Things are getting a bit spooky in Abu Dhabi as the city prepares for yet another very creepy celebration.
So if you love dressing up, eating more sweets than you really should and having a good time then you’ll already be counting down the days to October 31.
Sure, we would happily watch scary movies, carve pumpkins and embrace all things spooky most days of the week but at least on Halloween you don’t get strange looks from your colleagues for doing so.
Plus, what other time of the year can you walk around dressed like a Ghostbuster, a vampire or an axe murderer and no one think it’s strange?
From creepy costume parties to fangtastic feasts, it’s time to get your outfit ready and trick or treat yourself with these top places in Abu Dhabi to spend Halloween.
Abu Dhabi Golf Club
The venue is hosting a spooktacular Halloween party and the prizes for the costumes could make even glass eyes water. A total of Dhs20,000 will be given away for the best costumes at the spooky bash and that sounds good to us. There will also be live music from Exit Strategy, a photo booth and plenty more Halloween-themed activities to help you get in the swing of things. And if you happen to have the best costume on the night you can walk away with Dhs8,000 in cash. Tickets cost Dhs150 for adults and Dhs85 for children, they can be purchased on the night and are inclusive of two beverages.
From Dhs150. Oct 31, 7pm-midnight. Abu Dhabi Golf Club, Sas Al Nakhl (02 885 3555).
ANNEX
Boogie Box (or should that be spooky box?) is back at the Abu Dhabi EDITION for a Halloween special. On the night you can dance the night away to music from Hassan, Tristan and Shadi and there’s no expectation to wear a costume but what’s the harm in getting dressed up? As usual it’s free entry but you need to contact the venue to get on the guest list so email info@boogiebox.net with the names of your ghoulish friends to enjoy a great night.
Free (reservation required). Oct 31 10pm-4am. The Abu Dhabi EDITION, info@boogiebox.net.
Belgian Café Novotel Gate Hotel
If you’re feeling a little freakish but aren’t ready to spend hours crafting a costume and perfecting your face-painting skills then you can still enjoy the fun of Halloween without the ghoulish graft. At Belgian Café Novotel Gate Hotel you can feast at the scary bites buffet and enjoy a beverage or two as All Hallows Eve brings out your frightening side.
Free entry, Dhs99 for buffet. Oct 31, 8pm-2am. Belgian Café Novotel Gate Hotel (056 549 9763).
Blu Sky Lounge and Grill
What’s Halloween without watching some scary movies? Instead of settling into the sofa and seeing what Netflix has to offer, take a trip to Blue Sky Lounge and Grill where you can watch some freaky flicks on the 14 HD screens across the room and enjoy drinks from Dhs25. There’s nothing frightening about that.
Free. Nov 1. Southern Sun Abu Dhabi, Mina Street (02 818 4888).
Casa de Cuba
It’s all going off at Casa de Cuba as Candypants is in town for a Halloween bash. The Havana Horror Brunch will take place on October 31 with three-hours of food and unlimited drinks from 8pm to 11pm. Then on November 1 it’s over to a live stream set from Jonathan Ulysses and a Day of the Dead brunch from 6pm to 9pm. It all sounds pretty good to us.
Dhs299. Oct 31 8pm-11pm, Nov 1 6pm-9pm. Yas Marina, Yas Island (056 742 7435).
Dusk
Okay, this venue has a suitably scary name but it’s the same the whole year round. Take the trip across the water to Zaya Nurai Island and settle in at Dusk for a special Halloween night brunch. You can fill up on food at the buffet and enjoy unlimited drinks while the DJ spins tunes. Plus there’s a costume competition so don’t forget to dress up for the chance to win prizes.
Dhs400. Oct 31 7.30pm-11pm. Zaya Nurai Island (02 506 6274).
Ingredients
If you’ve got little skeletons and pumpkins at home then bring them along to the family-friendly Halloween brunch at Ingredients on November 1. A host of Halloween-themed dishes will be on offer and there’s plenty of activities for little ghouls including face painting and more. It sounds fangtastic.
Dhs276 (soft drinks), Dhs389 (house beverages). Nov 1 12.30pm-4pm. Eastern Mangroves Hotel and Spa by Anantara, Salam Street (02 656 1000).
