So prepare for every restaurant in the land to add a bit of spice to a burger and call it a ‘Scare-burger’, people to get dressed up in minor dominatrix gear, add blood to their face and call it a costume, and a gang of 17 year olds to knock on your door and mug you in a highly dubious (but socially acceptable) way.
Halloween in the City
From Saturday 21st October
There’s a ton of stuff going on around the city centre this Halloween so bear with me while I pretty much regurgitate all of it to you now. To start off with, the whole of the city will be awash with pumpkin lanterns, decorations and nicely green-lit buildings to get you in the mood. The Halloweekend kicks off on Saturday the 28th and features such fun activities as a city Trick or Treat hunt, a Haunted Maze in St Ann’s Square as well as an attempt at the biggest fancy dress ever with The Big Dress Up. Exchange Square will feature a Capital FM stage – belting out tunes all weekend, as well as a Canine Catwalk (putting dogs in costumes) and a Goth Fashion Show (putting goths in costumes).
cityco.com/event/halloween-in-the-city/
Strangest Things Halloween 80s Party @ Ruby Lounge
Tuesday 24th October
Everyone is obviously going to be going Stranger Things crazy this Halloween as the second season of the hit show heads back to Netflix. Whether it will be any good is anyone’s guess – personally I’m not going to hold my breath. To celebrate this, as well as jump on the bandwagon, loads of places around the city centre are hosting Stranger Things related stuff. One such place is Ruby Lounge who will be hosting a massive Stranger Things party complete with kicking soundtrack, dressing up, prizes and competitions. Apparently it’s hosted by some people called Strangest Things who tour this kind of stuff all around the country. Looks like fun!
The Ruby Lounge, 28-34 High St, Manchester M4 1QB
0161 834 1392
https://therubylounge.com/
Bat Out Of Hell-oween – Ultimate Power @ The Ritz
Friday 27th October
Of course Halloween wouldn’t be complete without a Ben Brown visit to Bat Out of Hell-oween; the Halloween version of Ultimate Power at The Ritz. From what I remember it’s exactly the same as all the other Ultimate Power’s I’ve been to except more people are dressed up and there’s more glitter bombs. I may be wrong – they may do some Halloween related songs, but I’m usually too drunk to remember those sorts of details. It is much busier though so you should probably get a ticket as soon as you can.
The Ritz, Whitworth St W, Manchester M1 5NQ
0161 714 4140
http://www.ultimatepowerclub.com/manchester/
Festival of the Dead
Friday 27th October
Since launching in October last year, The Festival of The Dead has become a genuine craze all year round, having sold out shows in 10 cities all across the country. It is Manchester’s turn on Friday 27th October to host Chapter 2: ‘Limbo’. This deathly fiesta will see acrobats, circus performers, contortionists and fire breathers performing, complete with a quality soundtrack of house, bass and garage, make for an amazing night out. Check out this for more info.
Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Longbridge Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1SN
0161 876 0007
www.becmanchester.com/
Oast House
From 27th October
Starting on the 27th, the Oast House – or Oust House as my mate Gal likes to call it – is turning into a Ghost House which is perfect for 2 reasons; the fact that they can use a pun and that it actually looks a lot like a haunted house from the outside. Minus all the signage and kegs piled up outside. They’re erecting a tepee outside and having a massive Halloween House Party on Saturday – likely featuring copious amounts of booze and cat ears.
The Oast House, The Avenue Courtyard, Spinningfields, Crown Square, Manchester M3 3AY
0161 829 3830
theoasthouse.uk.com
Dogs N Dough
Friday 27th October – Sunday 29th October
Probably the most interesting Halloween ‘special’ you’ll see this year, it’s Dogs N Dough’s ‘Ashes to Ashes’ dog which unfortunately isn’t Bowie themed but is in fact an ALL BLACK hot dog featuring a black brioche bun, black 100% beef frank, jalapeno jam and black smoked bacon cheddar sauce. I’ve had one and it was fit.
