18 Sep 2024
Places to go out for Halloween in Glasgow
Spooky season is nearly upon us, which means it’s time to get on your broomstick and start planning an ultimate Halloween-themed night in Glasgow. With lots of events arranged around the city, we have crafted the ultimate guide to where you can enjoy delicious food and drink on your thrill-seeking night!
The Absent Ear is Glasgow’s best-kept secret for a memorable Halloween. This speakeasy-style bar, discreetly located behind an unmarked door, offers a mysterious atmosphere that suits the season. Known for its creative cocktails and intimate setting, the bar introduces subtle, Halloween-inspired touches to its menu. It’s the perfect spot for those who prefer a more understated and celebration!
For a super sophisticated Halloween, The Loveable Rogue offers a menu that celebrates the season with style. Featuring dishes that highlight autumn’s best ingredients — like pumpkins, mushrooms, and cider — the restaurant provides a tasteful nod to spooky season. The atmosphere is cosy and warm, and the service is consistently excellent.
If you want breathtaking views of Glasgow from above the River Clyde then you need to book a night at the Red Sky Bar, which is within the Radisson Red Hotel. For 2023, there’s a Boogie Brunch Halloween featuring Stevie Lennon planned for Saturday 28th October from 1pm to 5pm. It’s sure to be a day out to remember with delicious food and King of Stereofunk and Floorfillerz Stevie Lennon playing only the best 90s Club Anthems (with a few cheesy horror faves thrown into the mix).
The Red Sky Bar is also renowned for its signature cocktails, which include the Glas-Vegas Fizz made with Makar cherry, jasmine syrup, lemon and Belstar Prosecco. Another firm favourite is the Sky High Sling, which has Havana 3, peach liqueur, Martini Rosso, lime, mango syrup, orange juice, pineapple juice and Angostura bitters.
The Howlin’ Wolf embraces Halloween with a week-long celebration that is full of energy. With live music, food served everyday until 2am, and a lineup of themed cocktails, this bar makes it easy to get into the spirit. Costumes are encouraged, with prizes for the best-dressed, and the free entry adds to the welcoming vibe.
The Amsterdam brings a festive flair to Halloween with its special themed cocktails, perfect for celebrating the season. Alongside these creative drinks, you’ll find the famous decadent burgers — ideal for soaking up the booze and keeping the night going. With its laid-back atmosphere and delicious menu, The Amsterdam is a great spot to enjoy a fun, spirited evening with friends.
Riffing on a similar theme and also a new arrival in 2023, Bizarron is a Latin American haunt. Its name comes from a story entitled “How El Bizarron Fooled the Devil”, believed to have originated in Cuba. Expect suitably fiery and spicy flavours, as well as milder options, such as the prawn pastels and moqueca, a sweet coconut broth containing mussels and juicy prawns served with toasted sourdough bread. Bizarron is very convenient (even if you’re an out of towner coming in for the occasion) as it’s right across from Central Station. And the party can continue until 3am, as it has a late licence to keep the drinks flowing till the wee small hours.
Book a table at the original Willow Tea Rooms for a fully themed afternoon tea. This place has been frequented by royalty and changes its menus — and stunning array of baked goods — each and every season. This is a gentler way to celebrate the holiday and one that’s suitable for all ages and sensibilities. There may be some ghostly patisseries and pumpkin-flavoured cakes, but they’ll be served in the Willow’s signature elegant style, with a touch of whimsy. The tea rooms are not only famous for their delicious food but also for their stunning Art Nouveau interior design, which reflects Mackintosh’s distinctive style. You’ll have the opportunity to soak in the beautiful ambience and appreciate the architectural and design elements that make this place unique.
Get yourself a good feed on burgers, wings and pizzas at the Winged Ox, then attend Saint Luke’s Day of The Deid party on 28th October. Revel in the customs of El Dia de los Muertos at this fiesta; it’s the club night’s 10th birthday, so it’s really pushing the boat out with a packed lineup of live music, dance performances, Latin tunes from Balkanarama DJ Ewan Evans (aka Señor Poco Loco), face painting, tequila and Mexican cocktails and a special appearance by the Scottish sombrero-wearing troupe, Rapido Mariachi. It’ll be an exotic dip into the world of the afterlife and Mexican folklore, right here in Glasgow. Dress up in your best skeletal gear and join the team as they celebrate life and its finite nature in one huge shindig. Tickets are priced at £22.50 per person, over 18s only.
Psycho Killer, Royal Blood and Apple of My Eye are just some of the colourful cocktails you’ll find served on the night of Halloween at Slouch. The famous bar and music venue often hosts a competition for the best costume too, so if you make more of an effort than a sheet with some eye holes, you may be in with a chance of winning something tasty on the night too. Slouch closed for a period over the summer, but is back open with a bang. There will be tunes from Tritones on the Friday, Sam Christison Duo on the Saturday and Gary Johnstone on the Sunday, so you can make a full weekend of it. Food is served to keep you going till late; choose from a full feed, or a mid-party snack, like the Slouch onion rings with pickled slaw and salad.