What’s On Halloween

Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash

Friday

Music

The 99 Boyz are back! Mike Dynamo, Kenny and Arone are playing an early show at Hops. Expect to throw your Rollies in the sky and wave ‘em side to side. (Huh? What? You’ll see.)

6pm, Hops, St. 228

This weekend is metal’s time to shine, and three bands are stepping up to the mic to make Cloud rage. Rose, Doch Chkae and As the Heart Betrays will make you mosh, drink, smile and sweat off the facepaint. $2.50 entrance fee goes directly to these hardworking performers.

7pm, Cloud, St. 9

Heat Seeking Productions is putting on an Afrobeat Experience, with live music performed by Highlife Music Band, live performances by Afrobeats dancers and dance music by DJs Epopsy and Soma Vibez. 

7pm, Duplex Belgian Tavern, St. 278

Art

An artform that was made for Halloween – fashion! Backstreet Bar is holding a Halloween-themed fashion show. The best looks will be voted on by the audience (the winning model will get entrance fee money – $1 person), and attendees who come dressed in costume will get a free shot. But stick around after the show, and it sounds like everybody will get free drinks. That’s the way fashion parties go!

8:30pm, Backstreet Bar, St. 308

Dance

Cubik is back after a six-month hiatus with a special Halloween edition. They have six DJs lined up to play “Terrifying Techno, Horrific House and Demonic Drum & Bass” (tee hee. Cute). This time the roaming dance party will take over Phnom Penh’s newest club addition, HClub, which will have a happy hour from 9–10pm and drink specials all night. Entrance is free before 9pm and $6 after. 

8pm–4am, HClub, St. 308

Azure’s Friday night Latin party is geared up for an extra-special Halloween version with a fire performer, a stilt walker, face painter and free drinks for people in costume. Dress code is red and black. And it’s a dance party – DJ Andres Velasco will spin the salsa and bachata grooves.

8pm, Azure Bar and Grill, St. 123

DJ Swizzle Stix mixes hits from the 60s through the 90s. Expect Rolling Stones paired with Dire Straights, and Blondie with Creedence. The bar’s giving out free beer for the first hour.

7pm, Long After Dark, 450

To delve into the twisted madness of this All Hallows Eve, NeuDrop Collective is bringing The Dark Descent. DJs Nasty and Dalah will play melodic and hard techno before grindhouse visuals conjured up by VJ Cynamica. 

9pm–1am, Boran House, St. 310

What Else?

While Mini Banana’s Haunted House has been up and running for over a week, they’ve been sharpening their scaring skills. The guest house/bar’s carrying the festive magic all through the weekend, so pop in for a drink or two, some dancing perhaps, and maybe a tour through the panic room, if your weekend needs a little extra umph.

5pm–midnight, Mini Banana, St. 51

Lest we forget that today’s holiday is actually Bon Om Touk (Water Festival), DIB Club is doing its own mini version of the holiday, with a poolside BBQ and water gun fight. DJ Ral Pagalday will be spinning the tunes for these daytime festivities.

4–9pm, DIB Club, Koh Pich

Saturday

Music

Don your cape, pop in those fangs and put on your dancing shoes. Major/Minor is a “boogie lounge band”, meaning they play music you can boogie woogie to. And their keysman also plays the ukulele! 

7:30pm, Alchemy GastoPub, St. 123

For the final night of Phnom Penh’s heavy rock, pool and cheap drinks staple, Zeppelin – which also happens to fall on Halloween – it’s only fitting that Phnom Penh’s two all-star heavy metal bands will take the stage. Come help Blood Bricks and Psykic Elektric tear the walls down before Zepps gives back the keys!! (Metaphorically speaking, of course.)

9:30pm, Zeppelin Cafe, St. 278

Art

Not only is Sra’Art unveiling a new exhibition this evening, but they’re spending the day helping everybody (adults and kiddos alike) get into the Halloween spirit. Need a little help with your costume? Four face painters will be ready and waiting to transform your mug into a hangdog, or a zombie, or an action hero, whatevs. Children can trick or treat from 5–6pm, and generally be entertained all afternoon long. Technically the art exhibit, with works by Gian Claudio Di Secco and Inzi Youn, will start at 6pm.

2–11pm, Sra’Art, Sothearos Blvd.

Dance

Raveology is turning calm and peaceful Silk Island into the location for its 24-hour dance party Lost in Illusion (island residents get free entrance and drinks, if that helps). The fest promises to be a true getaway, physically and metally, with 12 DJs on the lineup, dedicated boat ferries to the island, live music performances, live fire and hula hooping shows, face painting, art and costume prizes.

All day, Silk Island

If you want to see the best costumes of anywhere in Phnom Penh: Blue Chilli is having a Halloween party. ‘Nuff said. Oh! And they’re doing free face painting from 8–10pm. Boom.

8pm–midnight, Blue Chilli, St. 178

DJ RXTHY of La Cima Cartels fame is getting Love Lounge dancing tonight, with a very special live performance by French rapper 12ME. DJs Niko Yu and the Mask-K will round out the night. There’s a prize for best costume and other giveaways promised. $5 entrance fee (which includes a free drink) is waived if you go to Mad Monkey’s pool party during the day (wah? See below.)

9pm, Love Lounge, St. 278

What Else?

To see the twinkle in your little ones’ eyes, bring them to LF Social Club’s free Halloween Party. They’ll have mask making and juggling workshops, face painting, a poi and hula hoop show by Sparkle Act, costume contest, food plates for children and beers for adults. 

11am–4pm, LF Social Club, St. 308

Mad Monkey is celebrating Halloween with a pool party (because, of course they are)! DJs Lyka and Niko Yu will be spinning the beats and party sponsor Jim Beam will be pouring the drinks.

2pm, Mad Monkey, St. 302

Clothing company LAA Visionary and food purveyor Fat Passion are throwing a joint Halloween party in the vast expanse of The Factory. They have five bands lined up for the daytime event as well as dance tunes by DJ Kriss. And Fat Passion food, of course.

4pm, The Factory, National Road 2

Rush Pub is kicking up the haunted house magic with a scavenger hunt (or maybe panic room. They say, “Find the hidden objects, guess the password and get a prize”. Sounds dope, no matter). Everyone in a Halloween costume gets a free shot, and they’re serving up hot dogs and Terrific Punch.

5pm–midnight, Rush Pub, St. 282

Cloud Bar’s festivities for the big day are so darn clever! The bar’s giving free shots to zombies (for those who are feeling dead – and look like it, too!). For those for whom this holiday is more than just a day, artists from GothGal Tattoo will be ready to get you inked. The peckish can eat BBQ in the bar’s backyard cemetery; the kitschy can have Fear Factor Jars of the Dead. Everybody can participate in a costume contest. It’s Halloween!

7pm–2am, Cloud, St. 9

The Deck is throwing Come Sing My Songs Musical Singalong Karaoke as its contribution to the holiday fanfare. So if you’re feeling more like Rocky Horror than actual horror, this is your event. Costumes encouraged (with drink specials)!

7–11pm, The Deck, St. 135