Ghoulish goings-on in a Seoulful town

Orange, this time every year, is the color de riguer. International groups, restaurateurs and event coordinators have a slew of Halloween events on tap. Choices range from costume parties to adult-supervised events for children.

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WARNING:

NOT FOR THE FAINT HEARTED

On Thursday and Nov. 1, the offerings at Westin Chosun's O'Kim's include minced rat and cockroach burger, killed and cooked to order and bandaged cook's finger. Sounds appetizing? How about a screaming game, a mummy making competition and a Halloween quiz? It's all in good fun, or so the ghoulish staff says. Tel. (02) 317-0388

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HALLOWEEN JIG

Dress up in a costume, win a diamond pendant and dance a jig or two at Buck Mulligans. The downtown restaurant is hosting a party tomorrow from 7 p.m. to midnight. The winner of the dance contest gets an overnight stay at the Sheraton Walker Hill. Admission is 32,000 won and includes beer and a buffet.

Tel. (02) 6230-1527

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DRESS CODE, SCARY

Hone your pumpkin-sculpting skills because JJ Mahoney's at the Grand Hyatt Seoul is hosting a pumpkin carving contest and a costume contest. The band Ultra will perform. The party is tonight and tomorrow from 6 p.m. to 3 a.m.

Also tonight, the party-promoters at Sway will be hosting a dance party, with DJ Joeki spinning.

Admission is 17,000 won ($14), which includes a cocktail and pumpkin soup. The dress code is Halloween attire, or black or orange.

Tel. (02) 799-8601,

or (02) 798-0066

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HALLOWEEN CHIC

Dress up as a sexy vampire and join the party goers at Cheongdam-dong's S Bar tomorrow from 8:30 p.m. to 4 a.m. Or creep on over in black or red.

The deejay line-up includes Dave Benz and Jin Wook for funky, progressive house. Headlining is DJ Joeki from Thailand.

Raffle tickets include an Aprilla scooter and 1 million won worth of air fare to anywhere in the world.

Admission is 30,000 won.

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FOR THE KIDS

The American Women's Club is hosting a fright fest for children on Sunday from 1-4 p.m. Every year, about 250 children don Halloween costumes and attend the event at JJ Mahoney's in the Grand Hyatt Seoul hotel. The parents just "hang around," says Valerie Briggs, the president of the club. "We fill up to capacity very fast." Festivities include games, a costume parade and face painting.

The entry fee for children, at 35,000 won ($28), is more expensive than for adults. Nonmember adults pay 30,000 won. The price includes lunch and prizes, for the children only.

Tel. (02) 749-2830, ask for the event's coordinator, Tiffany Jackson-Zunker.

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MAY THE

BEST DRESSED WIN

Ghosts and goblins await you at Babalu's nightclub in the Grand Hilton hotel. A night full of activities await, including face painting, a best costume contest, a dance contest and door prizes.

The fun starts at 7 p.m. Thursday. Admission is 10,000 won and includes a complimentary mask and face painting.

Tel. (02) 2287-8059

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BOO!

Club Locoloca in Hongdae is hosting a party on tomorrow with live music by both William's Band and Sexy Mild. The 10,000 won cover includes one free drink. Hosted by Superfly Party Promotions.

Tel. 011-9685-1458

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HOWLING

GOOD TIMES

The Big Electric Cat, a live music bar in Itaewon, is holding a party on Thursday from 8 p.m. Ku-Nyang is performing. Admission is 10,000 won. Revelers in costumes get a free drink.

Tel. (02) 792-0754

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HALLOWEEN BOOGIE

Boogie all night long Thursday and Nov. 1 with the Australian band Roundabout at J.W. Marriott's Di Moda. The Halloween parties include a pumpkin carving contest, lucky draw and fortune readings.

Admission to the parties is 10,000 won. Festivities begin at 6 p.m. Start at the sports bar, make your moves on the dance floor, then relax at the cigar bar.

Tel. (02) 6282-6762

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MONSTER MASH

Tomorrow night's goings on at Matmata, a club in Hongdae, are free for those in Halloween costumes. The party starts at 8 p.m. and ends at 7 a.m. with a Best Costume competition at 2 a.m. First prize is 200,000 won. The deejay lineup includes Woongza, Yaong2, Bandi, Dave Benz and Yeonjun for house music.

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ALL-STAR

DEEJAYS FOR AN

ALL-STAR HALLOWEEN

Heaven, a lounge in Apgujeong-dong, is hosting the second of the All-Star Deejay Series tomorrow. Organized in part by Tarantula and Sports Seoul, the party is 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. Tickets at the door are 20,000 won, and include one free drink. Deejays Calvin, Decode, Murf, Fujiwara, Yaong2, Superfly, Sinju and BJ will be spinning house, disco, funky and hip hop.

Dress code is semi-formal or Halloween costumes for those wanting to participate in the best dressed contest.

Tel. (02) 549-2911

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BUSAN HAUNTS

The Busan Marriott is staging a Halloween Party with the theme, "The Dark Side." Anyone dressed in a costume is admitted free of charge to Murphy's Discotheque & Pub on Wednesday and Thursday. Everyone else pays an admission fee of 15,000 won. The nights include the crowning of the King and Queen of Horror.

Tel. (051) 743-1234, ext. 8071

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RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD

The potions at Hilton's Areno, served by a zombie bar staff, may be intoxicating, but you won't awaken the next day as a howling wolf. Well, probably not. The party starts at 6 p.m. nightly from Thursday to Saturday and includes a magic show. Admission is free.

Tel. (02) 317-3244

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FROM ENGLISH PUB TO HAUNTED CASTLE

The Lotte Hotel Seoul is installing a haunted castle in the Bobby London English Pub & Theme Bar. Don't be surprised to see coffins spread about in a dark misty room with skeletons, bats, owls and jack-o'-lanterns. Servers will be in ghost costumes. A band will play Halloween-themed music, such as the "Monster Mash," "Ghostbusters" and "Bad Moon Rising."

A special menu includes "Sleepy Hollow" sausages, "Screaming" steak, "Vampire's Blood" punch and a "Haunted Castle" cocktail. If mortal existence seems humdrum, mark your calendar for Thursday and Nov. 1.

Tel. (02) 317-7091

by Joe Yong-hee