Get Your Spook On: The Most Petrifying Halloween Events in Beijing

Scared much? We are, but mainly by the sheer number of spooky season-themed events start taking over Beijing eateries, bars, and hotels. No one shall be spared when your local coffee shops and familiar pubs turn into mental hospitals and haunted houses. So, hide your dogs, hide your kids, and come out to play at some of the best Halloween-themed events going on in the capital. For a full, unadulterated list, you can also check here.
 

Dining 

Oct 26, 27, 31 : 3 Nights of Horror at Homeplate
Homeplate dedicates three days of spine-chilling fun to this most ghoulish of holidays, kicking off with Stevie Mac and The Mac Daddies on Friday, a whole hog buffet for RMB 136 on Saturday, and finally, a Rocky Horror Picture Show screening on Halloween itself, next Wednesday. Feel free to dress up for each of the events but on Saturday you stand the chance of winning a keg of beer should it be decided that you have the best costume. Various times. Free. Home Plate

Oct 28: Brunch and Spooks at EAST
Cross my heart and hope to die, stuff your face with a massive pumpkin pie? Brunch is a perfect way to celebrate, literally, anything and EAST know how to do it right, only offering a spooky and filling buffet but also a Haunted Hospital downstairs in their Xian Bar suitable for the whole family. 11.30pm. RMB 398, RMB 199 (kids, free under 6 years old). EAST Hotel
 

Purely Boozing

Oct 26: Day of the Dead at Migas Mercado
Migas Mercado celebrate that other of spookiest holidays, inviting patrons for a night of the Day of the Dead, with drinks specials, shots, and a tequila giveaway for the best costume. To top it all off, DJ Joyce will be blasting Latino tunes to keep you on your feet until the very end. Free. 8.30pm. Migas Mercado

Oct 27: Beersmith Mental Place
Winner of the "what on earth is that poster about" competition, Beersmith dares you to peer into the dark corners of your soul and summon all the creepy fantasies you might have hidden away. Head over for happy hour drinks till 9pm, DJ Mad Nurse on the decks, and blood-curdling costumes. We're not sure what the "special alcoholic potions" available throughout the night may entail, but it's probably best to have your hangover kit ready come Saturday. Free. Beersmith

Oct 27: Halloween Pub Crawl
Can't choose a spot to go out on Halloween? Then do the grown-up version of trick or treating: a massive pub crawl! Starting at Salud, attendees will wind their way through various hutong bars, ending up at Side Street. Special drinks deals will be available at every spot as well as prizes for the best costume. 6.30pm. Free. Starts at Salud
 

Parties

Oct 27: The Legacy Halloween party at Marriott Hotel
Step up your eerie partying skills with Marriott Hotel mysterious futuristic voyage take on Halloween. Starting with a three-hour Halloween-themed buffet, the party will move to a free-flow drinking with a host Keely from Hey Pengyou. There'll also be dance performances and DJs guiding you through the night as well as a lucky draw for a chance to win some haunting prizes. 6pm. RMB 259-369. Marriott Hotel

Oct 27: Red Dog Halloween Ball
The fabulous Halloween extravaganza at Red Dog is on! For the occasion, the Sanlitun Soho bar has prepared a full evening of entertainment with dances, performances, drinks, and plenty of music. If you're ready to test your dressing-up skills, check out their particular categories as well as the guidelines. Free. 7.30pm. Red Dog

Oct 27: Alien Invasion at Equis
The aliens have arrived. Beijing's up and coming Four Seasons bar faces an invasion from outer space. Pick out your most outlandish outfits and celebrate Halloween in style, or if you want to really make an entrance, opt-in for a UFO Didi service, which will deliver you to the door in a mystery vehicle. RMB 150 (RMB 300 with UFO Didi service). 10pm. Equis

Oct 31: Metal Faceoff at Yue Space
What screams Halloween more than metal? Let out your inner metalhead and dive into the mosh pit next Wednesday with a soundtrack from Chinese black metal band Be Persecuted, thrash metal group Ancestor, speed metal from Tumourboy, and punk rocker Miss Mix. RMB 120, RMB 100 (advance).  8pm. Yue Space

Oct 30-31: Halloween at One Third
If you have yet to see a blockbuster called The Nun, it might be a perfect time, because One Third is hosting a nun-inspired party for two days straight. The club will be turned into a haunted monastery with DJ Borgeous, so come dressed up, and suitably make it unholy. RMB 100-160. One Third

Nov 3: The Cider Guy's Halloween Party
We love a good mystery, and the Cider Sessions looks to deliver just that. For the event, the British Cider AKA Mike, is setting out on a Halloween adventure, gathering together techno DJs, plenty of drinks, spooky house, and nibbles for what promises to be a great party getaway. Afterward, buses will be ready to take partiers down to Lantern to keep the party going till late. 8pm. RMB 100, RMB 250 for open bar. Zuiku International Cultural and Creative Park
 

Kid-Friendly

Oct 27: Slow Boat Family Day Halloween Brunch
Slow Boat takes brunch and ups the ante with Halloween games, fall-themed crafts, and prizes for the best costume (adults will receive beer for their efforts whereas children will, well, not). Otherwise, there'll be RMB 25 bottle of Zombie Pale Ale throughout the day. RMB 218, free (children until 10 years old). Midnight-2pm. Slow Boat

Oct 27: Halloween Party at Kerry Adventure Zone
A monster party with pumpkin carving, candy hunting, and other festivities is on at the Kerry Center this Saturday. Grab a child (or a few) and head to Kerry Center for a day of cute spooks and entertainment. While the little ones will be occupied with the play zone and crafts, moms and dads can relax and catch up at the café. RMB 200 (family tickets, members), RMB 550 (non-members). 9am-10pm. Kerry Adventure Zone
 

Other

Oct 27: Dark Carnival at Inception
Mystery goes hand-in-hand with freak shows, circus, and carnivals and the sprawling American speakeasy-style bar Inception is hoping to bring it all together for a night of burlesque this Halloween, with a gypsy fortune teller, raven woman, bearded lady, siamese twins, and others. Free. 9pm. Inception

The Great Leap Halloween Costume Competition
Fancy winning a free beer? How about 30? Great Leap hosts their annual Halloween costume competition this Saturday at their #45 location. The winner stands to win a RMB 1,288 gift voucher for their freaky efforts. Free. 7pm. Great Leap Brewing

Want more? Click here for a list of (practically) every Halloween event in Beijing.

Images: BBC, courtesy of the venues