Oktoberfest... and Fancy Dress in London

Oktoberfest... and Fancy Dress in London

30 September, 2008
by: Sherbet

October is the dedicated month for the gods of drinking and alcohol-related debauchery. Although our German neighbours are taking a month-long sabbatical to pray at the altar of hops and barley, we must not look at them with green-eyed jealousy but instead embrace this time of year with a pint firmly grasped in our hand and a belly ready for singing in fanciful dress. This too is the month a Leisure Editor such as myself prays for – there are countless parties to sample a fine ale, autumn festivals of non-stop gorging and Beery Fun opportunities near and far.

For fashionable geeks out there in London wanting to check out the latest innovation in the world of comics and anime, secure your ticket now for the London Movie Comic Media Expo (MCM). The ExCel centre is divided into specialist zones dedicated to Anime, Manga, cosplay and gaming, with plenty of chances to meet your favourite stars or dress up as your favourite character. Cosplay might be on the outskirts of society now but soon, yes soon, it will take over pubs and community centres near you.

For a different kind of dress, head to the festival of light at Diwali on the Square in Trafalgar Square. An important time for any Hindu, Sikh or Jain, all are welcome in this celebration of new beginnings with Sari demonstrations, light shows and mouthfuls of delicious vegetarian delicacies.

If covert fancy dress is more your style and you never attend anything unless it’s underground, then buy your way into a banned bingo night, the Underground Rebel Bingo Club at the Mission Room. All rather *hush hush*, read my review of the night here. 1930s dress is optional.

There are not many blessings like this in life, where you get the chance to storm central London, dressed as a zombie. World Zombie Day is a charity event set up by a Facebook group to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Romero’s Night of the Living Dead. This is the perfect chance to don a bit of talcum powder and fake blood with a handful of friends, all in the name of a good cause.

Now with all this celebrating comes a time for you to put down your Steiner and head to the dance floor to partake in the ritual drunken boogie with other festival-goers. If your moves aren’t up to scratch, sign up for a Sunday adult dance class with Funk Physics. Classes are cheap and steps pretty simple to manage, even in a zombie costume.

If straight, no nonsense drinking is more your passion and the taste of ale or lager turns you sour, then sign up for the Rum Experience, a two day sampling expo of international light and dark rums. Entry equips you with five tasting vouchers, free cocktails and a tasting glass.

At the very end of this month there’s the perfect excuse to revert back to your childhood and dress up as your alter ego. Not to be outdone by our neighbours across the pond who celebrate Halloween with more gusto than their very own Independence Day, London clubs embrace the week bordering on the 31st of October, encouraging elaborate costumes and trick-or-treat antics. The streets of London will be filled with ghosts, ghostbusters, bonfires and plenty of sweets. Look out on the Spoonfed Reviews page for Lowri’s article on the best Halloween parties that week. There’s also going to be a special All Hallows Eve itinerary for devoted Spooners to follow and a competition on the weeks running up to the 31st for the best costume photo sent into us. We’ll also be dressing up in our own ghastly threads for the week.

If you feel like really getting into the ghoulish spirit, create a jack-o-lantern for your office. Be inspired by Masterpiece Pumpkins.  Why not pass by the Apple Day at Borough Market for an organic pumpkin and enjoy the harvest-style stalls, exhibitions and street performers.

If you’re in need of a fright this time of year, we suggest London’s first international festival of sci-fi films. Sci-fi London will be spread out over several cinemas throughout central London screening the latest horror, fantasy and anime films out there.

When an overpriced plane ticket for a weekend in Germany is out of the question yet you still want to join in the drinking celebrations, we recommend the year long Oktoberfest party at The Fest in Parsons Green. Grab a Steiner in one hand and a fraulein in the other and you’ll almost feel you were drinking in Munich. Look forward to a live German oompah band, and more pork knuckles and bratwurst than you’ll know what to do with. If you head there on the right night, you can wrestle a Fest beer model for a £100 bar tab.

If you have ever passed through Covent Garden on All Hallows Eve in search of a costume then you would have directed your aim at Angels. The experts when it comes to fancy dress, the selections are piled through the roof; whether you’re hoping to be a superhero or vampire, Jack the Ripper or zombie. The queue out of the shop annually winds for miles down the streets of central London so we recommend trying their website for next day deliver straight to your desk at work. Other great fancy dress stores online are Joker's Masquerade or Escapade, who has just opened a store in Camden.

*Spoonfed does not believe in holding a ‘beer wench’ hostage without her permission.

Keen for more? See more about:

London Covent Garden
London Camden
London Events

Sherbet