For this special edition of our weekly round-up of Jakarta’s hottest and hippest parties, we’ve put together a list of what we believe will be the capitol’s best Halloween blowouts.
Pretty much every club and bar in town is planning something Halloween-themed this weekend, but only a few will fulfill your dreams (or nightmares) of alcohol-fueled, costume-clad revelers raising the dead by dancing and partying the night away. These are the spooktacular events where you’ll find just that kind of scene.
Don’t put your costumes away after Friday night either, as there will be at least two excellent Halloween fiestas on Nov. 1 as well.
Oct 31
“Tree House of Horrors” at Tree House
We predict this will be the biggest, craziest, most over-the-top Halloween party happening in Jakarta on Oct. 31. Although Treehouse is known for being Kemang’s most hipstery bar, this colossal event, which will see the entire parking lot tented off and air conditioned, will bring revelers of all ages to enjoy a variety of spooktacular entertainments.
The mastermind behind this event is Cipta Croft Cusworth, who is known for throwing the city’s best Halloween parties on an annual basis, including a three-day monster marathon at Beehive last year.
Special features: This year he’s prepared a Horror Labyrinth filled with ghouls and killer clowns (played by members of Jakarta’s own Zero Cosplay team) a Bouncy Castle dance floor and a glow lounge upstairs.
Will people be wearing costumes? Yes, if you look on the page the organizers emphasizes the costumes are compulsory for this party (they take Halloween very seriously). If you’re really stuck on the costume front, you can come have dinner at next-door Pizza Barboni beforehand, where they’ll have special Halloween-themed pizzas and free face painting from 7-9pm.
Tree House of Horrors. Starts at 8pm. Tree House, Jalan Kemang 1, No. 72. (021) 71791867.
“Abstract” at Fable (2nd Anniversary)
Fable made the smart move of opening up on Halloween, so now every Oct 31 they get to celebrate their anniversary with a costume party blowout. For their 2nd anniversary, they are planning an tunes courtesy of Canadian electronic music duo Sultan Ned Shepard.
Special features: Free flow drinks until midnight and an (indoor?) fireworks show.
Will people be wearing costumes? Judging from last year (above), definitely. Plus, this year best costume wins an iPhone 6 so people will definitely be bringing their dress-up A-game.
Abstract FABLE 2nd ANNIVERSARY & HALLOWEEN. Starts at 9pm. Fable, Fairground, Lot 14 SCBD Jl. Jend Sudirman Kav 52-53. Senayan – Kebayoran Baru. +628118035666 , (021)-5151-501
“Conjuring” at Empirica
One of several Conjuring/Annabelle themed parties tonight, Empirica is always packed on a Friday night so we expect this Halloween to be no different.
Special features: Their Facebook page warns “Step into a long-cursed house guarded by a haunting evil spirit and beware of ghost sightings all around the house.” So take that for what you will.
Will people be wearing costumes? Another costume contest with some tasty prizes, including an iPhone 6, iPhone 5s and iPad Mini should ensure some serious costumage.
“Conjuring.” Starts at 10pm. Empirica, Kawasan Niaga Terpadu Sudirman (SCBD) Lot 8, Jl Jend. Sudirman Kav 52-53. 02151400388 / 0812 9008 0841
“Cirque du Halloween” at Blowfish
In the past, Blowfish has put on some especially atmospheric Halloween parties, including plenty of dancers and performers in costume lurking in every corner. Not a ton of info on what they’re doing this year but presumably some scary clowns will be making an appearance.
Will people be wearing costumes? Yet another party offering a coveted iPhone 6 and iPhone 6+ (and an iPhone 5s, phhh) for the best costumes, the power of Apple should ensure some excellent dress-up on display here
“Cirque du Halloween.” Starts at 10pm. Blowfish, City Plaza at Wisma Mulia, Jl Jend Gatot Subroto 42. 085710800001.
“Halloween Pool Party” at BLU at Shangri-La
Blu is the fancy poolside pop-up bar that has been setting up shop in the Shangri-la Jakarta for a few months, but it won’t last much longer so Halloween might be a good time to check it out. Blu will be hosting one of the city’s classiest Halloween parties in conjunction with French Tuesdays, the premiere social networking/partying event for young affluent professionals who wanna be hipsters but are too rich to be actual hipsters.
Will people be wearing costumes? The promo materials promise Rp. 50 million in prizes for their costume contest, a rather vague but generous promise (how many iPhone 6s is that?) So yeah, we’re guessing there’ll be a few.
“Halloween Pool Party.” Starts at 5pm. Blu, Shangri-La Jakarta. Jalan Jendral Sudirman Kav. 1. (021) 29399562.
“Carnevil” at Otel Lobby
Otel Lobby is always a pleasant place for a meal and drinks with friends, but occasionally it goes all out for special events. Their Halloween party last year was supposed to quite killer, and their Carnevil event this year promises to be a worthy follow-up.
Special features: Fire jugglers, creepy clown shows, a haunted carousel, a tarrot reader , plus lots of food, booze and prizes.
Will people be wearing costumes? Last year they had a pretty great showing for their costume contest, and this year they have a “scary makeup” counter for those in need of some last minute costume effects.
“Carnevil.” Starts at 9pm. Otel Lobby, Jl Epicentrum Tengah South Gate Entrance (The Annex Building of Bakrie Tower), Kawasan Rasuna Epicentrum – Kuningan. 021-29941324.
November 1
“Bengkel Night Park Revival” at Potato Head Garage
Long before it held the oh-so-trendy Potato Head Garage, the complex that contains it in SCBD was known as the infamous Bengkel Night Park (many taxi drivers still know it by that name). Potato Head is honoring that legendary nightlife institution with their “Bengkel Night Park Revival” party, which they are touting as Jakarta’s largest costume party. It will also feature a six-hour set by Future 10 star DJ Anton Wirjono.
Will people be wearing costumes? People come to Potato Head Garage parties feature tons of fashionable folks who come to preen at each other in the near darkness, so we’re sure more than a few of the pretty people will take the opportunity to go costume glam for the night.
“Bengkel Night Park Revival” Starts at 9pm. Potato Head Garage, Jl. Jenderal Sudirman Kav 52-53. (021) 57973330
“Halloween Glow Party” at Beehive
Beehive was the site of a massive 3-day Halloween marathon party last year, but this year the spacious outdoor venue on Jl. Fatmawati has staked out Saturday night as their time to shine. Or rather, glow. The folk from Glow Dance Party will make this one blacklight lit night to remember.
Special features: Glow beer pong and 50k Glow drinks of gin/tonic all night long.
Will people be wearing costumes? Definitely, with an emphasis on those that look good under the U-VA light. You can even book a time from 4pm-8pm to have your face or whole body painted by professional body painter Dickspaint (whose work you can see above). There will also be tubes of glow paint on site at the Glow Station to paint yourself.
“Halloween Glow Party” Starts at 8pm. Beehive, Jl. Fatmawati Raya No. 39. (021) 7656672
