Where to enjoy Halloween in Dublin

There’s no party like a Pyg Party! For over a decade now Pygmalion on South William Street has been known to get down with themed events and special occasions, throwing iconic late-night parties that perfectly capture the energy of the crowd. This is especially true for Halloween, when Pyg fully commits to spooky season. The Pygtail Menu is packed all year round with tasty favourites and seasonal specials, and is sure to be injected with a taste of the dark side this Halloween. We recommend The Zombie, a creepy-concoction of White & Dark Rum, Passionfruit Liqueur, Citrus, Pineapple Juice and Angostura Bitters, or there’s the good old Spicy Margharita that’ll get your Halloween off to a fiery start. Grab something from the Michelin Guide small-bites menu too, and then mov towards the music that will be in full spooky-swing.

Halloween is a night best celebrated by throwing yourself into it with no expectations. Who knows what characters you’ll meet, what games you’ll play, what worlds you’ll encounter? Electric Circus on Talbot Street is a colourfully chaotic yet carefully crafted bar with twists and turns around every corner, making it a perfect venue for your Halloween night out. Adorning the interior of Electric Circus is a mixed-bag of trinkets from all around the world, perpetually changing week on week and making for a quirky environment that keeps you guessing. What’s consistent though no matter when you visit is the inventive cocktail and worldly food menu, an eclectic fusion of Mexican, Asian, Texan, and local influence. The Banshee is the cocktail of the season, mixed with Mad March Hare Poitin, Lemon, Honey Syrup, Egg, and Cranberry Bitters. You won’t find an experience quite like the Electric Circus experience anywhere else this Halloween!

Six by Nico is a unique culinary experience that has captured the imagination of Dublin foodies. The restaurant offers a six course tasting menu inspired by a particular theme, destination or concept, changing every six weeks. Past themes include Guilty Pleasures, Mad Hatters Tea Party, Ancient Rome, and Once Upon a Time, and we’re excited to see what Halloween in the rotating kitchen has in store for us. Whatever the menu, each course is carefully curated by Chef Nico Simeone, who aims to take diners on a culinary journey through the chosen theme. You can choose to pair your food with a wine menu, also carefully selected to add to the experience. For something a little different this Halloween, and a culinary theme that is sure to bring all the spookiness and imagination of the season, Six by Nico in Dublin 2 is the place to be!

October couldn’t have come fast enough – there’s a lot to love about this season and Halloween means that many venues add exciting options to the menu. Farmer Browns succeeds at making this holiday celebration both creepy and cosy. As the sun goes down, you can expect spooky cocktails, such as blood red espresso martini or witches negroni, and enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in a candlelit setting during the day with pumpkins to create a truly autumn atmosphere. Perfect for quality time with a loved one.

When all is said and done, what Halloween truly boils down to is a great night out with friends. This is a guarantee at McGowans of Phibsboro, a late bar, sports bar, pub and club all rolled into one. While some Dublin pubs see Halloween as just another busy night out, McGowans encourages its patrons to get into the spirit of spooky season by offering a cash prize for the best costume. There’s Halloween-themed cocktails, music fit for the occasion, and all the usual things that make McGowan’s one of Dublin’s best party venues all year round (Voted Dublin’s Best Pub in the Best of the Year Awards 2024). The covered beer garden is the perfect spot for big groups, so gather your friends, plan your fancy dress, pre-order the McGowan’s Famous Food Platter, and get booking this Halloween.

If you’re looking to spend this Halloween in a classy environment, 10 Fleet Street Restaurant & Bar provides just the right atmosphere. You can relax in a private booth with a spooky cocktail and enjoy a delicious Irish meal on top of that. If you want to impress a group of friends or a date, this venue is the perfect choice. As for the Halloween parties, nothing has been announced just yet but past themes included leather and lace night, and bloody cocktail specials with interesting snacks (Count Dracula Calamari Rings, anyone?). We’re very curious to see what’s in store for us this year.

Halloween, for many of us, is a tradition that was introduced to us when we were young. So why not awaken your inner child and spend time with your family this Halloween? Trick-or-treating might have gone out of fashion, but there’s plenty of other entertainment to choose from. You could visit the Castleknock Hotel for a little autumn escape: have food at the restaurant with local and international classics on the menu (think fish and chips, cajun spiced chicken fillet, quinoa and many more), then take part in Halloween-themed events and tours happening nearby. If your children are 13 and over, consider facing your fears at Farmaphobia. Other attractions are yet to be announced so follow the hotel’s socials for more details.

One of the best parts of Halloween is an opportunity to play the role of your favourite character. And what’s the point of going all the way if you can’t show your costume off? Plus, seeing crowds of people in fancy dress is something you don’t get to experience every day. If you want the true Halloween experience, Ohana is a popular party destination located in the heart of Dublin. Dance until the early hours of the morning, refresh yourself with spooky cocktails and enter a fancy dress contest to win a prize. Last year, the venue celebrated Halloween across three days of the week with different themes, so you could party all weekend if you wanted to!

Spooky cocktails are a popular way to embrace the Halloween spirit but have you ever heard of a spooky beer? At Bar Rua, you can try a blood orange pilsner, brewed with fresh bloody oranges and mandarina bavaria. We tried it last year and we can confirm that it was scarily good, so if you’re a beer lover and need a place with Halloween vibes, Bar Rua should be at the top of your list. It’s also a modern take on an Irish pub so you can expect a friendly atmosphere, comfort food and spooky decorations in a more contemporary setting.