The October Bank Holiday weekend is finally upon us, and in addition to the fabulous Bram Stoker Festival (check out the six absolute screamers that we’ve selected for your consideration here), there’s loads going on in the city to keep everyone entertained over the next few days.
With Samhain traditionally being the food fest to end all food fests, the ancients would no doubt be pleased to see the proliferation of tasty morsels and Halloween themed bevvies on offer in the city, so it’s no surprise to see our picks (mostly) focus on the food and drink on offer. Here’s a wee sample of some of the ghoulish goings on you can look forward to sinking your teeth into in Dublin this weekend…
Bram’s Deadly Deals
In addition to putting on quite the spectacle this weekend, the fiendish brains behind Bram Stoker Fest have also found it within their powers to organise some bloodcurdling bargains with many of the city’s businesses. Dublin’s hostelries have been getting into the spirit of things with a selection of offers and specially themed craft cocktails available throughout the weekend. We’re particularly loving the enchanting Black Magic (pictured) conjured up by SOLE Seafood and Grill, made using Jawbox Pineappple and Ginger Gin, Sweet Vermouth, Cherry Brandy and Aquafaba. Thrilling! @bramstokerfest
Trick or Treat
They’re a rum lot and they’ve invited the city’s boozehounds to join them in the Kraken’s lair (if they dare), as the brand hosts a secret pop-up in the vicinity of Camden Street over the weekend. Kraken are promising lots of treats, plenty of tricks, and maybe even a Dark and Stormy or two, in a heady mix featuring their black spiced rum. At time of writing they’d just released a few extra tickets, but with only a limited number remaining you’ll need to be quick if you want to wrestle with the Kraken beast this weekend! @krakenrumirl
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Dia de Los Muertos at 777
Over on South Great George’s Street, Mexican eatery 777 is gearing up to host their 11th Annual Dia de Los Muertos Costume Party, with spot prizes for the best costumes in the annual competition that has become increasingly contested over the years, much to the delight of regulars. The ticket price covers a welcome cocktail and standing dinner, followed by late night entertainment featuring live acts and DJs. Sunday October 29th, tickets via eventbrite. @777dublin
Fancy a deeper dive on some of the Mexican traditions surrounding the Day of The Dead? Why not check out Tim MacGabhann’s feature on the Day of The Dead, in Mazateca, Oaxaca from our 2016 Archives.
Halloween Special at Charlotte Quay
Those heading to see the enchanting Cygnus at Grand Canal Dock this weekend are invited to enjoy a warming hot toddy by the waterside at the hospitable Charlotte Quay, before settling in to the restaurant for a delicious dinner by the dock. Diners can look forward to sinking their teeth into an appetising Halloween Special featuring mouthwatering Cote de Boeuf, with sides and a bottle of house wine for €100. @charlottequay
Halloween Extravanganza at Airfield
Spider cookies and Mummy’s fingers are on the menu at Airfield on Saturday morning, where they’ll be hosting a spook-tacular baking workshop designed to get teens in to the culinary Halloween spirit. The estate has also scheduled a packed programme that includes a great variety of family friendly events throughout the mid-term break. airfield.ie
Creative Pathways: DÉAD at Goethe
Friday sees one last chance to catch a glimpse of DÉAD, a visually haunting exhibition that brings vampires, monsters and the like to the Goethe Institute. Celebrating the legacy of Bram Stoker’s novel Dracula and Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau’s classic silent film Nosferatu, the exhibition draws on immersive technologies including VR installations, 3D animations, video projections, and sculptures. Highlights include ‘Deathlocked Phoenix’ which consists of an animated short film by Adrian Q. Vardi (HGB Leipzig) presented as a video loop depicting the futile efforts of a virtual vampire to escape immortality and embrace death, alongside a projection of a generative algorithm that reacts to the film, created by Manuel McCarthy (UL). Chilling! goethe.de
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Breakfast at The Farmhouse Cafe
Meanwhile, further afield, the gorgeous breakfast menu at The Farmhouse Café and Bakery makes for the perfect Bank Holiday weekend treat. The delicious fare on offer there includes fab fresh morning juices, Farmhouse Granola Bowls, and Free Range Eggs on Toast served scrambled or poached, on buttery Farmhouse toast, sprinkled with organic greens, herby oil, and a pot of homemade relish on the side… all of which makes a trek to the Long Mile Road more than worth your while. @farmhousecafedublin
Words: Martina Murray
