How to put on your best Halloween yet

Whatever your venue, serve scares and smiles with tips (and tricks!) to make Halloween a monster hit

Pubs & Bars

Drinks to die for

Create a frighteningly good cocktail list packed with eye-catching twists. Think black vodka sours, pumpkin spiced rum punch, glow-in-the-dark spritzes or blood orange margaritas. Use coloured glassware, dry ice or creepy garnishes like lychees (eyeballs!) to ramp up the drama. Batch-make your bestsellers in cauldron-style punch bowls to keep service smooth during peak hours. Themed cocktail flights or limited-time ‘Trick or Treat’ menus can drive spend, while giving guests something to share on socials.

Killer entertainment

Live entertainment can take your Halloween night from good to unforgettable. Create shadowy corners with roaming characters, a costumed storyteller or macabre acoustic band. Dial up the drama with a Rocky Horror-style cabaret, candlelit karaoke or immersive murder mystery event. Or how about using face painters or SFX make-up artists to transform your guests – and keep them lingering longer. It’s all about creating a mood that’s memorable, shareable and just the right amount of spooky.

Friday night party starters

Make your venue the ultimate Halloween destination. Go big with themed fancy dress, giveaways and a DJ or playlist to pull in a crowd. You could host a spooky quiz with prizes, shot specials for themed costumes or try ‘zombie hour’ drinks deals. Offer pre-bookable tables or party packages to encourage early reservations. And remember to set the scene with simple props – cobwebs, LED candles, and glowing pumpkins go a long way without breaking the budget.

Find the recipe for the Pumpkin Pie Martini here.

Find the recipe for the Ghost Biscuits here.

Cafes

Crafty family fun

Make your cafe a daytime half-term hub with simple Halloween crafts for kids. Try pumpkin painting, spooky biscuit decorating or create-your-own treat bags with stickers and sweets. Offer a kids’ hot chocolate or babycchino with every ticket, or upsell a ‘ghoulish’ snack pack. Add themed décor, colouring sheets or window doodles to set the scene. These effortless, low mess, low cost extras give little ones something to do while grown-ups relax with a cuppa.

Scream teas

Put a spooky spin on your afternoon tea with fearsome fancies and eye catching centrepieces. Try spider web cupcakes, pumpkin scones or ghostly biscuits – a guaranteed fun talking point on social media. Heighten the mood with seasonal crockery and themed napkins. Offer mini versions for kids and don’t forget vegan, gluten-free and no-nut options. This is a great chance to upsell with set menus or takeaway cake boxes.

Warming thirst quenchers

Hot drinks are the perfect place to get playful. Pumpkin spice lattes are the obvious go-to, but why not branch out with beetroot hot chocolate, cinnamon-maple steamers or chai with a chilli kick? Add whipped cream, themed sprinkles or seasonal syrups to create drinks that look as wicked as they taste. Display them on a chalkboard menu or offer a ‘Potion of the Day’ special to encourage trial – and boost customer spend.

Schools

Dining room of doom

Give your dining room a Halloween makeover that brings fun and frightening vibes. Use paper chains, DIY bat bunting or a pumpkin parade made by pupils to brighten up the space. Run a colouring contest or create a ‘design your own spooky lunch tray’ challenge to keep the kids engaged. The materials can be simple – card, string, and cotton wool work wonders on a budget. The result? A memorable space that feels a bit magical at mealtimes.

Freaky fun food

Bring some laughter to the lunch queue with a themed menu. Try the Spider Pizza – it’s oozing with cheese and black olive ‘spiders’ that pupils will love to help make or eat. Pair with ghost-shaped sandwiches, monster cookies or scary bakes made from offcut sponge or surplus fruit. Be clever with leftovers and give dishes playful names like ‘zombie stew’ or ‘vampire veggies’. It’s an easy, waste-smart way to make lunchtimes more fun.