Dogs ‘n’ Dough, 17 Bow Ln, Manchester M2 4FW
0161 834 3996
dogsndough.com
Deadbolt / Tim Burton Halloween Special @ The Bread Shed
Friday 27th October
There’s not many directors whose CV could sum up this whole Halloween thing in one, but Tim Burton definitely could. Beetlejuice, Frankenweenie, Sweeney Todd, Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hollow, Pee-Wee, Edward Scissorhands, not to mention his involvement in A Nightmare Before Christmas – which cunningly manages to bag him some extra coin over the two biggest winter holidays. Well The Bread Shed (which was once Zoo off Oxford Road) are putting on a Deadbolt x Tim Burton night including screenings of his films, giveaways, themed cocktails, costumes and plenty of banging tunes.
The Bread Shed, 126 Grosvenor Street, Sidney Street Entrance, Manchester M1 7HL
0161 273 1471
https://www.bread-shed.co.uk/
Tatton Park
Saturday 28th – Sunday 29th October
To be fair, being in a park at night is pretty scary in itself, what with the potential for getting your throat ripped out by a rabid badger, or tripping over a branch and falling into a nest of ghosts. This Halloween though Tatton Park are putting on some ‘organised’ scares – which will surely please the families out there. They have Secret Hauntings at the Old Hall, where guests can go into this supposedly haunted building and check out some of the history while “feeling something strange” across the back of their necks. There’s also a ‘Mystery Maze’ at the Farm, and a Spooky Garden Trail in the Secret Garden. Basically a load of running around that kids will love.
Tatton Park Gardens, Mereheath Dr, Knutsford WA16 6QN
01625 374400
events.tattonpark.org.uk/
Vampire Masquerade Ball @ Behind Closed Doors
Saturday 28th October
There’s not much else to be said that I’ve not already said in my stand-alone, rambling write up for this event at Behind Closed Doors so I’ll just copy and paste. Journalism at its best; “…Behind Closed Doors have announced an erotically charged Halloween Masquerade party – Vampire Lovers. With compulsory masks required, fancy dress encouraged and 80s & 90s inspired tunes – it should be a pretty belting night.”
Behind Closed Doors, 91-95 Oldham Street, M4 1LW
Night People
Saturday 28th October
Manchester’s newest club and music venue will be fully embracing the whole Halloween vibes with what looks to be a pretty mental party on Saturday night. It’s a Stranger Things vs. IT themed night with some belting 80’s tunes and more of those horrible scary clowns that are knocking about everywhere nowadays. The place is open until 4am too.
Night People, 105-107 Princess St, Manchester M1 6DD
0161 236 9266
www.nightpeoplemcr.com/
Metallica World Tour @ Manchester Arena
Saturday 28th October
Hats off to the Metallica lads, you’ve timed your visit to Manchester flawlessly to get the best out of this whole Halloween vibe – perfect for the rockers and the goths and the metal heads to head to your gig, shake their long hair about, do that thing with their hands and then head off to sacrifice a goat somewhere – probably Satan’s Hollow or that weird place in Collyhurst. Metallica are currently on a world tour, so they’re probably sick and tired of playing the same songs all the time, as well as entertaining groupies and fans. They should still be good though. Oh and sorry if I’ve just offended anyone.
Manchester Arena, Victoria Station, Hunts Bank, Manchester M3 1AR
www.manchester-arena.com/
The Village Screen Halloween Cinema @ Victoria Baths
Saturday 28th October
The Village Screen will be showing two Halloween classics on Saturday 28th October over at Victoria Baths and you will also be treated to some tunes from DJ Matt Hydes and street food from The Blue Caribou Canteen, Mac Daddies and Dim Sum Su (alongside a fully stocked bar of course). You can watch The Addams Family at 4pm and Hocus Pocus at 8pm – both of which are pretty decent movies. Obviously the Addams Family is the better of the two films, but Hocus Pocus so characteristically sums up the whole Halloween experience that I’m surprised the big-wigs at Disney haven’t come up with a musical version to show at theatres, every year, across the land. They should.
