Forget Christmas, Halloween is my favourite time of the year, when London digs up its love for blood, its haunted history and, as always, an unstoppable party spirit. Here’s what you can’t miss this Halloween.
The Victorian: Bourne & Hollingsworth’s Terror on the Thames party
Organised by exclusive party pros Bourne and Hollingsworth, Terror on the Thames (£25) on Saturday 31st October will unveil all gruesome on-goings of the 19th Century, in one of the most spine-chilling Halloween parties of the year.
From bloodied skirts on Petticoat Lane to murderous split personalities in Hyde Park and werewolf sightings on the Isle of Dogs, this party will celebrate London’s darkest moments in Victorian history and literature.
Guests will be submerged in a disturbing world that is both shocking and thrilling, with oddities so strange they won’t believe their eyes. Held in a riverside archway venue, underneath Waterloo Bridge, Terror on the Thames is an enthralling event combining Bourne & Hollingsworth’s flawless production abilities, innovative cocktails, imaginative theming and wondrous entertainment choices.
The pulp: Silence of the Jams (Jam Tree Halloween)
The Jam Tree are inviting guests to re-live some of the most haunting horror films of our time, in two brilliant and utterly spine-chilling parties, Silence of the Jams and Nightmare on Jam Street, both happening on Saturday 31st October.
Silence of the Jams will be returning to The Jam Tree Clapham, where for one night only the vibrant interior of the venue will be converted into a spine-tingling house of horrors. The Jam Tree Chelsea will instead be converted into a Freddie Kruger lair for their Nightmare on Jam Street party with cocktails and movies.
Guests will be encouraged to dress the part, and can even pay a visit to a specialist team of make-up artists who will be on hand throughout the evening to perfect the guest’s haunting outfits. The Jam Tree will also be giving out prizes to the best male and female costumes of the evening.
Jam Tree Clapham
13 Old Town,
London SW4 0JT
Jam Tree Chelsea
541 Kings Rd,
London SW6 2EB
The Mexican: Barrio’s Day of the Dead
The Barrio family know how to party, and this Halloween the much loved Barrio bars are heading back to their Mexican roots and throwing two amazing and almighty Day of the Dead Parties, on Saturday 31st October, at Barrio Angel and Barrio Shoreditch. 
For one night only, the colourful interiors of the Barrio venues will be transformed into spooky cemeteries of hidden sins. As with every Barrio bash, an array of mouth-watering tequila cocktails will be on offer, keeping thirsty guests dancing until the early hours. Their food menu will offer a lip-smacking Mexican feast, including a selection of perfect party snacks, from crispy chorizo nachos to marinated pork tacos.
Party goers can expect torturous tune rotations from DJ Oliver Night and The Barrio Allstars, and specialist face painters will be on hand to adorn guests with Day of the Dead make-up.
Barrio East
41-143 Shoreditch High St
London E1 6JE
The decadent: The Dead Dolls House
The Dead Dolls House in Islington is holding its annual decadent Halloween ball with a banquet feast of three courses and complementary welcome cocktail. After the feast, guests will dance the night away until the wicked hours.
The Dead Dolls House
181 Upper Street
London N1 1RQ
The Italian: L’Anima Café
One of London’s best Italian restaurants, L’Anima is a safe bet for incredible food. Its Café is no different and this Halloween it’ll host everything sinful: music, great food, aperitivo and performers dressed as the Seven Deadly Sins.
L’Anima Café
10Â Appold Street
London, EC2A 2AP
Who doubts London is the best place to be in for Halloween still has to go to one of these parties.
Pictures: Carolina Are, L’Anima, Dead Dolls House, Kapranos PR
