There's been a lot of debate over the origins of Halloween, with some believing it to be a pagan ritual originating sometime in 5 BC, while others are of the opinion that it comes from a contraction of "All Hallows Eve," the Catholic holiday on which the church honors saints.
According to Celtic folklore, however, Halloween was the night that the disembodied spirits of those who had died the previous year would come back in search of living bodies to possess. Understandably, the living did not want to be
possessed so on the night of Oct. 31 villagers would dress up in ghoulish costumes and parade noisily around hoping to frighten away the undead.
PHOTO: LIN CHENG-KUNG, TAIPEI TIMES
Although the younger generation is more than content to beg for candy, the older and, supposedly wiser generation, sees it more as excuse to drink far too much.
Halloween falls on a Monday this year and as such partying may prove scary for those who want to celebrate but don't want to endure a day in the office on Tuesday with a mouth like the bottom of a birdcage and a scorching hangover.
So, it's probably just as well that many of the nation's leading expat oriented drinking establishments have chosen to hold their Halloween parties either tonight or tomorrow.
Taipei's favorite "pub" JB's will be forgoing its Britishness from 9pm tomorrow night, when it plays host to its inaugural Halloween bash. Although fancy dress is not obligatory those who wish to dress up as ghouls have the chance to win cash prizes, crates of booze and free drinks. At the stroke of midnight the joint will be giving away free glasses of a specially brewed evil concoction known as "witches brew." At 148, Shida Rd, Taipei (
Michel Blanc's popular sports bar The Tavern will be holding two Halloween parties this Sunday. From 2pm until 8pm there will be a party for families and children. At 4pm partygoers can feast on a sumptuously spooky buffet that includes tasty worms, devil's flesh and "Blanc's smelly socks." From 8pm fun and games will be adult oriented and offering a selection of drink specials. The Tavern has a no-smoking policy until 8pm on Sunday. At 415, Xinyi Rd, Sec 4, Taipei (
The debauchery at Taipei's notorious hot spot Carnegie's turns ghostly on Saturday night when those who dress up not only get to avoid the cover charge but also have the opportunity to win the costume contest's top prize of NT$10,000. At 100, Anhe Rd, Sec 2, Taipei (
Taipei's "other" sports bar The Brass Monkey will be a grimly fiendish place to visit on Saturday night when it holds its annual Halloween party. Along with offering cash and drinks prizes for the best costume The Brass Monkey will also be giving away prizes for "wickedly sexy" costumes. At 166, Fuxing N Rd, Taipei (
In Taichung, at The Grooveyard: From 8pm tomorrow things will be getting spooky at Taichung's newest live music venue, when it hosts its first Halloween party. At 105, Hua-Mei W Rd, Taichung (
Also in Taichung at 89K, the long-running blues and music venue will be dishing up a selection of live vibes and ghoulish games from 9pm tomorrow. The bands will be playing spooky tunes and bar staff will be serving specially priced evil libations. From 8pm till late tomorrow. At 89, Zhongming Rd, Taichung (
In Kaohsiung, at the Lighthouse Bar and Grill, dress up in fancy dress and win top prizes or a free shot of your favorite poison. From 9pm tomorrow night. At 239, Fuguo Rd,
Kaohsiung (
Also in Kaohsiung, at the Overtime Sports Lounge TV sport takes a backseat tomorrow as spooky fun and games will be the order of the night. From 9pm onwards. 303, Yu-cheng Rd, Kaohsiung (
The Pig and Whistle in Kaohsiung is possibly the city's most famous expat drinking establishment. It will be holding a Halloween party from 8pm tonight. There will be drinks specials and a costume contest. The Pig's house band will be playing, at 199, Szuwei 4th Rd, Kaohsiung (
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