“WE fucking love Halloween,” proclaim the people at Almost Famous, who this year promise another "HOWLER” of a party.
That's all very nice dears, but whatever happened to innocent Halloween pursuits: duck apple, naked blood sacrifices and Satanic worship romps in Woolton woods?
These days, the night before All Saints is bigger business than ever and no bar/restaurant or club worth their salt in Devil’s face is going to let it pass by without an unholy hooley....
Language, Timothy
First up, the dirty burger kings of Parr Street who, this Friday night, present "Dead Famous", a night of “brand new tricked out wonder burgers”, with names like Holy Fuck Red, Honey I Killed The Kids and Call An Ambulance. There is also “a killer cocktail menu - and a few surprises”.
This late night, three-course sit down, stand up dance on tables event will cost you £27.50. Do not come, they add, “if you aren’t hungry “or are simply “a miserable twat”.
Naturally, there is a dress code: DEAD FAMOUS, of course - “like some totally badass cool cat thats popped out on too much good life and had their brains beaten out of them by the paving slab that is life. Do it cool, they add, and as usual “NO FUCKIN FAIRY WINGS.”
If all that cussing is too much for your sensibilities, here is some soothing Halloween magic from “The Singing Sword” Frank Sinatra. A man who really did know how to swear, among other things, like a grown-up.
Dead Famous, Almost Famous, Parr Street, Liverpool 1. Friday October 31. Two sittings 9pm-9.45pm and 9.45pm-10.30pm. Bar opens at 8.30pm.
Slam to the slaughter
Meanwhile, over at Camp & Furnace, the weekly Friday Food Slam presents a Special Edition or rocky horror tricks and treats.
Expect a tattoo parlour, dark burlesque, body painting, fortune telling from beyond the grave, Dr Jekyll's Cocktail Bar, DJ and guests including The Mighty (Malevolent) Mojo and his diabolical sidekicks Morf and Mina.
None of this would be possible without the usual food traders stoking the flames and the diabolical Camp and Furnace kitchen. Their word all the way.
Halloween Food Slam, Camp & Furnace, Greenland Street, Friday, October 31, from 6pm. Free.
Spooktastic Safari Halloween - Sophie Searle, 9, Preparing For A Halloween Extravaganza At The Reserve 5
Bats entertainment
This Halloween, people and kids are invited to get into their spookiest costumes for a ‘fright night’ of animal antics at Knowsley Safari Park.
"Visitors who dare enter the lair of more than 100 Egyptian fruit bats in the nocturnal Bat Forest," it says here, will also have a chance to get up close to the tawny and chaco owls before they swoop inches above their heads.
Expert keepers will be on hand throughout the evening to talk to visitors about the care and protection of all the animals and to make sure that things don’t get too spooky – there’s definitely more treats than tricks, say organisers.
"Once little ghouls ann ghosts have worked up an appetite there's a special hot pot supper to warm up the cold evening", they add.
But with all those birds and bats flying overhead, maybe keep your hand over your bowl. Joke.
Fright Night, Knowsley Safari Park, Saturday November 1, 5pm – 7.30pm. Tickets cost £10.00 for members and £12.00 for non-members, including food. Book here.
Our Fiends Electric?
SHIT Robot, one of Ireland's biggest electronic acts, who sound rather like the Human League here, headline a pagan Samhain celebration at the Palm House in Sefton Park this Halloween Friday.
The event, billed as "An Occult Exploration of Irish Electronica" hosts some of the most coveted artists in the scene across the sea.
Shit Robot, Boxcutter and SertOne will perform alongside "villainous entities and happenings on from the dark side. Expect enticing sounds interwoven with engulfing visuals and nightmarish creatures, plus costume, visuals and set design by Three Moons Creative.
Bit different, innit?
Samhain, Sefton Park Palm House, Friday October 31, 8pm - 1am
Tickets, under a tenner, available from 0151 709 3789 (Currently no booking fee) or here
