Islington Irish bar Homeboy marks Samhain with fortnight of cocktail masterclasses, storytelling and traditional music

Homeboy, the Irish cocktail bar on Essex Road in Islington, is marking Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival from which Halloween developed, with a two-week programme of events from 19^th October till 1^st November. The series celebrates the new harvest and Irish culture, and will include cocktail masterclasses, a book launch, storytelling and an all-day traditional music session.

The programme opens on this Monday with a potion masterclass in partnership with Glendalough. Participants will learn to make three Samhain cocktails, hear the folklore behind them and take their potions home. The following evening, Islington florist Dansk will lead a Samhain wreath-making session.

On Wednesday 21^st, the bar hosts the London launch of Oisín Davis’s The Irish Whiskey Cookbook, with guests receiving a signed copy of the book and a whiskey cocktail. A second Glendalough masterclass follows on Monday 26^th, this time focused on poitín, the traditional Irish spirit, and led by founder Aaron Wall.

Irish comedian Hugh Cooney will host an evening of fireside Samhain storytelling on Thursday 29^th October. On Halloween itself, the bar holds what it calls the Saturday Samhain Sesh, featuring tarot readings, a prize for the best-dressed guest and DJs until 1am.

The programme closes on Sunday 1^st November with the Samhain Sunday Seisiún, when the bar will serve an Irish Sunday roast alongside live traditional music throughout the day.

A limited-edition Samhain cocktail menu will be available for the full fortnight. It includes a Báirín Breac Manhattan, named after barmbrack, the fruit loaf traditionally eaten in Ireland at Halloween.

Food Desk

The Samhain programme runs from 19^th October until 1^st November 2026 at Homeboy, 108 Essex Road, London N1 8LX. For further information or to book tickets, visit the bar’s website here.