Monday is Halloween. A critiqued celebration that is losing steam. This day, a vector for anti-Americanism, is denounced as a marketing tool. Rightly so. Indeed, this celebration is not a French tradition and it causes people to spend money. Nevertheless, children like it. Adults a bit less. However, on October 31, 2005, the pubs in Old Nice will be packed, especially with students. A quick tour in the alleys of the old town to find out what surprises the bar owners have for their customers.
Master Home, the Three Devils, Le Mac Mahon’s, Le Petit Café d’Amsterdam and without a doubt the other pubs all have the same message. They are confident, like in other years, to fill their establishments. Other common points: the staff will be in costume and the pub decorated. Vampires, zombies, skeletons; the servers still don’t know their evening attire or prefer to keep it a mystery.
“We are going to make a special homemade cocktail for the evening. I can’t tell you yet what it will consist of,” confides David from Master Home (rue de la préfecture). No need to announce the party, everyone knows, and just a few words on the Master Home board on the day itself will be enough to indicate the special Halloween party. “We’re bringing out the usual decor. A DJ will entertain and we will be in costume,” David adds. He admits not knowing the exact meaning of Halloween but the main thing is to party. A little extra from Master Home: children won’t be forgotten. Servers will distribute candy throughout the day.
Bloody Rock concert at Le Petit Café d’Amsterdam (Rue Droite) in a hostile environment for the occasion. Four girls behind the instruments, a scary stage name (Iron Goats in French!) and vampires all around looking for blood.
Le Mac Mahon’s (Boulevard Jean Jaurès) goes all out. A dual-themed decor. First, a forest from which specters that mean only harm will emerge… Simon Cole from Le Mac Mahon’s explains: “The atmosphere of the film The Blair Witch Project will be recreated. Second theme: the Serial Killers.” Chills guaranteed.
The Three Devils (Cours Saleya) will become devilish. DJ, decor, and costume: as everywhere, it’s the winning recipe for October 31. The theme is slightly different: the undead. The servers expect a lot of work: “We will be full. As every year. But some customers from Saturday have warned us they will only come on Monday. But this still gives us a good long weekend.”
It’s up to you to choose whether to have fun while being scared or to be scared while having fun. As long as we shiver, we’re still breathing!
Vincent Trinquat
And what will you do Monday evening? Tell us about it on our forum. You can also share other party ideas for Nice or the Cote d’Azur.
