TRICK OR TREAT, pumpkins and ghosts ... there's more to Halloween than meets the eye. The festival on October 31 is gaining popularity in Hong Kong, but few are aware of its origins. For the ancient Celts of Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Brittany, November 1 marked the beginning of a new year and the onset of winter. The night before was the festival of Samhain, lord of the dead, when those who had died could return to the land of the living. Food was left out to keep the spirits happy and avoid misfortune, a custom that evolved into the trick-or-treat practice of today. The modern version of Halloween may have none of the poignancy of the original, but it offers a perfect excuse to have fun. Restaurants, clubs and bars across the city are getting into the spirit with menus and promotions offering a ghoulish or ghostly theme. So, get set to don your green makeup and Halloween outfit and hit the town. CENTRAL Baci Address: 2/F, 1 Lan Kwai Fong, Central Tel: 2801 5885 Price: HK$388 per person Halloween special: Dishes such as pumpkin soup with pesto and homemade ravioli of roasted pumpkin with a sage butter sauce. Bar George Address: 38-44 D'Aguilar St, Lan Kwai Fong, Central Tel: 2521 2202 Price: HK$100 per person, HK$500 for a table of four, HK$1,000 for a table of six Halloween special: Themed cocktails. Cafe de Artistes Address: 1/F California Tower, 30-32, D'Aguilar St, Lan Kwai Fong, Central Tel: 2526 3880 Price: HK$400 Halloween special: Dishes such as stewed beef cheek with red wine sauce, mushroom and bacon in puff pastry. California Address: G/F, 30-32 D'Aguilar St, Central Tel: 2521 1345 Price: HK$260 (includes coffee or tea) Halloween special: Dishes include New Zealand crab and pumpkin soup, pumpkin ice cream and berry sauce. Krispy Kreme Doughnuts Address: 51 Elgin St, Central Tel: 2810 7010 Price: Doughnut HK$10 to HK$12 each, drinks about HK$10 to HK$30. Halloween special: Themed doughnuts, with free Halloween stickers and three doughnut vouchers for every purchase of a dozen special Halloween doughnuts. Available until October 31. Lumiere Sichuan Bistro and Bar Address: Shop 3101, Podium Level 3, Two IFC, Central Tel: 2393 3933 Price: HK$488 per person Halloween special: A six-course dinner with a main course of Wagyu beef in Sichuan spicy chilli potage or grilled US sea scallops with a herb crust and a lime-pumpkin sauce. Lux Restaurant and Bar Address: UG/F California Tower, 30-32 D'Aguilar St, Central Tel: 2868 9538 Price: HK$395 (includes tea or coffee) Halloween special: A special menu with dishes such as pumpkin and scallop soup, roast lamb chops with onion tart tatin, followed by assorted Halloween petits fours. The Stonegrill Address: G/F, 28 Elgin St, Soho, Central Tel: 2504 3333 Price: HK$308 for a four-course meal and HK$338 for five courses Halloween special: A themed menu with dishes such as pumpkin cream soup with crab meat and pumpkin cheesecake. Wooloomooloo Bar and Grill Address: G/F and 1/F, Onfem Tower, 29 Wyndham St, Central Tel: 2810 8499 Price: HK$100 Halloween special: Between 9pm and 1am on Sat, customers will receive a free standard drink, face painting, a Cointreau devil horn and a perfume sample. HAPPY VALLEY Brown Restaurant, Bar and Lounge Address: G/F, 18 Sing Woo Rd, Happy Valley Tel: 2891 8558 Price: HK$308 per person Halloween special: Dine under the stars in the courtyard. All-you-can-eat BBQ buffet dinner and all-you-can- drink from the drink selection. Advance booking required. TSIM SHA TSUI Miramar Shopping Centre and Knutsford Steps are having a joint Halloween promotion from Friday to October 31. Customers spending HK$100 in a single receipt can get a free scary makeover at a booth at Knutsford Steps on October 31. Shop 1, Knutsford Steps will also have a Halloween bar offering a Cointreau Devil Bubbles cocktail to all those spending HK$250 in a single receipt at any participating