As Halloween approaches, the pumpkins are ready to be plucked off their vines and shops across town are doing a brisk trade selling all sorts of spooky outfits. Somewhat overshadowed by more important goings on this year in Thailand, we thought about sharing a list of all the places we could think of that are Halloween-themed all year round. So whether you go on the 31st of October or the 31st of January – you can still get your spook on! [Ed. Due to the current mourning period, we won’t be posting information on Halloween parties and events this year until the 30th October. So you can all wait until the last minute to decide where to show off your latest zombie mask or scary outfits.]
The Castle
This one-of-a-kind attraction is bound to raise neck hairs and cause you to scream. Combining an ‘escape room’ type of adventure inside a spooky maze filled with live zombies and monsters just waiting to jump out and gobble you down, eyes will be watching you as you navigate your way through this castle of horrors. But in case the stress gets to you, there is a haunted castle themed bar on premises for you to knock back a strong cocktail or two before heading home…if you make it out alive that is. Citylife visited their old location earlier this year so you can read more by clicking here.
Open 6pm – Midnight
Le Dta’wan456, 86-86/1 Sridonchai Road
Facebook: TheCastleThailand
086 184 1666
Cervidae Café
This café is covered in white cobwebs that hang from the ceiling and creepy mantelpieces that have an eerie assortment of spooky ornaments on display, some we swear move when you are not looking. Open year round, you can get your holiday fix here anytime, as they really encourage you to explore your own experience while choosing from the vast amount of scary drinks and cakes on offer. This Halloween they are bound to have something special going on. Walking into this castle-like coffee shop and you’ll get shivers down your spine. Some say it’s just the air-con but we are not so sure…
Open 10am – 8pm
43/3 Irrigation Canal Road
Facebook: Cervidae Café
089 555 4736
Witching Well
Although not in Chiang Mai, this Pai restaurant is certainly one to remember if you head up the mountains this Halloween, or any month of the year for that matter. With a pumpkin-inspired menu, they explore a range of food that is designed to tickle your taste buds and get you in the mood for that perfect post-dinner horror movie. Their poison list has a range of spirits, beers and wines to choose from and all at very reasonable prices. From what we have heard, you may have a spell cast on you as soon as you walk in so enter at your peril, and if you can’t face leaving, why not shack up in an Otium bedroom for the night, poltergeists included of course.
Open 8am – 10pm
97 Moo 3, Vieng Tai, Pai
Facebook: Witching Well
www.witchingwellrestaurant.com
084 366 4268
The Time Movement
For those looking to escape things that go bump in the night by literally going bump bump in the night, they check into our local love hotel for a few hours and choose the Roman Room. Although not exactly a haunted house themed room, it is fitted with axes and spears on the walls and has a curious array of metal contraptions that can be used for all sorts of sinister things. If you call ahead they may even deck it up with some spiders and atmospheric dry ice if you are lucky. If, on your late night adventures, find a room decked out with ghosts and pumpkins, let us know.
Photharam 1, Jet Yod, next to China Chic
Facebook: The Time Movement
053 357 991
The Horn Bar
For a bit of a posh, this atmospheric bar in the Dhara Dhevi Hotel is the place to go. Its walls are lined with antique horned masks, each looming eerily over the party people below. It is all mood lighting, buttery leather sofas, sexy cocktails and dozens upon dozens of horned faces staring down at you. So if your wallet isn’t too light and you are in the mood for a sophisticated evening out amongst some mythical horned creatures, then this is the place for you.
Dhara Dhevi Hotel, 51/4 Chiang Mai – Sankampaeng Road Moo 1
Facebook: Horn Bar at Dhara Dhevi Chiang Mai
053 888 888
Zombie Café
Despite its rather flesh-eating name, this café is last on the list because after you pass the four foot zombie mascot at the entrance, not much else even has as much as a whiff of pumpkin to it. Set at the foothills of the Doi-Suthep Pui, just past the Four Seasons Resort, this little café is perfect for nature lovers looking to get out of the city for a few hours. The food is definitely a bit more exciting as you will fun going through the menu choosing between fried zombie yellow noodles with prawns, the corn som tum which comes with cheese balls, the spicy water spinach with crispy rice noodles or more familiar sounding dishes such as the German pork knuckle, the grilled ribs, pizza or pasta dishes. Read more here.
Open 9am – 7pm
403/3 Moo 1, Mae Ram, Mae Rim
Facebook: Zombiecafechiangmai
088 287 1542, 085 041 3714