Halloween is that one time a year where it's acceptable to cover apples in toffee and still insist it's one of your five-a-day, knock on every door in the neighbourhood to ask for sweets and let your imagination run wild with your weird and wacky fancy dress costumes.
Derry has put itself on the map for throwing some great Halloween celebrations, and every year it seems to become bigger and better than the year before. We thought we'd put together an Independent Derry Halloween Guide to let you know what's going on in and around the independents this year.
From banshee boogie's to a beer brewing cauldron, lets get down to business and reveal all that's going on... It's going to be fangtastic.
1) Halloween At The Limeleaf Cafe
For those of you who aren't looking for a big night out, but more of get together with some friends, good food, a stunning view and great entertainment too, The Limeleaf Cafe can provide just that. These guys are hosting a Halloween event, and with views looking out over the river you'll be able catch a glimpse of the fireworks display. Tickets for the event are £25.00 and its BYOB, so you can bring along Halloween themed drinks if that's what you're into. AND there's prizes for the best and worst dressed. Game on.
2) Horror Movies at Primrose Cafe
Primrose Cafe on Carlisle Road are hosting a 'Fright Night' in their secret garden. You'll be able to watch 'The Conjuring' and Stephen Kings 'IT' (as voted by you lot on their FB competition) on Friday 27th and Saturday 28th of October from 7.30pm. Get cosy and relax in the secret garden (if you can). Popcorn, hot snacks and hot chocolate will all be provided during the movies too, hurray! Tickets are available from Primrose Cafe on Carlisle Road.
3) A Haunted Experience at the Playhouse Theatre
The Playhouse Theatre dare you to make it through their haunted house experience on the 26th of October where an unspeakable evil has been unleashed through the corridors of the building. You'll have to make it through the darkness relying only on your sense of touch, sound and smell. See you at the other side, if you make it...
4) The Godfather Night at Spaghetti Junction
Spaghetti Junction always manage to impress at Halloween, turning their beautiful Italian restaurant into a haunting one each year. This year, it's time to dig out your best mafia attire because these guys are hosting 'The Godfather Night.' A number of gold tickets were released for those who think they could brave the 'menu challenge' at the Godfather table ,which involves ticket holders having a go at an extremely large feast. If they finish it all, they eat for FREE, If they don't finish it, then they'll be taken out mafia style.
Regular tickets now available at £25 pp at the restaurant and this includes an Italian feast buffet.
5) Halloween Party at The Sandwich Co
The Sandwich Co Diamond are hosting a Halloween party on the 31st of October. The perfect family friendly day. You can expect live music by Silver Fox DJ, some thrilling Halloween performances, sing along's, face painting for the kids and spooky story telling that will be sure to send chills down your spine.
(10% off Mon-Fri with your card)
6) Halloween Doughnuts at The Hatter Express
Many of the businesses are getting into the Halloween spirit with themed drinks and snacks for us to stuff our faces with. The Hatter express have already kicked things off with their homemade Halloween doughnuts and their Halloween hot drinks, Pumpkin Spiced Latte and Hot Orange Chocolate. We'll take 10 doughnuts please. Diet can start after Halloween..
(10% off everyday with your card)
7) 20% off All Things Black at Yellowmoon Clothing
From themed food and drinks to discount on black clothing. Yellowmoon Clothing on Shipquay Street are offering a generous 20% off all things black in store over Halloween. What a great offer that is, you can't go wrong with a little black number, and it is of course that time of year where wearing black all day everyday is acceptable.
8) Late Halloween Opening at The Pickled Duck Cafe
Over the Halloween festivities The Pickled Duck Cafe (the cafe on the square) will be opening late. They'll be providing hot food, Halloween themed sweet treats and drinks from Saturday 28th right through until Tues 31st. So if you're in town at any of the events happening and fancy somewhere to go and socialise afterwards, The Pickled Duck Cafe is the place to go.
(10% off Mon-Thurs with your card).
9) Halloween Make-up, Hair and Goodie Bags at Pop-Riot
On the 29th & 30th of October Pop-Riot are having Halloween celebrations in store. The kids will have the chance to get their Halloween make up or glitter / hair styled for just £10.00. And for adults, hair & makeup will come with a nice 20% discount and some complementary prosecco. Music & goodie bags also available for the kids too.
10) Halloween Crowns at Sass & Halo
Sass & Halo are taking Halloween accessories to the next level this year. Creating fabulous Halloween crowns that you'll want to wear not just on Halloween, but everyday of the year... All crowns are handmade and are specifically designed to meet your requests, no matter how weird or wonderful it may be. The perfect addition to jazz your costume up this year.