Victoria Baths, 32 Hathersage Rd, Manchester M13 0FE
0161 224 2020
illuminaughty presents : Underworld @ Bowlers
Saturday 28th October
I’ve never been to an illuminaughty night but looking at the pictures on Google images, and hearing some stuff off my mates – they sound bloody mental. They are taking over Bowlers on the 28th with what they promise to be one of their biggest nights ever – Underworld. There’s 6 massive rooms each with a different theme and tunes, as well as bumper cars, a fun fair, art, performers, arcades, fire, jugglers, hippos, dancing fairies, rainbows, food, drink, lasers and probably even more. I’d list the DJ’s that will be there too but I can’t be bothered – just have a look yourself.
Bowlers Exhibition Centre, Longbridge Rd, Trafford Park, Stretford, Manchester M17 1SN
0161 876 0007
www.becmanchester.com/
Trafford Centre
From Thursday 26th October
JK Rowling struck it big when she came up with Harry Potter – not only has she made about a billion quid flogging them books, but now every year on Halloween she will bag herself a nice little cheque from people using the 4-eyed nerd for their Halloween promotions. Not looking to shell out, the Trafford Centre have come up with a pop-up bar called The Wizard and the Wand. Located on lower Peel Avenue, you’ll be able to buy buttery fizz, smoking mocktails and take part in dark arts demonstrations. There’s loads more going on too – best of all is their Witching Hour where a load of blokes dressed up as ghosts will give out free stuff around the centre. Check out their website for more info.
https://intu.co.uk/traffordcentre/events/halloween
ANTS Halloween Takeover @ Warehouse Project
Saturday 28th October
I’m not a big Ibiza guy, so here’s a nice easy bit of blurb for everyone to read about the ANTS Halloween Takeover at Warehouse Project; “Swapping sunshine for the supernatural, the colony’s return to Manchester promises to bring heaps of drama with the help of Berlin’s Paul Kalkbrenner who will be performing live. ANTS regular’s Groove Armada will be on hand to deliver another thrilling DJ set, with residency wizard Andrea Oliva enlisting a host of talent to mark the ghoulish occasion including double trouble Eli & Fur plus wAFF, Route 94, Yotto and many more.”
Girls on Film Halloween Special @ The Deaf Institute
Saturday 28th October
Girls on Film is usually a pretty fun night in itself but this Halloween they are putting on a Back to Life themed party where you’ve got to dress up as a ‘dead icon from pop culture.’ That should be easy considering most good, decent famous people died in 2016. Just have a look on Wikipedia for inspiration. Featuring all the usual 80’s banging tunes, as well as some special guests – this should be a no-brainer. Ha. Ha. Geddit?! No-Brainer! Zombies and that!
The Deaf Institute, 135 Grosvenor St, Manchester M1 7HE
0161 276 9350
www.thedeafinstitute.co.uk/
Day of the Dead Fiesta @ El Capo
Saturday 28th October
Being a Mexican place on Halloween is a blessing in disguise thanks to all of that Day of the Dead malarkey. Sugar skulls and flowers and skeletons are all very easy to do for fancy dress and still allow people to dress up like they normally would and still try to look cool – perfect. Well El Capo in the NQ are hosting a Day of The Dead night on Saturday 28th and there will be a £100 prize for the best fancy dress. Best get gluing your Proton Pack together now. You’ll also find £5 Day of the Dead cocktails, face painting and the usual top tunes and dancing.
El Capo, 12 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
0161 237 3154
www.elcaponq.co.uk/
Stranger Things Quiz @ Black Dog Ballroom NWS
Tuesday 31st October
Continuing the Stranger Things theme, Black Dog Ballroom are hosting a Stranger Things Quiz on Tuesday 31st, followed by a marathon screening of season 2 on their big screens. There’s probably quite a lot to remember from the first series so you should start re-watching it now. I’ve mostly forgotten what happened because I watched it so quick that each episode has seemingly blended into one big one. The music round should be good though. Oh and Tuesday at Black Dog means 2-4-1 pizzas so you won’t have to spend a million bucks to keep yourself entertained and fed.
