Dublin’s Halloween events this week are genuinely unmissable

Halloween in Dublin is never just a night out. It’s a whole season, a whole vibe, and this year a handful of the city’s best venues have absolutely committed to the bit. Whether you’re after a Hocus Pocus drag brunch with your best witches or a late-night horror drag spectacular with an actual Dragula star, the capital has you covered from this Thursday right through to the 31st.

Here’s what’s coming up and why your group chat needs to sort plans immediately.

Opium: Sanderson Sisters, DJ sets and neon face paint

The headline act at Opium this Halloween is the Hocus Pocus Drag Brunch, landing on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th October. Victoria Secret, Kimberly Mikado and Jaded are serving full Sanderson Sisters energy, with live performances, singalongs, games and best dressed prizes to keep things chaotic in the best possible way. Each sitting includes an Opium classic brunch main and an Altos welcome cocktail. Tickets are €29 per person. Saturday has sittings from 1pm to 3pm and 3.30pm to 5.30pm; Sunday runs from 1pm to 3pm. Demand has already pushed two extra sittings onto the weekend schedule, so if you’re eyeing a spot, don’t hang around.

DJ De Los Muertos lights up Opium Garden this October.

For those who’d rather kick off the weekend on Friday night, DJ De Los Muertos takes over Opium Garden on 23rd October from 6pm until 2am. Barista Boy, Nichole Spagnol, Wiss and Shauna Dee will be on Tech House duties, with neon face painters roaming the crowd in full Día de los Muertos style. Early bird tickets for arrival before 8pm are €5 plus booking fee; standard entry is €8 plus booking fee. Cocktails are two for €20.

NoLIta and Café en Seine: witchy vibes and Parisian cocktails

Witchy Woo Woo nights bring live sax, drums and cocktails.

NoLIta’s Sax Appeal Witchy Woo Woo parties are exactly what they sound like: live sax and drums, a tarot reader, Halloween anthems and a dance floor full of people in costume. The nights run on Sunday 25th October and Saturday 31st October from 11pm until late. Ariana Grindr joins on the 25th and Mizza on the 31st for roaming entertainment. Entry on the 25th is free; the 31st is €15 plus booking fee. Cocktails are two for €20, so gather your coven accordingly.

Soiree De Spook brings Halloween thrills to Cafe en Seine.

If your Halloween plans are more aperitivo than after-hours, Café en Seine’s Soirée de Spook is already running through to 31st October. A limited edition cocktail menu is the centrepiece, with four options to work through. The Devil’s Kiss brings Absolut Tabasco Vodka with strawberry, lemon and cranberry for €15. Zombie’s Paradise pairs Bumbu Spicy Rum with blue curaçao, kiwi, lime and pineapple, also €15. The Witch’s Veil is the most complex of the lot — Malfy Gin, violet liqueur, mezcal, cranberry and agave (contains egg whites) at €15. And for anyone not drinking, the Spook & Soda uses CleanCo Tequila with grapefruit, lime and sugar for €13. Costumes are encouraged but not compulsory, which is the correct and respectful policy.

The George: Dragula royalty, Rocky Horror and a full week of Halloween

A Nightmare on Georges Street Halloween night at The George.

The George is doing the most, in the very best way. The headline event is Nightmare on George’s Street on Friday 30th October, headlined by Auntie Heroine from Season 6 of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula. Victoria Secret hosts the evening, which opens with a screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show before Auntie Heroine, Lavender, Dylatrix and Regina George take the stage. DJ Ruth, go go dancers and cash prizes for best costume round out the night. General admission includes the screening and full drag show; VIP tickets add a meet and greet with Auntie Heroine. Earlybird tickets are available on Eventbrite.

But the Halloween programming at The George doesn’t start and end on the 30th. On Monday 26th October, Monday Movie Murder Mayhem pairs a Scream screening with a special edition Win, Lose or Drag, featuring Phil T Gorgeous, Daphne with a D, Jaded, Francesca Filler, Kimberly Mikado, Fathead and Chanel. Tuesday 27th October brings Dolly Grip’s Drag Becomes Her, a camp comedy show inspired by Death Becomes Her with DJ Karen Reddy. Wednesday 28th October sees Veda Lady lead The Season of the Witch alongside Vicky Voltz, Viola Gayvis, Fathead, Pixie Woo and Chanel, with DJ Rocky T Delgado. Both Tuesday and Wednesday are free entry all night, which frankly is an excellent deal.

For the full line-up and ticket links across all events, check in with each venue directly.