(10% off everyday with your card)
11) Movie Marathon's and Black Magic at Walled City Brewery
There's quite a lot going on a lot Walled City Brewery this Halloween. On Monday 30th of October you can expect a Halloween Movie Marathon, where they'll be showing scary movies and serving up delicious food and drinks all day. There will also be a few Halloween cocktails on the menu. One we're particularly excited about is 'Black Magic...' And if that wasn't enough, these guys will also have a 'brewers cauldron' bubbling throughout the 31st that anyone can come and check out.
(10% off Tues-Thurs with your card)
12) Sandinos
Intergalactik Disko and Dance Factory take over Sandinos this Halloween on the 31st. They're putting on a spooktacular party in the main bar upstairs. This is expected to sell out fast so getting your tickets now would be the wise thing to do.
13) Banshee Boogie at Grand Central Bar
Grand Central Bar are home to Queen & Disco's Halloween Party this year. The Banshee Boogie will be happening across not one, but two floors of this cool venue. Described as more of an intimate party, a little more stripped back than usual, but still a party all the same. Tickets are limited for this one so best act fast before they're gone.
14) MRK Events present the Graveyard Rave
If a rave is a big old building is what you're looking for, look no further. MRK Events are hosting a haunting night of techno music at The Glassworks. Aesthetically, this venue is ideal for a Halloween rave. Have you seen how spooky it looks from the outside with its gigantic pillars and doors... Tickets available online, £10.00.
15) Halloween Menu at Nonna's Wood Fired Pizzas
Nonna's Pizza's have put together a whole Halloween themed menu which is sounding absolutely delicious, as well as ghoulish. This menu is running until the 5th of October and is filled with creepy pizza's, spooky sides and devilish deserts. We quite like the sound of the Petrified Pork Pizza and the Zombie Bites, or if you're feeling like building your own Halloween Pizza, you can do that and make it as spooky as you like.
PS Nonna's has made it into the top five takeaways in the North of Ireland and the only local takeaway in the North West to reach the finals of the British Take Away Awards. Congratulations!
(10% off Mon-Wed with your card)
16) Halloween Lunch // Cocktails at Timber Quay
If you're looking for a spot of lunch over Halloween, before heading to the events in town, Timber Quay offer Independent Derry cardholders a £5.00 lunch special Mon-Sat. Top notch food for an even better price. And if you're planning on heading to the restaurant in the evening time for some dinner, cardholders can also get 2 cocktails for £10.00. Bag yourself a window seat and it's a win win situation. Best seat in the house and cocktails as you watch the fireworks display.
17) Design a Halloween Cup at St Jude Eatery
St Jude Eatery in the Yellow Yard will baking a load of creepy cakes that you can eat whilst playing some ghoulish games. They'll also be running a Halloween competition, and no, it's not for the best dressed, but for designing the spookiest cup for your drink. Which is way more exciting. The winner will win free hot drinks everyday for a week. Time to start looking at spooky cup designs...
(10% off everyday with your card)
18) A 3 Course Meal // Cocktails at The Sooty Olive
If you weren't already aware, The Sooty Olive recently made their Independent Derry Card offer even better. Cardholders can now get the 5-7 pm promotional menu ANYTIME, ANY DAY (excl sat). So that's 2 courses for £12.95 or 3 courses for £15.00. And yes, 2 cocktails for £10.00 Mon-Wed is still a thing. Luckily, Halloween is on a Tuesday so you can get both of these offers when you get your card out and give it a wiggle.
19) Roast Pumpkin Soup at Gourmet Burger Hut
YES. Gourmet Burger Hut is back in the city centre for the Halloween celebrations. You'll find this independent food van situated down beside the Peace Garden on the 31st Oct. As well as the usual tasty menu, Gourmet Burger Hut will be getting into the Halloween spirit by adding a roast pumpkin soup and homemade sourdough bread to the menu. The perfect Winter warmer.
So, we're going to leave it at that. Lots of spooky yet spectacular things going on in and around our independents as always, they never fail to disappoint. Make sure to get out and enjoy all that's going on around the city and #supportlocal. And if you've got an Independent Derry Card, then why not use that too and save yourself some dough.
If you want to catch the fireworks, they'll be happening at 8:15pm on the 31st followed by live music in the Guildhall Square. More council events / other events here: Events.
HAPPY HALLOWEEN, CREEP IT REAL.
JOIN THE CLUB & GET YOUR INDEPENDENT DERRY CARD ONLINE NOW - £10.00 VALID FOR 1 YEAR. DISCOUNTS & OFFERS IN 50+ INDEPENDENTS AROUND THE CITY.