To register your team for a quiz night email info@blackdogballroom.co.uk
Black Dog Ballroom NWS, 11-13 New Wakefield St, Manchester M1 5NP
0161 236 4899
https://blackdogballroom.co.uk/nws/
Spooky Steak Dinner @ One88
Tuesday 31st October
Not only will you be able to get steak, chips, onion rings and a bottle of wine for 2 for only £30 per couple at One88 this Halloween, but they promise there will be plenty of spooky-type things going on. No, it doesn’t mean that you’re going to get followed home by a strange looking man in an overcoat, it means there will be loads of costumes, some Halloween special dishes and even FREE meals for kids when they come in wearing a bit of fancy dress.
One88 Bar and Kitchen, 188 Bury New Rd, Whitefield, Manchester M45 6QF
0161 280 0524
one88whitefield.co.uk/
Day of the Dead @ Junkyard Golf Club
Tuesday 31st October
The usual bat-shit crazy Junkyard Golf Club will be going even weirder this Halloween. Some could say too weird, although if you did – you’d probably come across as a right sourpuss. Get yourself booked in on Tuesday and you’ll be part of their Day of the Dead celebration complete with special cocktails, actors, jugglers, horrible clowns and enough el Jimador tequila to make you forget who you are, where you are and how to use your legs.
Junkyard Golf Club, 1, First St, Manchester M15 4FN
https://www.junkyardgolfclub.co.uk/about-mcr
Halloween Cocktails & Afternoon Tea @ Grafene
From Tuesday 31st October
Grafene are going all out with the seasonal ingredients this Halloween and offering a selection of themed cocktails for only £5 each, as well as a Halloween themed Afternoon Tea which looks great in the pictures and is sure to translate over when it goes in your mouth. Featuring a wide selection of cakes, pastries and all that jazz – you can have it with tea or coffee for £18 or be proper hard and have it with champers for £25.
Grafene, 6, 55 King St, Manchester M2 4LQ
0161 696 9700
grafene.co.uk
Motherfunkers Fright Night @ Antwerp Mansion
Tuesday 31st October
I once tried to go to Antwerp Mansion a few Halloween’s ago and it was way too busy and it was raining and I decided to just go home and order a Dominos instead. We were dressed up like Wayne and Garth though so it felt like a bit of a waste to be honest. To avoid this kind of idiocy, you should buy tickets before hand – and with this year’s offering – it would be a very wise idea indeed. There’s a Motherfunkers Fright Night hitting up the Mansion featuring psychedelic house fused with the very best of funk, soul, disco and Motown tunes from the ’70s to today. There’ll be loads going on and it should be great – be quick though!
Antwerp Mansion, Rusholme Grove, Manchester M14 5AG
www.antwerpmansion.com/
Halloween Carnival @ Manchester Academy 2
Tuesday 31st October
To be fair I’m struggling to find some proper concrete information about this Halloween Carnival at Manchester Academy. Either it’s because it’s yet to be released yet or as a 32 year old man, I’ve completely missed the avenues that students use to communicate now. Perhaps the University released the information through that new app – Scrudge – which allows you to transmit emotions to your friends and followers. I dunno. Anyway, the information that I have is that this is a massive knees-up at the Students Union including thousands of students, most likely all dressed up, wandering around 4 arenas of banging tunes and snogging each other’s faces off.
Manchester Academy, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR 0161 232 1639 www.manchesteracademy.net/
Night of the Living Dead @ Soup Kitchen
Tuesday 31st October
The good people at Flick have decided to celebrate Halloween the only way they know how – by putting on an immersive cinema screening of George A Romero’s classic zombie film – Night of the Living Dead. You know the score, bodies start rising from the grave and trying to eat people’s brains and the only way to stop them is to chop their heads off. Ludicrous but great. This screening at Soup Kitchen will feature some actual, proper zombies – real life re-animated corpses – so you’d best be careful. There’ll be actors and drinks and food to keep you entertained though so try not to worry too much.
Soup Kitchen, 31-33 Spear St, Manchester M1 1DF
0161 236 5100
soupkitchenmcr.co.uk