Le Méridien Abu Dhabi
Head along to the ghoulish garden at Le Méridien Abu Dhabi and you can sink your fangs into a fantastic night of freakish fun. Embracing all things spooky, there are Halloween-themed drinks on offer and a costume competition that gives you the chance to win some big prizes. So if you’re creating an outlandish outfit you could make a killing and even if not you can still dance the night away to the Monster Mash.
Free entry. Oct 31, 7pm. Le Méridien Abu Dhabi, Al Zahiyah (02 644 6666).
Le Royal Meridien
The popular and family-friendly Elements brunch is getting a spooky makeover this weekend for Halloween. There will be Halloween-themed food, deserts and activities on offer for little ones and costumes are encouraged for people of all ages. Plus, for every two paying adults two children up to the age of 12 go free. What’s more you can also enjoy complimentary pool acceess with brunch but don’t jump in the pool with your face paint on or you might make a mess.
From Dhs275 per person. Fri Nov 1, 1pm-4pm. Le Royal Meridien, Shekih Khalifa Street (02 674 2020).
McGettigan’s
Boils and Ghouls can enjoy a freaky start to the weekend at McGettigan’s this Halloween with a special themed drunch. If you’ve got a great costume you can win big as there are cash prizes for the best dressed on the night so you better start planning that killer costume. Plus, with an unlimited drinks package on offer from 8pm to 11pm for Dhs149 and special promotions throughout the night it’s sure to be a lot of fun.
Free entry. Oct 31, 8pm-3am. Al Raha Beach Hotel, Channel Street(02 652 4333).
Saadiyat Beach Club
Things are getting spooky on Saadiyat Island this Halloween. Head to Saadiyat Beach Club and you can join the Halloween party on October 31 with music from DJ Kaboo, Saif & Sound, DJ Tim Cosmos, DJ Eldar stuff and live performances by artists Katrina & Galina. Plus there are prizes up for grabs for the best costumes so don’t turn up in your nice shirt, we like it but it’s not very Halloween-friendly is it?
Free. Oct 31 10pm-3am. Saadiyat Beach Club, Saadiyat Island (02 656 3500).
Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort
Get ghoulish at Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Resort this year as the Tavern turns terrifying for a special Halloween bash. Yes, you guessed it, you’re encouraged to get creative and wear a costume of your choosing and have a great time with live music from resident band Malina Duo who will provide a spooky soundtrack to the evening. On the night there will also be a selection of wicked bites and beverages to enjoy from just Dhs20.
Free entry. Oct 31, 8pm-1am. Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, Corniche East (02 677 333).
Stars ’N’ Bars
There are three days of spectacular fun to be had at Stars ’N’ Bars but the big prizes come out to play on Friday November 1. Fancy dress is recommended and those with the best get-up will be in with a chance to win Dhs5,000 in cash. Plus with promotions on drinks and a spooky soundtrack it’s sure to be a lot of fun.
Free. Oct 30-31 4pm-3.30am, Nov 1 1pm-3.30am. Yas Marina, Yas Island (02 565 0101)
Stills
Looking for a freakish theme? We think we’ve found the place. Stills is hosting a Pure-themed party and it already sounds spooky to us. Of course, if you’re cool and creepy enough to arrive in costume you can win prizes and if you’re too shy for that you can still have a good time. With music from DJs and a range of beverage promotions you can party until the wee hours, while ladies can enjoy four free drinks on the night.
Free before 11pm, Dhs100 after. Oct 31, 8pm-3am. Crowne Plaza Yas Island (02 656 3066).
Viewz
If you want to enjoy a wonderfully wicked night then Viewz could be the place to head for. The first thing to note is this is not strictly a Halloween party and instead the theme on the night is Dia de los Muertos, which frankly is equally as eerie. You are encouraged to come enjoy the fun in your best Day of the Dead costume for the chance to win prizes, so we’re expecting to see a lot of faces painted like skulls. You can also enjoy music from DJ Sugarfed and promotions on a selection of beverages starting from Dhs24.
Free entry. Oct 31, 8pm-4am. Cristal Hotel, Madinat Zayed (050 615 1064).
