Staff don witches’ hats, “spooky” cocktails are added to the menu, and playlists are packed with “Monster Mash” and “Thriller.” It’s all good fun — but is it really worth the time, money, and effort that goes into it?
For many publicans, Halloween has become a fixture in the events calendar, rivalled only by Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
The logic is simple enough: themed nights drive footfall, generate buzz on social media, and encourage customers to spend a little more. A well-executed event can certainly fill a quiet October weekend. But increasingly, there’s a question that many in the trade are quietly asking — do the numbers actually add up?
Decorations, costume prizes, and promotional materials all cost money. Then there’s the stock: garishly coloured “Halloween cocktails” that require special syrups, liqueurs, or garnishes.
Many of these ingredients are ordered in bulk, only to end up half-used or thrown away. Themed drinks might look great on Instagram, but most customers still order the same pints, gin and tonics, or glasses of wine they always do.
Every penny counts
Add to that the staff hours spent decorating and cleaning up afterward, and the margin on that extra footfall starts to look pretty thin.
In today’s economic climate, every penny counts. Rising energy bills, supplier costs, and tighter consumer budgets have already pushed the hospitality sector to the brink.
For many pubs, it’s a struggle just to keep the doors open, never mind to invest in themed décor or cocktail ingredients that might never sell.
There’s also the risk of “event fatigue” - customers who’ve seen it all before. When every pub in town is running the same Halloween party, it stops feeling special.
That’s not to say themed events don’t have a place. A well-planned night with genuine creativity — perhaps a quiz, fancy dress competition, or local partnership - can bring people together and remind regulars why they love their local. The key is authenticity and scale.
A few decorations, some spooky music, and maybe a limited-edition beer or shot special can set the mood without breaking the bank. Going overboard on gimmicks rarely pays off.
No to waste
Perhaps the bigger question is whether pubs feel pressured to host these events, rather than choosing to do so because their customers genuinely want them.
Social media makes it easy to believe that every other venue is pulling out all the stops, but often the most successful pubs are the ones that stay true to their identity. If your regulars prefer a quiet pint and good conversation, forcing a Halloween rave down their throats could do more harm than good.
So, should pubs say “no” to Halloween altogether? Not necessarily. But they should say no to waste - of money, time, and energy.
A sustainable approach to events means focusing on what really drives connection and sales, not just what looks good on Instagram.
Sometimes, the best thing a pub can do is turn down the volume, ditch the gimmicks, and simply be the warm, welcoming place people actually want to be.
