‘Halloween is bigger than Hogmanay for us’

City nightclub Opium is in the midst of its biggest-ever celebration of Halloween, a week-long programme of special events.

The Cowgate venue kicked off its schedule on Monday night with Rockstar Zombies and is staging differently-themed evenings until the weekend including Resurrection Night and Day of the Dead.

Manager Paul McLuckie is gearing up for a frighteningly busy time and says this time of year is actually bigger than Hogmanay.

He said : “It’s our favourite time of year. Fancy dress is encouraged all week and we’ll have a different theme each night with the club redecorated every evening,” he said.

“To be honest, Halloween is actually bigger than Hogmanay for us.

“Customers really do go mad for it and we’re gearing up for a manic few days as folk really enter into the spirit of things. The alternative society really does love Halloween and it’s like Christmas comes early for them as they can express themselves without fear of judgement. 

“We try to go all out every year but this will be our biggest Halloween yet with so much happening.”

Cowgate neighbours Subway are also gearing up for a ‘spooktacular’ time with a £100 giveaway for the best Halloween costume on Saturday night.

The fancy dress fun is one of 19 events staged throughout the week by the Old Town Pub Co. as it bids to offer the ultimate Halloween experience to the Edinburgh public.

From pumpkin carving contests to haunted house parties, it’s not a week for the faint-hearted. Try it out – if you dare!

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
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