlets, click here
Lobster Bar and Grill
Over at Island Shangri-La, Lobster Bar and Grill’s Halloween party on Saturday the 31st from 10pm takes its nod from Mexico’s Día de Muertos holiday. The space will be kitted out like a Mexican carnival plaza, with professional make-up artists on hand to transform guests into Day of the Dead–style characters and DJ Lizzy on deck playing a mash-up of Latino, funk, soul and tropical beats. To drink, it’s Veuve Clicquot champers ($480/person free-flow from 10pm–12am or $380/person for Lobster Bar diners that evening) all the way along with Halloween-themed Don Julio tequila cocktails.
6/F, Island Shangri-La, Supreme Court Road, Pacific Place, Admiralty, 2820 8560, lbandgrill.isl@shangri-la.com
The Optimist
The Brunch of the Living Dead on Saturday the 31st ($348/person for brunch or $248/person for “dunch”) is Spanish stalwart The Optimist’s cheeky Halloween offering. Free-flow bevvies are part of the deal, and they include a very autumnal pumpkin sangria. On the food side, expect the eatery’s very best tapas, grilled meat and seafood. The costume theme is zombies, with the staff dressing up in their finest retro zombie gear. Brunch is served from 12–2pm and dunch (dinner meets lunch) from 2:30–4:30pm.
239 Hennessy Road, Wanchai, 2433 3324, book online
The Pontiac
One of HK’s top bars, The Pontiac’s Halloween happenings have a sustainable slant. On Friday the 30th from 7pm, in collaboration with Applewood Coral Gin from Australia, a portion of all drink sales will go towards caring for the Great Barrier Reef via the Reef Restoration Foundation.
13 Old Bailey Street, SoHo, Central, 2521 3855
Royal Pacific Hotel
The Halloween Getaway (from $860/night) at Royal Pacific Hotel in Tsim Sha Tsui sounds like the perfect weekend-long Halloween celebration for a couple. Book this staycation from 29 October–1 November and you’ll get lots of F&B perks including daily breakfast for two, a Halloween-themed afternoon tea set for two, two bottles of craft beer and two pumpkin lanterns filled with sweets.
China Hong Kong City, 33 Canton Road, TST, 2738 2222, reservations@royalpacific.com.hk, book online
Stazione Novella![Halloween at Stazione Novella Hong Kong]( "Halloween at Stazione Novella Hong Kong")
Stazione Novella’s Doggy Halloween is back! Get your pup costumed up and head to the Italian wine bar from 9am on Saturday the 31st to get a coffee or espresso martini on the house. All four-legged participants will receive a house-made Pup-Peroni and the best-dressed doggy will get a special surprise. Don’t forget to tag your photos with #StazzyPooch!
52–56 Staunton Street, SoHo, Central, 2559 0559
Taqueria Super Macho
Celebrated on 2 November in Mexico, Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death symbolised by skulls and skeletons – not dissimilar in imagery to Halloween. Taqueria Super Macho’s Day of the Dead festivities are two-fold. First, there’s a muy loco brunch ($498/person) from 12pm on Saturday the 31st complete with the eatery’s signature Baja-inspired tacos, free-flow margaritas and cervezas, face-painting and spins on the Wheel of Fortune. From 6pm, Halloween treats include $48 margaritas and Tijuana-style beef birria tacos ($108 for 3) – all the rage on social media at the mo’.
33–35 Bridges Street, SoHo, Central, 2333 0111, book online
Te Quiero Mucho
Another Day of the Dead celebration will be happening over at Te Quiero Mucho, from 29 October–5 November. Whet your whistle with a two-four free-flow package ($198) that includes special Olmeca tequila-based tipples, house wine and beer, margaritas and micheladas. If you don’t have quite that staying power, you can opt for a solo Olmeca cocktail ($100) or shot ($50). And why not get creative with your cocktails? Traditional ceramic skull painting will be offered at every table.
G/F & 1/F, The Sheung Wan by Ovolo, 286 Queen’s Road Central, Sheung Wan, 3423 3290
Twist & Buckle
Nothing says Halloween like a... churro! Popular new churrería Twist & Buckle’s spooky churro ($65) is supremely Instagrammable. This churro sundae features a base of Hokkaido milk soft serve and chocolate sauce topped with Oreo “earth” and a marshmallow spider web on which red and blue chocolate spiders perch. Available from 26 October–1 November.
29–31 Chatham Road South, TST East
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