List of Birmingham city centre’s quirkiest places to visit for Halloween.
Birmingham is braced for its spookiest Halloween yet with creative fancy dress parties, horror themed cafes and bars and a terrifying zombie game during October.
Here’s a round-up of some of the latest blood-curdling events across the city centre for those that are brave enough to face things that go bump in the night.
Horror bar
Merlin’s is a new horror-themed restaurant and bar at Martineau Square that’s scary throughout the year – not just at Halloween. But on All Hallows’ Eve, it steps up a level to host especially gruesome parties.
Merlin’s Horrifyingly Awesome Halloween Nights, raising money for Birmingham Children’s Hospital, take place on Friday October 25 and Saturday October 26 from 5om until 2am.
Expect surprises from roaming live horror actors from Murderhouse Productions along with giveaways, drink offers and prizes for the best Halloween costume.
Scary movie fans Martin Fox and his partner Ella Tuta last month launched the horror cocktail bar and restaurant over two levels, taking inspiration from Stranger Things to Beetlejuice. Tickets for the Halloween events cost £15 in advance from Merlin’s website or £18 on the door.
‘Terrifying’ Virtual reality zombies
Battle zombies in a virtual reality world as the newest instalment of Deadwood comes to Birmingham. Virtual reality venue Sandbox VR has waited until close to Halloween to launch new game PHOBIA at its Bullring & Grand Central base.
Groups up up to six can play each other at the same time in the scary experience that is the stuff of nightmares. PHOBIA is the first psychological horror experience at the venue. The scary plot is set in an eerie derelict medical facility where there are “mind-bending horrors” around every corner.
Those brave enough can book the VR game from Wednesday October 16 – but be warned, it is being billed as the “most terrifying” zombie game yet in the series. Book to play at SandboxVR’s website here.
Halloween Art Party Weekender
Birmingham’s Great Western Arcade is hosting a creative weekend of Haunted Windows for all ages – and fancy dress is encouraged.
Artist Ginger Dan will lead Halloween themed art workshops where everyone can have a go at creating eerie window displays or art pieces. There will even be stilt show entertainment from Towering Terrors and fire shows at the entrance to thrill young visitors.
Haunted Windows takes place on Saturday October 26 and Sunday October 27 from 11am to 3pm both days.
“It’s a fun-filled workshop for all ages,” said the event organiser. “Whether you’re a seasoned artist or a beginner, unleash your inner creativity and take home your eerie masterpiece. Costumes are highly encouraged for the full spooky experience.”
HalLoween THEMED bubble tea
Do you dare sip bubble tea surrounded by Halloween ghouls and skeletons at Boba One in Piccadilly Arcade.
Beware! on the door greets plucky visitors entering the newly-refurbished bubble tea cafe that’s kitted out with cobwebs, ghosts and creepy candlesticks for the season.
Fun spooky accessories at every turn make this an enchanting Halloween stop-off for a milk or fruity bubble tea in Birmingham city centre.
Vaulted underground bars
Birmingham is blessed with some quirky bars perfect for a Halloween tipple. Bacchus Bar is underneath Burlington Arcade and full of eerie artefacts from a crypt to the Egyptian room.
Run by Nicholson’s Pubs, Bacchus Bar is well-loved in Birmingham for its quirkiness along with a well-stocked bar and restaurant. You’ll find it next to the Macdonald Burlington Hotel off New Street.
Another underground bar is the Post Office Vaults at 84 New Street. Head down the steps to drink in cosy subterranean surroundings. It’s an award-winning real ale pub that boasts selling “hard-to-find foreign bottled beers” too.
Children’s Halloween workshop
Waterstones in Birmingham’s High Street is holding a series of Halloween events. They include Phil Corbett coming in to do a spooky comic-making workshop, a Halloween story time, and a craft-making session.
Check out Birmingham Waterstones Instagram account and events page on its website for more details.