outlet. Inquiries: 2730 5300. Hard Rock Cafe Address: G/F-1/F Silvercord, 30 Canton Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui Tel: 2375 1323 Price: HK$250 minimum charge, HK$100 per person pre-payment needed for reservations. Halloween special: Costume party, free makeup service for customers, but bring your own costume. There will be singing, entertainment and games. Party begins at about 10pm. Hotel Miramar Address: 118-130 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui Halloween promotion between Saturday and October 31 at various restaurants of the hotel. Xi Restaurant Tel: 2315 5155 Price: HK$999 for two (includes one glass of selected wine per person) Halloween special: Set dinner with dishes such as roasted French duck breast on cranberry sauce with bat-shaped zucchini. Reservations should be made one day in advance. Eyes Tel: 2315 5888 Price: All-you-can-drink after 9pm for HK$138 on Sunday and October 30, and HK$168 from October 28 to 31. Halloween special: A Devil Party, with four special devilish drinks. Free makeup service and a fancy-dress contest, with free drinks all night for the winner. Customers with receipts from other Hotel Miramar restaurants will receive a 20 per cent discount. The Atrium Tel: 2315 5199 Price: HK$368 for dinner buffet from October 28 to 31 Halloween special: Specially created desserts. A best-dressed customer will be chosen every evening, with a free bird's nest dinner buffet for the winner. Children who dress up for Halloween will receive a secret pyramid chocolate. Someplace Else American Bar and Restaurant Address: Sheraton Hotel, 20 Nathan Rd, Tsim Sha Tsui Tel: 2721 6151 Price: Tickets for admission after 9pm, HK$95 per person (includes one drink) Halloween special: Pirates of the Caribbean Night on Friday. Halloween-themed drinks and snacks, face painting, live band, and best- costume competition, with the winner receiving a two-night accommodation package for two at the Westin Resort Macau. THE PEAK The Peak Lookout Address: 121 Peak Rd, the Peak Tel: 2849 1000 Price: HK$250 for a three-course meal Halloween special: Includes pumpkin veloute with ham, black linguine with clams, pumpkin and red bell peppers and ginger-honey pumpkin pie. SHA TIN The Regal International Hotel Address: 34-36 Tai Chung Kiu Rd, Sha Tin Tel: 2649 7878 Price: Drinks from HK$48 to HK$68, HK$120 for six cans of Carlsberg beer Halloween special: Special drinks and snacks until October 31, culminating that night with a costume party, when the best-dressed customer will be awarded a HK$600 dining coupon. The first runner-up will get a HK$500 coupon. Ocean Park Address: Aberdeen, Hong Kong Tel: 2552 0291 Price: Phone for prices and availability. Halloween special: A party from 5.30pm to midnight between Sunday and October 31. Attractions include a series of haunted areas and 200 ghouls and goblins roaming the park. Attractions during the day for pre-teens include the Scarecrow Maze and an interactive learning corner called the Witches and Wizards Academy. Children can also trick or treat throughout the park's Kid's World. HONG KONG DISNEYLAND Address: Hong Kong Disneyland, Lantau Halloween programmes are featured in various locations in the park: Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel Enchanted Garden Tel: 3510 6270 Halloween special: Brunch and dinner buffets that include Halloween dishes such as chocolate coffin mousse and Donald's cherry and bat tart. Available until October 31. Grand Salon Tel: 3510 6250 Halloween special: Set dinner between Saturday and October 31, which includes grilled half devil spring chicken with bacon and Mickey-shaped corn fritter and a Mickey's vampire chocolate truffle dessert. Disney's Hollywood Hotel Chef Mickey Tel: 3510 5280 Halloween special: Available until October 31. Included in the buffet are braised pumpkin with black bean sauce and braised devilled duck and pumpkin mousse cake.