The weekend is set to turn spooky as Lucknowites go all out to celebrate Halloween, mirroring the international festivities now common in major Indian cities where horror meets pop culture.
Across the state capital, clubs, hotels, restaurants, lounges, and bars are hosting events where eerie decor blends with ‘spooky’ cocktails and ‘devilish’ feasts designed to haunt your cravings. With October 31 falling on a Friday, it provides the perfect launchpad for a theme that will play out until Sunday at various venues. Here’s a glimpse of what’s happening across the city.
Error 404 Cocktails
Hazratganj Socials has concocted a range of quirky cocktails for its Escape from Corporate Hell evening. Drinks with witty names like Ctrl+Alt+Boo, Micromanage, and Error 404: Soul not Found are featured on the special menu. The ambience will be transformed with tombstones, bloody buntings, bingo cards, and quirky posters to match the curated offerings. “We have taken a tongue-in-cheek look at the grind we all live through and turns it into something we can laugh, dance, and scream about together,” says Divya Aggarwal from Impresario Entertainment & Hospitality Pvt. Ltd.
Rohit Mishra, the F&B manager at Centrum Lucknow, says they are also focusing on thematic drinks and food. “Ambience is, of course, a major focus, with carved pumpkins, vampires, witches’ caps, and special music and lighting effects. Our signature drinks include Vampire Hickey, Double Bloody Witches, Zombie Shrunken Head, and Dracula Kiss, for which we have also sourced special spooky Tiki glasses.”
Spooky Games
The celebrations extend beyond Friday. The theme for Melon’s Halloween Fear Fest at the Golf Club on Saturday is Glow-in-the-Dark. The event will feature Halloween games, glow tattoos, face painting, and a live techno set by DJ Two Deep.
For the first time, Fairfield by Marriott is organizing a Halloween bash on Sunday. “Our festivities kick off on Friday, but for Sunday brunch, we have organized activities for moms and kids. Crafts, engaging activities, and plenty of gifts are an added attraction alongside our special decor and menu,” says its F&B director, Jitendra Singh.
A horror-themed dress-up party, a tarot and psychic zone, witch storytelling, a horror cave, and other engaging activities are the main attractions at the two-day Halloween Tribe bash at Dobaraa in Phoenix Palassio Mall.
Fun delights
Hyatt Regency’s general manager, Roshan Mendonsa, informs, “To make Halloween special for partyholics, we are opening our open-air Penthouse on Satuday, where people can enjoy our special decor, curated cocktails, and food until late into the night.”
To make Halloween extra special and keep the festive vibe going, Café Delhi Heights has introduced the Pasta La Vista! Pasta Fresca festival, which will continue for a fortnight. “This Halloween season, Café Delhi Heights ensures the celebrations continue with an Italian twist. Patrons can choose from fresh, handmade varieties like Fettuccine, Spinach and Goat Cheese Ravioli, Linguine, Cannelloni, or Lasagna, and pair them with rich, flavourful sauces.”
The Renaissance Lucknow has organised The Sky Turns Wicked! evening at its Skybar, a Feast of Frights at its L14 restaurant, while its bakery is serving a range of brews and wickedly tempting Halloween treats.
